At Six Senses Kanuhura, the heartbeat of the resort is its people—and the impact stretches far beyond the island. With 45% of full-time hosts being Maldivian, many with over a decade of service, the resort provides stable, long-term employment, delivering consistent wages, benefits, and career growth in a region where opportunities can be limited.

Education and skills development are central to the resort’s mission. Through internships and trainee programs, young professionals gain practical, hands-on experience in marine biology, sustainable operations, diving, and engineering—building real-world expertise and nurturing the next generation of hospitality and sustainability leaders. Local school visits, welcoming hundreds of students annually, provide immersive experiences that inspire future careers in hospitality and environmental stewardship.

Women’s empowerment is a cornerstone of the resort’s culture. Ladies’ Nights, equal pay policies, inclusion of female representatives in harassment investigations, plus the Banbukeyo breadfruit project, which actively fosters equity and opportunity for women by celebrating Maldivian culinary heritage. Women from Veshi Saafu collaborate with the resort to create a breadfruit recipe book, guide chefs in traditional dishes, and provide saplings for the resort’s organic gardens, ensuring they gain recognition, income, and meaningful participation in both economic and community initiatives.

Through programs that prioritise hiring locals, supporting women-led projects, and creating inclusive pathways for youth, the resort actively reduces inequalities within the local workforce and community. By investing in people, skills, and leadership, Kanuhura is not just building careers—it is strengthening livelihoods, nurturing equity, and empowering communities across the Maldives.

Each interaction—whether a guest learning to craft a soft toy from recycled materials or a trainee discovering the science of coral restoration—is a step toward resilient livelihoods, showing that tourism, when done thoughtfully, can nurture both people and place.

At Six Senses Kanuhura, sustainability is woven into every aspect of daily life, transforming resource-conscious practices into a philosophy of creativity, stewardship, and environmental responsibility.

The island’s hydroponic and organic gardens produce over 50 kg of fresh, nutrient-dense vegetables per month, grown with 90% less water than traditional methods and following agroecological principles that promote soil health and biodiversity. 

Energy-efficient systems power the island sustainably: LED lighting, high-efficiency appliances, heat-recovery AC systems, and electric buggies ensure minimal carbon use, while Earth Hour and Energy Savings Week campaigns engage hosts and guests in climate action. 

Zero-waste and circular economy principles are embedded across operations. Old linens, uniforms, and glass bottles are creatively upcycled in the Earth Lab, while sustainable procurement ensures 15 local suppliers adhere to zero-waste packaging and circular practices. Organic waste is composted to enrich gardens, greywater is recycled for irrigation and toilets, and water is carefully monitored through low-flow fixtures and on-site desalination.

Guests are invited to become part of this transformative approach through workshops, sustainability tours, and interactive experiences, witnessing first-hand how food, energy, water, and materials can be managed responsibly. 

Every action—whether harvesting microgreens, creating recycled crafts, or participating in an energy-saving challenge—demonstrates that responsible consumption is not just a policy, but a way of life, nurturing the island’s ecosystem, protecting natural resources, and inspiring a generation of environmentally conscious travellers.

Every day, marine biologists, local staff, and even engaged guests collaborate to restore seagrass meadows, monitor coral reefs, and safeguard endangered sea turtles. In 2024 alone, the resort’s efforts supported 6 green turtle nests and 240 hatchlings, while community outreach and guest education programs reached over 1,000 individuals, inspiring a lifelong commitment to ocean stewardship.

Education is central to these efforts. Local students participate in school visits and immersive marine programs, while interns gain hands-on experience in marine biology, ocean conservation, and scientific research. 

The Junior Turtle Biologist Program allows children to actively engage in sea turtle conservation and earn official certificates, bridging classroom learning with practical environmental action. Guests also participate in guided snorkels, surveys of megafauna, and interactive workshops, connecting personal experiences with global conservation issues.

The resort’s marine initiatives go beyond protection—they create opportunities for knowledge transfer and capacity building, with a full-time Maldivian marine biologist role fostering local expertise.

Megafauna surveys documented over 5,000 sharks, 2,700 green turtles, and 2,600 rays, while coral reef and seagrass monitoring ensures that these ecosystems thrive. Every hatchling, every restored seagrass blade, and every engaged student or guest represents a living legacy of education, conservation, and hope for the ocean.