Our Commitment to Eco-Tourism in Ibiza: Becoming One with the Sea
Ibiza is famous for its sunsets, its freedom, and its energy. But there is another Ibiza: quieter, deeper, and infinitely more powerful. The Ibiza that exists beneath the surface.
At Meet the Sea, we believe the sea is not a backdrop. It’s a living world. A source of wellbeing. A teacher. A home for extraordinary biodiversity. And when we bring people out onto the water, we carry a responsibility that goes far beyond tourism.
That’s why eco-tourism isn’t a label for us. It’s a promise: to protect the ocean, to teach ocean respect through experience, and to help every guest feel connected to the sea. Not as spectators, but as actors.
Eco-Tourism Isn’t a Badge. It’s a Way of Operating.
Many people associate eco-tourism with a list of rules. But we’ve learned something important: people protect what they love.
So instead of simply telling guests what not to do, we design experiences that allow them to discover the sea’s most beautiful truths: its wildlife, its plants, its calm, its wildness, and its impact on who we are as human beings.
Eco-tourism, to us, is built on three pillars:
1.Low impact operations: protecting habitats and reducing waste
2.Education and ocean literacy: learning biodiversity, marine reserves, and the value of the sea
3.Positive action: leaving the ocean better than we found it, every single day
How We Reduce Our Impact (And Why It Matters)
A low-fuel monohull that carries many families
Our Family Boat Trip takes place aboard a low-fuel consumption monohull designed to carry up to 10 families (around 50 passengers). We believe part of sustainability is choosing the right vessel and using it responsibly.
Anchoring without harming Posidonia oceanica
One of the Mediterranean’s most precious treasures is Posidonia oceanica, the seagrass that helps keep the sea clear, stores carbon, and supports entire marine ecosystems.
That’s why we always anchor only in areas where Posidonia is not present. It’s a non-negotiable. If we want future generations to experience this sea, we must protect the habitats that make it possible.
Reusable onboard materials
We always use reusable plates, glasses, and cutlery. Because eco-tourism doesn’t begin with the ocean, it begins with what we choose to bring onto the boat.
Local sourcing: cooking with Ibiza
Our onboard cooking isn’t just delicious: it’s part of how we support local sustainability. When we cook paella onboard, we source ingredients directly from local Ibiza producers, including green and red peppers, green beans, tomatoes, lemons, and more.
To us, eco-tourism also means respecting local communities, local culture, and local food systems.
How We Create Positive Impact (Every Day at Sea)
We remove “unwelcome objects” from the sea, from the surface and from the bottom
During our daily guided snorkeling trips, we pick up objects that don’t belong in the ocean, both from the surface and the seabed.
And we invite our guests to participate in the simplest but most powerful way:
If you spot plastic during our journey, you tell us and we collect it during our snorkel session.
It’s not a performance. It’s a habit. It’s how we turn enjoyment into responsibility.
We teach real marine biodiversity, not just pretty views
Every trip includes a live educational presentation about Ibiza’s underwater world, featuring at least 12 local species, supported by individual PDF or info sheets for each one.
Our goal isn’t just to show you the sea. It’s to help you recognize it, to understand what lives here and why it matters.
Some of the species we regularly teach and identify include:
✅Posidonia (seagrass)
✅Sea urchin
✅Octopus
✅Sea cucumber
✅Sea bream
✅Painted comber
✅Ornate wrasse
✅Rainbow wrasse
✅Salema
✅Mediterranean starfish
✅Sea tomato
✅Peacock’s tail
Then, in the Conillera Nature Reserve, we don’t stop at education onboard, we take it into the water. As we snorkel, we actively identify species and share them with our guests in real time.
This is one of the most beautiful moments of our work: watching people go from “I don’t know what I’m seeing” to “I can’t believe I’m seeing this.”
Beyond a List of Do’s and Don’ts: We Help You Become One with the Sea
Eco-tourism works best when it transforms people: not just their knowledge, but their relationship with nature.
On our trips, we witness something incredible:
-children who only knew swimming pools take their first steps into open water
-adults overcome fear by understanding what lies beneath them
-guests gain confidence as they learn to swim in deep water calmly and safely
-families reconnect through real adventure, not through screens
-And perhaps most importantly:
people begin to respect the sea more deeply when they see animals living in complete freedom.
That kind of respect can’t be forced.It can only be experienced.
We believe the sea is a source of:
-wellbeing
-spiritual reconnection
-mental health
-personal growth
-And every time someone leaves our boat feeling stronger, calmer, or more alive, we know the sea has done what it always does best: teach us who we are.
Eco-Tourism for Groups: Education, Sports, and Ocean Advocacy
Our commitment to eco-tourism also shapes our Group Sea Trips to Ibiza, whether for schools, universities, or corporate organisations.
These trips are built around sea-centered activities that combine:
Education:
Introduction to marine biology boat trip
Underwater drone / ROV mission (marine exploration and research-style learning)
Sports
Paddle surfing in Portinatx
Snorkelling in the Conillera Nature Reserve
Kayaking in Es Vedrà
Sailing in the Bay of San Antonio
Coastal hikes along Port of San Miguel
Entertainment with purpose
Cooking Class at Sea featuring recipes using local produce and local history
Even when the tone is fun, the mission remains the same: the sea is not something we use, it is something we honour.
Our Eco-Tourism Code:
This is our promise and the foundation of every experience we deliver:
🦑We teach ocean literacy, not just tourism.
🦑We protect habitats like Posidonia oceanica by anchoring responsibly and never coming in contact with the sea plant: anchor or rope.
🦑We reduce onboard waste through reusables
🦑We support Ibiza’s local producers through local sourcing
🦑We remove plastics and unwanted objects from the sea — surface and seabed
🦑We turn guests into ocean advocates through real experience
🦑We help people build a relationship with the sea that lasts beyond the trip
The Future: Eco-Tourism as a Movement:
We want eco-tourism in Ibiza to be more than a trend.
We want it to be a movement where families, students, and institutions discover that the best way to love the sea is not through a screen, but through contact: learning, swimming, observing, and caring.
And we believe that when people feel truly connected to the ocean, they carry that respect into their lives. In the choices they make, the conversations they have, and the world they help shape.
Join Us
If you’re coming to Ibiza and want an experience that combines adventure, education, and ocean protection, we’d love to welcome you onboard.
Because when you meet the sea, truly meet it, you don’t leave unchanged.
FAQ: Eco-Tourism in Ibiza
What is eco-tourism?
Eco-tourism is travel that protects nature and supports local communities while creating meaningful education and positive environmental impact. It’s not only about reducing harm — it’s about improving awareness and inspiring protection.
What makes a boat trip eco-friendly?
An eco-friendly boat trip reduces fuel and waste, respects marine habitats (especially seagrass like Posidonia), avoids disturbing wildlife, and ideally includes education and environmental action.
How does Meet the Sea protect the ocean?
We anchor only where Posidonia is not present, use reusable onboard materials, remove plastics from the sea daily (surface and seabed), and deliver marine biodiversity education with real species identification during snorkelling trips.
What do children learn on your trips?
Children learn marine species, biodiversity, sustainability, and marine reserve awareness. But they also learn confidence and resilience. Many overcome fear of open water, gain self-belief, and develop a deeper relationship with the sea.
Is the sea good for wellbeing?
Yes. The sea can support mental health and wellbeing through physical movement, calm environments, and a feeling of reconnection. We see this transformation every day in both children and adults. And our team are here to share it all with you.
