The oceans are facing numerous environmental challenges: plastic pollution, coral reef degradation, overfishing, and more. Aware of these issues, the Aqua Diving team, located at the Corail Noir Hotel, is taking action to raise awareness among divers and preserve Nosy Be’s marine treasures.
We at Aqua Diving are supporting the conservation and sustainable use of the sea, the coasts, and their incredible biodiversity – and by joining the SSI Blue Oceans movement, we got a first official label awarding our actions. This international label recognizes diving centers committed to protecting marine ecosystems through concrete actions and profound respect for the environment.
Becoming a Blue Oceans certified diving center means adhering to precise rules to reduce our impact during dives and water activities. Here are the key guidelines we follow and encourage all our divers to respect:
• Do not swim under overhangs, caves, or arches unless you can do so without touching or damaging anything.
• Avoid swimming or snorkeling too close to reefs to minimize disturbance.
• Do not touch or break corals.
• Use dedicated entry and exit points to protect sensitive habitats.
• Avoid stirring up sand, as it reduces visibility and can smother corals.
• Do not hunt or disturb marine animals.
• Do not touch marine animals unless you’ve had specific training that allows it.
• Do not feed marine animals.
• Do not disturb animals or their habitat to improve your photos.
Don’t take souvenirs from the sea – broken coral pieces or empty snail shells still serve as useful habitat
Only place a reef hook where it will not damage or disturb the reef
These simple yet essential gestures minimize human impact on the fragile underwater ecosystems we explore.
At Aqua Diving and Corail Noir, we implement concrete measures to reduce waste production:
• No single-use plastics are allowed.
• Residual waste is sorted, and we promote recycling (such as oils or weights used in diving).
• Cigarette butts, a significant threat to marine ecosystems, are strictly prohibited on our smoke-free boats.
We also organize regular beach cleanup sessions, involving our team, divers, and the local community. At sea, any waste we encounter is systematically collected. For divers who wish to contribute, we provide mesh bags to collect debris underwater.
Our preservation efforts go beyond the marine environment. We are committed to conserving precious resources like water and electricity, and our restaurant prioritizes local and seasonal produce.
We also maintain a vegetable garden near the diving center, which supplies fresh ingredients to our kitchen. Through careful daily planning, we avoid any food waste.
At Aqua Diving, we believe knowledge is a powerful tool for environmental protection. That’s why we offer SSI specialty courses on iconic marine species like sharks, rays, turtles, and cetaceans. Our instructor Moana, a passionate biologist at heart, will be thrilled to share his broad knowledge with you!
Our passionate instructors are eager to share their knowledge and help raise awareness about the importance of protecting these fascinating creatures.
Join us to discover Nosy Be’s unique marine ecosystems, brimming with biodiversity. By diving with Aqua Diving, you’ll not only enjoy unforgettable adventures but also contribute to a larger movement to protect the oceans.
Ready to take part in sustainable and eco-friendly tourism? Contact our team or visit us to learn more about our actions and diving experiences!