Top 5 Tips for Sustainable Travel

by Mihai Pinzariu on December 04, 2019

Going on holiday? Sometimes the fun and games of vacation can be less-than-friendly to the environment, but it doesn’t have to be the case. If you’d like to travel in a more eco-friendly way, we have some tips to help keep your holiday nice to nature.

1. Respect animals and their environments

Exploring native flora and fauna is one of the best parts of travel. Seeing lions in Africa, elephants in Thailand, kangaroos in Australia… it’s all part of the fun and on the bucket list of most travellers. But unfortunately, a lot of native animal encounters can come at the expense of the animal’s welfare. To travel sustainably, animal encounters have to be ethical and responsible.

Try to avoid tourist operators that keep animals captive. These could be zoos, sea parks, elephant or tiger sanctuaries, and even some hotels. Do your research beforehand on ethical animal enclosures and try to find animal sanctuaries and conservation parks that don’t keep animals caged up and treated poorly. Thanks to Google, it’s easy to find which places are ethical and which are not.
Where you can, get up close and personal with animals in their native environment. This is a much better experience for both you and the animals. You can do this by snorkelling or visiting national parks or protected wildlife conservations.

When snorkelling, make sure you respect the animal by not touching them, maintaining a distance when swimming near them, and avoiding sudden movements. Remember, corals are animals too and it’s important that you leave them untouched. If you really want a special moment with sea life, take your GoPro underwater and capture unforgettable moments with a photograph. Make sure your snorkel mask has a GoPro mount so you don’t accidentally drop and lose your camera underwater! (No GoPro? Get a waterproof phone case and take your phone with you for underwater snaps!)

2. Protect oceans and nature from harmful chemicals

People flock towards coastal areas for tropical holidays, but the world’s beaches can’t always handle the swarms of tourists who come for vacations. Overtourism and a lack of understanding how to travel sustainably can pollute waters and damage sea and coral life over time. We already see this happening in many places around the world, and some of the most stunning reefs can easily be ruined by overtourism. Don’t let this discourage you! There’s plenty you can do while travelling to protect oceans and nature from being spoilt by tourism:

Go for a sunscreen that's free of oxybenzone, the most damaging chemical for our oceans. Instead, choose one that is mineral-based and uses zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.

Avoid aerosol sprays as much as possible. We’re talking deodorant and insect repellant, as well as sunscreen. This is especially important if you're spraying on the beach as the particles can easily spray onto the sand and wash into the ocean.

Wear UV-protective swimwear when snorkelling and swimming. These can reduce the amount of sunscreen you'll need by up to 90%. They'll also last you a lot longer than a bottle of sunscreen.

Keep yourself shaded while out and about in nature, take along a beach umbrella, sit under a tree, or pack a small beach tent. These are all options that will reduce your need for lathering on sunscreen.

3. Sustainable transportation

If you’re flying a long distance to arrive to your travel destination, don’t fret. Airplanes may not necessarily be the most sustainable mode of transport, but there’s plenty you can do on the ground to offset those carbon emissions.

Where possible, walk, walk, walk. There’s no better mode of transport out there than walking, and honestly, no better way to explore your holiday destination. It may take time to arrive to where you’re going, but where’s the rush? You’re on holiday!

If the option is there, rent a bicycle. Bikes are another sustainable mode of transport, and you’ll still be able to explore your destination in a much more enjoyable way than if you were driving.

If you’re travelling between towns or cities, try to opt for public transport or carpooling rather than renting a car and driving. Not all countries will have reliable public transport, but if the option exists to hop on a bus or a train, do so! A lot of interstate travel is comfy these days, with onboard WiFi, snacks, and all you need for a comfy ride.

4. Avoid plastic where you can

You’ll hopefully already be doing this at home, but since vacations are all about taking a break, try not to take a break from this good habit. Here’s how you can reduce plastic use when travelling, for a more sustainable holiday:

Take a reusable water bottle with you so that you don’t need to buy plastic water bottles. If you're travelling to a country with undrinkable water, consider purchasing a water filter instead of consuming bottled water.

Bring your own reusable shopping bags, especially if you're the type to splurge on gifts. Every night, you can empty your purchases in your suitcase and take your reusable bag out with you the next day. If you end up with a plastic bag for some reason, keep it and reuse it instead of throwing it in the bin.

