Rurutu humpback whale swimming holiday in the Pacific

Planet

Rurutu in the Austral Islands of French Polynesia has an abundance of large marine life, including migrating humpback whales, pilot whales, false killer whales, turtles, swordfish, marlin and dolphins. The Austral Islands teem with a remarkable diversity of life, including many species found nowhere else in the world, this is due to varied characteristics and the Austral climate which sits between a tropical zone and a temperate one. The limestone island of Rurutu has a surrounding reef and just outside this reef is a deep drop off with the most crystal clear and clean water you will find anywhere in the world.

We encourage our guests to respect the wildlife and we like to also lead by example. Some of these examples include..
-We follow responsible guidelines for whale watching that have been developed with the encouragement of local communities and local commercial operators
-We not do chase or harass the whales and we minimize disturbance
-Maximum experience with minimum impact
-Encourage guests to use established paths and respect all wildlife
-Ensure we don't disturb the balance of marine environment by disposing of rubbish correctly
-We donate a portion of each tour to a non for profit research organisation called The Coral Gardeners. They are a coral reef restoration & conservation program located in Tahiti French Polynesia. Through conferences, interactions with the public and schools, Coral Gardeners educate adults and children about coral reefs, why they are important, and the threats they face.They believe the children are the future and so they raise awareness not only with adults, but the youth.

We like to reduce waste to keep the beautiful pristine environment of Rurutu free of pollution in the ocean and on land. Here are some examples...
-Minimize pollution by keeping the smallest footprint possible
-Take all rubbish and use existing toilets
-We urge our guests to keep the ocean free of plastic and waste
-Avoid using plastic bottles and we provide every guests with a water flask
-We don't use plastic straws or cutlery and supply each guest with a travel sustainable cutlery pack
-Throughout the tour, guests will learn and be educated on respect and conservation of both the marine life and wildlife and environment on Rurutu
-We work electronically and encourage the guests not to print . Instead we ask them to download itineraries and trip bulletins to their devices.

We debrief our guests on the importance of water saving while on tour. When in hotels we encourage them to reuse towels where possible and only do clothes washing whenever you really need to. Guests are also encouraged to conserve energy by turning off lights when not in the rooms. We always recommend that our guests fly carbon neutral and are aware of trying to keep transport to a minimum when designing our tours. We do this by doing all our activities in Rurutu and also transferring people in one whole group wherever possible. We like to ensure that suppliers we use are environmentally aware and do their part to protect the environment. We send them our mission statement to show them our values and encourage them to make a positive difference.

People

We’ve spent a great deal of time researching the Baja California region, and we’re passionate about ensuring that our guests experience the true essence of Baja while supporting local communities. Our goal is to spread the benefits of tourism to areas that need it the most. Here are some ways we ensure our tours make a positive impact:

Locally Sourced Meals: All meals during the tour are sourced organically and locally where possible. Our suppliers in Baja work with local farmers and fishermen to provide fresh, seasonal ingredients, and we prioritise food that is grown or caught in Baja itself, such as locally sourced fish, organic produce, and free-range meats.
Supporting Local Business: Our trip bulletin includes recommendations for local places guests can visit before or after the tour, encouraging them to support local businesses such as markets, restaurants, and shops that benefit the community.
Baja California is a region deeply connected to the sea, and its residents have a profound respect for the ocean and its inhabitants. The local culture is shaped by the surrounding waters, and the area is known for its long-standing traditions of sustainable fishing and marine conservation. We actively support the region’s efforts to protect its natural beauty, such as the work done to preserve the Sea of Cortez, which is considered one of the most biodiverse marine environments in the world.

In 2016, the Mexican government established a large marine protected area (MPA) in the Sea of Cortez, which is home to endangered species like the vaquita marina and the endangered totoaba fish. We take pride in supporting these conservation efforts, and our tours always emphasize the importance of protecting Baja’s oceans and wildlife.

While we don't directly employ staff outside of our own guides and admin, we work exclusively with companies that treat their staff fairly and employ local workers. We believe in the fair treatment of all employees and always voice our support for companies that share our values of fairness and respect.

We also make a conscious effort to promote and support Baja's vibrant arts and culture. Here’s how we encourage guests to engage with the local culture:

Cultural Experiences: We encourage our guests to visit local museums, galleries, and cultural centers to learn more about the region’s rich heritage and history.
Support Local Artisans: Guests are encouraged to buy handmade crafts, jewelry, and artwork from local artisans, ensuring that the money stays within the community. We also lead by example and purchase locally made products.
Respect for local culture and people is central to how we travel, and we encourage all our guests to do the same. Respecting local customs, traditions, and ways of life is not only polite but essential in fostering positive relationships between visitors and host communities. We strive to create an environment where travelers and locals alike can share in the beauty of Baja while preserving its culture and nature for future generations.