Some resorts in the Indian Ocean are striving to create a greener planet and ocean by committing to sustainable practices that involve both the staff and guests.

We’ve picked our favourite 4 sustainable resorts that are taking conservation to heart in the Seychelles, Maldives and Madagascar.

Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa

Gorgeous views and a hillside location is what makes Hilton Northolme Resort & Spa an amazing spot to visit on Mahé Island. But this resort is also taking sustainability seriously by creating a positive change for Seychelles’ ocean. At present, the resort is growing coral at their coral reef nursery to combat coral bleaching and climate change.

Recently they also launched a soap recycling initiative, becoming the first hotel to recycle soap. The hotel also has its own organic vegetable garden on their grounds.

Alphonse Island

Alphonse Island’s motto for conservation is, “where conservation is fun”. Guided by a passionate team, guests at this private outer island of Seychelles can enjoy fun conservation activities for the whole family. There’s the beach clean-up where you can collect garbage that’s washed and make art with it – the resort is well-known for making beautiful flip flop animals from found sandals.

The islands of Astove, Alphonse and Aldabra are home to the Giant Aldabra Tortoises. These giants are monitored closely, and guests can participate in tortoise tracking.

Miavana Time + Tide

Miavana’s Time + Tide property in Madagascar tries to answer the question of how it’s possible to preserve wild spaces and allow the local people who live nearby to progress. The 360-hectares of land, where the resort now stands, was cleared of invasive shrubs and re-planted with 120,000 endemic plants cultivated from clippings by Island Manager Greg Wepener and his team.

500 local workers were involved in the construction and local customs were respected. It took 4.5 years but Time + Tide Miavana welcomed its first guests in May 2017. Nowadays, Nosy Ankoa is part of 15,000 hectares of marine space and the resort has pledged to protect the 85% endemic wildlife and flora around it.

Soneva Jani

Situated in the magical Maldives, Soneva Jani’s over-water villas are surrounded by a house reef. A few years ago the resort signed a pledge to protect the area within their house reef. Waste from staff and guests is recycled, wastewater is treated on-site, and electricity is powered by solar power.

There’s also a lush vegetable garden on the island and the local produce is used in the island’s restaurants. Lastly,  the pools use seawater with UV filtration and the villas have been built on stilts to not damage the reef.

At Giltedge, we create life-changing experiences. Contact us for queries or to create your tailormade island escape.