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Sustainable scuba travel: Tips for finding eco-friendly dive resorts

ByEcoOceanEscapes

Want to stay at an eco-friendly dive resort during your next scuba trip? Discover everything you should look for and things to consider when searching for the perfect property.

It’s true that our oceans face immense challenges – from climate change to overfishing and mercury pollution. But there is hope for the future.

Aside from the incredible work being done by marine conservation organisations around the globe, eco-dive resorts are playing an important role too.

Many are implementing strategies to reduce their environmental impact and protect our underwater ecosystems, as well as spearheading citizen science programs. And we love to see it!

By choosing an eco-dive resort for your next scuba vacation, you are making a statement as an ocean ally. These resorts build marine conservation into their mission, taking tangible steps to safeguard our seas.

We’re talking the implementation of renewable energies and the sourcing of sustainable seafood, as well as the use of mooring buoys that prevent reef damage. Some are creating buffer zones that protect surrounding habitats while others are building using local resources.

By opting to stay at a sustainably-run dive resort, you’ll get to discover some of the world’s most incredible underwater environments while supporting their long-term survival. 

In this article, we’ll share tips for finding eco-friendly dive resorts to help you plan a sustainable scuba adventure. Aside from highlighting practices they should have in place, we’ll explore some of the goals they should be working towards.

For instant inspiration, check out 13 of the world’s best eco-friendly dive resorts or discover how to be a sustainable diver here.

An aerial view of Angel Island Eco Resort in Komodo Islands
An aerial view of Angel Island Eco Resort in Komodo Islands (photo courtesy of Expedia)

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Finding an eco-dive resort: What to look for:

Encouraging responsible dive practices

First and foremost, an eco-friendly dive resort should encourage and uphold responsible dive practices. This means preserving the sea and all its inhabitants by minimising its impacts on the marine environment in all shapes and forms.

Dive instructors, guides and guests at a sustainably-run dive resort should respect marine life. This means never touching, feeding or killing any creature they encounter.

Additionally, they should avoid harassing any animals to get their attention, whether for their own curiosity or to get the perfect underwater shot. 

Guests and guides alike should avoid standing on or kicking coral with their fins, even if it’s by accident. This is best achieved by working on your buoyancy so you have complete control underwater. We suggest keeping a safe distance from the reef until you’ve done so.

When searching for an eco-friendly dive resort, look for evidence that they are doing everything within their powers to uphold sustainable dive practices across their operations.

Reviews are a great place to start. Previous guests often highlight dive facilities that aren’t meeting their obligations to protect marine life.

Heading to Indonesia? Check out some of the best eco-friendly dive resorts in this island nation, from Komodo to Raja Ampat and Bunaken.

Finding eco-friendly dive resorts: A wooden jetty extends into the water in Raja Ampat
Finding eco-friendly dive resorts: A wooden jetty extends into the water in Raja Ampat

Built using reclaimed or locally sourced materials

Building dive resorts is an energy-intensive process, particularly when it requires materials to be manufactured and transported from miles away.

Some of the best eco-conscious dive resorts are built using reclaimed or locally sourced materials. Aside from being sustainably sourced, they blend into the natural surroundings. 

At many sustainably-run dive resorts, the architectural style and construction are inspired by indigenous dwellings. These have existed in harmony with the natural world for centuries and provide an ideal template.

Look for resorts that harness passive solar design to heat and cool the spaces, without having to rely on air conditioning at all hours of the day and night.

For an affordable vacation in one of Indonesia’s top dive destinations, check out these 7 eco-friendly homestays in Raja Ampat.

Natural materials were used to construct the bamboo bungalows at The Seraya Resort in Komodo Islands
Natural materials were used to construct the bamboo bungalows at The Seraya Resort in Komodo Islands (photo courtesy of Expedia)

Harnessing renewable energy

For dive resorts in remote locations, diesel generators have long been a go-to for energy supply. Not only do they drown out the serenity but they contribute to climate change through the use of fossil fuels.