Carry reusable cutlery if possible. This will help prevent you from using plastic cutlery and plates from takeaway restaurants.

Don't purchase travel-sized items. It may be nice to have our tiny travel-sized shampoo, conditioner, soap, etc. but this just encourages more plastic waste. If you can't fit full-sized items in your luggage then buy them when you land. Every country has shampoo, conditioner, and toothpaste.

Say no to plastic straws, and if you really need to drink with one, bring your own reusable straw.

If you’re the type to carry wet wipes with you on holiday, opt for a brand that’s biodegradable to reduce the amount of waste you create while on holiday.

5. Less buying, more quality

Shopping for an upcoming holiday can be one of the most fun parts of travel prep. But when buying items, try not to skimp out on quality in favour of something more affordable. Avoid buying cheap quality plastic products that won’t last long, and try to splurge on higher quality gear that will be with you year after year. This will reduce the amount of waste you accumulate over your lifetime.

When buying sunglasses, try to avoid cheap plastic sunglasses that will easily break in your bag. These kinds of glasses may be cheap, but they won’t last long, and they won’t do much good in protecting your eyes from UV damage, either.

If you’re purchasing snorkelling equipment for a beach holiday, consider spending a bit more on high quality items that are made from sustainable materials rather than cheap plastics. Again, these will last you year after year (and maybe even a lifetime), so you won’t have to buy another pair next time you go on vacation. Higher quality gear will be more resilient to natural wear and tear, so it’s better for you as well as the environment.

If you need headphones or earbuds, try to go for a well known brand and buy a pair that will last you a long time. If you can, also avoid using airplane earbuds that are made from cheap plastic and only last a short while.

So there you go, travelling sustainably doesn’t have to mean missing out on fun! There are plenty of small things you can do to make your snorkelling holidays and tropical getaways easy on mother nature. If we can all travel sustainably, then the planet will keep on letting us enjoy its pristine beauty for centuries to come!

How many people dream of snorkelling but don't feel comfortable wearing a snorkel mask?

The answer is: too many! Traditional snorkel masks can be uncomfortable and scary for many people, so the beauty of snorkelling goes undiscovered and unexperienced. Whether it's breathing difficulties, choking on sea water, or foggy goggles, there's a lot that prevents people from enjoying the wonderful sport of snorkelling. And that thought makes us sad.

We think everyone should be able to enjoy the underwater world - safely, comfortably, and easily. That's why we created Ninja Shark and our revolutionary line of full face snorkel masks. They're designed to be super comfy, easy-to-use, and make snorkelling accessible for all. Because nobody should miss out on discovering what's under the sea.

The Influencer @lud.around is a NINJASHARK lover!

NINJASHARK is the sound of a revolution in snorkeling. Whereas other water equipments companies are constantly adding poor quality products, we listen to your feedback and constantly improve our products to fit for all of your needs. 

While other water equipments companies offer just a way to look under the water, NINJASHARK wants to create an amazing experience for water enthusiasts. That's why we listen to your feedbacks and we develop products based on them.

"I'm not leaving my room without the mask. The full face snorkeling mask from Australia is comfortable and fit me perfectly! Love how easy it is to breath out your nose and mouth when you snorkeling and even has earplugs!"

“The mask include GOPRO mounts, so you can easily film and photograph underwater scenery! I highly recommend especially to people who have a fear of snorkeling! This mask is really easy to use and is safe!” said @lud.around. “I can’t wait for my next trip with my new mask!”

The Ninja Shark full face snorkel masks makes your experiences the best they can be. They are exclusively sold on the Ninja Shark website.

The Ninja Shark full face snorkel masks comes equipped with advanced Anti-Fog technology, automatic drainage, no CO2 Buildup with improved uni-directional valves, and a revolutionary breathe flow system so you can breathe through both your nose and mouth.

CHECK OUR NEW PRODUCTS

VIEW DETAILS

“If you thought we’re just here to sell you products, think again. You’re part of the Ninja Shark family, and your feedback matters! We’re constantly working to improve our products and deliver the full face snorkel mask that exists only in our dreams!”

What customers are saying about us…

“Awesome set.

