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Adopting corals at The Beach House at Iruveli Maldives

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Maldives Promotion House – Think of the Maldives and beautiful white-sand beaches and warm, turquoise-blue seas to explore may spring to mind.  However, over recent years, the Maldives’ underwater world as a whole has weathered a few storms and natural disasters and now needs help be restored.  Lending their full support, The Beach House at Iruveli Maldives has established a coral reef restoration programme to ensure their lagoon and surrounding islands receives the regeneration it needs to remain full of interesting and diverse marine life, so key to the planet’s eco-system.

‘Adopt a Coral Reef’ aims at protecting and developing the large coral population around the resort and guests are given the opportunity to actively participate in the making of the coral frame and leave a positive footprint in the Maldives by sponsoring a reef.  These fragile and endangered coral reefs act as key feeding and breeding grounds for a myriad of marine life and provide essential shoreline protection.

The Beach House at Iruveli Maldives enlists the services of a resident marine biologist, Alexia Pihier, who explains, “The lagoon surrounding the resort offers diverse marine life including baby and adult reef fish, rays, turtles and reef sharks.  Coral reefs are recovering from the previous El Niño quasiperiodic climate patterns whose unusually long periods of high water temperatures caused the death of a large part of the reef. Fortunately, we can now observe juvenile coral colonies around the resort’s lagoon and are inviting guests to participate in our coral reef restoration programme by installing handmade coral frames that offer artificial habitats for many marine organisms.”

Alexia has produced a booklet entitled ‘Marine Life at The Beach House at Iruveli Maldives’, which guests receive when they arrive.  It details photographs and information on the different types of marine life to be seen and the best snorkelling sites in the resort’s lagoon.

The not-for-profit ‘Adopt a Coral Reef’ programme costs US$150 per frame and includes a talk on coral life, the reef and how important it is to the world’s eco-system.  Participants are shown the frame, which is coated with sand and natural glue and has coral fragments attached to it.  Once placed in the sea, the frame is inspected at regular intervals to see how the coral is growing and progress updates and photographs can be emailed to guests who were involved in its creation. Kids can also participate for a reduced cost of US$40 per child (minimum of four children) which can be organised as part of the kids’ club programme.

The Beach House at Iruveli Maldives comprises 83 beautifully designed thatched villas, suites and pavilions, each with a private pool and villa host. Three fine dining restaurants boast a gastronomic experience rich in culinary diversity and include a unique dining opportunity in an underground wine cellar, housing one of the most extensive collections of fine vintages in the Indian Ocean. Facilities include an extensive spa, five-star PADI dive centre, 18-hole golf simulator, fitness centre, extensive kids’ club and three swimming pools.

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Dive into conservation: Sun Siyam Iru Fushi introduces snorkelling with a purpose

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Sun Siyam Iru Fushi has introduced an exciting new activity for ocean enthusiasts: Conservation Snorkelling. Led by the resort’s resident marine biologist, Mohamed Shah, this immersive experience allows participants to contribute to marine conservation efforts while exploring the vibrant underwater ecosystem of the Maldives. Combining education, exploration, and action, the initiative offers an enriching opportunity for visitors of all ages.

Participants engage in collecting critical data on coral health and fish populations using underwater fish guides, coral health charts, and writing slates, while learning to identify various fish species. They assess reef conditions and contribute to the protection of the local marine environment. The findings are then discussed with Mohamed Shah, providing deeper insights into the marine life of the Iru Fushi lagoon and house reef.

This activity is a key component of Sun Siyam Cares, the resort’s initiative focused on environmental protection and community support. Families, young couples, and other guests can participate in global conservation efforts through the Coral Watch citizen science project. The activity is open to strong swimmers aged eight and above who feel comfortable snorkelling.

“At Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, we strive to protect the stunning natural environment around us,” said Abdullah Atham, Resort Manager. “Through activities like Conservation Snorkelling, we encourage guests to explore and actively contribute to ocean conservation.”