While switching to renewable energy sources such as solar and wind can be pricey at first, there is a long-term payoff in savings and sustainability. 

By staying at dive resorts that have invested in renewable energy sources, you’ll be reducing the carbon emissions of your trip.

If possible, avoid staying at resorts and hotels that use energy-intensive AC (unless this is renewably sourced). Instead, opt to fall asleep to the sound of the sea breeze with a fan to keep things cool.

One of the rustic garden bungalows at Oneta Resort, an eco-friendly dive resort in Fiji
One of the rustic garden bungalows at Oneta Resort, an eco-friendly dive resort in Fiji (photo courtesy of Expedia)

Implements a development boundary

As beautiful as coastal resorts may seem, building along shorelines can harm vulnerable ecosystems. But with careful planning and a commitment to conservation, these impacts can be minimised. 

Look to stay at eco-friendly dive resorts that have been designed with the marine environment in mind. This might mean having a buffer zone to protect critical habitats.

Perhaps it’s a beach where sea turtles come to nest or a mangrove forest where juvenile fish seek refuge. 

Tourism infrastructure and ecological conservation can coexist along the coast. That is, provided there is adequate research and planning involved, plus a willingness to do the right thing. 

Heading to Southeast Asia? Discover 9 eco-friendly dive resorts to inspire your vacation.

An aerial view of a white sandy beach at Sangat Island Resort in Coron, Philippines
An aerial view of a white sandy beach at Sangat Island Resort in Coron, Philippines (photo courtesy of Expedia)

Minimises waste production and maximises recycling

Reducing plastic waste should be a priority for every business. But it’s particularly important for dive resorts that rely on the health of the marine environment for their survival.

Look for sustainably-run dive resorts that use eco-friendly cleaning products and toiletries while avoiding anything that comes in excess packaging. 

Rather than relying on single-use plastics, find places that are creatively sourcing reusable alternatives. Alternatively, they might be looking to the natural world for solutions (for example, banana leaves make great packaging!).

At the very least, dive resorts should be sorting their waste and recycling at every opportunity to cut down on plastic pollution. 

By swapping disposable for durable and keeping recycling top of mind, dive resorts can effectively shrink their environmental footprint.

A thatched roof villa at The Brando - an eco-friendly dive resort in French Polynesia
A thatched roof villa at The Brando – an eco-friendly dive resort in French Polynesia (photo courtesy of Expedia)

Have an eco-friendly sewage system

Waste management poses a significant challenge for island resorts, with sewage and grey water requiring careful handling. While basic septic tanks offer a starting point, dive operators should strive for advanced systems when budgets allow. 

Now available is innovative technology that not only processes waste on-site but also generates freshwater for irrigation and fertiliser to nourish gardens.

By transforming waste into valuable resources, sustainable waste management can benefit both the environment and the bottom line of eco-friendly dive resorts. 

The stunning infinity pool at Beach Enclave, an eco-friendly hotel in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
The stunning infinity pool at Beach Enclave, an eco-friendly hotel in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos (photo courtesy of Expedia)

Collect their own rainwater

As climate change and groundwater depletion threaten water security, rainwater harvesting offers a promising solution. By collecting rainfall and runoff, we can take pressure off strained aquifers, giving them time to recharge. 

In regions experiencing the early effects of water scarcity, rainwater harvesting means more water is available for local towns and villages.

Look for eco-friendly dive resorts that are self-sufficient when it comes to water sourcing and aren’t using precious resources that locals rely on. 

One of the beautifully appointed rooms at Gangga Island Resort & Spa - an eco-friendly dive resort in Sulawesi, Indonesia
One of the beautifully appointed rooms at Gangga Island Resort & Spa – an eco-friendly dive resort in Sulawesi, Indonesia (photo courtesy of Expedia)

Serve only sustainably sourced seafood

Irresponsible fishing practices like trawling and long-lining indiscriminately harvest marine life. Meanwhile, destructive techniques like cyanide and blast fishing decimate coral reefs.

