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Six Senses Laamu celebrates Inauguration of Sea Hub of Environmental Learning in Laamu (SHELL)

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Six Senses Laamu has announced the opening of Sea Hub for Environmental Learning in Laamu (SHELL) on March 1, 2023.

The SHELL sits on the resort’s sunset beach, covering a total area of 5,952 square feet (553 square meters), with its cornerstone placed on May 6, 2022. It will house the Maldives Underwater Initiative (MUI), a marine conservation collaborative consisting of Six Senses Laamu marine biologists and partner NGOs, The Manta Trust, Blue Marine Foundation, and the Olive Ridley Project, along with a gallery exhibition space, offices, marine laboratory, cinema room, and kids’ zone. Virtual and augmented reality technologies and conservation art will further enhance the space.

Marteyne van Well, Regional General Manager, says, “Healing the ocean requires understanding first. The environmentalist Baba Dioum once said, ‘In the end, we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand, and we will understand only what we are taught.’ So, let us teach; let us educate the new generation on the importance of nature conservation. This is the vision behind the Sea Hub for Environmental Learning in Laamu; to engage the hearts and minds of our guests, our local communities, and our hosts. Our wish is for us and our owners, HPL Hotels & Resorts, to leave a legacy in the Laamu Atoll, where science and leisure come together with one goal: to discover more and be inspired to protect our oceans.”

The SHELL is a multi-use space designed for guest education and for offering curated and immersive marine conservation experiences. The 2,336 square-foot (217 square-meter) central exhibition space invites guests to explore the colorful and vibrant local marine life during out-of-the-ordinary encounters. The MUI team will be offering hands-on guest activities and presentations parallel to their research, conservation efforts, and initiatives. The SHELL will also feature designated facilities for hosting world-class researchers to further expand MUI’s ambitious goal to see sustainable resource management in Laamu.

Stephen Lau, Chairman of HPL Hotels & Resorts, says, “The SHELL is the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Six Senses Laamu and the resort’s long record in marine conservation and community outreach. Our wish to make Laamu atoll a better place for generations to come has been our common vision of HPL, and that common vision has been the driving force behind what made this project come to life today. We hope aspiring marine biologists and budding conservationists will be inspired by the stories and research the SHELL is carrying out and that travelers and partners alike will wish to be part of the conservation journey. The SHELL helps us all give a voice to the atoll’s incredible marine ecosystems and our combined responsibility to protect it, now more than ever.”

With the goal of bringing an immersive experience to the guests at the SHELL, 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 give insights into selected micro-topics on marine life. This immersive gallery, designed by Illuminate Productions in Singapore, is unique in the Maldives and seeks to showcase and educate guests on the exciting marine life around Six Senses Laamu. Inspired by a glass-bottom boat, the content will be periodically updated to reflect new footage captured by the resort’s dive team and diver hosts, bringing about an ever-changing canvas for guests to enjoy during different visits to the resort.

“The opening of the SHELL at Six Senses Laamu is a milestone moment for the resort and the company overall, as it truly represents the passion for the ocean environment and biology, a key agenda item for Marteyne and her team. We are equally delighted and excited at how Six Senses, through the SHELL, is bringing to life our company values in the beautiful and fragile Maldives ecosystem,” states Six Senses CEO Neil Jacobs.

The Kids’ Zone is designed for young (or young at heart) and aspiring marine biologists to discover the secrets of Laamu and the underwater world. Highlights include an augmented reality sandbox which allows the users to change and redesign habitats and topography using projection mapping technology, and the ‘Draw Alive’, where children will be able to color-in their favorite marine creatures and watch them come alive on a large screen with the help of advanced animation technology to watch them swim and move throughout a virtual world.

Lawrence Menz, Project Manager of the SHELL shared, “Just like the hermit crab that moves into a larger shell when it outgrows the previous one, The Maldives Underwater Initiative by Six Senses Laamu also needs a larger space to call home, as the team is growing in size and ambitions. The SHELL will showcase the stunning marine environment that surrounds us, with breathtaking visuals and immersive and hands-on interactive experiences. We will be conducting innovative research in our new laboratory facilities that we hope will help us find the answers to, at least, some of Laamu’s questions.”

The SHELL features a 506 square-foot (47 square-meter) amphitheater displaying stunning visuals of the underwater world as a backdrop for the team to tell their stories of the land and waters of Laamu and present their research and findings to guests and scientific peers.

