In a country whose main source of income is derived from tourism, thanks to its islands and its natural beauties, mass tourism and overexploitation of its natural resources have caused many environmental and social problems. Through our activities, we are trying to encourage travellers to approach places they visit with greater understanding and respect towards the local people, culture, wildlife and the environment. Simultaneously we try continuously to minimise the negative impact of our organisation on the above environments.

How?

  By having everyone involved in our organisation promoting and adhering to sustainable travel principles and encouraging our guests to embrace our sustainable travel principles.

  By allowing space in our sailing boats for people to recycle and upcycle any plastic, metal, glass, paper garbage produced during our trips.

  By using biodegradable cleaning products and avoiding at all times the dumping of chemicals or non-natural products into the sea.

  By ensuring that all guests are informed upon arrival that waste should never be thrown into the sea and recycling of plastic & other items should be done in the designated place.

  By briefing our guests not to collect any corals or shells from the sea or beach. They are encouraged though to help us clean any garbage that they see inside the water or on the beach.

  By briefing our guests upon arrival on the necessity of cutting down on their use of water and electricity. There is a serious shortage of water in the Greek islands and we recommend our guests to use water and electricity only when and to the level that is necessary.

  By avoiding wasting paper in the office and using the internet as the main form of communication.

  By trying to minimise the impact of our boat on the marine environment. Sailing ecologically is a very wide concept starting from the manufacturing of the materials to the use of the boat. We are constantly working on minimising the impact of our boats on the marine environment.

  By having purchased a second-hand boat and kept it in an excellent condition. We aim to break with the conventional approach of the charter industry which is often buying brand new boats and dumping them after 2 to 3 years.

  By having purchased an electrical outboard to substitute our conventional one when possible in order to minimise the use of fuel.

  By using the motor as little as possible, mainly just to enter and leave the port and charge our batteries.

  By having placed a wind generator 350Watt in order to achieve electrical self sufficiency without the use of motor or diesel generator.

 

  By avoiding, when mooring the boat, to throw the anchor on meadows of Poseidonia Oceanica, an endemic Mediterranean specie that needs protection. We always use permanent moorings when provided.

  By having natural ventilation on our boats provided by wind scoops instead of an air-conditioning system.

  By using a long lasting antifouling which is less harmful to the environment than conventional antifouling paints.

  By using biodegradable and other products with no phosphates to clean the boat. We also use alternative boat cleaners such as vinegar and baking soda which are environmentally friendly.

  By recycling the batteries of the boat and not just dumping them after expiry.

  By keeping up-to-date with developments and new products that appear in the industry that minimise negative impact on the environment.

  By using a pink propylene glycol antifreeze product to cool the engine that is less toxic than the conventional ethylene glycol one (typically green).

  By June 2017 we plan to replace the traditional incandescent bulbs, which use a lot of energy with LED (light-emitting diodes) bulbs, whose energy consumption can be 15 times lower.

The environmental effects of a trip are key considerations during the itinerary design process.  We try to lessen any environmental impact:

  By rotating diving sites and taking small groups each time.

  By making a presentation on marine ecology, biodiversity and conservation to all divers who join us.

  By having organised a marine ecology seminar for professional divers that involved a briefing on how to monitor the level of anthropogenic impact on a marine site and warn scientists of any deterioration they observe.

  By organising events and activities such as the 2007 exhibition of underwater eco photography with the aim of raising awareness for the protection of marine sites and our seas.

  By briefing divers in advance not to touch or collect any items… but to only take pictures and leave their bubbles behind!

  By organising and designing wildlife sailing trips that increase awareness and get people involved in marine conservation.

  By organising wildlife tours which combine sailing and discovering endemic species. Under the guidance of our experienced biologist, people are introduced to tens of endemic species, both from the animal and plant kingdoms which exist only in this small corner of the globe. Guests leave with a different approach towards wildlife and aware of the dangers they face and how to minimise them.

  By organising visits at the two national marine parks in Greece, in Zakynthos and Alonissos, where the two most important NGOs for the protection of the loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta and the Mediterranean Monk seal Monachus monachus are based. Our guests are briefed on their work and how they can get involved and support them.

  By watching and monitoring dolphins & other cetaceans by far away without disturbing them, adhering to the ACCOBAMS guidelines for commercial cetacean-watching activities in the Mediterranean Sea.

When our sailing boat is not chartered or being maintained, we offer the boat to scientists and organisations for their research and other environmental projects. We have already provided support to a team of biologists from the University of Athens, University of the Aegean and a researcher for the British Natural History Museum.

We ran a series of events targeted towards the children of the remote islands of the Aegean Sea with the aim of educating and increasing awareness on environmental and conservation issues. The first one took place in the island of Iraklia in the Small Cyclades in October 2007.

  By including in our itineraries and taking our guests to remote or underdeveloped islands, such as Kinaros (population: 2 people), Levitha, Iraklia and Anafi (population: under 100 people), we aim to distribute economic benefits to those places that are hard to get to due to lack of frequent ferries or that are unreachable without a sailing boat or similar means.

  By recommending the purchase of products from the local agricultural co-operatives which function in many islands.

  By advising our guests to avoid global restaurant chains and taste the local cuisine in family-run taverns so that they experience the local culture.

  By recommending rooms & apartments that we have carefully selected and are run by local people.

The traditional ways that islanders used to support themselves have become obsolete due to mass tourism and the tendency of the youth to move to large cities. Our approach aims to keep these old ways from fading out and for our guests to get introduced to the “real” island lifestyle.

  By encouraging our guests to participate in the local way of life and not just be a distant observer. During our Wild Tales, our guests are invited if they wish to give a helping hand to locals in their daily activities (for example, olive picking, grape gathering e.t.c.)

  By introducing our guests to the multi-cultural reality of the Greek islands. We explain the local body language and customs, we discuss historical and local stories.

Please understand that we realise that it is impossible to be 100% ecological operating in the tourist industry. But we promise that we won’t stop our efforts towards this direction.

We would appreciate your comments and suggestions on how we can improve our policies. You can contact us at info@mystic-blue.org.

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