Sustainability

5 ways you can help the world's waters with Trafalgar

Water is one of our planet’s most vital resources, sustaining life and shaping landscapes across the globe. Reflecting on importance of our blue planet, in wake of Word Oceans Day on June 8th, here’s how you can make a positive impact on the world’s waters through meaningful travel experiences.

With Trafalgar, you can participate in MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences that not only allow you to explore the beauty of aquatic environments but also contribute to their preservation and protection. Here are 5 unique travel experiences that help safeguard the health of our oceans, rivers, and lakes.

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Wineglass Bay Cruise

A birds-eye view of Wineglass Bay, in Tasmania. Turquoise waters are surrounded by lush vegetation and mountains. A lone ship sits in the bay.

In the stunning Freycinet Peninsula you’ll take a relaxing four-hour boat trip along gentle shores. Your Local Specialist will share their in-depth knowledge as you cruise along Coles Bay past waterfalls, sea caves, towering pink granite cliffs, and through the inner passage of remote Schouten Island – home to penguins and short tailed shearwaters – to the main event of Wineglass Bay, a crescent of dazzling white sand, where you’ll anchor for a ploughman’s lunch. Keep your eyes peeled, these pristine waters are home to diverse wildlife including sea eagles, pods of bow-surfing dolphins, fur seals sunbathing on the rocky coast and even migrating humpback and Southern Right whales.

How does this help the marine life? This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience partners with Pennicott Wilderness Journeys, which aims to educate visitors and promote conservation to protect these natural habitats. The company reinvests in the local community and environment, ensuring all tours are 100% carbon offset and monitored by the EarthCheck system. They support coastal cleanups, such as the South West Marine Debris Cleanup, where volunteers collect tons of waste from remote beaches, and school programs that engage students in hands-on conservation efforts.

Walk through Seal Bay Conversation Park

An Australian seal waddling along the beach while waves crash in the background

Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience with a Local Specialist at Seal Bay Conservation Park for a guided walk through one of Australia’s key sea lion breeding colonies. Your expert guide will introduce you to the endangered Australian sea lion, one of the rarest species left with only about 12,000 remaining – including 800 at Seal Bay. Learn how these remarkable animals hunt, surf, care for their pups, defend their territory, and use their flippers to “walk” on land, providing a unique glimpse into their lives and the conservation efforts to protect them.

The Park’s ecotourism practices aim to educate visitors about conserving the endangered Australian sea lions and foster a deeper appreciation of the environment. They hope to inspire stewardship of this unique species through sustainable business and interpretation methods. Home to the third largest colony of Australian sea lions, Seal Bay was awarded Advanced ECO Certification by Ecotourism Australia in 2017, reflecting their commitment to conservation and sustainable tourism. Celebrate world oceans day and come contribute to the protection of these magnificent creatures and their natural habitat on your visit.

Experience this on: Tastes of Southern Australia

Georgia Sea Turtle Center Behind-the-Scenes Tour

A turtle swimming in clear blue water

On the Southeast USA tour, you’ll visit the Georgia Sea Turtle Center: a working hospital dedicated to the care of sick and injured turtles, with a focus on education, rehabilitation, and research. You’ll see where injured and sick sea turtles are treated and learn how the Center’s research aids sea turtles globally. While you cannot touch or feed the turtles, you can view patients in the rehabilitation pavilion and learn their stories.

The center features a Learning Center with interactive exhibits about sea turtles’ journeys, the threats they face, and how we can support their survival. The experience includes a 45-minute educator-led tour and a presentation in the rehabilitation pavilion. Make a positive impact for world oceans day and visit the Turtle Center, helping advance United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 14 and 15: Life Below Water and Life on Land.

Experience this on: Charms of Southeast USA

Marine Gin Tasting in London

A glass filled with a Gin cocktail with a garnish of Lime and rosemary

On the London Explorer trip you’ll stop by the Old Royal Naval College to try a tasting of sustainable London Dry Gin. The gin uses remarkable ingredients inspired by global travel, handcrafted and distilled in small batches and using British marine and coastal botanicals.

The tasting also contributes to UNSDG 14: Life Below Water, as the gin is produced sustainably and supports education and preservation projects ran by The Seahorse Trust. The Trust’s mission is to end the marine curio trade, a devastating practice that harms marine species and their habitats. Through these efforts, your tasting contributes to a sustainable future, ensuring that the beauty and diversity of our oceans are preserved for generations to come.

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Plitvice National Park

Plitvice National Park: cascading waterfalls, emerald water and lush vegetation fill a beautiful valley.

On your trip through the Balkans, we’ll make sure to stop by the unbelievable Plitvice National Park in Croatia. We’ll take a captivating walking tour with a Local Specialist through the tranquil turquoise, emerald, and grey waters of Plitvice’s lakes and waterfalls. Admire the UNESCO-listed natural wonder as you stroll along suspended wooden pathways, soaking in the breathtaking scenery of interconnected lakes, caves, and cascading waterfalls reflecting vibrant hues against the lush landscape.

The local authority who helps run your guided walk actively combats marine pollution by eliminating single-use plastic items, educating guests on marine environments and low-impact practices, and supplying data to support conservation scientists.

Celebrate World Oceans Day with Trafalgar by embarking on these transformative journeys that not only showcase the beauty of the sea, but also contribute significantly to its preservation. Each MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience detailed above embodies our commitment to responsible travel and sustainability. Whether it’s cruising the serene waters of Wineglass Bay, walking among the sea lions at Seal Bay, visiting the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, savoring marine-inspired gin in London, or exploring the enchanting Plitvice National Park, every adventure supports crucial conservation efforts. Join us in making a meaningful impact on the world’s waters, ensuring that the beauty and diversity of our oceans, rivers, and lakes endure for future generations.

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