Quoting Philippa Roe, Head Marine Biologist, “Over the years, the MUI team has been working to establish Laamu as a hub for marine research and become an example for sustainable marine resource management in the Maldives. Having presented 12 research papers at the 2022 Maldives Marine Science Symposium focused on research on Laamu, the center’s facilities will allow us to make even greater strides toward understanding and helping the marine environment and reaching our goal. It is this information that has contributed to the establishment of six Marine Protected Areas in the atoll, and Laamu being designated a Mission Blue Hope Spot in 2021.”

The team understands that conservation doesn’t happen overnight, and that to be truly successful, a combination of scientific research, community support, and international understanding is needed. The SHELL aims to bring together all these elements in an innovative and exciting way to safeguard the environment and people of Laamu.

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The Nautilus Maldives unveils ‘An Easter Canvas’ of colour and creativity

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This Easter, The Nautilus Maldives is inviting guests to step into “An Easter Canvas”, a celebration where colour, creativity, and island freedom come together in a week of joyful expression. At this ultra-luxury bohemian hideaway, Easter unfolds like a living artwork, with days washed in colour, moments shaped by imagination, and time flowing as gently as the tides.

At the centre of An Easter Canvas is a collection of immersive artistic experiences inspired by the island’s radiant spectrum of colours. From family art sessions hosted by a visiting Maldivian artist to a collaborative beach canvas that evolves with each guest’s contribution, the Easter programme becomes a tapestry of renewal and joy—crafted by the hands and hearts of those who take part.

Solasta Spa embraces Easter with a curated palette of healing and renewal.

  • Radiant Awakening draws from sunshine hues with a rejuvenating body polish and signature massage.
  • Harmony Within reflects tranquil greens through aloe-based treatments, crystal sound healing, and grounding techniques.
  • Ocean Stillness mirrors the calm blues of the sea, beginning with a salt exfoliation followed by a meditative Shirodhara ritual.
  • Tender Renewal and Soulful Reflection explore soft pink and violet tones through rose quartz, aromatherapy, and gentle facial therapies.

Each ritual offers a sensory immersion designed to awaken, soothe, and restore—one colour at a time.

Dining at The Nautilus is treated as an art form. As the island shifts through its Easter-inspired palette, culinary experiences transform with it—from colour-changing cocktails at Naiboli’s Shades of the Horizon sunset pop-up to vibrant beach dinners and lively Easter brunches at Thyme. Without menus or fixed hours, each meal becomes a spontaneous creation shaped by guest preferences and the island’s creative spirit.

This Easter season will also feature a special appearance by Chef Gregor Zimmermann, Swiss State Chef and Executive Chef of the iconic Bellevue Palace in Bern. A distinguished member of Le Club des Chefs des Chefs, he will present two exclusive five-course dinners and a chocolate masterclass. His creations will form a dialogue between the refined flavours of the Swiss Alps and the treasures of the Maldivian seas, expressed through authenticity, emotion, and technical mastery.

Easter at The Nautilus promises a world of discovery for younger guests. Activities include the lively “Bunny Kickoff” party, ocean-inspired crafts, pastel tie-dye sessions, treasure hunts, and the island’s signature event—the “Every Bunny Wins Easter Egg Hunt”.

Children may also explore purposeful creativity through ecoBirdy Ocean Lab workshops, which introduce young minds to the beauty and fragility of marine environments. Each session guides children in transforming recycled plastics into small functional artworks. Through storytelling and hands-on making, young guests learn about sustainability while creating keepsakes inspired by the ocean around them.

At The Nautilus, Easter is more than a seasonal holiday—it is a celebration of renewal, artistry, and the simple joy of creation. Whether crafting upcycled treasures during ecoBirdy workshops, contributing to the island’s living art installation, enjoying spontaneous feasts shaped by personal tastes, or sharing sunlit moments on white sands, every guest becomes part of a story painted in freedom, colour, and flow.

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Sweet traditions: Canareef Resort hosts festive cake mixing ceremony

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On the morning of 26 November, as the Maldives embraced the gentle warmth of the festive season, Canareef Resort Maldives once again lit up the island with its much-loved Christmas tradition – the annual Cake Mixing Ceremony. Held at the lively Dhoaraa Bar at 10:30am, the event brought together guests, team members, and island friends in a joyous celebration of tradition, community, and holiday spirit.

