Pelican Beach Resort South Water Caye
A solar powered, rainwater fed family resort on three and a half acres of a tiny caye sitting right on the Belize Barrier Reef.
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Visit official websiteAbout Pelican Beach Resort South Water Caye
Environmental evidence and weighted assessment
3.4/5 Accommodation Eco Score · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 60%
Green flags
- Nature, biodiversity and regeneration, level 3/4.
The September 2026 award post lists mangrove protection along the caye and active sea turtle nest protection, and every booking includes the South Water Caye Marine Reserve fee.
Source · 2026-10-29 · Corroborating source - Energy and climate, level 4/4.
The live Earth Friendly Commitments page states the island resort is fully solar-powered, covering lights, refrigerators and fans, with energy efficient outlets. The September 2026 award post restates solar power across cottages and facilities and plans more solar capacity, and the rooms page says all facilities are powered by solar energy. Self-declared, with no kWh figures; water heating uses flash heaters whose fuel is not stated.
Source · 2026-10-29 · Corroborating source · Corroborating source - Water, level 3/4.
Rainwater is collected in large cisterns and pumped by energy efficient pumps, guests are asked to take island showers, and composting toilets with saltwater flushing cut freshwater use.
Source · 2026-10-29 · Corroborating source
| Pillar | Weight | Level and what it means | Contribution | Evidence, quote and source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nature, biodiversity and regeneration | 30% | 3/4 · Several evidenced systems, such as protected habitat on site, native restoration and a wildlife programme, with no synthetic pesticides on the land | 22.5 / 30 points | The September 2026 award post lists mangrove protection along the caye and active sea turtle nest protection, and every booking includes the South Water Caye Marine Reserve fee. Source · 2026-10-29 · Corroborating source |
| Energy and climate | 15% | 4/4 · Measured and published, with at least 50% of electricity from on site or directly supplied renewables, or under 88 kWh per occupied room (better than three quarters of Caribbean resorts, Cornell CHSB 2023), or a verified off grid renewable supply. Offsets and certificates earn nothing | 15 / 15 points | The live Earth Friendly Commitments page states the island resort is fully solar-powered, covering lights, refrigerators and fans, with energy efficient outlets. The September 2026 award post restates solar power across cottages and facilities and plans more solar capacity, and the rooms page says all facilities are powered by solar energy. Self-declared, with no kWh figures; water heating uses flash heaters whose fuel is not stated. Source · 2026-10-29 · Corroborating source · Corroborating source |
| Water | 10% | 3/4 · Several systems, such as rain harvesting plus wastewater treatment and reuse plus low flow fittings | 7.5 / 10 points | Rainwater is collected in large cisterns and pumped by energy efficient pumps, guests are asked to take island showers, and composting toilets with saltwater flushing cut freshwater use. Source · 2026-10-29 · Corroborating source |
| Waste and plastic | 10% | 2/4 · One specific system, such as composting all organic waste or sorted recycling | 5 / 10 points | Composting toilets plus saltwater flushing with bacterial treatment to keep the island's groundwater clean. No information on plastics or solid waste recycling. Source · 2026-10-29 |
| Food, farming and sourcing | 15% | 1/4 · Claim only, such as local or organic with no named source | 3.75 / 15 points | The 2026 award post mentions kitchen staff sourcing local ingredients, with no named suppliers or garden. Source · 2026-10-29 |
| Buildings, heritage reuse and land use | 15% | 1/4 · Claim only | 3.75 / 15 points | The rooms page says the cottages were built to keep the natural balance of the ecosystem, without naming materials or methods. “Our cottages, named after our resident birds, were built to help you rejuvenate while maintaining the natural balance of the ecosystem.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Measurement, transparency and certification | 5% | 2/4 · Specific practices, systems and named suppliers published | 2.5 / 5 points | Publishes a specific Earth Friendly Commitments page and in 2026 won the Belize Hotel Association Roots and Reefs Challenge, a national sustainability video competition. That is a competition win, not an audited certification. Source · 2026-10-29 · Corroborating source |
Throne Standard for stays 2.2. Accommodation Eco Score weights: Nature, biodiversity and regeneration 30%, Energy and climate 15%, Water 10%, Waste and plastic 10%, Food, farming and sourcing 15%, Buildings, heritage reuse and land use 15%, Measurement, transparency and certification 5%. Each pillar earns its weight times its level divided by four. The score is 1 plus 4 times the evidenced performance, shown to one decimal, so 0% is 1.0 and 100% is 5.0. A pillar the stay does not disclose, after we read its own pages, counts as 0 and is shown as Not disclosed, with every page we read linked, because silence is an answer too. Every finding quotes its source word for word. Below 85% coverage, below 70% performance, or with less than half the weight at level 2 or above, the score is held under the next whole number (3.4 or 2.4). A 5.0 band needs 90% coverage and performance, level 4 evidence on half the weight and the key pillar at level 3 or above. Green flags are pillars at level 3 or 4. Every level can be earned from public, dated evidence; no score requires a visit. Evidence must be rechecked within two years. Guest travel is not scored; everyone gets there how they can.
