Secret Bay Dominica: Growing a Sanctuary of Sustainability
Located on the Caribbean island of Dominica, Secret Bay is an award-winning collection of luxury villas sustainably crafted on a cliffside within the ‘Nature Island’s’ rainforest. Meticulously constructed without the use of heavy machinery to avoid clearing mature trees, the villas are entirely built of sustainably sourced Guyanese hardwood and outfitted with locally crafted furniture composed of Red Cedar.
The recent Green Globe audit carried out via an independent, on-site inspection, found Secret Bay complies with 88% of Green Globe’s indicators and has been certified for its sustainable management. Guests enjoy a range of sustainability practices throughout the property, including farm-to-table dining with locally grown and harvested ingredients, provision of reusable water bottles and convenient access to refill stations, and the banning of single-use plastics.
Proprietor of Secret Bay and The Residences at Secret Bay, Gregor Nassief, said, “The recertification and continued recognition by Green Globe is fundamental to our sustainability efforts. It gives us a framework by which to operate and encourages us to continuously raise the bar on sustainability. Our latest project in sustainable cuisine is Botanica, our new Organic Garden & Chef’s Table, which introduces our guests to delicious, sustainable plant-based cuisine.”
“We have also advanced our energy and water conservation efforts with digital metering, and we continue our coral restoration efforts, among many other initiatives. We are delighted to continue our journey with Green Globe,” added Nassief.
Botanica: Organic Garden & Chef’s Table
Growing ingredients on site for guests’ enjoyment has always been a strong focus at Secret Bay. Each villa has its own grow boxes allowing guests to harvest fresh produce rightoutside their door. And the beach-front Guava forest provides fresh guavas for juices and desserts.
This year, the concept of foraging and harvesting has been taken to a new level, with the creation of the Botanica Boutique Farm and Chef’s Table experience. Guests can forage along the nature trail where they will find hibiscus, cacao trees, breadfruit trees, African tulip and dasheen. The trail ends at Botanica nestled in the forest along a riverside setting and provides a farm-to-table experience. Chefs create one-of-a-kind delicious plant-based dishes using the fresh ingredients foraged from the nature trail and picked at Botanica. Along the trail and at the farm, the Secret Garden team expertly cultivate the herbs and vegetables ensuring a productive harvest.
The Coral Restoration Project
Secret Bay is active in promoting healthy reefs with their Coral Restoration Project. This guest experience is a hands-on way to learn about the effects of climate change and human impact on coral ecosystems while exploring the Caribbean Sea from a new perspective.
The Coral Restoration Project is focused on the regeneration of impaired coral through the implementation of a coral nursery. Along the North coast of the island, live corals are propagated on strategically placed metal frames located five feet off the seabed. Their development is monitored and recorded, and healthy specimens are then transplanted onto the reefs around the Secret Bay to help them flourish. Data from the project is shared with key local and international organizations such as the Dominica Fisheries and PADI with the intention to learn more about coral restoration and to expand projects across the west coast of Dominica.
Digital monitoring of water and electricity consumption
Conserving water and electricity is extremely important at Secret Bay. The most energy efficient LED lighting and appliances have been installed, and the property continues to review the energy efficiency of any new equipment that it intends to purchase.
At the same time, new digital meters measure water and electricity consumption and alert management to any significant consumption variances that may be caused by leaking water pipes or defective equipment. This real time monitoring is key to ensuring that immediate action can be taken when consumption for a particular villa is beyond the norm.
For more information:
Rachel Johnson
WICKED+
rachel@wicked.is
Phone: 720 220 6594
Bradley Cox
Director Communications
Green Globe Certification
1223 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 925
Santa Monica, CA 90403 / U.S.A.
Phone: +1-310-337-3000 ext. 105
Skype Direct +1 760 536 6581
Mobile +61 400 848 746
bcox@greenglobe.com
www.greenglobe.com
About Secret Bay
Secret Bay features a limited collection of freestanding, secluded and sustainably crafted villas that are immersed in nature and positioned on a breathtaking clifftop overlooking the azure Caribbean Sea. Offering architectural residential-style villas, various culinary experiences, including Zing Zing, a no-menu concept open-air restaurant and the newly opened Botanica Garden & Chef’s Table, wellness facilities (including the cliffside Gommier Spa), night and day access to remote beaches, the Caribbean’s longest funicular and a wealth of transformational experiences, Secret Bay provides guests with the ultimate six-star hideaway experience. In 2019, Secret Bay was accepted into Relais & Châteaux, becoming the first and only property in Dominica to be affiliated with the elite brand. Secret Bay was recently recertified with Green Global Certification and has received numerous accolades in its 12 years in operation. www.secretbay.dm
About Green Globe Certification
Green Globe is the worldwide sustainability system based on internationally accepted criteria for sustainable operation and management of travel and tourism businesses. Operating under a worldwide license, Green Globe is based in California, USA and is represented in over 83 countries. Green Globe is an Affiliate Member of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). For information, please visit www.greenglobe.com
