Sustainability in Laamu
Located in a privileged position on the only atoll-designated Hope Spot in the heart of the Maldives and surrounded by six Marine Protected Areas, sustainability is at the heart of our decisions and actions. Our responsible and sustainable practices ensure the enjoyment of Laamu’s unique environment and culture for generations to come. Experience cutting-edge marine conservation in the Sea Hub of Environmental Learning in Laamu (SHELL), and learn more about our local marine life on a guided snorkel tour. Take part in our sustainability initiatives, explore what self-sufficiency looks like in our Earth Lab, and connect with the Maldives rich history and culture on a local island excursion.
Environmental Responsibility
The award-winning Maldives Underwater Initiative (MUI) is a collaboration between resort marine biologists and three ecological partners, the Manta Trust, Blue Marine Foundation, and Olive Ridley Project. MUI supports meaningful marine conservation through research, guest education, and community engagement, with the aim of protecting Laamu’s natural resources.
At the heart of this important work is the Sea Hub of Environmental Learning in Laamu (SHELL) — our marine science research and education center, dedicated to immersive marine conservation experiences for guests, visitors, and the local community.
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Coral reefs
Coral reefs support 25 percent of global marine life but cover less than 0.1 percent of the ocean. These vital organisms are vulnerable to many threats. We regularly monitor the health of our reefs through scientific surveys that are submitted to national databases for conservation contributions. We also support our reefs through coral larval and fragmentation restoration efforts, collaborating with local and international organizations. At SHELL, we have the capacity to grow 10,000 baby corals, and to date, we have released almost 3 million larvae onto our house reef.
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Seagrass
Not only is seagrass incredibly beautiful, it is also an extremely important marine habitat, providing a safe haven for numerous underwater creatures and species. In partnership with Blue Marine Foundation, we have protected our 335,024 square meters (47 soccer fields!) of seagrass meadows since 2018. We campaign to raise awareness and advocate for other resorts to join our efforts, as many resorts in the Maldives actively remove seagrass. As our thriving meadows have grown, we have counted a huge increase (almost double) in encounters with turtles, sharks, and rays.
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Manta rays
The Manta Trust is a registered charity on a mission to conserve mobulid rays and their habitats through research, education, and collaboration. Since 2014, the Manta Trust has worked in partnership with us to study the local manta ray population. In addition, they educate guests and the local community about the importance and vulnerability of manta rays.
Just a 10-minute boat ride from Six Senses Laamu and 20-meters below the surface is Hithadhoo Corner, a popular gathering spot for our resident reef manta rays, where we conduct research using state-of-the-art technologies. -
Sea turtles
The Olive Ridley Project protects sea turtles and their habitats through rescue and rehabilitation, scientific research, and education. Since 2018, Laamu's turtles have been safeguarded via a wide range of projects, including studying the local turtle populations through photo-ID, monitoring turtle nests at Six Senses Laamu and its neighboring islands, and collecting data on ghost nets found in and around the atoll. Collaborating with multiple organizations and stakeholders, the Olive Ridley Project developed the country’s first, hugely successful community-based sea turtle conservation project.
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Sea Hub of Environmental Learning in Laamu (SHELL)
The Sea Hub of Environmental Learning in Laamu (SHELL) is a multi-use space, designed for education and immersive marine conservation experiences. It is also home to our Maldives Underwater Initiative (MUI). It features a central exhibition space which invites you to explore the colorful and vibrant local marine life during out-of-the-ordinary encounters, in addition to offices, a marine laboratory, cinema room, and kids’ zone. Virtual and augmented reality technologies and conservation art, further enhance the space, with the goal of bringing you a fully immersive experience. The central gallery, also called the Tank, boasts a high-resolution LED display floor and five educational viewing booths for kids and adults. It features diverse underwater scenes of the Laamu atoll to get up close and personal to selected micro-topics about marine life. Come to the SHELL for hands-on activities and to see how we manage our resources sustainably and carefully in Laamu.
Social Responsibility
We are in Laamu to leave a legacy; we are committed to leaving this beautiful and unique part of the world better than how we found it. We achieve this through having a positive impact on the local community and giving back where help is most needed.
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Sustainable fisheries
We work with the small-scale artisanal fishers of Laamu Atoll to ensure that the local reef fish we source is caught in an equitable and sustainable way, with minimal ecological impact on the marine environment.
Laamaseelu Masveriya, which means ‘Exemplary Fisher’ in Dhivehi, is implemented by our partner NGO Blue Marine Foundation and its affiliated local NGO, Maldives Resilient Reefs. The program provides a sustainable local reef fish market, where fishers are no longer the issue to overfishing, but central to the solution. -
Hello Hallu Education Program
The Hello Hallu program, which means ‘Hello Solution’ in Dhivehi, educates school students about the environmental issues facing their communities and encourages them to create solutions to tackle problems and minimize negative impacts. Since the program launched, 944 local students have participated in the program, and in 2024 we were able to develop the program further by inviting 180 students into SHELL for hands on lessons.
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Plastic free Laamu Atoll
Plastic pollution is a global issue that requires local solutions. We focus on the three most important R’s: Refuse, Reduce, and Repurpose. First step, we avoid bringing plastic into the Atoll via our supplier engagement program which replaces plastics with biodegradable packaging, including plastic-free guest amenities. Additionally, we grow our own microgreens, herbs, and mushrooms, make sauces and condiments from scratch, custom-make our own sodas, and craft chocolate from bean to bar.
