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.

In the Galapagos Islands, tourism is the first source of income, derived from the 140,000 tourists per year that visit the islands.  This provides a unique challenge for cruise tour operators in Ecuador.

Adventure Associates, a custom luxury Galapagos cruise provider, has created The Galapagos Foundation.  This Ecuador based non-profit organization’s mission is to provide funding for conservation projects committed to sustainable development of the Galapagos Islands.

The current issues being faced in the Galapagos Islands stem from the explosive population growth and disregard for the pristine environment by many tourists.  The simple, yet complex problem of garbage threatens the local diverse animal and marine population and is being directly dealt with by The Galapagos Foundation.

Awareness is also being achieved through educational cruises provided by Metropolitan Touring, whom is associated with Adventure Associates.

The unique opportunity to reduce your carbon footprint and enjoy a beautiful cruise in the Galapagos Islands doesn’t come along very often.

Learn more about the Galapagos Tour opportunities from Adventure Associates.

Before you Visit

Luggage – Do not plan on bringing a lot of luggage with you to the Galapagos. Most flights do not accept more than 44 pounds (20 kilos) of baggage.

Passports – Galapagos requires that travelers carry their passport to the islands and the passport number must be furnished one month prior to arrival.

Entrance Fee – A $100 per person fee must be paid upon arrival at the Galapagos airport. This rate is can sometimes change.

On the Island

Once on the Galapagos Islands, the serene calmness and beauty of the islands becomes apparent. While the islands’ species are not immune from the effects of humans, the Galapagos give a true glimpse of nature at its purist. Much credit for this can be given to the Ecuadorian Government that passed the first laws to protect the islands animals, plants, and insects over 75 years ago. Today, many laws and rules are in place to preserve the island’s splendor.

Take Pictures, Not Souvenirs – As tempting as it is to bring part of the island home with you, it is best to settle for photos. Island ecology experts stress that you should not buy or take home souvenirs such as turtle shells, sea lion teeth and black coral. While the trade of some objects is not strictly illegal, it can be very disruptive to the islands ecological conditions.

No Touching Animals – Sure they are cute, cuddly and the sea lions seem to call to you, but it is not a good idea to touch the animals. Sea lion pups are sometimes abandoned if they have the scent of a human on them.

Don’t Leave the Trails – This is for your safety as much as it is for the protection of the Islands. Visitors must stay on trails that are marked with black and white posts. Wondering off the trail can, for instance, result in the destruction of marine iguana nests, which are buried beneath the sand.

No Traveling On Your Own – Visitors to the National Park are required to be accompanied by a qualified guide. Traveling on your own is forbidden.

No Littering – All disposals must be removed from the islands as it can harm or kill some species. Plastic bags have been known to suffocate sea turtles.

Following these easy rules will ensure that the Galapagos Islands are preserved and protected. You can also help by booking your Galapagos tour with an eco-friendly touring company like Adventure Associates.