Walindi Plantation Resort
A family-run dive resort on Kimbe Bay whose owners founded the Mahonia Na Dari marine education centre and moor every dive site instead of anchoring.
Google reviews
Google rating · 4.5/5 · 146 reviews
Stored Google rating; this is separate from the Accommodation Eco Score or Throne Score. The current Google rating may have changed.
Read reviews on Google MapsAbout Walindi Plantation Resort
Environmental evidence and weighted assessment
4.0/5 Accommodation Eco Score · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 75%
Green flags
- Nature, biodiversity and regeneration, level 4/4.
Walindi has installed over 100 dive-site moorings so boats never anchor on reefs, its owners founded the Mahonia Na Dari marine education NGO in 1997, it co-runs a resident researcher programme with James Cook University, and it has planted mangroves as a fish nursery.
Source · 2026-10-29 · Corroborating source - Waste and plastic, level 3/4.
A water refill station at the bar cuts plastic bottles, glass, plastic and aluminium are separated and recycled, and old linens and furniture go to staff and villages for reuse.
Source · 2026-10-29 - Food, farming and sourcing, level 3/4.
Most produce comes from staff, neighbouring villages and Kimbe market growers, with fruit trees and herbs on site, beef from a neighbouring plantation and no endangered fish served.
Source · 2026-10-29 · Corroborating source - Buildings, heritage reuse and land use, level 3/4.
All structures use local materials including sago palm thatch and selectively logged village timber, raised on posts with cross-ventilation and fan cooling.
Source · 2026-10-29 · Corroborating source
| Pillar | Weight | Level and what it means | Contribution | Evidence, quote and source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nature, biodiversity and regeneration | 30% | 4/4 · Legal protection such as a reserve or conservation easement, or measured outcomes published with dates and figures (hectares restored, species monitored, nests or hatchlings counted) | 30 / 30 points | Walindi has installed over 100 dive-site moorings so boats never anchor on reefs, its owners founded the Mahonia Na Dari marine education NGO in 1997, it co-runs a resident researcher programme with James Cook University, and it has planted mangroves as a fish nursery. Source · 2026-10-29 · Corroborating source |
| Energy and climate | 15% | 2/4 · One specific system, such as solar hot water, a stated photovoltaic share, or buildings designed to need no air conditioning | 7.5 / 15 points | The sustainable design page says the bungalows face the sea breeze and are built to reduce energy costs, and rooms are fan cooled with no air conditioning. Power still comes from generators. “All the Bungalows are positioned along the waterfront, to maximize the breeze from the ocean and their architectural design means reduced energy costs.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Water | 10% | 2/4 · One specific system, such as rainwater harvesting, greywater reuse, or taps and showers at or under 8.5 litres a minute | 5 / 10 points | Water comes from on-site bores through UV filters so guests drink tap water, with gravity-fed tanks when generators are off. Source · 2026-10-29 |
| Waste and plastic | 10% | 3/4 · Composting plus recycling plus no single use plastic in rooms and food service | 7.5 / 10 points | A water refill station at the bar cuts plastic bottles, glass, plastic and aluminium are separated and recycled, and old linens and furniture go to staff and villages for reuse. Source · 2026-10-29 |
| Food, farming and sourcing | 15% | 3/4 · Own farm or organic land supplies a large share, with named local suppliers and seasonal menus; consolidated local supply rather than daily imports | 11.25 / 15 points | Most produce comes from staff, neighbouring villages and Kimbe market growers, with fruit trees and herbs on site, beef from a neighbouring plantation and no endangered fish served. Source · 2026-10-29 · Corroborating source |
| Buildings, heritage reuse and land use | 15% | 3/4 · Several practices, such as reuse of existing structures, local natural materials, passive design and a small footprint on the land | 11.25 / 15 points | All structures use local materials including sago palm thatch and selectively logged village timber, raised on posts with cross-ventilation and fan cooling. Source · 2026-10-29 · Corroborating source |
| Measurement, transparency and certification | 5% | 2/4 · Specific practices, systems and named suppliers published | 2.5 / 5 points | The sustainable design page describes specific practices such as sago palm roofing, local timber, bore water with UV filters and sorted recycling, but no certificate or measured data. “All of the structures at Walindi, are built using locally sourced materials. This includes all the rooms, the main house building, and all staff housing.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
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
2.3/5 Purity Score · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 31.3%
Green flags
- Water you drink and bathe in, level 3/4.
