Six Senses Laamu, a luxury resort in the Maldives, has recently been honored with significant accolades for its pioneering work in marine conservation. These recognitions come from two respected entities in the travel industry—Condé Nast Traveller and the Country & Town House Future Icons Awards. The resort’s marine conservation programs have made a remarkable impact on preserving the Maldives' unique marine ecosystems, making it a standout example of sustainability in the tourism sector.
Condé Nast Traveller’s ‘Bright Ideas in Travel’ List
Six Senses Laamu’s inclusion in Condé Nast Traveller’s 2024 “Bright Ideas in Travel” list is a testament to the resort’s dedication to environmental sustainability. The recognition highlights the resort’s commitment to addressing key environmental challenges in the travel industry. The Sea Hub of Environmental Learning in Laamu (SHELL) and the Maldives Underwater Initiative (MUI) have been instrumental in making these achievements possible.
The SHELL project, which opened in March 2023, serves as a center for marine conservation research and education. This initiative brings together Six Senses Laamu’s marine biologists and several well-known conservation groups, including The Manta Trust, Blue Marine Foundation, and the Olive Ridley Project. The facility has made significant strides in preserving marine life, with programs focused on manta rays, sea turtles, and coral reefs.
Groundbreaking Manta Ray and Turtle Conservation Programs
One of the standout features of SHELL is its research into manta rays. The team has been able to identify 138 individual manta rays in the waters around Laamu and developed a cutting-edge underwater contactless ultrasound scanner to study manta ray reproduction. Another notable project is “Eyes on the Reef,” a 24/7 monitoring system for tracking manta ray behavior at cleaning stations, providing new insights into these majestic creatures.
In addition to manta ray research, SHELL has made important strides in sea turtle conservation. Since the beginning of 2024, the resort’s conservation team has documented 1,383 hatchlings on the beaches of Laamu. The team has also created one of the Maldives' largest turtle identification databases, which includes more than 670 individual turtles. Their work has even contributed to the establishment of a Marine Protected Area in Gaadhoo, a key turtle nesting site.
Coral Reef Conservation and Seagrass Protection
Six Senses Laamu has also focused on coral reef conservation, with impressive results. The resort’s house reef has seen a 55% increase in coral cover, and the resort has recorded 36 different coral genera in its house reef and 47 across the Laamu Atoll. The team is also engaged in studying coral spawning patterns, which could play a key role in the future of coral reef restoration.
Along with coral reef conservation, the resort has worked to protect seagrass meadows. Through the #ProtectMaldivesSeagrass initiative, the resort has safeguarded over 910,000 square meters of seagrass across 37 resorts in the region. This initiative contributes to the overall health of the marine ecosystem, as seagrass plays an essential role in maintaining biodiversity and supporting marine life.
Educational Outreach and Sustainable Tourism
SHELL’s impact extends beyond research and conservation. The facility features an interactive gallery with LED display floors, educational booths, and advanced technology designed to engage visitors of all ages in marine conservation efforts. By combining scientific research with luxury tourism, Six Senses Laamu is not only contributing to the protection of marine ecosystems but also educating guests on the importance of sustainable practices.
Through its commitment to marine conservation, Six Senses Laamu is setting a standard for how luxury resorts can positively impact the environment. These recent accolades reflect the resort’s ongoing efforts to combine environmental stewardship with enriching guest experiences. As sustainable travel continues to grow in importance, Six Senses Laamu’s initiatives serve as a model for other resorts around the world looking to protect and preserve our planet’s precious marine resources.
