Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Adventure on Corona, the world’s 1st Blue Verified island
I WAS one of the first South Africans to set foot on the breathtaking Corona Island. To say it is one of a kind and a once-in-a lifetime opportunity is an understatement.
Off the coast of Colombia, Corona Island is a tropical sustainable Caribbean destination for eco-tourism and is the world's First Blue Verified and single-use plastic-free island.
This environmental focus aligns with Corona's brand as Corona is the first global beverage brand with a netzero plastic footprint.
As a nature lover, swimmer and Instagram- user in need of better content than cat pictures and selfies, this was a dream come true. But how did it really go down?
There were 10 bungalows, equipped with a jacuzzi and a view of the ocean.
When you step outside the bungalow, you are met with the wonderful sights and smells of nature.
You might spot a toucan, macaw or iguana chilling by your door. One parrot on the island may even greet you with “Hola”. There is something for everyone and it taps into all your senses.
Swim, read a book in a hammock, grab a Corona or two and chill with friends or simply take in everything that Mother Nature has to give.
It wasn't all fun, games and partying. We witnessed first hand the extent of the damage on corals and marine life caused by global warming. In a bid to do some good and leave behind a legacy, we planted mangroves.
But what makes it different from other island experiences?
Corona SA marketing manager Melanie Nicholson told IOL: “Corona Island is different in that it is a very small island, 2 300 square metres in the Caribbean ocean. It's surrounded by water of 29°C, so that is something South Africans are really not used to.”
When asked how Corona's values aligned with the values on the island, she said: “One of our passion points is a better world, which speaks to sustainability so all of the materials on the island are 100% natural.
“Corona is actually a net zero plastic brand which means that we recycle, reuse or repurpose the same amount of single-use plastic that we put out there.
“Corona was born from the beach, so we have a mission to protect the beach and future-proof it for future generations. So we feel compelled and have a responsibility to protect our beaches and oceans from the scourge of plastic. We hope that people will leave here feeling inspired and being ambassadors for the future of our natural world.”