Expedition Impact Program

Expedition Impact Program is sponsored by Expedition Impact Program (likely supported by various cruise lines/travel industry entities for ocean conservation). This program funds community-based ocean conservation projects in the places expeditions explore. Grants help partners address marine plastic pollution, sustainable fisheries, climate change resilience, sustainable tourism, and behavior change.

Expedition Impact Program - Travel that Advances Ocean Conservation Expedition Impact Program Advancing ocean conservation through travel-funded plastic pollution offsets, local conservation grants, and coral restoration. Your Travel Advances Ocean Conservation When you join an Oceanic Society expedition , your travel directly supports plastic pollution cleanup, local conservation projects, and coral reef restoration.

These meaningful conservation initiatives are made possible through the Expedition Impact Program , funded by Oceanic Society and partners who share our mission for every booking made with us.

Pounds of Ocean Trash Removed Per Traveler Climate-Resistant Corals Planted Per Traveler Awarded Annually in Ocean Conservation Grants Travel That Protects Oceans and Communities Since 1969, Oceanic Society has used travel as a powerful tool for conservation, supporting communities and conservation efforts across the destinations we explore.

Each of our expeditions is designed to immerse travelers in the ocean’s beauty and advance our mission of building a healthier future for the sea and those who depend on it. Through the Expedition Impact Program, every traveler contributes to meaningful and tangible conservation outcomes—reducing ocean plastic, funding critical conservation projects, and restoring reefs for future generations.

Funded by Oceanic Society, with additional support from mission-aligned operators and traveler donations, the program ensures your expedition has a lasting impact long after you return home. Explore stories from our Expedition Impact Program to learn more about how Oceanic Society travelers are supporting ocean conservation on the ground.

How Passive Whale Watching Reshaped Whale Encounters in Loreto, Baja California Three Decades of Conservation Travel on Belize’s Barrier Reef Oceanic Society Announces Expedition Impact Program Grant Recipients for 2026 Rebuilding Coral Reefs in Indonesia with the Coral Triangle Center How Conservation Travel Is Helping Protect Fiji’s Coral Reefs Connecting Travelers and Conservation in Indonesia 200 pounds of ocean trash removed for every traveler For every traveler, Oceanic Society funds four days of waste collection, providing salary support to local beach cleaners in Watamu, Kenya, and Alor, Indonesia, through our partners at Watamu Marine Association and Planet Deep.

Each worker removes an average of 50 pounds of marine litter per day, clearing plastics, fishing gear, glass, and other litter from the coast. In Kenya, waste is processed by EcoWorld Recycling, a community-run social enterprise that turns “trash into cash” by recycling, upcycling, and safely disposing of materials—creating jobs and reinvesting in conservation.

Three Corals Planted Per Traveler Coral reefs support a quarter of all marine life, yet they are disappearing at alarming rates. The Expedition Impact Fund invests in coral restoration initiatives that rebuild reef habitats and strengthen ecosystem resilience worldwide.

In partnership with the Coral Triangle Center, every expedition passenger helps plant three climate-resistant corals in the Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area off Bali, Indonesia—a region Oceanic Society has traveled to for more than three decades.

Financial support that empowers local conservation groups For every booking, we contribute to a conservation grants fund that provides critical support to local conservation partners in the regions we visit.

Each year, we award grants to grassroots nonprofits addressing key challenges in marine conservation, including research and monitoring, community-led conservation efforts, and initiatives that create sustainable livelihoods tied to wildlife protection—helping communities earn income while safeguarding the species and habitats they depend on.

Grants range from $1,000–$10,000 per project, ensuring that conservation is locally driven, effective, and connected to real-world impact. Since the launch of our grants program in 2019 and plastic pollution efforts in 2022, the Expedition Impact Program has had a profound impact thanks to our travelers and supporters.

In 2026, our impact expands to include coral restoration in partnership with the Coral Triangle Center—advancing a global movement for ocean conservation.

of trash removed from coastlines through our Plastic Pollution Offset Program Local Conservation Grants awarded in small grants supporting community-based marine conservation efforts In support of the Coral Triangle Center's goal to restore 6,000 m² of reef in Nusa Penida MPA Expeditions that Support Ocean Conservation Download our free travel catalog and explore 40+ expeditions that support ocean conservation through nature and wildlife immersion.

Frequently Asked Questions What conservation initiatives does my trip support? Expand Every booking automatically funds the removal of 200-220 lbs of ocean plastic, plants three climate-resistant corals , and contributes to our conservation grants pool that supports community-led projects in expedition destinations. Will I see Expedition Impact Program conservation projects during my expedition?

Expand When possible, we integrate program-supported projects into expedition itineraries so you can meet local conservation leaders and see the work your contributions support. Not every expedition will visit current projects, but we share updates about program impact across all our destinations through pre-trip and post-trip communications. How do you select the community projects or conservation initiatives to fund?

Expand Projects are selected based on their alignment with Oceanic Society’s mission and their potential for meaningful, tangible impact. To be eligible, a project must take place in an Oceanic Society expedition destination or country, focus on ocean conservation and ocean health, be achievable within 12 months, and have a connection to our expedition programs.

We do not fund projects that primarily benefit institutions, are political in nature, involve consumptive wildlife use, or provide only individual professional development. This ensures that every initiative supported through the Expedition Impact Program directly benefits communities, ecosystems, and the oceans we explore. How is the Expedition Impact Program funded?

Expand The program is funded primarily by Oceanic Society on a per passenger, per trip basis (automatic with each booking), with additional support from expedition operators who share our mission, and voluntary donations from travelers. Can I continue supporting the Expedition Impact Program after my trip? Expand Yes!

We warmly invite travelers and partners to contribute to the Expedition Impact Program if they feel called to extend their impact. You can make voluntary donations when booking or after your trip, helping fund ongoing projects around the world.