Responsible travel

Responsible Ocean Travel

The ocean is the reason these destinations are valuable. Enjoy it without treating it as an unlimited resource.

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In the water

  • Do not touch coral, and never stand on it, even in shallow lagoons. Perfect your buoyancy before diving near fragile reef.
  • Do not touch, chase or ride marine wildlife. Keep the distances set by local rules and codes of conduct.
  • Do not feed wildlife. Avoid tours that bait or feed sharks, rays, whale sharks, turtles or fish.
  • Respect marine protected areas: fees, time slots, visitor caps and no-go zones exist to keep places extraordinary.

Choosing operators

  • Choose responsible dive, surf and boat operators who can explain how they handle waste, wildlife encounters, reef access and local employment.
  • Prefer small groups and operators that brief guests on behaviour before entering the water.
  • Use licensed operators for whale and dolphin watching.

On land

  • Reduce single-use plastic. Bring a refillable bottle and decline unnecessary packaging.
  • Use reef-safe sun protection and cover up with a rash guard.
  • Support local businesses: locally owned restaurants, guides, craftspeople and experiences alongside international resorts.
  • Respect local communities and customs, including dress codes in villages and at religious sites, and ask before photographing people.
  • Respect local regulations, including surf levies, marine-park rules and environmental fees.

The real measure of luxury

The best ocean holiday is one where the place still feels alive after you leave. If you can return years later and find the same reef, beach and marine life, that is a better measure of luxury than another room upgrade.

Read more: Luxury Ocean Travel and Reef Conservation.