NATURE
Aquos Foundation
The Aquos Foundation and its dedicated team are dedicated to protecting the island's fragile eco-system and delivering sustainability and conservation programmes both on the island and in the community.
The original inspiration was to help protect the critically endangered Hawksbill Turtle, as Banwa Private Island is one of its favoured nesting habitats in the region.
Aligned to this, our Reef Balls programme is helping to stimulate reef regeneration off the south-westerly shores of Banwa Private Island. To date, our investment has funded the deployment of over 400 structures, which are already promoting significant growth of coral in the area.
As part of the Foundation’s further conservation initiatives, we are also pursuing important and nationally-recognised research programmes, guided by world-leading experts. Projects include studies into the native Tabon Bird and Mantanani Scops Owl, as well as the preservation of the indigenous beach forests where they nest.
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Marine life
Home to the critically endangered Hawksbill Turtle, the Dugong (Sea Cow) and numerous other rare and endangered species, Banwa’s marine environment is thriving.
Located in the heart of a Marine Protected Area encompassing 1,896 hectares, Banwa Private Island has seen a huge rise in populations of once threatened species.
Black Tip Reef Sharks are an especially welcome returning inhabitant of the island’s shallows, and the annual numbers of successful nest sites shows an extremely positive upward trend for the Hawksbill Turtle.
Bird Life
Banwa Private Island’s lush, tropical island landscape provides exceptional habitat for numerous species of birds – some of them extremely rare and seldom-seen.
A gentle stroll around the island will be punctuated by the distinctive calls of the resident White Collared Kingfishers, whilst the grace of the Reef Egrets in flight never fails to stop you in your tracks. And as night falls, don’t be surprised if you spy an inquisitive Mantanani Scops Owl observing you from a nearby Tamarind tree.
The fascinating burrowing of the native Megapode has been rarely filmed or documented, but thanks to the Tabon Bird sanctuary at the Eastern reaches of the island our research programme is now helping to provide invaluable insight into their nesting habits to ensure we will soon understand more about this unique and threatened species.
Bees & Honey
Guests can enjoy the wonderful experience of learning how Honey is made and finding the elusive Queen Bee.
Bees are a wonderful and important part of the natural habitat and provide Banwa Honey for our guests.
