Great — here are some of the top sustainable resorts in the Maldives (strong sustainability programs, active marine restoration/community work, and third‑party recognition). I’ve listed what each is best known for and included sources so you can check details and latest initiatives.

1. Gili Lankanfushi — barefoot luxury with deep conservation programs

• Highlights: EarthCheck Gold benchmarking; on‑island Eco‑Centre with recycling/composting; coral “Coral Lines” restoration, seagrass protection and guest participation programs. (gili-lankanfushi.com)

2. Soneva Fushi (and Soneva Jani group) — long‑standing waste‑to‑wealth and renewable energy leader

• Highlights: Waste‑to‑Wealth upcycling programs, in‑house water plant (Soneva Water), large solar PV and battery rollouts, coral propagation via the Soneva Foundation and local waste management partnerships. Soneva has been carbon‑neutral in its operations and adds an environmental levy to stays to fund projects. (Soneva.com)

3. Six Senses Laamu — marine science hub and community programs

• Highlights: The SHELL (Sea Hub of Environmental Learning) and the Maldives Underwater Initiative (MUI) — major coral, turtle and manta research/restoration work in partnership with NGOs (Manta Trust, Blue Marine Foundation, Olive Ridley Project); community engagement awards and documented reef restoration metrics. (sixsenses.com)

4. COMO Maalifushi — active coral restoration and community education

• Highlights: Long‑running coral propagation program (coral frames and guest adoption), beach/lagoon cleanups, community and school outreach programs, sustainable sourcing and COMO Foundation grants. (comohotels.com)

5. JOALI Maldives — gardens, waste management and Earth‑to‑Table focus

• Highlights: Organic island gardens, composting, recycling, Earth‑to‑Table culinary program and other waste‑reduction initiatives combined with guest conservation experiences. (JOALI.com)

Other notable properties to consider (strong initiatives or certifications)

• Gili and Six Senses (already above) are frequently singled out in recent awards/recognitions. Many other luxury Maldivian resorts run excellent local conservation programs (coral nurseries, turtle protection, seagrass restoration), so check specific project details before you book. (cntraveler.com)

Quick tips for choosing a sustainable Maldives resort

• Look for independent benchmarking/certifications (EarthCheck, Green Globe) or documented conservation partnerships (Manta Trust, Blue Marine, Olive Ridley Project). (gili-lankanfushi.com)
• Check concrete KPIs: coral fragments propagated, seagrass area protected, renewable energy % or solar capacity, waste diversion rates, and community programs—those numbers show real impact. (Soneva.com)
• Ask the resort how guest travel emissions are handled (many resorts offset only on‑island emissions, not international flights) and whether they have on‑island refillable toiletries, glass bottled water, and plastic‑free policies. (Soneva.com)
• If marine conservation matters most to you, prioritise resorts with a resident marine biologist, an on‑site marine lab/hub, and active coral/turtle/manta projects. (sixsenses.com)

If you want, I can:

• Compare these resorts by price range, transfer time from Malé, or specific sustainability metrics (solar %, coral frames, EarthCheck level).
• Pull the latest sustainability reports or recent awards for any one resort you’re considering.