Since its opening in 1998, Frégate Island Private has endeavoured to make fundamental progress in environmental conservation and reform and has been rewarded for its efforts by becoming a leader in eco-tourism in the Seychelles.

Its latest goal is to reduce its carbon footprint on the planet. Frégate Island has been declared carbon neutral and is striving to become carbon negative by reducing its CO² emissions through reforestation, recycling and other energy saving methods. The island maintains its carbon neutral status by planting two trees for every guest who stays at the hotel.

During September 2009, Frégate Island reached another ecological goal by planting its 100,000th endemic tree (a Ficus variety).

The colonialists of bygone era cleared most of Frégate Island’s natural forest and vegetation to make way for coconut plantations. The hotel therefore launched a decisive campaign to clear exotic plants and trees and to rehabilitate the island with indigenous flora. This ongoing project involves the planting of Ficus trees, hardwood trees and other endemic plants at the nursery. The nursery currently has one of the largest number of hardwood trees in the Indian Ocean. The restoration of the forest and environment to it natural state has enabled Frégate Island to re-introduce endemic birds and has been extremely successful in its breeding programmes with the endangered and sensitive Seychelles Magpie Robin and Seychelles White Eye.

The hotel and infrastructure occupies only 5% of the island with only 16 exclusive villas, while the rest of the island is left for nature to thrive. The island has therefore become a paradise not only for its guests, but also for its natural inhabitants.

The preservation, protection and nurture of its unique flora and fauna has always been a fundamental raison d’être for Frégate Island Private. With only 16 villas, each positioned to guarantee ultimate privacy, guests are invited to experience the rare luxuries of space, security and seclusion within a tropical island setting of exuberant natural beauty.

By Samantha James, Exclusive Serenity