CONSERVATION
At Coconut Bay Beach Resort and Spa our management and executive team believes we are not just caretakers of our resort’s 85 acres but also of our expansive stretch of coastline which is home to three species of nesting sea turtles and neighbor to Saint Lucia’s Maria Islands Nature Reserve. The Maria Islands Nature Reserve along with our mile-long beach are part of the Pointe Sables Environmental Protection Area, Saint Lucia’s largest seascape of interconnected coral reef, seagrass and mangroves.
Turtle Scouts
From March to November each year, Coconut Bay’s beautiful mile of beach is a nesting ground for three species of endangered sea turtles: the mighty Leatherback, the colourful Hawksbill and the grass-eating Green sea turtle. Since our resort’s opening in 2005 we have worked with local organizations and preservationists to educate our staff and guests about these extraordinary creatures and support turtle conservation efforts.
Coconut Bay partnered with the Saint Lucia National Trust and Department of Fisheries to hold frequent workshops for our staff educating them on the importance of turtles to the marine ecosystem just off our shores. Over the years multiple staff trainings led to the launch of our Turtle Scouts Program where staff from multiple departments were trained to identify turtle species and tracks, nesting patterns, monitoring and how to share documentation as well as information on the life cycle of sea turtles. These trainings have empowered our staff to advance our conservation policies at the resort including responding to nesting activity as well as retrieval and release of endangered hatchlings.
To further advance turtle conservation efforts in addition to the training for our staff, Coconut Bay also initiated a program to educate all our international guests about the struggling turtle population by adding multiple signs and posters about the three species of turtles that nest on our beach and steps guests can take to assist in turtle conservation. Each year during the active nesting season, Coconut Bay staff shares their knowledge with guests of all ages through our Turtle Scouts program, assists with marking nests and invites our guest to participate in safe releases of recent hatchlings that call our beach home.
Skip the Straw Save a Turtle
With the cooperation of our valued staff and guests, Since 2018 Coconut Bay has been able to reduce the use of single use plastics throughout the resort which began with our “Skip the Straw, Save a Turtle” initiative eliminating the use of plastic straws at our beachfront bars as part of our ongoing commitment to turtle conservation efforts and reducing this litter item across our resort and on our beach – which can be deadly to the marine life off our shores.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE IS THE COCONUT BAY WAY
RESPONSIBILITY
Coconut Bay is a socially conscious corporate citizen, actively involving staff, stakeholders, and guests in community engagement. Our philanthropic efforts for the past 18 years have improved the lives of the less fortunate, elderly, and youth in Vieux Fort and other southern Saint Lucia villages. Our mission prioritizes the welfare of the environment, finances, and society.
SUSTAINABILITY
We prioritize sustainability to protect our island’s natural resources, benefitting our guests, community, and environment. Our operations focus on energy, waste, and water conservation, while expanding Green Initiatives responsibly to support the local economy. Our commitment to sustainable practices reflects our belief in responsible tourism and our responsibility to leave a positive impact on the planet.