The sustainable design page says drinking water comes from bores on the property treated with UV filters, and a refill station at the bar reduces plastic bottles. No chlorine is mentioned.
“Our water is supplied by several underground bores on Walindi property, which are fed through UV Filters allowing for safe drinking water directly from our taps throughout the resort.”
Source · 2026-11-03
| Pillar | Weight | Level and what it means | Contribution | Evidence, quote and source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water you drink and bathe in | 25% | 3/4 · The stay's own natural source (spring, river, well or rain) for drinking and bathing, treated without chlorine | 18.75 / 25 points | The sustainable design page says drinking water comes from bores on the property treated with UV filters, and a refill station at the bar reduces plastic bottles. No chlorine is mentioned. “Our water is supplied by several underground bores on Walindi property, which are fed through UV Filters allowing for safe drinking water directly from our taps throughout the resort.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Food on your plate | 20% | 2/4 · Named organic or own garden produce in some meals, and plant based meals available | 10 / 20 points | The community page says most fruit, vegetables and herbs come from staff, neighbouring villages and market sellers growing in their own organic gardens, with resort fruit trees and herbs. A plant based menu is not described. “The resort's restaurant sources majority of its fruits, vegetables and herbs from staff members, the neighbouring villages and from the sellers at the Kimbe markets that grow everything in their own organic gardens.” 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 sustainable design page says the rooms use cross ventilation and open plans for natural cooling, but the pages do not state a smoke free policy. “In the interior, open floor plans, cross-ventilation, ceiling vents, ample windows, use of local materials and large trees all combine to create a natural cooling effect.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Pool and bathing water | 5% | 0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages | 0 / 5 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 |
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
3.0/5 People Score · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 50%
Green flags
- Community benefit, level 3/4.
The community page lists two schools built on resort land, microloans for staff, free water and a conservation NGO, plus buying from local suppliers and supporting local entrepreneurs.
“Walindi also allows the neighbouring village to pipe water from a natural spring (on Walindi land) directly into the village, allowing free and easy access to safe drinking water.”
Source · 2026-11-03 - Access to beach and land, level 3/4.
The community page says the resort donated land for two community schools and lets the neighbouring village pipe water from a spring on resort land.
“Walindi also allows the neighbouring village to pipe water from a natural spring (on Walindi land) directly into the village, allowing free and easy access to safe drinking water.”
Source · 2026-11-03
| 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 community page names Max and Cecilie Benjamin as the owners, and the home page says the resort is family owned and operated since 1983. “The land has been donated by Walindi's owners Max and Cecilie Benjamin and was constructed by Walindi at cost.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Local work and fair pay | 25% | 1/4 · Claim only, such as local staff | 6.25 / 25 points | The community page says the resort employs 70 staff from surrounding villages and mainland PNG, trained in house and paid fair wages, but gives no local share or pay figure. “Walindi employs 70 staff members, from surrounding villages as well as mainland PNG. All employees are trained in-house and paid at fair wages.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Community benefit | 20% | 3/4 · Several programmes plus named local suppliers and makers | 15 / 20 points | The community page lists two schools built on resort land, microloans for staff, free water and a conservation NGO, plus buying from local suppliers and supporting local entrepreneurs. “Walindi also allows the neighbouring village to pipe water from a natural spring (on Walindi land) directly into the village, allowing free and easy access to safe drinking water.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Access to beach and land | 15% | 3/4 · The community uses the land, through festivals, schools or an estate open to the public | 11.25 / 15 points | The community page says the resort donated land for two community schools and lets the neighbouring village pipe water from a spring on resort land. “Walindi also allows the neighbouring village to pipe water from a natural spring (on Walindi land) directly into the village, allowing free and easy access to safe drinking water.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Culture and heritage | 10% | 1/4 · Claim only | 2.5 / 10 points | The community page says the Blue Taro Boutique sells local carvings and handicrafts and that artwork in the rooms is by local artists, but makers are not named. “The resort supports indigenous artistry through the Blue Taro Boutique that sells local carvings and handicrafts.” 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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Collected research sources
These source pages were captured on 2026-10-02. Capturing a page does not establish a rating or verify its claims. Only the reviewed pillar evidence above earns assessment points. Missing findings remain unavailable.
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