Located in the Anambas Archipelago, Indonesia, Bawah Reserve integrates high-end design with sustainability, with "Earth First" as its core philosophy. Recently, the resort officially received B Corp Certification, joining the ranks of global B Corps with a score of 84.4. This certification aims to recognize companies that create positive social and environmental impact, and also affirms Bawah Reserve's long-term investment in ecological protection, as well as its stewardship of the six islands, 13 beaches, three lagoons, and 100 hectares of forest where the resort is located.
Paul Robinson, Chief Operating Officer of Bawah Reserve, stated: "Receiving B Corp Certification is a moment of pride for the entire Bawah Reserve team. The commitment recognized by this honor began long before we welcomed our first guests. We have always believed that excellent hospitality and an authentic Indonesian experience should go hand in hand with environmental protection and support for the local community. This certification not only reflects the team's efforts but also further motivates us to continue improving and driving positive change at Bawah Reserve and throughout the Anambas Archipelago."
By supporting the Anambas Foundation, Bawah Reserve uses "Above, Below, Beyond" as its core philosophy to carry out protection and support work across three levels: land, ocean, and community. This covers wildlife and marine ecological protection, education, and care for the surrounding Anambas community.
ABOVE: Creating a resort experience with a mindful philosophy
Bawah Reserve always upholds the "Earth First" philosophy. Before making any decision, the team first considers, "What impact will this decision have on the Earth?" This principle runs through the resort's design and daily operations. The 36 suites and villas in the resort were meticulously designed by Singaporean architect Sim Boon Yang. During construction, there was no need to transport heavy machinery to the islands, nor was it necessary to cut down forests or damage coral reefs. The buildings were constructed to conform to the existing trees and marine ecological environment rather than replacing natural spaces, and land usage was minimized as much as possible. The building structures use driftwood, teak, bamboo, and recycled copper, while walkways, stairs, and foundations use local stone from the Anambas Archipelago. The interiors of the rooms and villas fully showcase local craftsmanship and cleverly use recycled materials, such as handmade lamps woven from natural fibers and tables made from naturally fallen wood, blending local craftsmanship with sustainable design.
Bawah Reserve is the first island resort in Indonesia to be powered by a renewable energy microgrid. Today, 18 floating solar platforms provide most of the resort's electricity, reducing diesel consumption by nearly 1,200 liters per day, significantly lowering carbon dioxide emissions, and even heating water for guest showers. The resort completely eliminates single-use plastic products and provides reusable water bottles upon guest arrival, which can also be taken home as a souvenir. Waste generated by the resort and neighboring islands is sorted into 36 categories for proper reuse and recycling. Every week, the resort's ECOmmittee invites guests to participate in beach cleanup activities, which not only reduces marine debris but also gives guests the opportunity to learn more about marine ecological protection.
BELOW: Safeguarding marine ecology, protecting the underwater world
Led by Marine Conservation Manager John Nolan, Bawah Reserve continues to advance marine ecological protection work, covering areas such as coral reef protection and restoration, ecological health monitoring, marine debris cleanup, and sea turtle conservation. By combining scientific research, community participation, and guest education, these projects have not only achieved quantifiable ecological protection results but are also committed to inspiring more people to participate in marine conservation.
· Coral restoration: The scale of the coral nursery has expanded to 10 times its original size, with capacity increasing from 250 coral fragments to 2,500. In ongoing restoration work, 14,000 coral fragments have been transplanted onto 3,630 artificial reef structures. These artificial reefs were designed by John and his team, cumulatively restoring over 1,650 square meters of degraded coral reef area.
· Coral reef protection and monitoring: Bawah Reserve is the first in western Indonesia to launch a coral spawning event recording project, having currently recorded over 80 spawning events across 16 coral genera. Meanwhile, through a crown-of-thorns starfish control program, the resort keeps their population at a level that will not trigger large-scale outbreaks and continues to conduct coral reef health surveys at seven long-term monitoring sites.
· Sea turtle conservation: To date, 251 sea turtle nests containing a total of 18,399 eggs have been protected from poaching and natural predators, with more than half of these nests protected between 2025 and 2026. Through photo identification technology, the team has identified 253 different sea turtles based on 745 observations; additionally, 24 sea turtles have been fitted with satellite tracking devices, with migration routes reaching up to 1,000 kilometers, connecting the waters around Bawah with Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and southern Sumatra. This data also provides an important reference for the Indonesian government in managing the Anambas Marine Protected Area.
BEYOND: Supporting the development of the Anambas Archipelago community
The local community has always been an important part of Bawah Reserve's sustainability philosophy. 97% of the resort team are Indonesian nationals, with 20% coming from the Anambas Archipelago, creating employment opportunities and development space for local residents. Employees in all departments receive training on sustainability, waste sorting, and recycling, and regularly participate in beach cleanup activities, integrating environmental protection into daily island life. In addition, employees can participate in PADI Open Water Diver courses for free to enhance their marine exploration skills and further encourage them to participate in marine conservation work.
Since its establishment in 2018, the Anambas Foundation has continued to collaborate with Bawah Reserve to promote projects such as integrated waste management, women's empowerment, English education, and organic farming throughout the archipelago. Guests can also contribute to local conservation efforts by participating in environmental-themed lectures, sea turtle nest patrols, and marine conservation diving activities. Among them, the "Marine Conservation Heroes" experience project will also lead guests to gain an in-depth understanding of the specific content and impact of related conservation work.
Receiving this B Corp Certification is not only a recognition of Bawah Reserve's long-term commitment to sustainability but also reflects the collective efforts of the entire team. In the future, Bawah Reserve will continue to take practical actions to reduce its environmental footprint, protect the island's ecology, and support the local community that has lived in the Anambas Archipelago for generations, continuing to promote the harmonious coexistence of humans and nature.