

There isn’t much I need to write about Soneva Jani when it comes to the incredible beauty of these Maldivian island sanctuaries. I was going to say that the photos say it all but that isn’t true. The astounding beauty of this sustainably built ‘water world’, floating upon an azure blanket of crystal waters, surrounded by pure white beaches and lush tropical forest physically takes your breath away as you fly over the 5.6 kilometre private lagoon that surrounds it.
Soneva Jani is the sister island to the mothership, Soneva Fushi, which is located across the blue seas only sixty minutes by speedboat. Both share the same sustainable foundations, barefoot luxury, and ‘slow life’ mantra but there is a fundamental difference. Soneva Fushi is on land. A jungle island surrounded by reef in your very own backyard. Soneva Jani is an architectural wonder on water that redefines the meaning of ‘water villa’. Both are very similar in their offerings across dining and activities which you can learn more about HERE.
So, if you are in the market to spend your hard earned cash on a one-of-a-kind luxury holiday, there a few things that I want to share about Soneva that really had an impact on me. Things that make the Soneva family innovators and leaders in sustainable travel.




WASTE TO WEALTH



WOMEN IN SONEVA
There are many barriers for the women of the Maldives to work in hospitality, and Soneva is actively working to open those doors. Year on year, the percentage of Maldivian women is growing so fast and each year they are hoping to further remove the barriers for women to achieve a fulfilling and happy career.


SONEVA OCEAN STEWARDS (SOS)
Many Maldivian children, despite growing up on the islands, don’t know how to swim. Soneva are passionate about teaching the Maldivian people to swim, as well about about the ocean environment and the coral reefs that surround them. The Learn to Swim programs teach the kids to love the ocean, instead of fear it, and are bringing up little eco-warriors in the process. Since it's launch, the program has taught over 300 people to successfully swim, and in the interest of long term progress, there are 38 instructors currently training at Soneva Fushi.



SONEVA WATER
On the island of Soneva Fushi, they filter, mineralise and bottle their own drinking water on in a solar powered desalination plant. The water is bottled in reusable glass bottles, as the island is single-use plastic free, and is sent across islands to schools, houses, cafes and businesses. When they're finished, the bottles are collected and new ones are delivered. The Soneva Water program replaces thousands of single-use plastic bottles every year AND globally, the Soneva Foundation has funded over 500 projects that provide clean water and basic amenities to voer 750,000 people.




SONEVA STOVE PROJECTS SUDAN AND MYANMAR

SLOW LIFE SYMPOSIUM

SONEVA WIND TURBINE
Soneva own an active wind turbine that lives in India, with 20 year prospects of cleaner energy.



SONEVA FOREST RESTORATION PROJECT


They have created a pretty nifty thing called the Total Impact Assessment which measures their positive impact. They say that measuring and understanding their impacts is the driving force behind better decision making, resource management and influencing others to take part in their journey.
Read more about this Total Impact Assessment HERE.

Photographed by Sam Elsom
Sheree wears Dolly Up Vintage and Kalita
BOOK YOUR STAY AT SONEVA JANI HERE
BOOK QANTAS FLIGHTS TO THE MALDIVES HERE
