8 spectacular sustainable places to stay in the Maldives

From solar-powered stays to marine conservation projects – discover the luxury resorts making meaningful efforts to lighten their footprint on the islands...

4 mins

1. Soneva Fushi

Soneva Fushi (Soneva Fushi)

Soneva Fushi (Soneva Fushi)

There was a moment when it seemed like everyone on Instagram was sliding down Soneva Fushi’s waterslides, splashing into the pale turquoise waters of Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Either that, or they were zooming into Flying Sauces, its treetop dining experience that sits 18 metres high in the air and is reached via a 200m-long zipline. But there’s more to this resort than Instagram likes. Soneva has long been an advocate of responsible tourism, banning plastic straws as far back as 1998 and filtering, mineralising and bottling their own water. That sense of sustainability extends to guest experiences as well. Alongside a rota of visiting experts that teach as much as they entertain, you can take night cruises with the resident astronomer or even book classes on glass-blowing using recycled bottles.

Booking information: Villas from £1,026pn, including breakfast; soneva.com

2. Six Senses Laamu

Over-water villa Six Senses Laamu (Six Senses Laamu)

Over-water villa Six Senses Laamu (Six Senses Laamu)

One of just a handful of resorts on Laamu Atoll, this luxurious stay is surrounded by reefs teeming with dolphins, uninhabited islands and exciting surf breaks. It also plays its part in maintaining those reefs. While numbers may not be the sexiest thing to think about on your break, it’s worth reflecting on the impact that the resort’s sustainability efforts have had. Some 18,573 local people have been given access to safe drinking water thanks to donated water purification systems; 933,000 sq m of seagrass has been protected through its #ProtectMaldivesSeagrass campaign; and more than 1,800 megafauna surveys are conducted each year. For the sake of transparency, a 70-page annual report of the resort’s Maldives Underwater Initiative is even available – something to read while relaxing on the verandah of your beachfront or over-water villa.

Booking information: Rooms from £804pn, including breakfast; sixsenses.com/en/resorts/laamu

3. One&Only Reethi Rah

One&Only Reethi Rah (Mel Yates)

One&Only Reethi Rah (Mel Yates)

It’s tempting never to move from your over-water hammock at One&Only Reethi Rah, but some of the best dining in the Maldives awaits. The resort’s eight restaurants include plant-based Botanica by Matthew Kenney, where ingredients from chef Dwayne Krisko’s garden brighten the menu. Krisko’s efforts to tread lightly – many of which have contributed to the resort’s EarthCheck Gold certification – include working with local fisherman on sourcing the most sustainable line-caught catches as well as distributing eco-friendly fishing lines and biodegradable hooks. At Tapasake, the resort’s Japanese-Peruvian restaurant, skip the salmon and go for Maldivian yellowfin tuna or local lobster, accompanied by the restaurant’s exclusively blended sake, Naraman Daiginjo.

Booking information: Rooms from £1,705pn, including breakfast; minimum four-night stay; oneandonlyresorts.com

4. Kurumba

Kurumba (muhaphotos.com)

Kurumba (muhaphotos.com)

This was the first private island resort in the Maldives and a pioneer of the nation’s tourism industry back when it originally opened in 1972. Ever since then, it has focused on connecting guests with traditional Maldivian experiences. The property also takes its environmental responsibilities seriously, with efforts in place to reduce energy consumption and waste alongside a broader range of measures designed to have a positive impact on larger social issues, such as employee welfare, community engagement and child protection. In addition, you might find yourself listening to the islands’ hottest local talent during your stay, as Kurumba’s focus on engaging with the local community extends to music and entertainment as well, with Maldivian drummers, bands and DJs all performing regularly at the resort.

Booking information: Rooms from £189pn, including breakfast; kurumba.com

5. Joali Being

(Manuel Wessig)

(Manuel Wessig)

Immersion in nature is the big focus of this plush island retreat, which, as you might guess given its preoccupation, also treads lightly on its environment. Efforts to lessen its impact include food waste recycling, on-site water bottling and the growth of coral nurseries. Detail is everything here. Villas incorporate the colours and textures of nature, while its immersive programmes (from £1,385pp based on a five-night package) take guests on individually tailored transformative well-being journeys that could involve Watsu water therapy, cryotherapy, personal training and even sonic healing. It’s all so life-affirming. Joali Being’s food is even prepared in separate kitchens for vegans, pescatarians and carnivores, and it challenges the notion of what wellness cuisine can truly be. Centered on the resort’s four central pillars – mind, skin, microbiome and energy – it’s never less than filling, delicious and beautiful.

Booking information: Villas from £1,785pn, including breakfast; joali.com

6. Four Seasons Resorts Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru

Four Seasons Resorts Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru (KENSEET)

Four Seasons Resorts Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru (KENSEET)

This serene escape on Landaa Giraavaru island eschews a rustic-chic aesthetic in favour of clean lines and contemporary silhouettes. Its Baa Atoll location also ensures that the surrounding waters are filled with marine life. From June to November, the resort’s Manta-On-Call programme can even equip guests with a ‘manta phone’ that rings whenever these creatures are sighted off the coast so that guests can be whisked away for snorkelling encounters. And when it comes to engagement with the community, there’s a high chance you’ll meet a graduate of the resort’s apprenticeship programme when having dinner. First introduced in 2001, 700 young Maldivians have graduated so far, and you’ll find them working in various roles throughout the resort.

Booking information: Bungalows from £1,310pn, including breakfast; fourseasons.com

7. Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort

Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort (Ralf Tooten)

Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort (Ralf Tooten)

This resort’s location in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll has been central to its efforts in helping to protect and restore the surrounding reefs through trial coral nurseries. Uniquely, it is also focused on promoting a local craft with a long, if rapidly vanishing, heritage on the islands: the local lacquer tradition known as liyelaa jehun. Once practiced all over the Maldives, it is disappearing as younger generations show less interest in traditional crafts, which typically pay less than modern professions. Every Friday and Saturday, the resort organises workshops with local artisans, who demonstrate the disappearing skills behind these colourful hand-crafted items. Guests can try creating their own work and can also purchase pieces directly, supporting the island economy and encouraging future generations to continue this tradition.

Booking information: Rooms from £745pn, including breakfast; marriott.com

8. Kudadoo

Kudadoo (Kudadoo)

Kudadoo (Kudadoo)

With 15 ocean residences powered entirely by 984 solar panels, tiny Kudadoo aims to leave the smallest environmental footprint possible. Designed by Tokyo-born, New York-based architect Yuji Yamazaki, its residences benefit from large open living spaces and over-water decks, and are made from eco-conscious materials, including wood taken from sustainably managed forests. But the resort’s ‘Anything. Anytime. Anywhere’ concept also ensures that luxury is woven throughout every stay. Spa treatments and dining can be arranged anywhere on the island and excursions to sandbanks or to watch dolphins are always available, as are watersports. Its dedication to wellness has even extended as far as creating the Maldives’ first Himalayan salt chamber, lined by mineral-rich, 1,000-year-old salt.

Booking information: Residences from £2,760pn all inclusive; minimum three-night stay; kudadoo.com

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