Anantara Iko Mauritius Resort & Villas Unveils its New ‘Be Iko’ Conservation Initiative
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Exploring the underwater haven of Anantara Iko Mauritius Resort & Villas by glass-bottom kayaks
Anantara Iko Mauritius Resort & Villas offers guests a new way to travel and experience the world, pairing luxury hospitality with eco-tourism with the launch of its new 'Be Iko' programme.
Designed for travellers seeking deeper connections with the communities they visit, the programme offers a unique way to explore Mauritius through hands-on conservation and community engagement, leaving a positive impact on the island’s natural beauty and cultural heritage.
From the resort’s beachfront, guests can participate in a coral farming initiative, led by the Currimjee Foundation in collaboration with local NGO Eco Mode Society and supported by MOL Mauritius International Funds. Weekly workshops guided by a resident marine biologist highlight the vital role of coral reefs, which protect Mauritius’ coastline, support marine biodiversity, provide a livelihood for small-scale fishermen, and add to the island’s iconic beauty. At the coral farm, guests learn about ‘corals of opportunity’ — fragments gathered from the seafloor and nurtured in a safe haven, recreating a healthy marine ecosystem in La Cambuse. Guests can also join the biologist for bi-weekly inspections, exploring the underwater haven by glass-bottom kayaks to observe colourful marine life, including angel, bat, and pufferfish.
The ‘Be Iko’ programme also includes conservation activities on land. The ‘Clean & Sip’ initiative rewards guests with a conservation-themed cocktail, IKO Breeze for each bag of rubbish collected from the beach. The popular Plant-a-Tree programme and exclusive tours of Iles aux Aigrettes, a protected nature reserve less than a kilometre from the mainland, round out a meaningful experience. Managed by the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, Iles aux Aigrettes preserves Mauritius’ last dry coastal forest and shelters rare flora and fauna such as giant tortoises and geckos, offering guests an encounter with some of the island’s most precious inhabitants.
The Mauritian Wildlife Foundation is supported by Anantara’s Dollars for Deeds programme, which allows guests to donate one US dollar per night, matched by Anantara. These contributions fund the ‘Plant a Tree’ program, inviting guest participation and resulting in reforestation efforts at the hotel or at Ile Aux Aigrettes, a protected island with many endemic plants and endangered species. Managed by the Currimjee Foundation, these funds support conservation, habitat restoration, and environmental awareness initiatives.
“Our ‘Be Iko’ programme provides a truly enriching experience,” says Daniel Méndez, General Manager of Anantara Iko Mauritius Resort & Villas. “Here, guests don’t just visit a beautiful island; they help preserve it. As they enjoy our golden beaches, turquoise waters, and lush landscapes, they know their stay contributes to the wellbeing of Mauritius for generations to come.”
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Anantara Iko Mauritius Resort & Villas
Anantara Iko Mauritius Resort & Villas was founded on the principles of sustainability, with the ethos reflected in the resort’s very name, Iko, or eco. Located on Mauritius’ pristine south-eastern coast, within the protected marine park of Blue Bay, it was carefully conceived and set back from the beach 100 metres to minimise ecological impact, with the surrounding indigenous Veloutier trees remaining undisturbed throughout the construction process. Guests enjoy a unique eco-sanctuary hidden away from the world, yet fully immersed in the beauty of nature. Restorative activities include hiking along nature trails, cycling along the coast, practising yoga on the beach, and diving some of the clearest waters on earth.
About Anantara Hotels & Resorts
A luxury hospitality brand for modern travellers, Anantara has connected guests to genuine places, people and stories in some of the world’s most extraordinary destinations since 2001. Each Anantara embraces the surroundings and culture of its destination to create unforgettable memories for every guest. From city to sea and desert to jungle, Anantara delivers heartfelt, Thai-inspired hospitality at its over 50 hotels and resorts across Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Indian Ocean.
Anantara is part of global hospitality group Minor Hotels and a member of the GHA DISCOVERY loyalty programme.
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