News
Aqua Season celebrated at Six Senses Laamu in Maldives: June – October 2013
Maldives Promotion House – Aqua Season at Six Senses Laamu brings together a raft of water-focused activities which incorporate the surfing season’s International Surfing Day on 20 June, Turtle Nesting and Hatching Season from May through October, Maldivian by the Sea – which showcases local cuisine in July at Longitude restaurant, and Jaafai Dinners hosted at local islands.
To celebrate the season, Six Senses Laamu offers a selection of complimentary benefits and savings. These include No Rush Hours with a resident DJ, savings at the Six Senses Spa, free Cinema on the Beach plus ice-cream is on the house!
International Surfing Day, held annually on or near the date of the summer solstice—usually on 20 June – is an unofficial, environmentally conscious, sports-centered event that celebrates surfing and the surfing lifestyle, and the sustainability of ocean resources.
At Six Senses Laamu and in partnership with Ocean Dimensions arrange a reef and beach cleaning detail, a surf competition with children of Mamendhoo school, followed by the screening of surf documentaries and presentations on surf culture. The day ends with a delicious Lobster Barbecue. The day’s events are complimentary, with the evening barbecue commencing at 7pm. and costing US$150 per person, plus taxes.
Surfing Season is from April through October, and with Six Senses Laamu being the only resort in this southern atoll, surfers have the break to themselves most of the time. The biggest swells are likely to occur in June to September. From the resort, you can see the impressive white spray of the most famous break in the atoll – the Yin Yang- an eight-foot right hander which breaks on the outer reef of the local island, Hithadhoo.
Daily morning and afternoon boat trips are organized to Yin Yang from the resort from April to October, with single surf passes available for US$69 per person, plus taxes.
Turtle Nesting and Hatching Season. From May to October, Olhuveli Island is a nesting ground for both Green and Hawksbill turtles. The female turtles return to the same beach on which they were born to lay their own eggs. These turtles will nest at anytime and Rachel Lambert, our resident Marine Biologist will be responsible for checking the beaches for nest and turtle tracks. Guests who would like to join her are most welcome to watch the hatchlings run to the sea. The whole nesting and hatching procedure is carefully monitored to protect the females and the new youngsters.
For further awareness and education, Rachel will be conducting a series of conversations, presentations and courses during the season. All activities on turtle nesting and hatching are provided on a complimentary basis.
Jaafai Experience: The cooking style of Maldives is highly influenced by both India and Sri Lanka. Gradually, rice and curries became an integral part of Maldivian food. Today, one can virtually find all kinds of food in the country. Maldivian cuisine gives you an opportunity to savour the different mouth-watering dishes with exotic flavours ranging from mild, spicy and hot to sweet.
Originally Jaafai meant feast for the Kings. This summer, from June to October, we invite you to Hithadhoo to join a Maldivian family at their home for a few hours. Discover their lifestyle and cuisine. Listen to local stories about the past as well as learn about ingredients the Maldivians use in their kitchen. During your visit to the local island, you will also be accompanied by the sounds of Boduberu, the local drums and music. The all-inclusive priceis US$220 per person, plus taxes, and departure from the resort is at 7pm.
Maldivian by the Sea: In July, Chef Nicholas Loubser and his brigade bring Maldivian flavours to the menu of Longitude, our overwater restaurant where you can tantalize your palate with the freshest and most delicious dishes. Maldivian by the Sea is yet another way to discover the cuisine of the Maldives, right at Six Senses Laamu. Dinners are limited to six tables so reservations are suggested, and dinner commences at 7pm. The price is US$125 per person, plus taxes.
Other Activities and Benefits: During May to October, many Aqua Season activities are complimentary or have significant savings:
- No Rush Hours are each evening between 6-7pm and 9:30-10:30pm at Chill bar, with resident DJ Garry Tee, Sydney and Kuala Lumpur DJ who has created unique musical experience for events, clubs and restaurant audiences. His unique blend of music elements has lead to exciting collaborations with art, stage and fashion creatives across Asia. His reputation has been built over twenty years as DJ, Producer, Radio Host and Music Curator. Garry has been nominated for Best Music/Sound at ‘A The 6th Boh CameronianAwards’ in 2008 for his collaboration with Lena Ang’s butoh dance performance called PINK. The upcoming performances at Chill are focused on the gentler beats and sound that is complementing the overwhelming presence of beauty in both nature and design. The creative process of Garry Tee’s performances is made of personally selected tunes from the collection that spans almost 30 years.
- Ice Cream: Enjoy delicious homemade ice cream from the Ice and Chocolate Studio, with compliments. Savour more than forty flavours of ice cream and sorbets with a variety of toppings and sauces.
- Six Senses Spa: Creating awareness and enlightening guests, The Six Senses Spa at Laamu introduces additionalwellness activities this summer. Six Senses Spa launches a variety of weekly workshops from Detox to De-Stress, Acupressure to Ashtanga as guest are guided through a variety to techniques and basic principles that they can implement during their stay or once they return home. Book a Six Senses Spa massage within 48-hours after arrival at the resort and enjoy an introductory 50% savings for a second person’s treatment; a perfect treat for your partner.
- Beach Cinema: A dream or reality? Should you like a little action or a classic movie, enjoy an unusual open-air cinema experience that takes place beneath a canopy of stars on the white sandy beach. The cinema bar is open during the film for those wishing to treat themselves with a glass of Champagne!