When dive resorts serve seafood caught using these harmful methods, they make it harder for small coastal communities to feed their families in the long-run. 

Instead, look for eco-friendly dive resorts that only serve seafood caught using responsible methods by local, small-scale fishery operations.

In marine protected areas, dive resorts can also play an important role in ensuring fishing restrictions are adhered to and life underwater can flourish. 

An aerial view of The Resort at Marble Hill - an eco-friendly dive resort in Roatan, Honduras
An aerial view of The Resort at Marble Hill – an eco-friendly dive resort in Roatan, Honduras (photo courtesy of Expedia)

Giving back to local communities

Ticking all the sustainability boxes is one thing. But it doesn’t have the impact it might if local communities are overlooked.

A dive resort should be giving back to local people through job creation and sustainability education. At the same time, they should be listening to community needs when it comes to local resources and development. 

Opt to stay at dive resorts that employ locals as dive guides and instructors while offering training for the next generation. Not only should they be paid a fair wage but have job security so their family and community can thrive. 

A spectacular spa treatment room perched amidst the boulders of Six Senses Zil Pasyon in the Seychelles
A spectacular spa treatment room perched amidst the boulders of Six Senses Zil Pasyon in the Seychelles (photo courtesy of Expedia)

Stay with Green Fins members

If you’re not sure whether a dive resort is implementing eco-friendly practices and/or building sustainable facilities, look for a certified member of Green Fins.

Led by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), this environmental program assesses dive centres around the world. Ultimately, it holds them to internationally recognised standards that promote ocean conservation. 

Through constructive feedback and clear guidance, dive operators can work towards Top Ten status. In short, this group is leading the charge for sustainable diving.

At the end of the day, Green Fins takes the guess work out of finding sustainable stays. It’s making it easier for divers to make eco-conscious decisions when planning their dive vacations. 

To learn more, check out this list of Green Fins-certified dive resorts, which are guaranteeing guests an eco-friendly stay.

Traditional buildings at the Green Fins-certified Arab Divers in Aqaba, Jordan
Traditional buildings at the Green Fins-certified Arab Divers in Aqaba, Jordan (photo courtesy of Expedia)

Make a difference by staying at an eco-friendly dive resort

While it’s true our oceans face immense challenges, from the devastating impacts of climate change to the alarming rates of overfishing, there is still hope for the future.

Eco-friendly dive resorts are playing a vital role in marine conservation, taking important steps to protect the health and long-term survival of our seas.

Many are going above and beyond to minimise their environmental footprint and support the wellbeing of the marine environments they call home. This includes investing in renewable energy sources, building with sustainably-sourced materials and responsibly disposing of waste.

By choosing a sustainably-run dive resort for your next getaway, you are supporting sustainable practices that safeguard the future of our oceans.

Guests at eco-friendly dive resorts don’t just get to enjoy the thrill of exploring magnificent underwater ecosystems – they get to do so in the knowledge that their tourism dollars are directly funding critical conservation efforts.

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About the authors

We are a team of passionate divers and surfers with decades of combined experience in the water and travelling to all corners of the globe. After years of chasing waves and descending into the deep blue, we’ve created this resource to highlight sustainably run surf camps, eco-friendly dive resorts and conservation-focused ocean trips to help inspire your next adventure.

Eco Ocean Escapes was born out of a love of the ocean, an obsession with travel and a concern about the impacts of our adventures on the environments we explore. Despite the benefits that surf and dive tourism can bring to local communities, we recognised that ocean-based adventures are not always managed in a sustainable manner.  

Through our articles, we hope to inspire those seeking a responsible surf or dive trip that is all about supporting local communities, preserving our coastal environments and the incredible marine species that inhabit our oceans. 

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