The Cleanest Islands in the Maldives - 9 Luxury Eco-Resorts

Many of the Maldives' islands boast turquoise, crystal-clear waters. But not everyone thinks about the downside. Historically, the Maldives has faced major problems in waste management. On local islands, trash was simply thrown into open burn pits and then dumped into the sea. This leads to air pollution, harming the marine ecosystem. Burned trash naturally washes back onto the shore.

The government has taken steps to address these issues. Research shows that tourists are the largest generators of waste in the Maldives per capita. Therefore, many resorts have resorted to eco-initiatives to preserve the pristine purity of the paradise islands. We have compiled a selection of resorts that care about the environment by introducing innovations.

Baros Maldives

Six Senses Laamu

Six Senses Laamu is a true island paradise with luxurious overwater villas, private pools, a personal butler, restaurants and a variety of activities. It is the only resort in the stunning Laamu Atoll, offering guests the opportunity to explore vibrant coral reefs, enjoy colorful marine life, pristine beaches and Yin Yang, the most famous surf spot in the Maldives.

Six Senses Laamu is surrounded by incredible natural beauty and is committed to protecting these fragile ecosystems. The resort implements a number of eco-initiatives, including zero waste programs. The island has an organic garden, its own desalinated water production, and has refused to use plastic bottles. The local marine team, the largest of its kind in the Maldives, cares about the ecology of the environment.

Six Senses Laamu

Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru

A haven of white sand beaches, turquoise waters and lush green jungle on a private island in Baa Atoll, the Maldives’ first UNESCO World Heritage Biosphere Reserve. The resort offers luxurious overwater villas with private infinity pools, as well as the Maldives’ only Olympic-size infinity pool, a full-service spa and an Ayurvedic retreat. Four restaurants serve cuisines from North African to Asian to Italian, and even a bar with Turkish coffee and shisha.

In an effort to become carbon neutral, the resort has also eliminated plastic straws and water bottles. Any remaining plastic is recycled and used to make clothing and footwear.

The resort partners with national conservation agencies and employs 10 marine biologists. There are turtle rehabilitation programs, manta ray research, coral reproduction and many other eco-initiatives.

Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru

Baros Maldives

Baros Maldives is located on a pristine private island in the North Male Atoll. Baros has been a leader in sustainable tourism in the Maldives for over 40 years. Baros Maldives implements the following eco-initiatives: using biodegradable cleaning products, installing LED lights, using a heat exchange system to heat the bath water, recycling water for garden irrigation and using CFC-free air conditioning.

Baros Maldives is the first eco-diving center in the Maldives. The resort offers luxurious villas and suites with private pools and outdoor bathrooms. Relax in a luxurious suite with private pools, outdoor bathrooms. Indulge in a visit to the Serenity Spa and indulge in fine dining at five restaurants.

Baros Maldives

Dusit Thani Maldives

A luxury eco-friendly resort in Baa Atoll, the Maldives’ first UNESCO World Heritage Site. The resort generates its own electricity using solar panels, uses locally produced drinking water and recycles its own wastewater. The island composts its food scraps and plans to grow its own vegetables and produce its own coconut oil.

The resort never uses chlorine in its pools and has eliminated single-use plastic (including plastic bottles and straws). Any plastic they do use is melted down and recycled several times.

The resort is known for its pristine natural surroundings: overwater villas with thatched roofs, natural materials, tropical showers and a spa surrounded by palm trees.Go snorkeling in the depths of the island. Nearby is Hanifaru Bay, where manta rays come every year from July to November.

Dusit Thani Maldives

Soneva Fushi

Situated on one of the largest islands in Baa Atoll, Soneva Fushi offers a magical escape away from civilization. The resort has implemented a robust composting program and also operates its own Eco Centro. It recycles about 90% of plastic, aluminum and glass waste. The hotel uses a water tank that allows rainwater to be recycled and reused.

Soneva Fushi exudes luxury: romantic villas with private pools, luxury residences with water slides. The resort has an observatory for stargazing, a world-class diving center, freediving courses, eco-surfing and a range of other water sports. Guests can enjoy saunas, spas, gyms, libraries, kitchens, a wine cellar and an 11-meter observation tower. Exceptional Maldivian cuisine. The hotel uses local produce, vegetables and herbs from its own garden.

Soneva Fushi

LUX South Ari Atoll Resort & Villas

The only resort on the beautiful, unspoilt island of Dhidhoofinolhu. LUX* Resorts & Hotels has committed to offsetting 100% of its carbon emissions to reduce its impact on climate change. And it is committed to keeping this piece of tropical paradise as clean as possible. The island is implementing renewable energy and water conservation projects.

Expect stunning overwater villas, private infinity pools, 13 restaurants and bars, an award-winning spa, a 5-star PADI dive centre and one of the largest water sports centres in the Maldives.

LUX South Ari Atoll Resort & Villas

Movenpick Kuredhivaru

Movenpick is located in a remote corner of the Maldives, in Noonu Atoll. The hotel is part of the world’s largest hotel group to receive Green Globe certification, the highest sustainability rating in travel and tourism worldwide. It has set international environmental standards, including water reduction, energy optimization, carbon reduction, waste management and the use of biodegradable alternatives to chemical products.

Movenpick Kuredhivaru offers overwater villas with glass floors, private pools and wine cellars, overwater spa rooms and luxury restaurants.

Movenpick Kuredhivaru

Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu

Located in Baa Atoll, Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu is a luxury resort with overwater bungalows shaped like a palm leaf. The lagoon boasts stunning sunset views. It is also one of the most eco-friendly resorts in the Maldives, caring for endangered sea turtles.

The resort has its own drinking water production facility, a glass bottling plant and a comprehensive waste management and recycling program. And the food served is from the local garden. It is also a nesting site for green sea turtles and a rehabilitation center where hatchlings are helped to survive.

Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu

Taj Exotica Resort & Spa Maldives

A holiday at Taj Exotica Resort & Spa Maldives is not only about enjoying fruit cocktails, gourmet food and marine activities. This is an eco-resort with its own rainwater harvesting system and a waste minimization program. The Reef Recharge program aims to protect the fragile reef system. It gives guests the opportunity to sponsor and build their own coral reef.

Taj Exotica Resort & Spa Maldives