Soleni Dive School - Soneva Fushi


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Thomas Waelchli

Has first visited Maldives in 1983, loved it and decided to remain. He runs the dive school since the opening of Soneva Fushi, despite all the dives he has accumulated Thomas still loves being under water. Let the wind pick up and you won't see him under but above the water, it on his kite.

Favorite Dive Spot: all
Favorite Fish: Manta Ray
What I miss most from my home: MY FAMILY!

Alessandra Bini

Alessandra has left in 2010 to stay with Leonardo and Chiara, who needed a better school. After 14 years of Soneva Fushi, the return to Verona wasn't easy, but the children seem to be happy in their new environment, that makes it easier to adjust. She started teaching Yoga and it will not be long before Alessandra will have her new "happy customers".

Favorite Dive Spot: Dhigali Haa
Favorite Fish: Clown Fish

Fabio Giungarelli

Born on the sea shores near Rome, he started diving in the Red Sea, where he also started working as an instructor. After being sent to the Maldives for a season, he did not wish to go anywhere else and the final season in the Mediterranean Sea, proved him right... Joining Francesca at Soneva Fushi was therefore easy. He is a passionate snow boarder unfortunately there is some arguing with Soleni about planing his winter holidays! He loves music, movies and working out.

Favorite Dive Spot: Daravandu Tila
Favorite Fish: Frog fish
What I miss most from my home: Nothing, except for the family!

Francesca Ramella

Francesca is a smiling Italian girl who works in the dive industry for 8 years. After a season in cold Mediterranean sea, her love for the Maldives has brought her to Soneva. Francesca is no stranger to the Baa Atoll, she has spent 2 years at Kihaad/Valtur and knows the dive sites well. She loves the sea and the sun, but also a healthy laugh and having fun! Not being able to have a dog in the Maldives, she would love to to have a friendship with a dolphin!

Favorite Dive Spot: Muthafushi Tila
Favorite Fish: porcupinefish... it looks like E.T.!
What I miss most from my home: High heel shoes.....

Katya Klimenko

Katya has joined Soleni in August 2010, after spending 9 month in Thailand where she started diving and completed her Instructor examination. Before that she spent 4 years with her husband in Japan. (Escaping Russia?)Her language skills aren't bad; Russian, English and Japanese.

Favorite Dive Spot: Nelivaru Tila (so far)
Favorite Fish: Honey comb moray eel
What I miss most from my home: Real cold winter in Russia (but we all doubt that) and her husband.

Monika Schibig

Monika is Swiss born, too close to the “Chemical city ” of Basel. She decided to work in the Maldives after the global crisis, feeling that being under water is safer than working for big companies… Passionate divers do not avoid cold water, but floating the warmth of a tropical ocean is definitely more appealing! Following many visits to the Maldives, her dream came true when Monika started working at Soneva Fushi.

Favorite Dive Spot: So far all of them
Favorite Fish: Manta ray
What I miss most from my home: Cheese Fondue and a nice bitter chocolate and watching the Basler Fastnacht

Elisabetta Benini

Elisabetta Benini shareholder of Soleni, left Soneva in 1999 after ten years teaching in the Maldives and is now living in the Winelands surrounding Cape Town in South Africa. She is taking care of her beautiful daughter Amy and running her own small Hotel, Willowbrook Lodge www.willowbrook.co.za Lisa still enjoys diving enormously and comes back every year for a few weeks to indulge in her old passion.
Favorite Dive Spot: Muthafushi
Favorite Fish: Manta

Emdad - Compressor Boy

Emdad was hoping for a different career after completing his studies in Bangladesh, but he is happy to earn his own salary and to be able to help his family. He has been working with us for almost 4 years and his friendly way has awarded him the trust of Thomas and Alessandra's kids. Emdad has just recently passed his Open Water Course.

Ahumad Jusuf - Compressor Boy

Ahumad has joined us at the beginning of April and he has replaced Shaneez.
He has worked in Soneva Fushi before, as a speed boat captain and now he is in charge of the school transfers of Leo and Chiara…

Dhoni-Crew

Will look after you as soon as you set your foot on their boat. They take you to the dive sites and safely back to the resort in sunshine or rain. They also help you with your equipment, and have fresh coconut and fresh fruits ready after the dive.
It is also their task to carry the tanks and equipment from and to the dive center.