Expertise Since 1987
Rated Excellent
FLEXIBLE PAYMENTS
Sustainable Beliefs + Action.
Explorer Ventures Fleet® is aware that as a global dive business, we depend on a fragile marine ecosystem that is increasingly threatened by a multitude of formidable factors. We understand we have an obligation and a responsibility to act as stewards of our environment, so that future generations will be able to enjoy and experience the oceans as we do.
In 2008, we turned our beliefs into action and created our Dive Green® Environmental Management Policy. This program identifies our potential environmental impacts in order to develop (and improve) strategies that help measure, adjust and ultimately minimize our footprint. This policy helps to ensure the long-term sustainably of coral reefs, ecosystems where we operate, the recreational scuba diving industry, and local livelihoods.
Over the last decade, this environmental management policy has evolved as new scientific research has been presented and our procedures have evolved. You can expect this program to develop continually as we expand our global efforts, support, and knowledge base. Currently, it is in operation for our Caribbean and Galapagos destinations only, however, will be expanded to our international fleet over the next 5 years.
See our Dive Green sustainability journey on this infographic timeline.
Download our FREE Dive Green Conservation Tools here.
Dive Green’s Seven Principles
1. Enhancing sustainability in our global operations by following environmentally sensitive policies.
2. Engaging with and empowering each employee and guest to reduce their own environmental footprint.
3. Coaching and encouraging conservation ethics in local communities and areas where we operate.
4. Inviting our external partners and travel agents to adopt Green Fins or their own eco-strategies.
5. Participating in strategic collaborations to evolve environmental practices globally.
6. Supporting scientific research for the marine environment and its species.
7. Maintaining an open mind for new ideas and evolving environmental principles.
What does Dive Green® look like onboard?
Sustainability targets and pledges.
Green Fins staff/crew training.
Diver and snorkeler education.
Reef-safe products and cleaning agents.
Plastic-free and recyclable product alternatives.
Eco-responsible retail.
Discouraging marine life interaction.
Solid waste management.
Mooring buoy programs.
Limited-impact anchoring.
Environmental and scientific donations.
Collaboration with conservation initiatives.
Beach and marine debris clean-ups.
Marine Park policies and regulation.
Coral and fish monitoring programs.
Environmental logs and record-keeping.
Five More Ways We Continue to Dive Green
1. Joining Forces with Reef-World & Green Fins
Explorer Ventures Fleet created Dive Green to reduce our own footprint then formed a symbiotic partnership with The Reef-World Foundation to strengthen our sustainability efforts. This partnership assisted with Dive Green’s expansion, plus allowed the fleet to adopt a leadership role in building targeted protocols for liveaboards, furthering global awareness and best practices.
The Reef-World Foundation is a UK Non-Profit that delivers practical solutions for marine conservation, supported by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). In 2018, Explorer Ventures Fleet became the very first liveaboard company to become a symbiotic partner with Reef-World. The symbiotic partnership continues today.
Green Fins is Reef-World’s proven conservation management approach which standardizes environmental guidelines for the global marine-tourism industry. The initiative implements a best practices Codes of Conduct for dive professionals, operators, NGOs, and federal governments (14 and growing). Green Fins offers the world’s first independent certification encouraging businesses to evaluate and improve their practices. In 2022, Green Fins launched an online Hub, expanding access and their standardized guidelines to businesses in remote locations.
Currently four vessels in our Fleet have been certified by Green Fins; Caribbean Explorer II, Turks & Caicos Explorer II; Humboldt Explorer and Tiburon Explorer.
Learn more about Explorer Ventures & Green Fins collaboration here.
Learn more about Reef-World here.
2. Empowering Divers
Divers, alongside businesses, are the driving force behind making sustainable diving the norm. By empowering our guests and crews, and connecting them with internationally recognized best practices, we hope to act as a catalyst for change in the dive industry. Appropriate training and knowledge of divers (and our staff) will help spread public awareness and encourage even more divers to participate. Explorer Ventures actively educates guests onboard with Dive Green policies, as well as Green Fins diving best practices. In addition, we’ve created a Dive Green “Know Before You Go” information page to further facilitate public efforts before our guests even board the vessel!
Learn what you need to ‘Know Before You Go’ and watch our educational video
3. Supporting Local Communities and Marine Protected Areas
Explorer Ventures recognizes that minimizing our global impact is not only an environmental matter but also a social and cultural responsibility. Marine ecosystems are vast and diverse, supporting many different activities and communities. As the World Wildlife Foundation illustrates, only 4% of the ocean is designated for protection. But in many cases, designation does not equal real protection. Through engagement on mooring programs, scientific research, and financial donations, we hope to support the local communities and marine protected areas in which we operate.
Learn more about the Saba Marine Park here.
Learn more about the Nature Reserves of the Turks & Caicos Island.
4. Becoming PADI-Eco Centers
The Tiburon Explorer and Humboldt Explorer stand as the only PADI Eco Centers in the Galapagos, showcasing Explorer Ventures’ unwavering dedication to environmental stewardship and sustainable dive operations. PADI Eco Center is granted to PADI Dive Centers, Resorts and Liveaboards that demonstrate a dedication to conservation and dive industry sustainability. There are three steps: Participation in the PADI AWARE Adopt the Blue™ program, demonstrate outstanding environmental performance through Green Fins membership based on the Green Fins Code of Conduct, and commit to continuous improvement by implementing an action plan and engaging in the Community Forum, and become a Green Fins Certified or Digital Member.
Learn more about becoming a PADI Eco Center here.
5. Supporting Scientific Research
Explorer Ventures has always supported scientific research on marine matters, since our very beginning 30+ years ago. From participating with special research itineraries to accommodation on board our vessels for researchers, and helping to collect the data that they use, we support scientific research for our oceans. Current local projects include Humpback Whale Research with Aquatic Adventures (Silver Bank), Turks & Caicos Reef Foundation, Saba Bank Coral Counts, and Sea & Learn with Sea Saba.
Read our article on the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance’s tiger shark tagging expedition.
Thank you for Diving Green!
Questions or Comments?
Contact us: info@explorerventures.com
