Sustainability in Laamu

Manta ray conservation

The Manta Trust is a UK-registered charity that coordinates global mobulid research and conservation efforts. Their mission is to conserve mobulid rays and their habitats, through research, education and collaboration. Since 2014, the Manta Trust has been working in Laamu to study the local manta ray population and to educate guests and the local community about the importance and vulnerability of manta rays in the Maldives. 

Just a 15-minute boat ride from Six Senses Laamu and 20-meters below the surface is Hithadhoo Corner, a series of large coral blocks teeming with cleaner wrasse eager to clean Laamu’s resident manta rays. Each manta has a unique spot pattern on its belly from which they can be identified and researchers can track their movements and behavior. Innovative research techniques, including remote underwater video and paired laser photogrammetry, allow the team to learn more about mating behavior and pregnancy, areas of manta ray research largely unknown. While other sites in the Maldives host larger populations of manta rays, Laamu’s two aggregation sites, Hithadhoo Corner and Fushi Kandu, have the enviable quality of hosting mantas year-round.

Turtle hatching research

We have a healthy turtle population which we individually identify to learn about local distribution. Our database helps us photograph and identify green and hawksbill turtles seen on our snorkel and dive sites and on the beach. Female green turtles usually arrive in March and nesting occurs through July. Juveniles hatch approximately two months after nesting, usually May through September. Guests can witness this magical event, which usually occurs during the night. We free any turtle injured or caught in a ghost net and work closely with the Olive Ridley Project based here in the Maldives.

Dolphin survey

Our marine biologists accompany sunset and dolphin cruises to share information about the two species we commonly see and to record information about these sightings. In 2014, a Six Senses marine biologist developed the nation's first Dolphin Code of Conduct, which condemns dolphin harassment. Our teams also lead guided snorkel trips on the house reef as well as boat snorkel trips around the atoll, enlightening guests about the species they encounter. Why not join them for an evening presentation to pick up tips for taking home?

Grouper fisheries research

We support the sustainable management of vulnerable grouper fisheries through our partnership with the Blue Marine Foundation. The onsite team has identified grouper spawning aggregation sites and sizes at maturity for key species. This data has been used to lobby for changes to size limits that are currently inadequate. BLUE is now working towards a network of locally-managed marine protected areas in consultation with community leaders, part of the global goal to put 10 percent of the world’s oceans under protection by 2020 and 30 percent by 2030.

Plastic free Laamu Atoll

Waste management is one of the biggest challenges in the Maldives, so we try to avoid creating any waste in the first place. What little waste we do create is either recycled onsite or disposed of responsibly. Segregation bins can be found around the island for paper, plastic, metal, and glass. Some of the ways we reduce our waste include printing responsibly, encouraging our suppliers to reduce packaging when delivering supplies and ordering in bulk whenever possible, banning single-use plastics and recycling all organic waste for mulching and converting to organic garden soil.

LEAF Garden

In the heart of the island lies our LEAF Garden, where we grow organic herbs, vegetables, lettuce, micro greens and sprouts. These include unique species such as stevia, small burnet and golden nettle that help our chefs to achieve delicious flavors in our restaurant kitchens and bars. Nestled at the back of the garden is our mushroom hut, where we grow delicacies such as oyster and abalone mushrooms. Small beds of no less than 24 outstanding varieties of chilies from around the world encircle our chili table, where guests can dine under the stars surrounded by the aromas of fresh produce.

Earth Lab

Earth Lab is our hub for self-sufficiency and zero waste. It is a center for experimentation and innovation, to try to produce more onsite and reduce emissions from long-distance transport. You're warmly invited to join a Back-of-House Tour to see our sustainability initiatives in action, and also learn how such an isolated resort operates responsibly in terms of ecological and community impacts. Other highlights of the tour include the Kukulhu Village chicken farm, onsite tailor, carpentry workshop, desalination plant, and host village.

Clean drinking water in communities

Fifty percent of water sales in all restaurant outlets goes into a fund specifically for projects providing clean, reliable drinking water to local communities in need. This fund has donated a reverse osmosis water plant to the regional hospital, thirty household water filters to a local island and larger water filters to all 23 schools and preschools in the atoll.

Eku Eky community education

Eku-Eky means together in the local language of Dhievehi. This program is an initiative by Six Senses Laamu to strengthen relationships with Laamu Atoll communities, work towards sustainable development and achieve environmental conservation. From this program, the team visited all eleven inhabited islands in Laamu to conduct education sessions with schoolchildren, council meetings with the secretariats and open community forums for people of all ages. The results of this program are a platform from which ideas can be shared and life can be improved for all residents of Laamu Atoll.

Supporting local islands

Six Senses Laamu employs many Maldivians, with the majority from the islands of Laamu Atoll, and sources many local products such as cadjan coconut leaf roofing woven by local women, local Maldivian coconut oil for the spa, fresh fish caught daily by local fishermen and the zero-waste tuna factory located in Laamu Atoll. We also firmly believe that travel is about people as much as places. That's why you'll get to meet locals performing a traditional drum and dance performance called bodu beru and boat over to nearby islands for a peek into the authentic Maldivian lifestyle.

Global partnerships

We continue to work towards marine conservation and sustainable development in Laamu Atoll with support from many other organizations. The corporate value of Global Sensitivity, Local Sensibility means addressing worldwide problems at a local level and we cannot achieve success without the collaborative efforts of all of our partners, notably Manta Trust, Blue Marine Foundation, The Long Run and Reef World Foundation.