4 Ways to Make Your Next Ocean Adventure Eco-Friendly

Closer Waters: You don’t have to travel all the way to Alaska to see marine megafauna. Whale SENSE has participating operators on the East Coast, from Maine to New Jersey to Virginia. On the West Coast? Certain paddling outfitters benefit from instant access to whale-watching hot spots, like Outer Island Excursions in Washington’s San Juan Islands or Avila Beach Paddlesports’ setup in central California, which has seen near-shore migrations of humpback, gray, and even orca whales in recent years.

For Surfers

Ever dreamed of surfing in South Africa? Go one step further and give back while you’re there. Through Surfpop, you can share your love of surfing with local children around Cape Town, help tutor them, and cultivate your wave-riding skills at the same time. If you’re a shark lover, the town of Gansbaai, known as the great white shark capital of the world, is only a few hours away. There, you can document shark activity—and see sharks, seals, and penguins while you’re at it—which can help prevent the unnecessary slaughter of 100 million sharks annually.