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Five of Seacology’s favorite ecotourism destinations

October 21, 2024

Ecotourism is a way to travel that aims to be respectful of both local cultures and the natural environment. You may have heard the term before, or even learned about why moving toward more sustainable tourism is important. But what does ecotourism actually look like in practice?

At Seacology, our primary goal is to help protect unique island ecosystems and cultures. Some of the projects funded by our nonprofit help our partner communities on islands around the world build up their own ecotourism businesses. These projects are managed by locals who know these islands inside and out, and who are best equipped to make sure tourist interactions preserve the delicate balance of fragile ecosystems. 

If you’re looking to spend your next vacation exploring beautiful island landscapes, while also supporting the preservation of natural resources and the livelihood of local communities, here are just a few examples of our favorite ecotourism destinations. 

Kayakers paddle through mangroves
Kayakers paddle through mangroves in San Lorenzo Bay, Dominican Republic

1. San Lorenzo Bay, Dominican Republic

Los Haitises National Park is one of the crown jewels of the Dominican Republic’s park system. Magnificent rock formations soar above the water; tiny islands host thriving bird colonies; and cave systems reveal stunning petroglyphs and pictographs left behind by the indigenous Taíno people. Located in the park, San Lorenzo Bay is home to a diverse and spectacular mangrove ecosystem. 

The San Lorenzo Bay fishers’ cooperative has moved away from unsustainable fishing practices and toward conducting kayaking tours through the mangroves, with help from a Seacology grant. These fishermen have been trained as nature guides and offer many kinds of specialized trips. You can book an excursion with the cooperative on their website

An aerial view of mangroves and water
Barangay Bulanon, Philippines

2. Barangay Bulanon, Philippines

This rural village community on the island of Negros advocated for their marine ecosystem to be declared a protected area. This request was formalized in 2022 as the Bulanon Macapagao-Lapuslapus Local Conservation Area, a unique and beautiful habitat of mangroves, seagrass, and coral reefs. 

In 2021, some of the local fisherfolk started a small business, renting floating cottages to tourists. A grant from Seacology supported the permanent installation of the cottage structures, making them both more durable and more environmentally sound, decreasing the risk of reef damage from dropped anchors. Tourists can kayak through the mangroves from their floating cottage accommodations with Lapus-Lapus Floating Cottages

3. Tiga Bundu, Malaysia (Borneo)

The island of Borneo is a marvel of biodiversity, but its lush forests and unique wildlife are under constant and serious threat from overdevelopment. After challenging a logging company that wanted to clear a nearby forest, and winning an incredible victory after five years in court, the people of Tiga Bundu Village concluded that the best way to protect their forest was to foster ecotourism.

A grant from Seacology enabled villagers to expand their traditional rattan-harvesting paths into a series of hiking trails; install signage and camping huts along the trails; and build a multipurpose hall, tourist house, and toilet facilities. A Seacology expedition visited this project in 2023, experiencing the delicious local food and warm hospitality. 

The Tiga Bundu hiking and camping trail extends 17 miles through pristine jungle. For travelers looking for a less rigorous trip, the Sabah region of Borneo offers several eco-lodges with the highest standards of sustainable accommodation.

4. Marojejy National Park, Madagascar

Marojejy National Park is a World Heritage Site that is home to at least 10 species of lemurs, including the silky sifaka, one of the rarest primates in the world. However, the forest is in danger from illegal logging. A plan developed by biologists to save lemurs in the wild identifies a two-pronged approach to combat threats to their habitats: increase ecotourism, and step up enforcement. A Seacology project started in 2019 does both.

Several years ago, the number of visitors to Marojejy dropped as the tourist camps slid into disrepair. Our project funded repairs to the bungalows and restrooms in the most popular camp, and enabled increased patrols in partnership with the Lemur Conservation Foundation. The new camp facilities—including rebuilt bungalows and new toilet and shower buildings—were completed in 2020. You can learn more about planning a trip to Marojejy National Park on their website

5. Amantaní Island, Peru

Amantaní Island is one of many scattered across Lake Titicaca, high in the Andes Mountains. About 4,200 indigenous Quechan speakers call this island home. Unfortunately, the lake’s famed biodiversity is threatened by industrial, agricultural, and household pollution.

A Seacology project begun in 2021 has helped to restore this island’s natural habitat and build more tourism and education infrastructure. This project encouraged villagers to use traditional terraced farm plots to grow native crops without pesticides, and provided garbage and recycling removal equipment. It also enabled the community to build a new interpretive center, construct hiking trails around the island, and replant two kinds of native trees along the trails. Learn more about visiting Amantaní Island.

Take a Trip

Interested in learning more about ecotourism opportunities? You can check out upcoming Seacology travel expeditions, or use the ecotourism tag on our projects page.