Cote d Azur scuba diving vacations in France
How this vacation makes a difference
Environment
The diving from La Londe is in Port Cros - Europe's first marine wildlife reserve. The Reserve, which came into being in 1963, works to conserve marine life and raise public awareness of the diversity of species as well as pioneering bio-management techniques, which ensure that, despite the number of visitors, the area’s ecosystem remains untouched, and all operators in the reserve must sign up to a charter pledging their commitment to responsible diving.
The company is based in Juan les Pins, the office being run on a minimum print policy and as much recycled as possible. The company’s policy is to work strictly with local companies including for accommodation which is provided in small friendly locally run hotels where traditional fare from local sources is provided, with water consumption kept to a minimum and recycling to a maximum.
Guests are fully briefed on an environmental basis, to look but don’t touch, no littering, nor smoking on the boats to eliminate the incidence of cigarette butts in the water. On a day to day basis divers are briefed to bring up litter and debris from underwater dive sites as a matter of course, as well as an annual, more intense effort to keep the dive sites in the condition that they merit. The dive season in the South of France is relatively short, which limits damage to the sites. Its success has made it a model for action to conserve island and coastline ecosystems in tourist resorts worldwide.
Dive centres in the Saint Raphael area have also collaborated to put down mooring rings to prevent damage caused by anchoring.
Community
Alex and Noemie have been working in the South of France for the past four years, proactively creating awareness of the diving opportunities in the Mediterranean. Their work brings incremental business to local dive centres, allowing these centres to continue to employ staff from the area.
The journey time, by whatever means, is shorter than that to other locations further afield. Encouraging the growth of diving business to the Mediterranean will also take pressure off over visitation to other “honey pot” venues.
Great value, self catering options are also offered, with monies spent going to local services. Dive centres in the Saint Raphael area have also collaborated to put down mooring rings to prevent damage caused by anchoring.
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