OUR COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY & THE ENVIRONMENT
At Coral Expeditions, we’re passionate about the locations we are privileged to visit and believe in leaving these environments better than when we arrived. We are committed to sustainable practices and are always looking for ways to preserve and protect landscapes both above and below the water. Our voyages showcase the wonders of nature, and the health and wellbeing of both the ocean and land are at the forefront of our minds and integral to the quality of our expeditions.
Some of the initiatives we have launched include parting ways with plastic straws in 2018, bringing water and supplies to drought-stricken small island communities, onboard environmental education programs, and involvement in coral species collection for the world’s largest Coral Biobank.
We have entered Ecotourism Australia’s Hall of Fame 2023!
For over 20 years Coral Expeditions have been ECO Certified by EcoTourism Australia, meaning we are committed to global best practice sustainability standards and championing the environment, community, and culture. Our expeditions are deemed sustainable according to the highest international standards.
Eye on the Reef is a reef monitoring and assessment program run by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA). Coral Expeditions participates in the Rapid Monitoring Survey, where observations are shared with GBRMPA.
Coral Expeditions carries a permit to remove the Crown of Thorns Starfish. One of the major threats to the Great Barrier Reef, the starfish population has boomed to plague proportions and is a significant danger to coral. Coral Expeditions also participates in a programme where sightings of this starfish are reported to GBRMPA.
The Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre on Fitzroy Island, established in 2000, has raised the success rate for the rehabilitation of the turtles from 30% to 85%. Coral Expeditions visits the centre on our 7-day Great Barrier Reef itineraries, and donates to the turtle sanctuary every single time we visit, amounting to donations of over $5000 per annum.
The Lizard Island Research Station (LIRS) is a world-leading supplier of on-reef facilities for coral reef research and education. Coral Expeditions schedules visits to LIRS at the request of our guests and donates to the station at every visit. We also provide logistical support when required, including transport of staff and equipment.
Established in 1996, the Bare Sands Turtle Sanctuary enables researchers and volunteers to gather data on nesting turtles to estimate population size, monitor health and determine any threats to survival. Coral Expeditions donates to this valuable research project, and offers logistical support to transport staff, equipment, and turtles.
We are continually looking for ways to reduce waste and partner with more organic and fair trade suppliers. We have successfully removed polycarbonate plastics and reduced packaging waste in our food and beverage supply chain. In February 2020, we introduced new eco-friendly, fair trade and organic beverage products. Learn more on our Cuisine page.
On all our vessels, we provide marine-friendly SPF50+ broad spectrum sunscreen for all our guests. This sunscreen has been tested and proven non-toxic to marine life, offering maximum sun protection with minimum eco-impact. It contains no oxybenzone, comes in a recyclable aluminium can, is 4 hours water-resistant, and keeps our fish and algae safe.
As part of our ongoing efforts to transition our fleet towards more sustainable solutions, Coral adventurer is our first ship to trial the cutting-edge hull surface technology XGIT-FUEL, a groundbreaking coating developed by GIT Coatings. Lasting up to a decade, this innovation not only enhances fuel efficiency but also eliminates harmful antifouling agents, thanks to its graphene composition.
ECO COMMITMENT IN ACTION
Meet the Experts: The Team Behind Coral Futures – Australian Geographic
MEDIA RELEASE | Coral Expeditions enters Ecotourism Hall of Fame
