The Maldives has long been regarded as one of the world’s leading travel destinations, attracting visitors seeking to relax and connect with nature through its crystal-clear water and vibrant marine life. When diving alongside gentle turtles, strolling on pristine sandy beaches, or meditating at sunset, have you ever wondered: how long can this breathtaking scenery last? Will our future generations have the chance to experience these same precious moments?
Faced with pressing environmental challenges, Maldives resorts bear the responsibility of blending luxury with sustainability. For any resort, sustainability is not just a buzzword—it is a vital consideration for opening and maintaining a strong reputation. Although you may only be a visitor to the Maldives, understanding and supporting the sustainable initiatives of these resorts is a step toward preserving the beauty of our shared planet.
1. Eco Systems Leadership
To achieve environmental protection and sustainability, many resorts in the Maldives have established their own monitoring systems and professional teams dedicated to managing the resort’s overall environment. Through daily operational reports, they monitor waste management and utilize wastewater recycling systems. These innovative measures not only protect the natural ecosystem but also create a more harmonious travel experience for guests.
- Soneva
Soneva resorts launched the Waste-to-Wealth programme to address waste issues through innovative methods. The Eco Centro serves as the core of this initiative, achieving an 82% solid waste recycling rate in 2021. Beyond conventional recycling, Soneva repurposes waste materials into practical items and artworks, such as door handles, glassware, and wall tiles. Their goal is not only to enhance recycling efficiency but also to promote the Waste-to-Wealth philosophy on a broader scale.
- Kuramathi Maldives
Kuramathi Maldives operates its Eco Centre, led by a dedicated team that includes a Sustainability Manager and a Horticulturist. Supported by an environmental committee, the center focuses on reducing environmental impact, enhancing community engagement, and ensuring fair labor practices. These efforts enabled Kuramathi to successfully renew its prestigious Travelife Gold Certification, highlighting its commitment to sustainability.
2. Solar Energy Solutions
In the Maldives, abundant sunshine makes solar energy an ideal power source for resorts. Solar power systems reduce reliance on fuel generators, and some resorts use solar-powered lighting or schedule daytime laundry operations to optimize energy usage.
- Cheval Blanc Randheli
The resort has covered its back-of-house roofs with solar panels, generating 20% of its daytime energy needs. This initiative saved nearly 100,000 liters of diesel in less than a year.
- Taj Exotica Resort & Spa
One of only two resorts with EarthCheck Platinum certification, Taj Exotica built the Maldives’ largest Floating Solar Park. Its SolarSea system, paired with battery storage, allows the resort to run entirely on renewable energy during the day. This reduces diesel consumption by 475,000 liters annually and decreases 1,200 tons of carbon footprint, setting a new sustainability standard.
3. Recycled Water System
Water management is crucial for maintaining environmental sustainability in the Maldives. Many resorts produce purified drinking water through reverse osmosis and package it in reusable glass bottles. They also build treatment plants to safely recycle water for irrigation and other uses.
- Amilla Fushi Maldives
At Amilla, all drinking water is produced through reverse osmosis (desalination), sourced from the island’s underground water table using a deep bore. This water is less salty than seawater, requiring less energy to desalinate.
- The Nautilus Maldives
The Nautilus features an advanced Grey Water Treatment Plant at the heart of its water conservation efforts. This system recycles wastewater from guest houses, residences, and staff villages for irrigation, toilet flushing, and outdoor use, ensuring every drop is put to efficient use.
4. Coral Nursery
Many resorts actively participate in coral reef restoration projects and adopt eco-friendly practices to protect their natural surroundings, which helps the survival and recovery of coral reefs in the Maldives. Once these corals mature, healthy ones are replanted in the house reef.
- Oaga Art Resort
In partnership with Coral Alive, Oaga Art Resort established a coral nursery with 60 metal reef structures, powered by Mineral Accretion Technology (MAT). This technology uses low-voltage direct current electrolysis to support over 7,000 coral fragments in the nursery. To date, a total of 300 structures have been installed, with a goal to restore the entire house reef by 2028.
- Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas
Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas has documented 300 fish species and over 180 distinct coral varieties within its house reef. This research-based publication showcases the reef’s stunning beauty and rich biodiversity. This is the first time a resort in the Maldives has conducted such an extensive reef assessment and scientific study.
5. Green Spaces and Sustainable Dining
To minimize environmental impact while preserving natural beauty, many Maldives resorts have created thriving green spaces. These gardens supply fresh produce for kitchens and enhance the guest experience by allowing visitors to select ingredients. Resorts also prioritize serving sustainably sourced food and using natural or recyclable materials whenever possible.
- The Nautilus Maldives
Features the Indian Ocean’s largest green wall, with over 20,000 dhun’gethi bushes, providing shade and privacy, while blending into the island’s landscape.
- Amilla Fushi Maldives
Home to a hydroponic garden and naturally grown bananas, sweet potatoes, and coconut trees. They produce coconut-based products and grow mushrooms, earning a “Responsible Hospitality Partner of the Year 2024” award.
- Alila Kothaifaru Maldives
The resort sources seafood responsibly, prioritizes organic and regional produce, and offers plant-based menu options. Its adherence to sustainable fishing practices, like “one man, one hook, one fish,” reflects its commitment to preserving marine life.
6. Going Plastic Free
Plastic waste is a major pollutant and a threat to marine life, with nearly half a million plastic bottles discarded in the Maldives annually.
- Soneva
Since 2008, Soneva has banned branded bottled water, bottling their own in reusable glass. They’ve avoided 2.2 million plastic bottles and fund global clean water projects.
- Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
Replaces plastic with bamboo toothbrushes, wooden key cards, and serves a plastic-free breakfast with yogurt in glass jars and paper-wrapped butter.
- Alila Kothaifaru Maldives
Partnering with Parley for the Oceans, they reduce waste, use refillable ceramic containers, recyclable coffee pods, and ban plastic straws, employing ocean-bound plastics for products.
7. Sustainable Construction Practices
Many resorts in the Maldives are embracing sustainable building practices to reduce environmental impact and foster stronger community relationships.
- Soneva Jani
They construct their villas with sustainable materials like bamboo and wood, prioritizing eco-friendly sourcing. The resort goes beyond certifications by personally inspecting suppliers to ensure ethical practices in harvesting and production.
- Oaga Art Resort
They feature upcycled materials in its design, such as using barrels for room counters and creating venues like the Suvāsthi Studio and Kraken Water-sports Centre from refurbished shipping containers.
Small things for you, Big changes for the earth
- Environmental Clean-up: Barceló Whale Lagoon Maldives offers coral planting and beach clean-up activities to engage guests in preserving the Maldives’ natural beauty.
- Coral Planting: Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas allows guests to participate in coral planting and track their adopted corals’ growth, supporting reef restoration.
- Towel Reuse: The Nautilus promotes towel reuse to conserve resources, with linens changed every other day or upon request. Baros Maldives uses biodegradable cleaning products to minimize environmental impact.
- Dollars for Deeds: At Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas, guests can donate $1 per night or buy Bon Aqua water to fund marine conservation and community welfare projects.
Let us work together with these resorts to protect the sustainable future of the Maldives. At Lets Go Maldives, we have always been committed to collaborating with resorts that uphold sustainable development. Let us embrace a journey that is both sustainable and luxurious. May the white beaches and the blue seas continue not only before our eyes but also endure in the years to come. Every effort we make for the Earth is a gift for future generations, leaving behind a pure land. Let this natural paradise shine forever on the Earth and in human memory, radiating its unique beauty and brilliance!
