Below are some recommeded eco-friendly beach holidays that will allow you to sunbathe with a sound peace of mind.
Manda Island, Lamu, Kenya
Many beach resorst exclude people, but not this one. This resort on an island just 30 minutes by boat from Lamu offers islanders a free boat service to Lamu or to nearby Shela village just five minutes across the channel. As few have their own boats, they are now able to shop or visit friends and family. The resort contributes to the school fund and sources a high proportion of food locally, especially fish and seafood. You can stay in thatched beach huts or treehouses.
Ponta D'Ouro, Mozambique
Stay in beach huts and join marine zoologist Dr Almeida Guissamulo on a volunteering holiday, monitoring dolphins, turtles and coral reef degradation. This is hands-on conservation, not just an excuse for a diving holiday.
La Cienaga Coral Lagoon, Venezuela
Tucked between the mountains of Henri Pittier's National Park, this eco lodge is located right on the shore of a turquoise lagoon. Only reachable by boat, this lodge has a pro-active eco policy to combat coral degradation and works with locals to remove rubbish and monitor illegal fishing. Staying here will help their work.
Levera Beach, St Patrick's, Grenada
From April to September nearly 600 leatherback turtles trudge up these white sands to lay their eggs. Stay at the intimate eco-lodge Paradise Bay, with windmill and solar energy, local food and social programmes such as helping farmers still recovering from Hurricane Ivan to replant crops.
.Gerakas, Zante, Greece
Gerakas is one of those beaches you dream of - unspoilt, quiet and protected from development, thanks to its location in the National Marine Park of Zakynthos, established in 1999 to protect flora and fauna, and in particular the loggerhead sea turtle. Local conservationist Yannis Vardakastanis provides villas, cottages and studios in Gerakas village, while also running a wildlife information centre at the beach.
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