PLAYING OUR PART—TRIP BY TRIP!

AMBON, BANDA & RAJA AMPAT

This trip has us staying aboard the beautiful ‘Coralia,’ a classic Phinisi schooner built in Bira, Sulawesi, by the Konjo tribe, whose people hold on to beliefs that cherish the sustainability of forest ecosystems. The team behind the ‘Coralia’ is committed to protecting the biodiversity of Raja Ampat and developing local communities by empowering them as part of their conservation and sustainable tourism journey. Learn more about Papua Explorers. 

Aboard the ‘Coralia,’ various sustainability efforts are employed, such as the use of reef-friendly laundry detergent and bathroom amenities, biodegradable garbage bags, avoiding the usage of single-use plastic, and making a point of employing and training locals on as many jobs as possible. They also collaborate closely with the foundation Raja Ampat SEA Centre, a conservation initiative dedicated to conserving Raja Ampat’s marine life through science, education, and awareness.

ANTARCTICA

As part of this small group trip aboard one of the best expedition ships in Antarctica, the MV Greg Mortimer, whose design allows her to cut through the water more efficiently, using less fuel and reducing emissions significantly. Because of this, she is one of the most environmentally friendly Antarctica cruise ships currently sailing. Not only will you experience a comprehensive program full of polar activities and excursions to view the unique wildlife found in this part of the world, but we also provide lectures on wildlife and the environment and carefully outline important wildlife guidelines and biosecurity procedures before our first landing. You also have the opportunity to become involved in the Aurora Expeditions Citizen Science Program by helping to provide invaluable data to the scientific community.

FIJI

As divers in the Shark Marine Reserve, we will each pay a levy that goes back to the local village in exchange for them not fishing in the area. This conservation strategy has allowed marine life to thrive and shark numbers to replenish.

LADY ELLIOT ISLAND

During this trip, we provide you with in-field turtle education and identification. In support of the maintenance of a pristine environment for turtles to nest, hatch, and live in, $20 from each booking on our Lady Elliot Island trip is donated to the Ocean Earth Foundation’s Ghostnets Australia program, which is working to stop abandoned, lost, and discarded fishing gear (also known as ghostnets) coming into Australia and reducing the impact on marine turtles and other protected species. 

Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort also supports the research carried out by Project Manta through their ‘Citizen Science’ photo-ID data collection program, which, through collaboration between scientists, industry, and the community, is gathering important information relating to the manta ray population for conservation purposes.

MALDIVES

As a guest on this trip, you will be encouraged to gather pictures of the manta rays and whale sharks seen during the dives. This information is passed on to MantaMatcher and the MWSRP to assist in information gathering and research of the populations in the Maldives. Divers’ observations are essential to ongoing manta research being conducted in this region. Data on manta identification and migration is collected by the Marine Research section of the Ministry of Fisheries in Male. They also participate in our guest presentations, providing research progress updates.

MALDIVES DEEP SOUTH

The permanent marine biologists on our team will offer you lectures and shark education during your stay in this area of the Indian Ocean, home to tiger sharks, silver tips, grey reef sharks, and whale sharks. The diving company also carries out official government research on tiger sharks and other elasmobranchs (belonging or pertaining to the Elasmobranchii, the subclass of cartilaginous fishes comprising the sharks and rays) in Fuvahmulah. Their database includes more than 200 tiger shark individuals, a unique and unparalleled occurrence.

TONGA

During our Swim with Whales in Tonga trip, we emphasise extended observation of whale behaviour. We look for quality encounters and record their behaviours and sightings for identification and conservation purposes. We provide data, including photos of flukeprints, supplied by our guests to Happywhale, a citizen science group whose aim is to increase understanding and caring for marine environments. Guests are also encouraged to join the citizen science groups directly. Through guidance from a marine biologist, during this trip, we seek to provide guests with education/knowledge for the best experiences with these gentle giants.

As a professional photographer, Amanda donates whale photos to the Tongan Fluke Collective (TFC). The database of these photos provides valuable information, particularly during the breeding and calving season, in support of the TFC’s research into population, migration and movements, relationships, age, and site fidelity. 

The Tongan whale swim companies we partner with adhere to a strict code of conduct administered by the International Whaling Commission (IWC). This code includes various guidelines, which we adhere to during our trips to this amazing location, including:

• No person shall use Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA) for diving. Hence, we snorkel only. During whale season mothers and calves have come to give birth, rest, and feed. They are tired and will often be seen on the seafloor with their fluke up. Snorkeling rather than diving gives them the space they need. We have our own rules we abide by on this trip, one of which is no swimming with newborns to give them space and not stress the mother. We swim mostly with second-year calves, sub-adults, and adults.
• Swims are restricted to a maximum period of 90 minutes per pod/animal (this does not allow people to stay under the water with them for long periods). This ensures the whales can leave/move on when they wish to.

The IWC also provides guidelines for other marine tourism activities, such as whale-watching principles.