News
Turtles in Laamu – safe and protected
Maldives.net.mv – The first ever Laamu Atoll interisland “Save the Sea Turtles” Festival took place on the local island of Maavah on April 30, 2016 and began as a partnership between Six Senses Laamu and the South Central Division of the Maldives Police Service. With the theme “Turtles in Laam (Laamu) – Safe and Protected” the aim of the all-day festival was to unite the islands of the atoll while raising awareness and providing education about the importance of turtle conservation.
Sea turtles are an integral part of the fragile marine ecosystem and they play vital roles in maintaining the health of the ocean. These roles range from balancing productive coral reef ecosystems to transporting essential nutrients from the oceans to beaches and coastal areas. Unfortunately, worldwide, six of the seven sea turtle species are classified as threatened or endangered due to human actions and lifestyles. Poaching and illegal trade of eggs, meat, and shells, commercial fishing, loss of nesting habitat and ocean pollution are among the human-caused threats pushing sea turtles towards extinction. As sea turtle populations decline, so does their ability to fulfill vital functions in ocean ecosystems. Through education and awareness, we hope to help further conserve the important turtle population in the Laamu Atoll.
The festival had over 600 attendees throughout the day including students, parents, resort hosts, community organizations, local officials and residents of the various atoll islands and the Laamu Project Manta Trust team. Five main schools, students, parents and faculty participated in this important event namely the Maavashu School, the L. Maamendhoo School, the Laamu Hithadhoo School, the Laamu Atoll Education Centre and the Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani School.
We were honored to have United Nations Resident Coordinator and United Nations Development Programme Resident Representative to the Maldives, Shoko Noda, and Ministry of Environment and Energy Senior Policy Executive, Dr. Abdulla Naseer, as chief guests.
Dr. Abdulla Naseer said, “It was an unforgettable experience which symbolizes the environmental standards that we wish to send in the country. I wish to note the high level of attendance to the Festival from all sectors and agencies active in Laamu. This is the type of commitment and awareness we wish to raise in all the atolls. The leadership Six Senses Laamu has shown in accomplishing this is commendable. The relationship the resort maintains with communities through its hosts was particularly noteworthy and that is the secret of its success.”
Shoko Noda added, “Six Senses Laamu, in organizing the first Sea Turtle Protection & Awareness Festival in the Maldives, has demonstrated industry leadership in advancing conservation in Laamu Atoll. The festival has been a great step to raise community awareness, so that people can care enough to trigger meaningful change. Collective efforts from partners are vital to ensure this magnificent creature continues to grace our world. We are heartened by such efforts that share in the UN’s vision to sustain healthier and more resilient marine and coastal ecosystems in the Maldives.”
The day included various contests, games and educational booths surrounding the importance of sea turtles. Events leading up to the final day included a t-shirt design contest and a drawing competition. Beach and reef cleans took place prior to the event to educate students on the importance of keeping waste out of the ocean. The collected waste was used in a large turtle display to demonstrate that if we do not keep waste out of the oceans, it becomes life-threatening to sea turtles. The most popular event proved to be the turtle-themed sand sculpture competition between the schools, judged by Shoko Noda, which brought incredibly creative designs by all students.
Superintendent Ahmed Shakir, commander of South Central Police Division of the Maldives, said, “As per the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act (4/93), all marine turtles, their eggs and habitats are declared protected. We will do everything possible to create awareness among the local communities, as any act of violation is punishable under the Environment Liability Regulation. We advise the local community to protect and preserve the marine turtles and take pride in saying Turtles in Laam – safe and protected.”
Marteyne van Well, general manager, and Megan Latta, sustainability officer of Six Senses Laamu shared, “We pride ourselves on being a sustainable resort and this day is a perfect embodiment of what this means; multiple groups from different parts of the community coming together to do something positive for the environment. We hope this is the first step of many in the continued efforts of this atoll, not only around environmental awareness, but also around unique and important ways of educating our students. Students truly are the future and we must do our best to engage and support everyone to make sure that we set the right path towards a very bright and positive future.”
At The Nautilus Maldives, time is guided by personal rhythm and creativity is free from constraint. From 3 to 5 April 2026, the ultra-luxury private island resort will welcome Gregor Zimmermann, Switzerland’s State Chef and Executive Chef of the Bellevue Palace in Bern, for an intimate Easter culinary residency that brings Alpine heritage to the shores of the Indian Ocean.
During the three-day residency, guests will be invited to take part in a series of unhurried and immersive dining experiences. Two exclusive gourmet evenings at Zeytoun will feature tasting menus that create a refined dialogue between the flavours of the Swiss Alps and Maldivian produce. The programme also includes a Chocolate Masterclass, offering an interactive introduction to Switzerland’s celebrated chocolate-making traditions, where Zimmermann will share techniques, cultural heritage and the artistry behind the craft, allowing guests to create and enjoy their own confections.
