A New Buzz in the Mangroves at Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita

At Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita, a new conservation story is beginning to hum softly through the mangroves. With the launch of a new honeybee conservation initiative, the Indian Ocean hideaway is welcoming hundreds of thousands of tiny new residents—each one playing a vital role in protecting and enriching the island’s blooming ecosystems.

Following a seven-month renovation, the resort is now warmly welcoming half a million additional guests of a different kind. Working with a local beekeeper, Apis mellifera honeybee colonies have been introduced to eight carefully positioned hives nestled between the resort’s dense mangrove forests close to the tranquil lagoon, bringing new life, movement and purpose to these protected natural spaces.

More than simply increasing honeybee populations in Mauritius, these industrious pollinators are helping sustain the resort’s lush tropical landscape. Spanning 26 acres (10.5 hectares), the grounds are home to native flowering plants, herbs, fruit trees and endemic species, all of which depend on pollination to flourish. With every journey from flower to flower, the bees help strengthen biodiversity, regenerate plant life, and preserve the delicate balance of this island ecosystem.

Within the mangroves, their pollination helps these coastal forests regenerate naturally, strengthening habitats that protect shorelines from erosion and provide sanctuary for marine life, birds and other wildlife. Without healthy bee populations, both Mauritius’ biodiversity and its coastal ecosystems would become increasingly fragile.

Rick Bonnier, Resort Ocean Environment Manager says, "We are delighted to be sharing this news on World Bee Day, May 20, 2026, as part of our conservation project and critical role of bees for our ecosystems. Mangroves are among our most precious ecosystems, and by bringing pollinators into these spaces, we’re strengthening a natural cycle that supports life both above and below the water.”

Pure, Raw, Slightly Salty Mangrove Honey

Their work will soon reward guests with something truly rare: pure mangrove honey, a nectar subtly influenced by the tropics with slightly salty, earthy notes unique to coastal forests. During seasonal harvests two to three times a year, guests will also have the opportunity to sample fresh honeycomb for a limited period.

Served at breakfast, the resort’s raw honey will accompany fluffy homemade pancakes, artisanal teas, fresh yoghurt and warm slices of just-baked bread—offering guests a taste of the landscape itself.

For those wishing to discover the project firsthand, complimentary kayak journeys through the mangroves invite guests to quietly observe the hives in their natural habitat, where the gentle hum of thousands of bees becomes part of the island soundtrack.

An Evolving Conservation Story

Phase two of the initiative will see ten additional hives introduced deeper within the mangrove ecosystem, on small natural patches of land within the lagoon. Once complete, the project is expected to support close to one million bees, creating a significant mangrove bee habitat in Mauritius and transforming these quiet coastal forests into an even more vibrant sanctuary for life.

The mangrove honeybee initiative joins several ongoing conservation programs that reflect the commitment of Four Seasons to protecting the Mauritian environment through its Four Seasons for Good sustainability efforts. These include its seagrass nursery project with the Odysseo Foundation—the first step in restoring vital underwater meadows that provide shelter for fish, turtles, seahorses and rays.

Supported by the resort’s marine biology team, Rick also leads immersive Nature Walks and the resort’s pioneering Seahorse Conservation Project, bringing guests face-to-face with some of Mauritius’ rarest marine life while helping ensure their future for generations to come.