Eco-Cruising

Won’t You Let the Smiley’s Take You on an Eco Cruise?

Thinking about cruising but looking for something different and more intimate? Well look no further than EcoCruising. But what is EcoCruising you say? Well according to EcoCruising Tours and Charters owners Brian, Roxy and Matt Smiley, the unique touring concept relates to their dedication to ocean stewardship and marine education. The company’s skippers are also expert ecologist guides and fun storytellers who offer 'edu-taining' onboard narratives about the rich marine wildlife in these local waters and islets.

The 'Eco' in EcoCruising also relates to the family's commitment to sustainable operations; while the 'Cruising' in EcoCruising reflects the vessels' unique living room atmosphere. They use low-tech pontoon vessels that are economical to operate, easy to maintain and versatile. Imagine if you were to hop on board one of their three vessels, SeaStar I, II or III; you would come away with a unique experience that marries luxury and comfort with the enjoyment of the natural wonders of a beautiful rugged coastline and marine park islands where seals, whales, sea stars and jelly fish live. Each 28-foot boat holds 12 passengers and surrounds you with tranquil comfort on soft sofas, while it safely cradles you under an all-weather glass dome so you can view the awe-inspiring marine wildlife that call Saanich Peninsula and Saanich Inlet home.

EcoCruising is an ideal activity for everyone of all ages looking for a marine wildlife cruise and with that in mind, the company offers something for everyone and all tastes, including gourmet picnics and sunset cruises for hotel guests; fun tours for seniors from lodges and retirement homes; stable boat rides for clients in wheelchairs; ecology expeditions for world-travelers; eagle viewing for longstay ‘snowbirds’; birthday parties, anniversaries, wedding ceremonies, reunions and memorials.

Want to know who’s already taken advantage of the distinctive experience that EcoCruising has to offer? For example, television talent from the reality show, Canada’s Next Top Model has taken a cruise. In fact, the models came aboard for the premier show, and were filmed as they were taxied to their then secret home in Saanich Inlet.

You would be joining the more than 3000 people who’ve already enjoyed a 30-minute to 3-hour EcoCruise, on one of EcoCruising’s daily tours for wildlife viewing, private charters for group celebrations, shuttles to The Butchart Gardens, or ferry rides to Piers Island.  EcoCruising Charters and Tours departs seasonally and year-round from three locations on Vancouver Island in B.C.; Brentwood Bay Marina, Canoe Cove Marina and Sidney Wharf. In addition to the scenic cruises, services include; scheduled ferry and water taxi to Piers Island, water limo to The Butchart Gardens, as well as water taxis to Portland, Russell and Sidney islands. They also offer wheelchair access and easy parking as well as special discounts and passes. For more information or to book an eco cruise, water taxi or ferry, please visit www.EcoCruising.com or call Tel: 250.655.5211 (bus.) or email info@ecocruising.com.

Sustainable Travel? Really?

Just Look for the Eartcheck Symbol

Let’s see..you’ve chosen a vacation package…check….it meets your budget….check….it has everything you want…check….does it have the Earthcheck certification?  I bet you’re saying, ‘Huh? What’s that?’

If you’ve ever considered taking a sustainable vacation, there are now ways of ensuring you’re getting what you paid for. Your best bet these days is to look for the Earthcheck certification or symbol. It’s like when you’re buying food – look for the heart check symbol. It’s a form of consumer reassurance that you’re getting exactly what you’ve bargained for - in this case a sunny vacation somewhere with peace of mind that you’re maintaining a light tread on this precious earth.

Earthcheck is a fairly new organization that’s been around a few years and provides third party assessment for all kinds of businesses, namely tourism destinations. To be more specific, they design programs and products to help businesses streamline their operations to be more “green”, reduce waste, improve safety and conserve resources in the whole manufacturing process. And they do follow up.  They gather data on things like chemical use, amount of waste that goes to landfills, energy consumption and recycling practices. Each location that is audited by Earthcheck is given a checkup and is informed of ways to improve their green practices.

Although Mexico in general has received a lot of bad press as of late, it is good to remain informed of the areas you can head to if you’re hankering for a bit of Mayan Riviera culture. One particular place that has recently received gold status from Earthcheck is Huatulco in southern Mexico. The coastal paradise became the first tourist destination in the Americas to receive EarthCheck's gold certification earlier this month for meeting the meticulously thorough sustainable tourism requirements of EarthCheck. The requirements range from environmental legislation, energy usage, water conservation, wastewater management, biodiversity, and waste reduction.

Earlier this year at the EarthCheck Sustainable Tourism Forum in Huatulco, Adriana Perez Quesnel, director of the Fondo Nacional del Fomento al Turismo (FONATUR), said, "We are immensely proud to receive this certification and even more so to be the first destination in the Americas to do so. This achievement is a clear demonstration of how government, the private sector and local communities can work together to deliver significant benefits to the world in which we live."

In fact it may interest you to know that Huatalco has received Earthcheck certification for the past five years. Because of this certification, Huatalco will be featured as one of 13 sustainable destinations on a Discovery Channel program to be aired in 2012.

"In Mexico alone, EarthCheck member organizations have saved a combined total of 26,349,880 kg of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) since data started being collected in 2003," said Earthcheck Ambassador Gustavo Ramos Fumagalli in a press release June 3. “"They have also reduced water consumption by 2,196, 674,635L of water, dramatically reducing pressure on natural resources in a country that is familiar with the unforgiving effects of drought."

Earthcheck has provided its “greening” certification and assessment services to more than 65 countries and more than 1,100 businesses worldwide. One shining example they give on their website is in St. Lucia at Sandals Regency La Toc Golf Resort and Spa. They reduced their energy consumption by 51 per cent. In addition, Ecoturismo Kuyima in Mexico is seeing a 97 per cent improvement in their water consumption.

Remember before booking any trip, it is always smart to check with your travel agent or people you know who have been to Mexico, or view travel advisories at www.voyage.gc.ca.

Remember the crime watchdog character, McGruff? If they can give you sustainability and safety in one vacation package, now that would be true peace of mind. For more information about Earthcheck, visit www.earthcheck.org.