Six Senses Laamu Maldives
- Miles Willis
- Aug 12
- 4 min read
Six Senses Laamu – Barefoot Luxury in the Untouched Maldives
For South African luxury travellers seeking a Maldivian escape that’s as indulgent as it is authentic, Six Senses Laamu delivers a rare kind of magic. Set in the remote Laamu Atoll — one of the most pristine corners of the Maldives — this eco-conscious resort offers barefoot luxury, world-class dining, unmatched diving and snorkelling, and a deep connection to its surroundings.
It’s not just a holiday. It’s a love affair with island life, wrapped in the service and sophistication that defines the Six Senses brand.
Location: The Beauty of Remoteness
Six Senses Laamu is the only resort in the Laamu Atoll, which lies in the southern Maldives. Its exclusivity begins the moment you land in Malé and board a scenic 35-minute domestic flight to Kadhdhoo, followed by a 15-minute speedboat transfer.
This remoteness is part of its charm — far from the busier northern atolls, Laamu feels untouched, with vibrant reefs, clear lagoons, and an abundance of marine life. You can often snorkel for hours without seeing another soul, except for turtles, reef sharks, and clouds of colourful fish.
First Impressions: Barefoot Bliss
Arrival is a sensory experience. You’re greeted by your GEM (Guest Experience Maker) — your personal butler who anticipates your every need — and invited to slip off your shoes for the duration of your stay. Here, the soft white sand and warm timber decks become your pathways.
The design is pure Six Senses: natural materials, sustainable timber, and open-plan spaces that let the ocean breezes and turquoise views do the talking.
Accommodation: Villas That Feel Like Private Worlds
With just 97 villas — both overwater and beachfront — Six Senses Laamu offers intimacy and space in equal measure.
Overwater Villas give you direct access to the lagoon, sun decks with loungers, outdoor rain showers, and glass-bottom bathtubs so you can watch fish drift beneath you.
Beach Villas nestle among lush vegetation, offering complete privacy with direct beach access, private gardens, and outdoor bathrooms surrounded by nature.
The interiors are understated yet luxurious — think natural fabrics, muted tones, and handcrafted furnishings. Each villa comes with bicycles for exploring the island at your own pace.
Culinary Excellence: A Feast for All the Senses
Dining at Six Senses Laamu is an art form. The resort’s approach blends international sophistication with fresh, local flavours — much of it organic and grown in the island’s own gardens.
Leaf – A treetop dining experience where Mediterranean-inspired dishes are created using produce from the island’s organic garden.
Longitude – Overwater dining for breakfast and dinner, with a mix of international cuisine and Maldivian specialities.
Sip Sip – Casual poolside dining with gourmet pizzas, fresh salads, and ice cream made on-site.
Chill Bar – Perfect for sunset cocktails over the water, with tapas and live music.
Ice & Chocolate Studio – A sweet-lover’s dream with unlimited complimentary ice cream in more than 40 flavours.
For something extraordinary, private sandbank dinners under the stars or wine tastings in the resort’s chilled cellar are unforgettable experiences.
The Six Senses Spa: Wellness Meets the Ocean
The Six Senses Spa Laamu is an overwater sanctuary where treatment rooms have glass floors, so you can watch reef fish while enjoying a massage. The spa offers personalised wellness programmes, yoga sessions, meditation, and therapies drawing on both modern science and ancient healing traditions.
South African guests will appreciate the holistic approach — this is not just pampering, but a complete mind-body reset.
World-Class Diving and Snorkelling
The Laamu Atoll is famous for its vibrant coral reefs and incredible marine biodiversity. Six Senses Laamu is a PADI 5-Star Dive Centre, with expert instructors who can guide everyone from beginners to advanced divers.
Highlights include:
Hithadhoo Corner – Known for schooling reef sharks and turtles.
Manta Point – A hotspot for manta ray encounters.
Kadhdhoo Kandu – A drift dive site with strong currents and thrilling pelagic action.
Snorkellers can explore directly from the beach or join guided trips to reefs where dolphins, eagle rays, and colourful fish are regular companions.
Surfing the Maldives – Yin Yang
Unique to Laamu is the Maldives’ most famous surf break, Yin Yang, located just minutes from the resort by boat. Whether you’re a seasoned surfer or a beginner, Six Senses offers surf coaching and equipment hire. This is one of the few Maldivian resorts where luxury travellers can combine a high-end stay with world-class waves.
Sustainability at Its Heart
Six Senses Laamu is not just a resort; it’s a pioneer in sustainable tourism. It runs its own marine conservation programme, employs local Maldivians in meaningful roles, and operates without single-use plastics.
The resort’s Marine Team works closely with guests to share knowledge on reef conservation, turtle monitoring, and manta research. You can even join biologists on conservation dives or attend evening talks about the ocean ecosystem.
Experiences Beyond the Villa
Six Senses curates a rich menu of experiences for the discerning traveller:
Dolphin Cruises – Sunset trips to watch pods of playful spinner dolphins.
Private Island Picnics – Spend the day on an uninhabited island with a gourmet picnic prepared just for you.
Cinema Under the Stars – Watch a movie on the beach with your toes in the sand.
Cooking Classes – Learn Maldivian recipes to recreate at home.
For the South African Luxury Traveller
Six Senses Laamu resonates with South African travellers who value both exclusivity and authenticity:
Easy connections – Fly from Johannesburg via Doha, Dubai, or Istanbul to Malé, then onwards to Laamu.
Privacy – The only resort in the atoll, ensuring you never feel crowded.
Activities for all – From surfing and diving to private spa days and fine dining.
Sustainability – A chance to enjoy paradise while actively contributing to its preservation.
Best Time to Visit
The Maldives enjoys year-round warmth, but for the best combination of calm seas and sunshine, visit between December and April. For surfers, May to September brings consistent swells, while snorkellers will love the manta season from May to October.
Final Word
Six Senses Laamu is the Maldives for those who want more than just luxury — they want meaning. Here, barefoot days are filled with once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and every detail is curated to make you feel both indulged and at home.
From the moment you step onto the jetty to the moment you leave, this island wraps you in a cocoon of serenity, connection, and unpretentious elegance. It’s the kind of place where you’ll promise yourself you’ll return — and then actually do.
Comments