Loved the complete set. I even used the waterproof phone pouch to take photos and videos underwater. It made my Fiji experience so much better than using the free snorkel set that hurt your face after 2hours and leaving a sun/mask mark. The ninja leaves no marks and gives great vision under water in comparison. It did take some getting used to but it definitely paid off! Only frustration is that the tightening straps are quite basic; they should be much simpler to loosen and tighten both in and out of water.” – Jock

Try our line of snorkelling and swimming gear
by Ninja Shark! You’ll love it.

CHECK OUT OUR PRODUCTS

All Ninja Shark Products are tailor-made
with medical silicone.

We care about making our products safe and healthy for you—and our planet.

That’s why the Ninja Shark Full Face Snorkelling Masks are made from a non-toxic and environmentally friendly anti-allergic medical grade silicone, that’s not only safer for your kids but safer for you too.

Amazing

The best snorkel and mask combination. No going back now! I could snorkel for over an hour easily. So glad I made this purchase

Mermaid

While travelling in Timor leste l met a fellow snorkeller. We snorkelled for 10 days together the food was shit but the water was stunning. The friend was using Ninja Shark fins and mask mine were steaming up, letting in water and heavy. On arriving back in Australia l ordered straight away.
I was a little bit anxious on receiving my order as the mask was quite different to my old one and the fins were short and adjustable ( l wanted them to be my size ! ) well to my luck the weather was beautiful ( yes mid winter in Mackay ) and perfect for boating so off we scooted to Cockermouth ( don't laugh it's a real place ) jumping in and WOW I'm now a mermaid 🧜‍♀️ the mask and fins felt like part of me. I actually cried as not only was the equipment allowing me to explore as l wanted but the reef was STUNNING. So lm indepted to Ninja Shark for making me the mermaid l always aspired to be 🧜‍♀️

Took it to Tahiti

I wasn’t quite sure about getting a full face mask but bought mine (Electra package) before a trip to Tahiti which we got home from yesterday - absolutely LOVED it!!! I’ll be getting one for my wife before our next trip to a similar destination. BTW I make LOTS of crazy videos with lots of toys.

Life changing

I do love my full face snorkel.. the freedom of nose breathing under the water.. the meditative and relaxative effect of this snorkeling is unexpected and great. Fits so well.. comfy to wear for long time.. highly recommend

Package : Air Adults (Mask + Fins + Bag)

Super quality & fit

So happy we got Ninja shark, perfect for Great barrier reef snorkel day.
Flippers, mask, dry wallet, carry bag (good quality bag), anti fog spray, happy days.

Ninja Shark Kids Mask

We recently brought the Ninja Shark Kids 3-11 Mask + Fins + Bag package for our 7 year old who absolutely loves it! Will be buying three more for the rest of the family. 😊

Package: Longer Tube (Mask + Fins + Bag) 3-11 Years

Even better than expected!

I saw the kids full face snorkel masks online, and thought they looked pretty cool. I ordered two for Christmas, for my 3 and 6 year olds. Wow, did they have a great time with them!

I wasn't sure how the 3 year old would go with it, but he was comfortable in it almost immediately, and spent hours swimming around and seeing a whole new world of underwater scenery.

They were easy to fit, zero issues with them staying on. No leaks or fog.

They can't wait to get back to the water!

Highly recommend this product :)

Longer Tube Full Face Snorkel Mask for Kids (3-11 Years)

mask swimming

The mask did exactly what was stated. I was very happy and will get another mask for my daughter.

Great way to swim

I have NEVER been able to snorkel but love swimming. These full face snorkels are an absolute game changer in my life. Now I try to swim around 5 kms a week in the local pool. The Ninja mask makes it easy to do laps. I’ve been using the Ninja Shark for a quite few years and find the new Electra the best full face mask ever. No leaks, no fog and really easy to use and great quality. I’ve noticed my regular chats with other swimmers at the pool have encouraged many of them to purchase one of their own. I’ve given my older models to my grandkids and they love them too.

Fabulous

I got one for the 3 year old and one for the 5 year old, I thought maybe the 3 year old would get the hang of it eventually but they both loved it and mastered it pretty quickly. We’ve only used in the swimming pool, excited to go snorkeling in the ocean soon. Great product.

Love it!

Amazing product ! Have the electra package, kids love it. So easy to use. Highly recommend

Love it

Bought these for myself and my husband after getting the full face masks for the kids, and they were so good we’re getting them for the rest of the extended family for Xmas. The fact u can dive down and not get water down ur snorkel is a brilliant bonus! Makes our family holidays much easier and better without snorkel dramas!