Purity, what touches your body
2.0/5 Purity Score · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 23.8%
Green flags
- Pool and bathing water, level 3/4.
The pages describe guests snorkelling and swimming off the island beach and mention no treated pool.
“Snorkel right off the beach, Go kayaking or bird watching, Play some beach volley ball”
Source · 2026-11-03
| Pillar | Weight | Level and what it means | Contribution | Evidence, quote and source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water you drink and bathe in | 25% | 2/4 · Public supply filtered at the tap or a refill station, with no single use bottled water as the default | 12.5 / 25 points | The conservation page says rainwater from large cisterns supplies every basin and shower, and does not say whether it is also the drinking water. “Rainwater, collected in large cisterns, is delivered to all basins and showers by energy-efficient pumps and pressure tanks.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Food on your plate | 20% | 1/4 · Claim only, such as fresh or organic with no named source | 5 / 20 points | The award post credits kitchen staff with sourcing local ingredients, without naming farms or organic status. “to the kitchen staff sourcing local ingredients” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Grounds and pest control | 15% | 0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages | 0 / 15 points | Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03. Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read |
| Cleaning, laundry and fragrance | 15% | 0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages | 0 / 15 points | Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03. Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read |
| Linen, towels and mattresses | 10% | 0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages | 0 / 10 points | Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03. Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read |
| Air and quiet | 10% | 1/4 · Claim only | 2.5 / 10 points | The FAQ says the island has no air conditioning and relies on the natural breeze, and it does not state a smoke free policy. “We do not have air conditioning on the island, but we do have the natural Belizean breeze to keep you cool.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Pool and bathing water | 5% | 3/4 · A natural pool with biological filtration, or bathing in the sea, river or spring instead of a treated pool | 3.75 / 5 points | The pages describe guests snorkelling and swimming off the island beach and mention no treated pool. “Snorkel right off the beach, Go kayaking or bird watching, Play some beach volley ball” Source · 2026-11-03 |
Throne Standard for stays 2.2. Purity Score weights: Water you drink and bathe in 25%, Food on your plate 20%, Grounds and pest control 15%, Cleaning, laundry and fragrance 15%, Linen, towels and mattresses 10%, Air and quiet 10%, Pool and bathing water 5%. Each pillar earns its weight times its level divided by four. The score is 1 plus 4 times the evidenced performance, shown to one decimal, so 0% is 1.0 and 100% is 5.0. A pillar the stay does not disclose, after we read its own pages, counts as 0 and is shown as Not disclosed, with every page we read linked, because silence is an answer too. Every finding quotes its source word for word. Below 85% coverage, below 70% performance, or with less than half the weight at level 2 or above, the score is held under the next whole number (3.4 or 2.4). A 5.0 band needs 90% coverage and performance, level 4 evidence on half the weight and the key pillar at level 3 or above. Green flags are pillars at level 3 or 4. Every level can be earned from public, dated evidence; no score requires a visit. Evidence must be rechecked within two years.
People, ownership, work and community
2.4/5 People Score · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 33.8%
| Pillar | Weight | Level and what it means | Contribution | Evidence, quote and source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ownership and control | 30% | 2/4 · A named owner, with the share held locally or by the family stated | 15 / 30 points | The story page names the Bowman family as founders and says the fourth generation now manages the resort. “continues with now the 4 th generation managing the properties including Rebecca, Luke and George.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Local work and fair pay | 25% | 1/4 · Claim only, such as local staff | 6.25 / 25 points | The award post says the team is rooted in the local Belizean community, with no share or pay stated. “A team rooted in the local Belizean community, sharing culture and conservation with every guest who visits” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Community benefit | 20% | 2/4 · A named community programme, such as a school, fund or training | 10 / 20 points | The community page describes a school supply drive that the resort matches and lists donations to named Belizean organisations. “Pelican Beach Resort will then match the total collected for distribution.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Access to beach and land | 15% | 0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages | 0 / 15 points | Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03. Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read |
| Culture and heritage | 10% | 1/4 · Claim only | 2.5 / 10 points | The food page presents a local Garifuna fish stew by name, without naming makers. “Hudut – a delicious local Garifuna fish stew in creamy coconut sauce.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
Throne Standard for stays 2.2. People Score weights: Ownership and control 30%, Local work and fair pay 25%, Community benefit 20%, Access to beach and land 15%, Culture and heritage 10%. Each pillar earns its weight times its level divided by four. The score is 1 plus 4 times the evidenced performance, shown to one decimal, so 0% is 1.0 and 100% is 5.0. A pillar the stay does not disclose, after we read its own pages, counts as 0 and is shown as Not disclosed, with every page we read linked, because silence is an answer too. Every finding quotes its source word for word. Below 85% coverage, below 70% performance, or with less than half the weight at level 2 or above, the score is held under the next whole number (3.4 or 2.4). A 5.0 band needs 90% coverage and performance, level 4 evidence on half the weight and the key pillar at level 3 or above. Green flags are pillars at level 3 or 4. Every level can be earned from public, dated evidence; no score requires a visit. Evidence must be rechecked within two years.
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