Small actions that make a big difference for our oceans.
One of my favorite things about sailing is dropping anchor somewhere that feels completely untouched.
A beach with no footprints. Crystal clear water. Sea turtles grazing peacefully on the sea grass. A coral reef teeming with life. Places like these remind you just how incredible our oceans really are. It’s easy to believe they’re pristine.
Here is the sad reality. The second you start to walk down the beach of any uninhabited island on earth, you will find pollution. I’ve seen it over and over again in the most remote islands you can possibly imagine.
I’ve seen it in the Bahamas. I’ve seen it throughout the Caribbean. I’ve even found plastic washed ashore on tiny islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, thousands of miles from major population centers.
The plastic problem is real.
The good news is that helping doesn’t require changing your entire lifestyle. While no single person is going to solve ocean pollution, millions of people making small, thoughtful choices really can make a difference.
Whether you’re planning a luxury yacht charter or simply heading to the beach this weekend, here are a few easy ways to help protect the places we all love.
Bring a Reusable Water Bottle
This one is incredibly simple, yet millions of people still don’t do it. I understand the appeal of grabbing a disposable water bottle and not having to think about refilling it. But the truth is, filling a reusable bottle before heading out on your next adventure takes about the same amount of effort, and often even less, than driving to the store, buying cases of bottled water, carrying them home, and throwing the empty bottles away afterward.
Single use plastic water bottles are one of the most common types of plastic waste found around the world.
As far as your charter goes, most crewed charter yachts provide filtered drinking water onboard, making it simple to refill a reusable bottle throughout your trip instead of constantly reaching for disposable ones.
One small change can eliminate dozens of plastic bottles during a single vacation or more importantly, in your every day life.
Skip the Plastic Bags
Plastic bags are lightweight, easily carried by the wind, and unfortunately can end up in the ocean where they pose a serious threat to marine life.
Packing a reusable tote bag takes almost no room in your luggage and can be used for groceries, shopping, or carrying beach gear throughout your trip.
Choose Reef Safe Sunscreen
Healthy coral reefs are one of the biggest reasons people travel to destinations like the Bahamas and the Caribbean.
Choosing a mineral based, reef safe sunscreen is a simple way to help minimize your environmental impact while protecting your skin. It’s a small decision that helps preserve one of the ocean’s most beautiful ecosystems.
Some examples of reef safe sunscreen are Stream2Sea, and Live Sunny, which happens to be made by a good friend of mine.
Another alternative option is what I prefer, covering up all the time. I’ve never been a fan of applying sunscreen but also try to avoid excessive sun exposure. I use long sleeve hooded shirts, hats, and buffs to keep myself protected.
Some good news? Every time you book a charter with us we send you our whale tail logo hooded long sleeve sun shirts made from 100% recycled ocean plastic.
Leave Every Beach Better Than You Found It
You don’t have to organize a massive cleanup to make a difference. If you see a plastic bottle, food wrapper, or fishing line while walking along the beach, pick it up.
If every visitor removed just one piece of litter before leaving, the impact would be enormous.
Respect Marine Wildlife
Swimming with sea turtles, rays, dolphins, sharks, and whales is often the highlight of a yacht charter.
The best encounters happen when we observe wildlife respectfully. Avoid feeding animals, keep a safe distance, and follow your captain’s guidance while snorkeling or exploring.
Healthy wildlife depends on healthy habitats.
Here’s a pro tip from someone who’s spent years photographing marine life underwater: let the animals come to you. It’s common to see people swim after turtles, sharks, and fish, but that almost always causes them to swim away. I’ve found that staying calm, minimizing your movements, and giving animals the space to approach on their own leads to much better encounters. It won’t work every time, but when it does, it’s far more rewarding than trying to chase them down.
Photo I Captured Of A Humpback Whale In Tonga – 2019
Support Businesses That Care
The businesses we choose to support shape the future of tourism.
When you book with companies that actively invest in conservation, you’re helping encourage more responsible travel throughout the industry.
Why Conservation Matters to Us
At Contigo Yachts, ocean conservation isn’t just something we talk about. It’s part of who we are.
I’ve spent more than a decade sailing and working on boats throughout the Caribbean, the Bahamas, and across the Pacific Ocean. The ocean has given me some of the greatest experiences of my life.
It’s also taught me just how fragile these places can be.
When I founded Contigo Yachts, I knew I wanted conservation to be more than a statement on our website. I wanted every charter we booked to have a positive impact beyond creating unforgettable memories.
That’s why we partnered with 4ocean, an organization dedicated to removing plastic from our oceans, rivers, and coastlines.
For every charter booked through Contigo Yachts, we contribute to 4ocean’s cleanup efforts. Our guests also receive a genuine 4ocean bracelet as a reminder that incredible adventures and responsible travel can go hand in hand.
Will one company solve ocean pollution?
Of course not.
But every positive action moves us in the right direction.
The Ocean Has Given Us So Much
The oceans provide us with adventure, food, beauty, recreation, and memories that last a lifetime.
It deserves our respect in return. Protecting it doesn’t always require grand gestures. Sometimes it’s as simple as bringing a reusable water bottle, picking up a piece of litter, choosing reef safe sunscreen, spreading awareness, and supporting businesses that genuinely care.
Small actions may seem insignificant on their own, but together they become something much bigger.
The next time you step onto a beach or dive into crystal clear water, remember that we all have the opportunity to leave these incredible places just a little better than we found them. Because the greatest gift we can leave future generations isn’t just stories of beautiful oceans.
It’s beautiful oceans themselves.
Planning your next yacht charter?
At Contigo Yachts, we’re passionate about connecting travelers with unforgettable experiences while supporting the oceans that make those adventures possible. If you’re dreaming of exploring the Bahamas, the Caribbean, or French Polynesia by yacht, we’d love to help you find the perfect charter.