Eco-friendly Maldives Holidays

On your eco-friendly Maldives holiday, you can find out more about the islands’ unique marine life. Several resorts have their own marine biology centre and conservation projects, making it easier than ever for you to discover – and protect – these underwater worlds.

For instance, Meeru Island Resort and Spa has an in-house marine biologist who runs regular workshops and trips to help you learn more about the ocean. This eco-friendly resort has won several awards for its commitment to sustainability, as the team works hard to ensure the pristine environment stays that way for years to come.

Picturesque Coco Bodu Hithi also has a resident marine biologist, who’s happy to share their conservation tips. You’ll be able to get involved with the resort’s conservation programmes, by planting corals or documenting local fish on a snorkelling or diving trip. Back on dry land, Coco Bodu Hithi recycles as much as possible, while the restaurants serve organic produce.

Recognised by UNESCO, Biosphere Reserves are dedicated areas where people can learn more about the natural world and ways to conserve it. They exist on land too, but – as the name suggests – a Marine Biosphere Reserve gives you the chance to see the ocean at its natural best. 

Tucked inside a UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserve, Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu offers you a glimpse of unspoiled marine life. Here, you can learn about the Indian Ocean’s unique environment in daily workshops, or find out more about preservation projects by chatting to the resort’s resident marine biologist. If you want to get stuck in, why not go on a reef-cleaning trip or plant trees across the resort? Plus, you can visit the island’s very own turtle rescue centre.

Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu also protects the environment in other ways. The resort uses glass bottles instead of plastic, and all their delicious seafood is either pole- or line-caught, to avoid using harmful nets. The hotel also champions Maldivian cuisine. Produce is sourced locally wherever possible, and lots of the fruits, herbs, spices and vegetables are grown on the island.

Eco-friendly Maldives holidays aren’t just about protecting the country’s famous coral reefs – they’re also about minimising the impact of tourism, both on land and at sea.

OBLU Select at Sangeli is doing all it can to protect the natural environment. As part of its sustainability plans, this resort monitors its water waste and – to reduce the amount of plastic packaging – items are bought in bulk wherever possible. If you stay here, you can take part in coral restoration projects, and enjoy seasonal, local food.

Meanwhile, the team at OBLU by Atmosphere is working hard to keep the island as unspoiled as possible. Every aspect of this resort is geared towards sustainability. Water usage is strictly monitored, and the resort supports the local economy by using local goods and services as much as possible, including fruit, clothes and craftsmen. Thanks to their efforts, OBLU by Atmosphere is well on its way to achieving Green Globe status – one of the most respected signs of sustainable tourism.

The Green Globe Standard assesses the performance of sustainable tourism. So, when you’re looking at eco-friendly Maldives holidays, keep an eye out for Green Globe-awarded hotels – these are the best in the business. 

LUX* South Ari Atoll falls into this prestigious category. On Dhidhoofinolhu Island, this five-star resort is dedicated to working in harmony with its natural surroundings, to protect the Indian Ocean. The resort has set up its own marine biology centre to monitor, research and protect the Maldives’ whale sharks. And your holiday can help, too. You can go on eco-tours with the team, where you’ll learn about local marine life, remove dangerous ghost nets from the ocean, and find out more about the resort’s coral regeneration scheme.

And that’s not all. Like many hotels across the world, LUX* South Ari Atoll has switched from plastic straws to paper straws, in a bid to reduce plastic waste. They’re also added floating solar panels to the resort, to use the Maldives’ glorious sunshine as a source of electricity.