News
Umair Badheeu brings ‘Island Stories’ exhibition to ananea Madivaru Maldives
In the North Ari Atoll, ananea Madivaru Maldives will welcome multidisciplinary Maldivian artist and curator Umair Badheeu for the opening of Island Stories, a special exhibition celebrating Maldivian island life through art.
Opening at the resort’s Art Studio on Monday, 31 August 2026, Island Stories brings together selected works reflecting the people, places and everyday scenes that shape life across the islands.
Based in Malé, Umair has spent nearly 25 years working across fine art, documentary photography, exhibitions and cultural preservation. After years of documentary observation, he has returned to his roots in watercolour painting, turning his attention to familiar yet often overlooked moments of Maldivian life–including local harbours and fishing beaches.
Alongside his own artistic practice, Umair has played an active role in the preservation and presentation of Maldivian heritage. His curatorial work includes establishing the Dutch Onion Museum at Cora Cora Maldives, as well as leading the reconstruction of an ancient Maldivian home and conservation of 900-year-old bathing tanks.
The exhibition forms part of ananea Madivaru’s commitment to creating opportunities for guests to engage with Maldivian creativity, culture and storytelling, while providing a platform for local artistic talent.
Island Stories | Opening Event
- Monday, 31 August 2026 | 17:00–18:00
- Art Studio | ananea Madivaru Maldives, North Ari Atoll
The opening will include an introduction from Umair, followed by a guided journey through selected works and time to explore the exhibition. Guests will also be invited to enjoy canapés and refreshments, with selected artworks and merchandise available for purchase and signing.
News
Niva Kuramathi Maldives maintains Travelife Gold sustainability status
Niva Kuramathi Maldives has once again been recognised by Travelife with Gold status – the international benchmark for sustainable and responsible tourism.
The certification measures Niva Kuramathi against global Travelife standards across energy efficiency, waste reduction, water stewardship, responsible resource management, human rights, and support for local communities. Gold status is not a first step – it is a continuation, a promise kept season after season.
“Sustainability is not a milestone we reach and set aside. It is a way of living on the island,” says Bertrand Margerie, General Manager. “Being re-awarded Travelife Gold status affirms a path we have walked for years, and one we intend to keep walking. We are caring for our island home for those who come after us. It is our privilege to conserve, protect, and nurture both the land and the sea.”

Beneath the waves, the Muraka Coral Regeneration Project tends more than 7,500 coral fragments across 500 dedicated frames, nurturing the house reef for years still to come. Above the surface, rooftop solar generates close to one million kWh of clean energy each year – cutting diesel reliance by over 250,000 litres. In the hydroponic garden, some 500 kilograms of greens and herbs are harvested monthly, grown with recycled water and organic compost.
At the Eco Centre, the ocean becomes a living classroom offering guided snorkelling safaris above the house reef. Marine Biologist presentations reveal what stirs beneath the surface, and guests and children alike learn to read the sea.
The Rasdhoo Swim Club brings twenty-five local children to the reef each month – snorkelling beside turtles and rays, discovering something worth protecting. The Eco Centre team moves with them through it all – teaching them about reef sharks, mantas, living coral, and why it matters.
Every day, small choices add up. Reusable glass bottles, paper straws, a partnership with local recycler Parley to give used plastic a second life – simple acts of mindfulness that keep hundreds of thousands of plastic bottles from the shore each year.
“This recognition belongs to the team who live it daily,” says Tom Osborne, Sustainability Manager. “Our coral frames, solar panels, organic garden, recycling programmes – none of it happens on its own. Travelife Gold status gives us a clear standard to measure against, and it tells our people that the sustainable work that we do, genuinely matters.”
For further information and reservations, please visit the resort’s official website, call +960 666 01 50 or email reservations@nivakuramathi.com.
Action
Dusit Thani Maldives named Best House Reefs at TTM Awards 2026
Dusit Thani Maldives has been named Best House Reefs at the TTM Awards 2026, recognising one of the resort’s most distinctive natural treasures and its exceptional underwater experience.
Presented as part of the TTM Awards & Gala 2026 at CROSSROADS Maldives on 27 August, the annual awards recognise outstanding achievements across the Maldivian hospitality industry.
Set on Mudhdhoo Island in Baa Atoll, Dusit Thani Maldives is surrounded by a 360-degree house reef, giving guests direct access to a rich underwater ecosystem just moments from the island’s shores. The reef is home to a diverse variety of marine life, including colourful tropical fish, sea turtles, sharks and rays, creating memorable opportunities for snorkelling and diving throughout the year.
To mark the win in true island style, the resort team took the award beneath the surface, capturing it among the coral and marine life that inspired the recognition.
“This award is particularly meaningful to us because our house reef is such an important part of the Dusit Thani Maldives experience. It is something our guests can discover almost from the moment they step into the water, and it reminds us every day how fortunate we are to call this extraordinary island home. This recognition belongs to our entire team and to everyone who continues to support, appreciate and help protect the natural environment around us,” said Jean-Louis Ripoche, Area General Manager – Maldives.
Located within Baa Atoll, a UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserve, the resort places the surrounding natural environment at the heart of the guest experience. Alongside snorkelling and diving, the resort undertakes regular reef and beach clean-ups and encourages guests to take part in activities aimed at protecting the marine environment.
The Best House Reefs recognition further reinforces Dusit Thani Maldives’ position as a destination where luxury island living and remarkable marine encounters come together naturally.
For more information or to experience the award-winning house reef at Dusit Thani Maldives, visit the resort’s official website.
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