Committed to Sustainability
As one of the most established diver operators on the Great Barrier Reef, Tusa Reef Tours has a strong commitment to sustainable tourism, and over our 40-year history we have strived to minimise our impact on the environment, and we continue to seek potential improvements into the future.
We consider our footprint and sustainability actions with every purchase and decision we make. Our ambition is to be eco-friendly and sustainable across everything we do on Tusa Reef Tours and we continue to look for additional opportunities to reduce our impact through our operations.
As an Advanced Eco Certified business, Tusa Reef Tours is recognised as one of Australia’s leading and most innovative ecotourism products, and we are certified as an operation that has minimal impact on the environment and provides opportunities to learn about the Reef’s wider eco-system.
Climate change has a negative effect on the marine environment, including warming sea temperatures and ocean acidification. Our company’s actions to reduce carbon emissions have been recognised through the Climate Action Certification Program recognising our company’s commitment to tackle climate change by implementing a range of emission reduction measures, and by evaluating and measuring our carbon footprint.
In 2024 our parent company, Entrada Travel Group, signed a “carbonreduce” contract with Toitū Envirocare. Choosing Toitū Envirocare means partnering with a respected leader in sustainability certification. Right now, we’re in the measurement stage, collecting data on every aspect of our operations so we can identify our current footprint and find areas where we can make the greatest impact in reduction.
We are committed to achieving best practices, using resources wisely, contributing to conserving the environment and supporting our local communities.
Low Impact Diving Practices
Tusa Reef Tours is committed to minimizing its impact on the marine environment. To achieve this, we have implemented important low-impact diving practices, which includes not dropping anchors on the reef, minimizing all potential contact with the coral, and educating our guests on how to maintain neutral buoyancy to avoid disturbing the delicate ecosystem.
Tusa Reef Tours is a recognised digital member of the Green Fins initiative, implemented internationally by The Reef-World Foundation and the UN Environment Programme, and follows the Green Fins Code of Conduct best practices for both above and below the water.
Waste Reduction
Tusa is committed to reducing waste and championing low-waste alternatives. We recycle all possible waste materials and contribute to the Containers for Change initiative. Funds collected from the Containers for Change programme are invested back into sustainable initiatives and charities.
We also use reusable water bottles and provide water refill stations on board to minimize the use of single-use plastic bottles. And through the use of digital technology such as tablet devices onboard, we have removed an estimated 80% of the previously required paperwork used on tour. Plus, we are working closely with PADI to transition all required paperwork into digital zero-waste formats.
Education and Awareness
Tusa Reef Tours is committed to educating its guests about the need to protect the marine environment. We provide all guests with information on responsible diving practices, the impact of climate change on the reef, and ways that they can minimize their impact on the environment long after their visit.
We also offer the opportunity to contribute to GBRMPA’s ‘Eye on the Reef‘ program. The monitoring and assessment program empowers Tusa guests to play a pivotal role in the long-term preservation of the GBR. By collecting information about reef health and marine animals, our guests become vital contributors to shaping how we safeguard this natural wonder.