This made our holiday

The product itself was amazing, but the service we received allowed us to get our 2 sets of masks for our cruise. We took them with us and used them multiple times for snorkelling on our cruise to Nouméa and New Caledonia. It was amazing snorkelling and being able to breathe easily, and the fins were the most comfortable I've ever used. I've got size 13 feet, and not only were they completely adjustable, but they were THE most comfortable fins ever invented. A massive shoutout to Colleen Zamora from your support staff who helped me out and made it possible to take our gear on holidays! Thanks Colleen!
The photo is us snorkelling off Amadee Island looking for turtles!

Package: Equaliser PRO (Mask + Fins + Bag)

<3 em

So, I had the old type standard snorkle set I saw the add on tiktok thought I would give it a go. ONG I love them!!! They are so comfortable easy to get on and off and very very good to snorkle with I can see perfect clear thru them and doesn’t fill up with water! A very happy camper

Equaliser PRO Full Face Snorkel Mask for Adults

My kids love them

I’ve got three of these masks for my younger kids, however the oldest wants one too as the young ones rave about how good the are.

Summer Family Fun

Our Ninja masks have made snorkelling as a whole family very easy and enjoyable. The kids (and parents) find them super easy to use and have allowed us as a family of five to snorkel for longer than we ever could using traditional snorkel gear. I would highly recommend these masks.

Air Adults - Full Face Snorkel Mask for Adults

Lifetime warranty

Glad I have but haven’t needed to use .. yet

Great Mask

Love this mask. Kids find it so much easier snorkelling with the Ninja Shark. The snorkel mask is super clear and doesn’t fog up. The adjustable straps are great and easy to loosen and tighten. Very happy that we made the decision to get these for the kids.

A must for snorkelers!

Recently purchased the Equaliser Pro Mask, Finns and bag. 🤿 🐠🐡🐟🦈 Had an amazing time snorkeling off Fitzroy Island, the Pro mask allowed me to explore for over 7 hours. Higly recommend! Planning must next snorkeling trip! 🤿💦🌴☀️

awsome

we used our new masks over the weekend. they were amazing, my daughter barely had her head out of the water all day.

life warranty

This is great! More stores should do it!

Fantastic snorkel!

Our 5 year old has never snorkelled. Put it on and was snorkelling no problem straight away! Easy for him to put on and off by himself. We bought the full package with flippers (also amazing and he can put them on by himself) and the two wet bags. The foldable snorkel is so handy for storing while we are travelling. And the lifetime warranty gives us great comfort that we can use it for future trips! We are so impressed with this product I’m going to get mum and dad one too!

Kids snorkel

It is a lot easier for the younger children to have fun and snorkel without worrying about their nose breathing. My 6 year old swims confidently and happily.

Air Kids - Full Face Snorkel Mask for Kids

Good clear vision

The first time I tried the mask, I felt I’d made a mistake to buy one!
But with a bit more trial and error and a few more readjustments, I managed to settle into using it.
Each time I went for a snorkel, there was always the need to readjust because you don’t necessarily get the mask on in exactly the same position as it was in the last use. The mask always kept water from entering the eye area, but at times I couldn’t completely seal the mouth area and small amounts of water would seep in, but not stop me from breathing! I never managed to breath with my nose, only with my mouth.
On a big plus, I never had issues with fogging up and you get good clear area of vision. I also wear multi focal glasses, so to solve the problem of poor vision in a snorkel mask, I bought very cheap and ugly pair of glasses with large lenses! I then took the arms off the glasses and carefully placed them inside the eye area of the mask and kept them in place with a piece of blu tac!! 😆 It worked beautifully for my distance vision which is is used the most when snorkelling! I might try an old pair of prescription lenses next time, and then I might be able to read the underwater camera settings as well!
The mask can be a bit fiddly at times, and awkward to get into the right place, but with some patience it did really well, and I never resorted to going back to use my ‘normal’ mask and snorkel. We snorkelled in both calm and choppy water successfully. 🤓🐠🐟🐡🦀🐙
Thanks Ninja Shark!

Kids loved them!

We bought two long tube masks for the girls as a Xmas present, they first tested them in the bath!! The next trip was the beach, they spent hours in the water, my 3yr old son wanted to use the masks too. He loved it as well, he'll be getting one for his birthday. 😊

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