We engage in local and regional partnerships across all destinations we sail, with an aim to have a net positive impact on the environment and the communities which depend on it. Among these efforts, we have overseen the rehabilitation of the endangered Taricaya turtle population in the Peruvian Amazon and the conservation of manta rays in East Indonesia in partnership with the Indonesian Manta Trust.
Since the launch of Aqua Blu, we have collaborated with the Indonesian Manta Project (IMP), supporting their research and exploration of manta habitats to raise awareness around marine conservation.
This collaboration with the IMP ensures resources for them to identify reef manta rays and elasmobranch (shark) species. Through these efforts, the project has been able to identify almost 2,000 individual reef manta rays in Raja Ampat and 17 different sharks. This has also led to the discovery of new manta cleaning stations and the development of a marine observation education program with six local primary schools.
As of 2024, we have expanded our commitment to support IMP’s research initiatives, including the Manta Ray Ecology and Conservation Research Program and the Indonesian Emerging Conservationist Scholarship Program, through collective fundraising and an annual donation.
Guests on board Aqua Blu will have the opportunity to gain insights on the organization’s research and become a part of our collective conservation efforts.
Aqua Expeditions has teamed up with the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF), an organization that focuses on conserving the fragile Galapagos ecosystem through scientific research.
As of 2024, Aqua has committed to supporting the CDF's Shark Ecology, Mangrove Ecology, and Education and Outreach Programs through an annual donation and collaborative fundraising.
CDF’s Shark Ecology program evaluates the effectiveness of the Galapagos Marine Reserve in protecting endemic shark species, while their Mangrove Ecology Program identifies key mangrove areas that contribute to carbon storage, biodiversity, and fish production – vital for climate change mitigation.
Aqua Mare guests will be able to witness conservation efforts first-hand through a visit to CDF’s Marine Research Center during their Galapagos expedition and contribute through donations or the purchase of CDF merchandise that will be available on board.
The Taricava Turtle Project in the Pacava Samiria Reserve is an important part of our commitment to supporting wildlife preservation in the Peruvian Amazon. Due to illegal egg poaching, these turtles have become an endangered species, and our involvement in wildlife conservation is an integral part of our business – allowing us to safeguard the environments we sail in.
Since 2012, we have worked with naturalists of the Pacava Samiria National Reserve to help increase the Taricaya turtle population by creating artificial incubation beaches to safeguard the Taricaya turtle eggs while they mature. Once hatched, these tiny turtles are reintroduced to their natural habitat. Our project has released over 700 young hatchlings into their natural habitats in the Amazon.
Aqua Expeditions has partnered with the Fisheries Action Coalition Team (FACT), a Cambodia-based organization dedicated to safeguarding the ecosystems and communities of Tonle Sap Lake. Through this collaboration, we support sustainable fisheries management, aquatic biodiversity protection, and community-led development — helping preserve one of Southeast Asia's most vital freshwater systems.
FACT works closely with local fishing communities to restore aquatic habitats, strengthen grassroots networks, and empower communities to protect their natural resources. As part of this partnership, Aqua Expeditions contributes resources to bolster conservation efforts, including communication equipment to support patrols against illegal fishing and repurposed operational items to assist local tourism initiatives, ensuring communities benefit meaningfully from responsible travel.
