Neptunia Blue Zone Expedition

Neptunia Blue Zone Expedition is a global initiative founded by Maria Lannér, built on the belief that healthy communities near water depend on a vibrant, responsible boat life.

Blue Zones are places where people live longer, healthier and more connected lives – often near coastlines, rivers, islands and archipelagos. But these places do not exist in isolation. They are shaped, sustained and connected by boats.

Leisure boats. Fishing boats. Transport boats. Work boats.
Sailboats and motorboats.
Traditional vessels and emerging technologies.

Neptunia Blue Zone Expedition is about the marriage between Blue Zones and a thriving, future-proof boat life – where maritime activity strengthens communities, supports livelihoods and accelerates the transition to sustainability.

Boats as lifelines – not just leisure

In many parts of the world, boats are not a hobby.
They are infrastructure.

They transport people, food, water, materials and knowledge. They enable work, trade, education and healthcare. They connect islands, villages and cultures. They create meeting places – marinas, docks, boat clubs and harbors – that function as social hubs.

A thriving boat life is therefore essential to:

Social cohesion and inclusion
Local economies and entrepreneurship
Cultural continuity and maritime knowledge
Access, mobility and resilience

Blue Zones flourish when boat life flourishes – responsibly.

Sustainability without naivety

Neptunia Blue Zone Expedition is realistic, not dogmatic.

Yes, sailboats are often the most environmentally friendly option.
But motorboats are sometimes necessary – for transport, safety, work, emergency response and daily life.

The solution is not to reject boat life.
The solution is to transform it.

That is why this expedition actively connects Blue Zones with:

Renewable energy innovation
Electric and hybrid boats
Solar-powered vessels and infrastructure
Cleaner fuels and energy efficiency
Research, pilots and local adaptation

Marinas, harbors, boat clubs and transport operators are invited to become testing grounds and learning hubs for the maritime energy transition – especially in regions where innovation is often excluded.

Environmental sustainability

Healthy waters require responsible navigation. We support marine protection, mangrove and shoreline restoration, and reduced pollution – while encouraging the shift toward renewable maritime energy and cleaner boating technologies.

Social sustainability

Boat life creates belonging. Docks, clubs and marinas are natural meeting places where generations, genders and cultures intersect. We work to make access to water and boating inclusive – from swimming skills and safety to participation and leadership.

Economic sustainability

A sustainable Blue Zone must be economically alive. Boat-based livelihoods, tourism, transport, maintenance, innovation and small enterprises are supported through entrepreneurial thinking, fair business models and access to funding.

No economy, no sustainability.

What the expedition does

Neptunia Blue Zone Expedition acts as a global connector between water, people and maritime futures by:

Documenting and amplifying Blue Zones with strong boat cultures
Showcasing initiatives where boating supports community wellbeing
Supporting fundraising and partnerships for local maritime projects
Encouraging renewable energy solutions in marinas and transport systems
Connecting traditional knowledge with modern maritime technology
Creating visibility for places often overlooked on the global map

This is not charity.
It is strategic solidarity.

The expedition is inaugurated in Lamu, Kenya – a historic island archipelago where boats are the backbone of daily life.

Here, Neptunia Blue Zone Expedition has already begun through:

Beach clean-ups and marine stewardship
Mangrove conservation and restoration
Teaching Muslim women to swim, increasing safety and access to water
Community-based engagement around boats, transport and livelihoods

In Lamu, boats are not optional. They are everything.
Which makes it the perfect starting point.

Join the expedition — stay connected

Neptunia Blue Zone Expedition

Where Blue Zones and a thriving boat life meet the future together.

Neptunia Blue Zone Expedition supports thriving, inclusive coastal communities by connecting meaningful boat life with sustainable Economic, Social and Environmental solutions, starting in Lamu, Kenya.