Galapagos Diving – Keeping it Green

As a Galapagos scuba diver witnessing the tragic global destruction and environmental impact of overfishing, dying reefs, heavy metals from industrial pollution, kelp deforestation and invasive marine species, I want to do everything I can to protect this island’s remarkable microcosms. Is it possible for us to enjoy the benefits of Galapagos diving without leaving further footprints on this, the most wonderful of natural resources?

To answer this question, I came up with some helpful tips for “greener” Galapagos diving:

Choose Green Accommodations

Look for resorts that grow some or all of their own food in an organic garden, and create some or all of their own energy. Even simply replacing standard bulbs with compact florescent bulbs is an inexpensive way resorts and hotels can reduce their energy footprint and begin to go green.

Ask about how they handle their water consumption. Reducing the amount of laundry they wash is great, but it’s only a start. Do they use biodegradable soaps, and recycle their gray water to care for landscaping or vegetable gardens? Do they recycle and reduce their trash? How do they handle plastic bottles and aluminum cans? Are their dishes re-usable, so they won’t end up in landfills? As most of you know, some resorts and hotels do better at being “green” than others. Researching before you book a vacation can make a big positive environmental impact.

The fragile Galapagos Islands are a perfect example of an ecosystem dramatically impacted by tourism and desperately in need of vigilant green practices. The beautiful white-sand beaches, underwater wonderlands and lush highlands of these remarkable and remote islands are very attractive for tourists, but the islands have been an isolated ecosystem for millennia and continue to be a pristine haven for endemic species of wildlife. One of the best green hotels in the Galapagos is the renowned Finch Bay Hotel. These eco-friendly, private accommodations are off-limits to cars, lovely and very quiet. Stay here while you’re diving and feel confident in your environmentally-friendly choice.

Enjoy Green Galapagos Diving

Over 140,000 tourists per year visit the Galapagos Islands. The visitors, along with explosive population growth, provide a unique challenge for Galapagos diving operators. Adventure Associates, the creator of The Galapagos Foundation, is one operator that offers green Galapagos diving tours. Their non-profit organization’s mission is to provide funding for conservation projects committed to sustainable development in the Galapagos Islands.

Garbage production alone threatens the diverse local animal and marine population, and luckily this problem is now being directly addressed by The Galapagos Foundation. Awareness is also being raised through educational cruises provided by Metropolitan Touring, a company associated with Adventure Associates.

The unique opportunity to reduce your carbon footprint while enjoying a spectacular cruise in the Galapagos Islands doesn’t come along every day. You can learn more about the exciting scuba diving opportunities in this region by planning a custom tour or by choosing a Galapagos package from Adventure Associates.

Employ Ethical Dive Practices

You already know what to do. So just promise yourself that you’re going to keep doing it. Never litter the ocean with your junk. Water bottles, plastic cups, wrappers, film canisters – nothing of yours should ever end up in the sea. Be sure to secure all your trash on the boat so it won’t blow into the water. If you see any junk in the water during your dive, remove it and throw it away properly. You’ll be creating some good karma while you serve as an ambassador for the oceans.

Along the same lines, never remove anything from the ocean, the reef, or the beach – period. Bring your camera and snap pictures of anything interesting or beautiful, but never be tempted to take it with you. If you do, you’ll not only be contributing to the destruction of the earth’s reefs, you’re bound to get caught at some point, and you could wind up in trouble with the local authorities. It’s not worth it. Let the only thing you “take” be the photos.

Also be extremely careful splashing around in shallower areas. Stay near the surface of the water and never, ever kick your fins into the delicate reef coral or other marine life. Leave the reef exactly as you found it — the way the last diver left it for you.

Be a Good Example

Enjoy your next Galapagos diving trip knowing that your travel dollars are promoting sustainable travel choices. Choose a green-minded cruise provider, or donate to organizations like The Galapagos Foundation, and you’ll be doing even more to help.

The more other people follow your example, the faster we’ll see real changes in the way the travel industry addresses environmental issues and the way the world treats its beautiful, irreplaceable oceans.