Six Senses Laamu, located in the remote Laamu Atoll of the Maldives, has been named to TIME Magazine’s World’s Greatest Places of 2026 list. The annual list highlights destinations that deliver exceptional experiences, meaningful innovation and positive impact on their communities and environments.
© Six Senses Laamu
“Being recognized by TIME as one of the world’s greatest places is an incredible honor for our team,” said Marteyne van Well, regional general manager of Six Senses Laamu. “Our vision has always been to show that exceptional hospitality and meaningful environmental stewardship can coexist. This recognition celebrates the commitment of our resort team and the local community who work daily to protect Laamu’s unique ecosystem.”
Environmental research and conservation are embedded in the guest experience at Six Senses Laamu. The resort’s Sea Hub for Environmental Learning (SHELL) is one of the most ambitious resort-based conservation programs globally, providing a purpose-built research center where resident NGOs study marine life and the surrounding environment while guests observe and learn.
Through the Maldives Underwater Initiative, developed in partnership with several NGOs, Six Senses Laamu has become a key player in reef restoration and marine research across the atoll. Scientists working with the resort recently introduced 3 million coral larvae cultivated in on-site laboratories to damaged reef areas and employed coral cloning techniques to help restore vulnerable species and support overall ecosystem recovery.
© Six Senses Laamu
The resort collaborates with specialized conservation partners to advance research and monitoring techniques. In partnership with The Manta Trust, staff and researchers have catalogued more than 150 individual manta rays and pioneered monitoring of pregnant mantas using the world’s first underwater contactless ultrasound scanner. Six Senses Laamu also partners with the Olive Ridley Project to support sea turtle conservation efforts.
Guests can engage directly with these conservation programs. Visitor experiences include guided tours of SHELL’s laboratories and galleries, participation in hands-on marine conservation activities, and diving experiences led by biologists. The resort also offers specialized dive certifications that focus on manta ray behavior and reef ecology, allowing guests to contribute to scientific monitoring while gaining education and skills.
Recognition on TIME’s World’s Greatest Places list highlights Six Senses Laamu’s combined focus on luxury hospitality and environmental responsibility. The resort’s ongoing research, restoration projects and community partnerships demonstrate how a destination can deliver memorable guest experiences while actively contributing to the protection and recovery of fragile marine ecosystems.