06/01/2026
World Reef Awareness Day
Some of the most extraordinary wildlife experiences in Africa don’t happen on land.
Beneath the waters of the Indian Ocean are vibrant coral reef systems that support thousands of species of fish, turtles, dolphins, sharks, rays, and countless other marine creatures. These reefs are the foundation of an entire ecosystem, yet they are among the most fragile habitats on Earth.
One of the things I love most about the coastal experiences we include in our journeys, whether along South Africa’s Indian Ocean coastline or the pristine waters of Mozambique’s St. Sebastian Peninsula, is that tourism can be a powerful force for conservation when done responsibly.
The fees paid by visitors help fund marine protected areas, reef monitoring, anti-poaching efforts, scientific research, local employment, and environmental education programs. Every diver exploring a reef, every snorkeler marveling at a sea turtle, every angler participating in responsible, regulated fishing, and every traveler choosing conservation-minded operators contributes to protecting these ecosystems for future generations.
It’s hard for some to care about something you’ve never experienced. Once you’ve floated above a living reef, watching schools of fish weave through coral gardens, conservation suddenly becomes very personal.
Today, on World Reef Awareness Day, I’m grateful for the scientists, conservationists, marine rangers, and local communities working to protect these underwater worlds, and for travelers who choose experiences that help ensure these reefs remain healthy and thriving.
Because conservation isn’t just about Africa’s iconic wildlife on land. It’s also about protecting the incredible world that exists beneath the waves.
