The Best Eco Tours to Celebrate Earth Day
- Take a Zip Line in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
- Swim with the Dolphins in Tortola, British Virgin Islands
- Go Snorkeling in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
- Kayak in Bermuda
- Discover a Secret River in Cozumel, Mexico
- Play with Stingrays in Half Moon Cay, The Bahamas
- Tour a Tropical Botanical Garden in Hilo, Hawaii
- Go Caving in Barbados
- Experience the Conservation of Marine Turtles in Mazatlan, Mexico
- Walk Among the Butterflies on St. Marteen
What are you doing to celebrate Earth Day? Consider exploring some of the earth’s natural wonders while on your cruise vacation. Here are the 10 best ways to get close to nature in various locations including The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexico and Hawaii.
1. Take a Zip Line in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
The rain forest in Puerto Vallarta is a vast wilderness just waiting for you to explore. One of the best ways to see the breathtaking views, foliage and wildlife is by taking a zip line through the forest canopy. You will leave the world behind on a thrilling excursion where you will get an overhead view of waterfalls and soar up to 200 feet in the air over the lush greenery below.
2. Swim with the Dolphins in Tortola, British Virgin Islands
When you visit Tortola, you’ll adore the white-sand beaches and green mountains, not to mention the turquoise seas. Tortola also happens to be the home of the Dolphin Discovery Facility. Spend some time at the facility to learn about these intelligent mammals, and then get to know them up close and personal. You can spend time interacting with the dolphins in the water with one of the dolphin trainers as your guide.
3. Go Snorkeling in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
The Sea of Cortez has excellent snorkeling opportunities in Santa Maria Bay and Chileno Bay. If you’re not a scuba diver, snorkeling is the best way to see the exotic underwater landscape. Crystal clear waters in the bays will give you outstanding views whether you float on top of the water or do some diving. You can be surrounded by over 50 different species of fish, and get a true understanding of the wonders of the world under the sea.
4. Kayak in Bermuda
Explore the marine ecosystem from a kayak when you’re in Bermuda. You’ll float past more than 12 historic islands that are unofficially called the top of the Bermuda Triangle. In addition, you’ll share your experience with a fascinating collection of plants, birds and marine animals.
5. Discover a Secret River in Cozumel, Mexico
Cozumel is home to one of the area’s most breathtaking natural treasures that lay hidden for millions of years. Today, you can explore a series of caves connected by an underground river. You’ll suit up to walk and swim through the caverns, where you’ll be treated to the marvels of natural formations, including towering stalactites and stalagmites.
6. Play with Stingrays in Half Moon Cay, The Bahamas
Half Moon Cay is a private island in the Bahamas. It shares the same lovely beaches and foliage that grace other Bahamian islands, but it’s also the home of the “tame” stingrays at Stingray Cove. You can have an educational experience by learning about the elusive stingray’s life and habitat. You, and your guide, can also don snorkel equipment to get close enough to touch and feed these mysterious creatures.
7. Tour a Tropical Botanical Garden in Hilo, Hawaii
When you’re in Hilo, Hawaii, you’ll want to visit the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, also known as the “Garden in a Valley on the Ocean.” The valley is a natural greenhouse, and it draws people from all over the world. The garden contains over 2,000 species of tropical plants that are found in many parts of the globe. You’ll see a huge display of orchids, along with plants such as “Lobster Claw” and the fascinating “Bat” plant.
8. Go Caving in Barbados
Barbados is a lovely island in the eastern Caribbean known for its beaches and botanical gardens. There’s another natural wonder on the island called Harrison’s Cave. You reach the cave after a trek through the abundance that is Barbados. You may see a variety of native birds or a green monkey along the way. One you reach the cave opening, you’ll travel on foot to explore the cave’s natural passages and wonder at the karsts, which are naturally formed ridges, towers and sinkholes.
9. Experience the Conservation of Marine Turtles in Mazatlan, Mexico
A visit to Mazatlan isn’t complete without exploring the “Estrella del Mar” turtle sanctuary. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes tour as you learn how marine biologists are working to save a variety of endangered marine turtles. The biologists collect turtle eggs and incubate them. Their efforts started with 40 nests, but they’re now saving thousands of them each year. You can play with the turtles in a special holding tank, then take part by releasing a baby turtle into the ocean.
10. Walk Among the Butterflies on St. Marteen
St. Marteen is a Caribbean island that is French on one side and Dutch on the other. The Dutch side of the island is usually referred to as Sint Maarten. One of the most enjoyable eco-friendly things you can do on the island is visit the Butterfly Farm. It’s difficult to spend time with butterflies in typical situations because they don’t spend much time in one place. However, when you visit the Butterfly Farm, you’ll be treated to exhibition areas that contain hundreds of butterflies in beautifully landscaped gardens. You’ll also want to take a few minutes to enjoy the amazing stories of the butterfly told by expert guides.
As you can see, it’s not difficult to explore our world’s natural gems, no matter where you go on vacation this year. Just pick a destination, and have your own Earth Day celebration.
