Villa Resorts / Sustainability
We're passionate about creating a world where we live in harmony. Our resorts are a celebration of the islands we call home and are places that should be protected and preserved. Discover more about the steps Villa Resorts has already taken to become more sustainable and the plans we have for a more eco-friendly future.
Award-Winning Environmental Leadership
Villa Resorts has been at the forefront of sustainability in the Maldives for decades. In 1999, Sun Island, now known as Villa Park, received the National Award for the Green Resort, marking an early milestone in environmental stewardship. Today, the commitment continues across the portfolio. Villa Nautica, Villa Park, and Royal Island hold the prestigious Green Key certification, the leading international standard of excellence in sustainable hospitality. In January 2023, Villa Nautica was awarded the International Environmental Green Key Award, joining Villa Park and Royal Island who were certified in 2022.
Villa Park has also received recognition on the global stage. In October 2022, the resort was named the Maldives Leading Green Resort in the Indian Ocean, a hallmark of excellence in tourism. With more than 2,400 solar panels generating renewable energy and significantly reducing its carbon footprint, Villa Park continues to demonstrate best practices in environmental responsibility. The resort was further honoured as the Leading Sustainable Honeymoon Resort at the Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards.
Villa Resorts is committed to:
- Energy efficiency and paperless initiatives
- Self-sufficient water production
- Conserving coral reefs
- Cleaning up the coastline
- Creating sanctuaries for migratory guests
- Growing organic food gardens
- Championing sustainable fishing
Clean Energy and Sustainable Innovation
Our ambition is to generate more than 30 percent of our group’s total energy through renewable sources. Solar power plays a central role in this transformation.
At Villa Nautica, 2,621 solar panels generate between 4,500 and 5,000 kWh of electricity daily, significantly reducing reliance on diesel and cutting carbon emissions. At Villa Park, 2,464 marine-grade panels produce up to 4,076 kWh per day, powering island operations with clean energy. These projects directly reduce the carbon footprint of our resorts while demonstrating how large-scale tourism can integrate renewable energy in island settings.
Innovation extends beyond solar. At Villa Haven, an advanced chilled water-cooling system delivers island-wide air conditioning with 40 percent less energy consumption compared to conventional methods. At Villa Park, a groundbreaking collaboration with Yanmar has introduced LPG-powered decentralized systems for cooling and water heating, providing targeted efficiency and lower emissions. Several of our properties are also implementing ozone-based laundry systems, which require less hot water and fewer chemicals while being gentler on fabrics, extending their lifespan and reducing environmental impact.
Our future pipeline includes hydrogen-infused diesel generators to increase thermal efficiency, thermal paint and eco-panels to improve cooling performance, and innovative marine transport options such as hydrofoil and wing-effect boats to reduce fuel use. These projects reflect our long-term commitment to cleaner energy and smarter operations.
Responsible Water and Waste Management
All Villa Resorts islands are self-sufficient in water production. Rainwater harvesting and advanced on-site treatment centres supply safe, drinkable water, while reusable glass bottles have replaced single-use plastic across our operations, including excursions. By doing so, we protect marine life from plastic pollution and reduce waste streams.
Our partnership with Parley for the Oceans supports global recycling projects, ensuring that plastics collected on our islands are repurposed instead of discarded. Meanwhile, our diveOceanus dive centres have transitioned to 100 percent digital operations, eliminating paper waste. These steps are reinforced by resort-wide awareness programmes that encourage both staff and guests to adopt eco-conscious behaviours.
Coral Restoration and Marine Biodiversity
The coral reefs of the Maldives are among the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world. Rising sea temperatures and bleaching events have placed them at risk, but Villa Resorts is actively working to restore and protect them.
In 2022, we launched our first coral gardening project at Villa Nautica, where dive teams trained in reef restoration techniques planted 93 coral frames near the water villas. Within months, the site transformed into a thriving artificial reef attracting juvenile fish and marine species. In 2023, Villa Park expanded the initiative with 34 coral frames, while Royal Island began its programme in 2024, with the first four frames already in place and further planting underway.
These projects are not only ecological but also educational. Guests are invited to join marine biologists for guided snorkels and coral planting, while local school groups participate in hands-on workshops. Despite occasional losses due to natural factors, our restoration sites show remarkable resilience, providing hope for the future of Maldivian reefs.
Protecting the Islands and Wildlife
Villa Resorts protects the delicate ecosystems that make the Maldives so unique. Regular beach and sandbank clean-ups ensure shorelines remain pristine, while coconut sapling planting enhances greenery and prevents erosion. Villa Park’s lush botanical gardens double as a sanctuary for migratory birds, creating a natural haven for biodiversity. Royal Island, located within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, supports tropical bird species and marine wildlife in one of the world’s most celebrated natural habitats.
Organic Food Gardens
Food sustainability is an essential part of our philosophy. At Villa Park, more than 20,000 coconuts are harvested each month. Alongside this, our organic gardens produce fresh vegetables, herbs, and tropical fruits daily for our restaurants. These gardens rely exclusively on organic methods, reducing the need for chemical pesticides and ensuring that every dish served is as fresh, healthy, and sustainable as possible.
Championing sustainable fishing
Fishing in the Maldives has a long history and is an integral part of the country's culture. The Maldives maintains a sustainable fishing industry with most fish, including tuna, caught by the traditional pole-and-line method. Protecting our oceans is the main priority and preserving marine biodiversity is critical to people's health and our planet. We believe that careful management of our essential resources and marine protected areas is a key feature of a sustainable future.
In addition to pole-and-line fishing, we prioritize sustainable lobster fishing in accordance with size criteria. It is part of our core commitment to preserving the Maldives' ecosystems and biodiversity for the future.
Guest and Community Engagement
We believe sustainability is strongest when it is shared. Guests are invited to join reef clean-ups, plant corals with dive teams, and learn from marine biologists about the fragile ecosystems that surround our islands. Our coral gardening programmes actively involve local schools, giving young Maldivians a chance to engage with conservation first-hand. For our employees, sustainability is embedded in training and workplace culture, with regular programmes that encourage eco-friendly practices.
Our guiding principle is clear: make sustainable actions easy, enjoyable, and rewarding for everyone — whether they are guests, employees, or members of our communities
Real-Time Impact
Transparency is at the heart of our approach. Powered by Swimsol, our real-time solar dashboard displays the clean energy generated each day at Villa Nautica and Villa Park, alongside the carbon emissions avoided.
Villa Haven
South Ari Atoll, Maldives
Immersed in natural beauty, this heavenly sanctuary is a restorative island escape. Experience an elevated sense of harmony at Villa Haven.
Villa Nautica
North Malé Atoll, Maldives
Celebrating the glitz of yacht-life, Villa Nautica bustles with cosmopolitan flair. Embrace the seafarer lifestyle in a glamorous maritime setting.
Villa Park
South Ari Atoll, Maldives
Tropical, exotic and teeming with wildlife, Villa Park is adventurously unfamiliar. Explore our colourful isle with a far-flung and fun-filled getaway.
Royal Island
Baa Atoll, Maldives
Connect with nature in the splendour of a protected UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Ease into the local rhythm and recharge at Royal Island.