Floating Sustainably On Cloud 9
ONLY A 45MIN BOAT RIDE FROM PORT DENARAU, IT OPENS ITS DOORS TO EVERYONE THAT WANTS TO COME ON BOARD
■
Every week the Fiji Hotel & Tourism Association will share updates, stories and news on what the tourism industry is doing in terms of sustainability practices and environment or marine protection programs.
Those pristine beaches, beautifully landscaped gardens and renowned tourism playgrounds that portray Fiji’s people and beauty around the world have some really hard-working people doing amazing things in the background to sustain this Pacific Island paradise we are so fortunate to call our home.
Don’t you just wish you could have a dip in the sea and just float your troubles away? Nobody does that in Fiji better than Cloud 9. But it’s not just a floating bar; it’s a family-run business that is handcrafted with precision and creativity.
It is laid-back and naturally classy with a fun and unpretentious atmosphere. Cloud 9 is just off Viti Levu, near Nadi and it floats in the waters of Vanua Malolo on Ro Ro Reef.
Only a 45min boat ride from Port Denarau, it opens its doors to everyone that wants to come on board and enjoy its impeccable service.
But it is the touches of sustainability that aren’t usually seen or noticed that make Cloud 9 a Fijian industry leader in its niche market.
The first thing that stands out about the floating platform is that it is entirely powered by solar energy.
They are a zero-carbon-emitting facility and they’re using 100% solar power.
There are batteries on board just in case the solar power isn’t enough to power the platform and such is their commitment to the surrounding water that there aren’t even any generators on board.
Cloud 9 does not disburse any waste into the ocean. Their respect for marine life and the subsequent aqua-environment is high. Cloud 9 is proud to be part of the Mamanuca Environment Society (MES) working with all government and nongovernment stakeholders to ensure the best practice of the disposal of any waste.
Stringently following the necessary protocols and standard operating procedures set out by authorities, all of their liquid waste from their environmentally-friendly toilet systems are tanked and then pumped/ transported using their custom vessel MV Saba to the Port Denarau Marina fuel dock where it is then pumped into the Nadi town sewage system.
Port security logs this activity in their daily records and charges a modest fee for the service. All of their solid waste is bagged in Port Denarau Marina’s branded garbage bags which are then separated and disposed of at the port bins to track
the destination of all waste.
Before the guests make their way to the platform, they are reminded that Cloud 9 only endorses reef-friendly sunscreen and will not allow other types to be brought on board.
This measure is so that no toxins make their way into the water and onto the reef, effectively harming them. Cloud 9 also has a no straw policy as these could find their way into the ocean and harm the wildlife.
Community-wise, Cloud 9 continues to manage and service solar panels DC pumps in nearby Solevu
village as is needed by the community to ensure a surplus of water for all personal, household and agricultural purposes.
No generators or maintenance of any kind is required on a day-to-day basis by residents of Solevu for their water needs and this program has been running for the past 10 years. Also under the MES, Cloud 9’s reef restoration is undertaken by Solevu villagers that work for Cloud 9.
They firmly believe that this reef rehabilitation is an important outreach and promotes inclusiveness with the Vanua in their reef’s sustainable management.
Any business must ensure that the surrounding ecosystem and community aren’t being disadvantaged so Cloud 9 safeguards that with robust protocols and procedures to ensure that at the end of the day, the environment is always looked after.
This is what sets them apart from others and it’s why they love Fiji and Fiji loves Cloud 9.