From reef taxes and visitor caps to Indigenous stewardship, a growing number of destinations are proving that tourism doesn’t have to destroy coral ecosystems – it can help restore them instead. Despite occupying less than 1% of the ocean floor, coral reefs support roughly a quarter of all marine life – a statistic we find…well…staggering!…
After countless ocean adventures all around the globe, we strongly believe there’s something uniquely restorative about the ocean. Perhaps it’s the salty air, the steady rhythm of the waves or the enchanting worlds that lie just below the surface (or a combination of all three), but we always return to the “real world” with a…
If you’re planning a dive trip to Palau (either land-based or on a liveaboard), you’re probably looking for something to do on your “no-dive day”, before you fly home. One of the best ways to explore the main island, Babeldaob, is by renting a car and driving between its natural waterfalls, ancient stone monoliths and…
Stretching across Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste, the Coral Triangle encompasses some of the world’s most exhilarating dive destinations. It contains around 76% of the world’s coral species (the diversity is staggering) and is often referred to as the “Amazon of the Seas”. Added to that, the region…
Scuba diving opens a window into another world, offering a front-row seat for exploring kaleidoscopic reefs and coming face-to-face with curious creatures. Here at EcoOceanEscapes, we consider it a privilege few experiences can match. But beneath the beauty or our underwater ecosystems lies a growing crisis. Rising temperatures, acidification and plastic pollution are reshaping marine…
Every dive is an opportunity, not just to explore our diverse ocean environments, but to contribute to ocean science. Around the world, recreational divers are helping researchers monitor coral bleaching, track shark populations, document marine debris and even identify new species. Imagine stumbling across a species that no one has ever seen before! Through citizen…
If you’ve never heard of “blue carbon”, you’re forgiven. It’s a term we’re just getting acquainted with too. But it’s at the centre of a conservation movement that is rapidly gaining momentum. It’s a movement we think is of particular interest to sustainably-minded surfers and divers. “Blue carbon” ecosystems – mangroves, seagrass meadows and coastal…
You don’t need a scuba certification to fall in love with the ocean. Snorkelling is an equally magnificent way to explore coral reefs, seagrass meadows and the marine life that calls them “home”. In fact, snorkelling is often a gateway to scuba diving. Or sometimes, it’s the destination. We all snorkelled long before we ever donned…
In recent decades, photography has become unbelievably accessible. Almost everyone carries a camera around with them everyday in the form of a smartphone. Technological improvements have also made underwater photography far more accessible, resulting in powerful images of a world that’s inaccessible to many. A single image of a healthy reef, a shark passing through…
Coral reefs support an extraordinary diversity of marine life, and as divers, being able to explore them is one of life’s great privileges. But coral reefs are also among the most threatened habitats on the planet. Pollution, destructive fishing practices and climate change-induced coral bleaching are all having a devastating impact. In response, coral nurseries…