Six Senses Kanuhura is contributing to the COASTS Project, an international research initiative focused on strengthening coastal resilience through the study of blue carbon ecosystems, further underscoring the resort’s strong commitment to marine conservation and the long-term protection of the fragile natural environments that define the Maldives. Through its participation in this important global collaboration, the resort is helping expand scientific understanding of coastal ecosystems while reinforcing the Maldives’ growing role in environmental research and sustainability leadership.
Funded under Horizon Europe 2023 by EUSPA Space, the COASTS Project is led by EOMAP, a Fugro company, and brings together a consortium of specialised partners including Submaris and the Maldives Space Research Organisation. The initiative is centred on the study of seagrass and mangrove ecosystems, examining how these habitats interact with coastal hazards and the valuable role they play in carbon sequestration. As climate resilience and environmental stewardship continue to gain international importance, the project represents a meaningful contribution to the development of more informed and sustainable coastal management strategies.
The COASTS Project is being carried out across three important locations around the world: the Baltic Sea in Germany, Chausey Island in France, and the Maldives. In the Maldivian context, research is being conducted at two sites in Noonu Atoll as well as at Six Senses Kanuhura in Lhaviyani Atoll. This places the resort among a select group of sites contributing real-world field data to a broader international effort aimed at understanding how coastal ecosystems function and how they can be better protected for future generations.
At Six Senses Kanuhura, research activities are taking place across the reef flat and lagoon, where teams are undertaking seagrass mapping, ecological surveys, and sediment core sampling. These studies are designed to deepen scientific knowledge of the ways in which seagrass meadows help shield coastlines, support marine biodiversity, and store carbon within coastal environments. The findings generated through the project are expected to support stakeholders in developing evidence-based approaches to seagrass conservation and management, helping shape more effective responses to environmental challenges facing island and coastal communities.
Philipp Schubert, Submaris team lead for COASTS, highlighted the significance of the work being undertaken, noting that much remains to be studied about seagrass ecosystems. He stated that the COASTS surveys in the Maldives aim to provide crucial in situ data on seagrass health, extent, and functionality, helping improve scientific models and ultimately supporting the sustainable management of these coastal habitats. His remarks reflect the growing recognition that seagrass ecosystems are not only ecologically important, but also highly relevant to the future resilience of coastal regions worldwide.
Alongside its involvement in the COASTS Project, Six Senses Kanuhura continues to demonstrate leadership through the work of its in-house marine biologist James Cordery and the resort’s sustainability team, who actively advocate for the protection of seagrass ecosystems in the Maldives. Although seagrass meadows are essential habitats for marine life and serve as important natural carbon sinks, they are often overlooked or undervalued. Through thoughtful guest engagement and educational initiatives, the resort is helping to change this perception by encouraging deeper appreciation for these underwater habitats and the role they play in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems.
Alicia Graham, General Manager of Six Senses Kanuhura, said the resort believes meaningful conservation begins with awareness and connection. She described seagrass as a quiet yet powerful force beneath the surface, protecting shores and nurturing marine life, and said the resort is proud to support research through its collaboration with the COASTS Project that not only advances science but also helps people better understand the beauty and value of these underwater meadows. Her comments reflect the resort’s broader philosophy of combining guest experience with environmental responsibility in ways that create lasting impact.
Through this collaboration, Six Senses Kanuhura continues to promote a thoughtful and science-driven relationship with the ocean, one that places emphasis on awareness, responsibility, and the long-term care of the interconnected ecosystems surrounding the island. The resort’s participation in the project also highlights how luxury hospitality in the Maldives can work hand in hand with international research efforts, creating a model where tourism and environmental stewardship support one another in meaningful and practical ways.
Set across three private islands, Six Senses Kanuhura is widely recognised for its exceptional natural beauty and is known for offering some of the finest beaches in the Maldives. The resort features 85 spacious and elegantly designed beachfront, family, and overwater pool villas, each positioned beside a striking turquoise lagoon that is home to resident turtles and a rich variety of marine life. With its blend of barefoot luxury, immersive nature, and refined hospitality, the resort offers an experience where adventure, relaxation, family connection, and peaceful seclusion exist in harmony. This setting makes Six Senses Kanuhura not only a destination of remarkable appeal for travellers from around the world, but also an ideal location for conservation-focused initiatives that seek to preserve the very ecosystems that make the Maldives so extraordinary.
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