This year’s ceremony unfolded as a vibrant gathering filled with cheerful faces, aromatic spices, and rich festive ingredients. Guests from across the world joined in, eagerly blending dried fruits and a touch of local warmth into a fragrant mixture. As the rhythm of stirring released notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and rum into the air, participants bonded over this cherished ritual, symbolising unity, generosity, and the joy of the season. The ocean breeze mingling with the sweet aroma created an atmosphere that beautifully captured the magic of island festivities.

More than a seasonal event, the Cake Mixing Ceremony at Canareef is a celebration of togetherness. It is an opportunity to create lasting memories, forge new friendships, and embrace the true essence of the holidays. Guests and the resort’s team take delight in the simple act of stirring the mixture side by side, adding a special sparkle to Canareef’s festive calendar.

Long recognised as a hallmark of holiday cheer, the ceremony reflects Canareef Resort Maldives’ warm, welcoming, and family-like spirit. For those seeking a tropical escape or a memorable festive experience, the resort continues to offer a sanctuary where traditions are honoured and celebrations become unforgettable.

This festive season, Canareef invites guests to join in for a celebration brimming with flavour, joy, and island magic—an opportunity to discover why the Maldives remains a truly special place to celebrate and to create holiday memories that will last a lifetime.

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‘Threading Time’: Stitched photo stories debut at Oaga Art Resort

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Oaga Art Resort, a homegrown Maldivian brand where creativity thrives and stories unfold, has announced Threading Time, a captivating solo exhibition by Maldivian artist Hajja Nazwa. The exhibition will open on 5 December 2025 at Moo Gé Gallery by Suvāsthi, the art brand of Oaga Resorts, and will run until 6 January 2026, giving guests the chance to experience Hajja’s stitched photographic narratives throughout the festive season.

Threading Time explores memory, everyday life, and the subtle beauty of island living. Through a fusion of photography and embroidery, Hajja Nazwa transforms ordinary moments into enduring visual stories. Each stitched detail reflects scenes of Maldivian daily life—street corners, bursts of colour, the quiet rhythm of the city, and the serenity of the islands.

Reflecting on her work, Hajja said: “Photo embroidery gives me a gentle place to return to… a space where I can slow down, look closely, and connect with myself. The act of stitching feels like a conversation between my hands and my memories. It reminds me to notice the small things, to honour them, and to hold on to the parts of life that quietly shape me.”

The exhibition features 55 works from Hajja’s stitched-story collection, many based on her own photographs celebrating Maldivian culture, heritage, and everyday moments. The pieces encourage viewers to engage with the interplay of thread, colour, and light, creating a space where art, memory, and island life intersect.

The exhibition is curated by Ahmed Sobah, whose long-standing involvement in the Maldivian arts scene ensures a presentation that highlights the vibrancy, intimacy, and contemplative depth of Hajja’s work.

The exhibition will open with a ticketed event on 5 December, offering guests:

  • A guided tour with the artist
  • A curated dinner at Kaa Kada, Oaga’s signature restaurant
  • Evening entertainment at Raa Baa bar

Date & Time: 5 December 2025, 16:00 – 22:30
Ticket Price: MVR 1,542 (USD 100)
Includes: Roundtrip speedboat transfer from Malé International Airport, exhibition access with guided tour, dinner, and entertainment.

From 6 December 2025 to 6 January 2026, the exhibition will be open to all resort guests, allowing visitors to explore Hajja’s work at their own pace in an intimate island gallery setting.

Moo Gé is the transformative creative space of Oaga Art Resort—a hybrid venue that functions as a movement studio, performance arena, and exhibition platform. Its fluid design allows it to adapt to the needs of artists and audiences alike. For Threading Time, Moo Gé becomes a dedicated gallery, enabling guests to experience Hajja Nazwa’s embroidered photographic works up close.

As part of Suvāsthi, Oaga’s artistic ecosystem centred on joy and creative expression, Moo Gé reflects the resort’s commitment to nurturing local and visiting talent. It is a place where culture, creativity, and island spirit come together, offering an experience rooted not only in observation but also in participation.

Oaga Art Resort continues to champion Maldivian artistry, giving guests the rare opportunity to engage with local talent in meaningful ways. Threading Time is more than an exhibition— it is an ongoing dialogue between artist, audience, and island life, where each thread and photograph tells a story of home, memory, and culture.

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