Six Senses Laamu has been honored with dual recognition for its groundbreaking marine conservation initiatives. The resort was recently featured in Condé Nast Traveller’s esteemed 2024 ‘Bright Ideas in Travel’ list and also won the ‘Best Culture, Travel & Lifestyle Environmental Initiative’ award at the inaugural Country & Town House Future Icons Awards.

The Future Icons Awards, presented by the UK’s prestigious Country & Town House magazine, acknowledge trailblazers who are revolutionizing sustainability and environmental stewardship. The SHELL (Sea Hub of Environmental Learning in Laamu) program was celebrated as ‘an incredible conservation project,’ with judges applauding its success in uniting various stakeholders to safeguard marine ecosystems.

At the same time, the resort's inclusion in Condé Nast Traveller's 'Bright Ideas in Travel' list recognized the efforts of SHELL and the Maldives Underwater Initiative (MUI) as innovative solutions addressing pressing environmental challenges in the travel industry.

Opened in March 2023, SHELL exemplifies an exceptional partnership between luxury hospitality and marine conservation. The facility is home to the MUI team, a collaboration between Six Senses Laamu's marine biologists and three leading NGOs: The Manta Trust, Blue Marine Foundation, and the Olive Ridley Project. Covering an area of 5,952 square feet, SHELL serves as the hub for pioneering research programs in marine conservation.

The SHELL team has made remarkable strides in manta ray research, identifying 138 individual manta rays in Laamu’s waters and developing the world’s first underwater contactless ultrasound scanner to study manta ray reproduction. Their groundbreaking ‘Eyes on the Reef’ project allows for continuous, real-time monitoring of manta ray behavior at cleaning stations.

In terms of sea turtle conservation, the team has documented 1,383 hatchlings on the resort’s beaches between January and November 2024. Additionally, they manage one of the largest turtle identification databases in the Maldives, with over 670 turtles identified in Laamu Atoll. Their advocacy also led to the establishment of Gaadhoo, a critical turtle nesting site, as a Marine Protected Area in December 2021.

SIX Senses Laamu's coral reef monitoring program has also yielded significant results, with coral cover on the house reef increasing by as much as 55%. The team has identified 36 different coral genera on the house reef and 47 across the Laamu Atoll, contributing to important research on coral spawning patterns.

Beyond research, SHELL’s influence extends to impactful conservation initiatives like the #ProtectMaldivesSeagrass campaign, which has successfully protected over 910,000 square meters of seagrass meadows across 37 resorts. The facility also houses an interactive gallery featuring LED display floors, educational booths, and advanced technology, engaging guests of all ages in marine conservation.

Through the combination of cutting-edge scientific research, effective conservation efforts, and luxury tourism, Six Senses Laamu is redefining sustainable travel in the Maldives. These prestigious awards serve as a testament to the resort’s dedication to preserving marine ecosystems while offering guests transformative, environmentally conscious experiences.