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Excursions

Fuvahmulah triumphs at 2024 DRT show as Best Shark Diving spot

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Fuvahmulah has been crowned the ‘Best Shark Diving Destination’ at the 2024 Diving Resort & Travel (DRT) Show held in Hong Kong. This prestigious recognition solidifies the Maldivian island’s reputation as a global hotspot for thrilling and sustainable shark diving experiences.

Renowned for its exceptional underwater ecosystem, Fuvahmulah offers divers a unique opportunity to encounter a wide variety of shark species. Among the highlights are its tiger sharks, rare and awe-inspiring predators that attract adventurers from around the world. The island’s pristine waters and vibrant marine life have consistently drawn accolades from the diving community, and this latest achievement underscores its unparalleled appeal.

This award is not only a celebration of Fuvahmulah’s natural beauty but also a testament to the dedication of its local community. Dive centres, guest houses, and tourism professionals have worked tirelessly to showcase the island’s marine wonders while prioritising sustainability and conservation efforts. Their collective passion and hard work have been instrumental in positioning Fuvahmulah as a must-visit destination for divers worldwide.

The recognition at the DRT Show not only celebrates Fuvahmulah’s achievements but also reinforces the importance of preserving its unique underwater ecosystem. As visitors continue to flock to this diving paradise, the island remains steadfast in its commitment to sustainable tourism and marine conservation, ensuring that its breathtaking marine life can be enjoyed for generations to come.

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Six Senses Laamu honoured for groundbreaking marine conservation initiatives

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Six Senses Laamu has achieved dual recognition for its innovative marine conservation efforts. The resort was included in Condé Nast Traveller’s prestigious 2024 ‘Bright Ideas in Travel’ list and was awarded the ‘Best Culture, Travel & Lifestyle Environmental Initiative’ at the inaugural Country & Town House Future Icons Awards.

The Future Icons Awards, presented by the UK’s esteemed Country & Town House magazine, celebrate visionary innovators who are redefining sustainability and environmental stewardship. Six Senses Laamu’s Sea Hub of Environmental Learning in Laamu (SHELL) was lauded by judges as ‘an incredible conservation project,’ highlighting its success in bringing together diverse stakeholders to protect marine ecosystems.

Simultaneously, the resort’s inclusion in Condé Nast Traveller’s Bright Ideas in Travel list recognised SHELL and the Maldives Underwater Initiative (MUI) as transformative solutions addressing some of the most critical environmental challenges in the travel industry.

SHELL, which opened in March 2023, represents a groundbreaking partnership between luxury hospitality and marine conservation. It serves as the base for the MUI team, a collaboration involving Six Senses Laamu marine biologists and three renowned NGOs: The Manta Trust, Blue Marine Foundation, and the Olive Ridley Project. Spanning 5,952 square feet, the facility is at the forefront of several pioneering research programs.

The SHELL team’s manta ray research has identified 138 individual manta rays in Laamu waters and developed the world’s first underwater contactless ultrasound scanner for studying manta ray reproduction. Their innovative ‘Eyes on the Reef’ project offers unprecedented 24/7 monitoring of manta ray behaviour at cleaning stations.

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

The coral reef monitoring program at Six Senses Laamu has also yielded impressive results, with coral cover on the house reef increasing by up to 55 percent. The team has identified 36 different coral genera on the house reef and 47 throughout the Laamu Atoll while conducting pioneering research on coral spawning patterns.

SHELL’s influence extends beyond research to impactful conservation campaigns, such as the #ProtectMaldivesSeagrass initiative, which has led to the protection of over 910,000 square meters of seagrass meadows across 37 resorts. The facility also features an interactive gallery with LED display floors, educational viewing booths, and advanced technology designed to engage guests of all ages in marine conservation.

By blending scientific research, conservation, and luxury tourism, Six Senses Laamu continues to redefine sustainable travel in the Maldives. These prestigious accolades highlight the resort’s unwavering commitment to protecting marine ecosystems while providing enriching experiences for its guests.

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