The residency will extend into the island’s Easter celebrations, with Zimmermann’s creations appearing as special canapés during Nautilus Rising at the Naiboli Beach pop-up. These moments will serve as a prelude to the festive programme, blending culinary artistry with the relaxed rhythm of island life.
A member of the prestigious Le Club des Chefs des Chefs, the international association of chefs serving heads of state, Zimmermann is the trusted culinary custodian for visiting presidents, royalty and official delegations in Switzerland. His career includes cooking for figures such as President Emmanuel Macron and members of European royal families. In recognition of his contribution to gastronomy and his commitment to excellence, he was awarded the Officier du Mérite Agricole by the French President.
Zimmermann’s cuisine is defined by clarity, restraint and emotion. Rather than adhering to a fixed signature style, his cooking reflects stories of origin, landscape and memory, weaving Swiss Alpine traditions with global influences in a technically precise yet expressive approach. He has described his work as a continuous reinterpretation of rustic Swiss recipes, while remaining faithful to their roots.
Adan Gomez, General Manager of The Nautilus Maldives, said that Zimmermann’s residency reflects the resort’s commitment to artistic freedom and authenticity. He noted that the Masters for Masters series invites respected global talents to create without boundaries in an environment shaped by individuality and unhurried living.
Set within the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the Easter residency at The Nautilus will bring together Swiss craftsmanship and Maldivian serenity in a celebration of purity, artistry and cultural exchange. The programme is designed to offer guests moments shaped by mastery, experienced entirely on their own terms.
Featured
St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort curates timeless Valentine’s experiences with IVAR Jewellery
The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort has unveiled an intimate celebration of love through an exclusive collaboration with IVAR Jewellery, bringing together craftsmanship, emotion, and timeless romance in a refined island setting. Rooted in shared values of artistry and enduring beauty, the partnership invites guests to experience love as something continuous, evolving, and deeply personal.
Central to the collaboration is IVAR’s Infinity Collection, inspired by the circle as a symbol with no beginning and no end. Each piece reflects a quiet and enduring expression of love, designed to preserve fleeting moments in lasting form. The collection speaks to intimacy, connection, and the promise of forever, offering jewellery that is both meaningful and timeless.
IVAR’s creations draw on the rich traditions of Indian craftsmanship, reinterpreted through a contemporary design approach. Crafted by skilled artisans using time-honoured techniques, each piece balances heritage with modern elegance. Designed for daily wear and long-term appreciation, the jewellery is intended to accompany life’s most significant milestones and be treasured across generations.
Inspired by this philosophy, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort has curated a series of romantic experiences that reflect the elegance and symbolism of the Infinity Collection. At Iridium Spa, couples are invited to enjoy a Romantic Spa Escape, an immersive sensory journey infused with rose geranium and rose quartz. Each treatment is designed to restore balance, deepen connection, and create moments of calm intimacy that extend beyond the spa.
As evening approaches, romance continues with Valentine’s dining experiences set beneath open skies and framed by the island’s natural beauty. Soft lighting, refined menus, and an unhurried atmosphere encourage couples to linger, connect, and celebrate togetherness. Every detail is composed to honour shared moments and the quiet luxury of presence.
For couples preparing to begin their next chapter, IVAR’s Solitaire Collection offers a classic expression of commitment. Defined by diamonds of exceptional brilliance and clarity, each piece reflects the purity of the promise it represents. Set within the surroundings of The St. Regis Maldives, weddings become personal celebrations where elegance, emotion, and artistry come together.
Through this collaboration, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort and IVAR Jewellery invite guests to experience a love that is both effortless and profound, fleeting yet enduring, creating memories inspired by the infinite symbol that lies at the heart of the partnership.
Fushifaru Maldives has announced a special programme to mark Chinese New Year 2026, with a series of festive activities and dining experiences scheduled from February 15 to 17.
The resort said the celebrations are designed to offer guests a relaxed island escape focused on togetherness, wellness and shared dining. Throughout the three-day period, guests will be able to enjoy a daily Chinese Tea Corner at Fanihandhi Bar, providing a dedicated space to gather and unwind during the festivities. Selected spa treatments will also be offered with special savings during the celebration period.
The main event is planned for Lunar New Year’s Eve, when the resort will host a family BBQ dinner at Raakani Restaurant. The evening will conclude with a fire show, intended to mark the arrival of the Year of the Horse and symbolise renewal and prosperity.
In addition to the scheduled events, Fushifaru Maldives will make its signature dining experiences available throughout the holiday period. Options include private beach dinners, in-villa dining, sandbank picnics and sandbank hut experiences, offering guests a range of settings for family gatherings and couples.
The celebrations will conclude on Lunar New Year Day with family-oriented activities, including a Red Packet Hunt, followed by a Lunar New Year Hot Pot Night at Raakani Restaurant.
Fushifaru Maldives said the programme has been designed to suit both family holidays and romantic escapes, combining dining, leisure and island experiences in a festive setting. Further details on the full programme and offerings are available through the resort’s Chinese New Year brochure and online gallery.
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