Responsible traveler’s guide

• Feel free to ask your travel consultant for more information about the destination, for these little things that mean everything. Try not to spoil every part of your vacation…
• Take a look at our blog to get to know more about the destination: its culture, its customs and its history.
• Learn a few words of Reo Tahiti to impress people and chit-chat with the locals 
• Leave stress behind
• Pack basics and essentials only, make room for memories
• To get to the international airport, take the train instead of driving... Your responsibility starts at home!
• Choose an airline committed to sustainable development and, if possible, a local airline to also support the country's economy.

Let's avoid...

• Stereotypes
• To stay focus on your little habits, your daily life
• To take pictures of people without asking
• To venture alone, without a guide, off the marked trails without anyone knowing

But rather...

• Keep an open mind and be respectful
• Show your pictures to your "models" or even better, hand them a copy
• Stay on the beaten track and make sure to be accompanied and to inform someone of your itinerary

• Sort your waste and take a small bag with you to avoid throwing it away during an excursion.
• Choose an eco-friendly sun protection
• Take your flask everywhere to avoid using plastic bottles
• Turn off electrical appliances, lighting, air conditioning and shut off the tap
• Try to pick eco-responsible accommodation: try to find the coconut pictogram on our website

Let's avoid

• Keeping the same consumption habits and buying imported products 
• Feeding the animals: Feeding wild animals alters their natural behavior and can make them dependent on humans.
• Touching the animals: Human contact can transmit diseases to the animals and disturb their behavior.
• Throwing waste overboard: All waste should be disposed of in designated bins.
• Anchoring on coral reefs: Anchoring can damage coral reefs, which are fragile ecosystems.
• Collecting shells on the beach (as some inhabitants have made them their home) and touching protected species.
• Bringing animal and/or plant products in or out of the country without declaring them.

But rather...

• Consume local products, stop by small picturesque restaurants which priotarize short circuits and buy craftsmanship
• Swap your sneakers for flip flops and live by the local lifestyle
• Listen to the guide's instructions during an excursion: The guide is a professional who knows the animals and their environment. Follow their instructions carefully to ensure everyone's safety and to avoid disturbing the animals.
• Favor choosing tourism providers committed to an eco-responsible approach: don't hesitate to ask your travel agent for advice.
• Go cycling or enjoy an electric scooter ride in the islands: in addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, you can better appreciate the sound of waves breaking on the beaches and that of the wind blowing between the palms of coconut trees...

Let’s avoid…

• Sudden movements and splashing, which can frighten away sensitive marine species such as whales, dolphins, turtles and rays.
• Getting too close to marine and land animals. Keeping a safe distance ensures their tranquility, preserves their natural behavior and reduces stress.
• Do not go out to sea during sensitive periods (reproduction, rest), particularly for whales, so as not to disturb these critical moments for their survival.
• Picking endemic plants or wild flowers. Preserving them helps to maintain the balance of the archipelago's flora.

But rather…

• Go during the week, when human numbers are lower, to minimize the impact on species' habitats.
• Listen to the advice of local guides, trained to ensure respectful, undisturbed interaction with the animals.
• Observe wildlife in silence, allowing for a more authentic experience and minimizing disturbance to the animals.
• Use silent cameras and raise awareness by sharing photos that highlight local biodiversity.
• Take part in local actions: for example, educational workshops on marine conservation where you will learn about efforts to protect turtles, tropical fish and coral.

Let’s avoid…

• Touching or moving elements of the marae (sacred sites): these spiritual places bear witness to the richness of our history and cultural heritage.
• Bring back stones, shells or natural elements from these sites: they are an integral part of their authenticity and history.
• Venture off the marked footpaths, in order to limit the erosion and degradation of these fragile sites.
• Disturbing the atmosphere of the sites with loud music or any other noise that disturbs the tranquility of the sites.
• Damaging and polluting the sites in order to preserve them as they are.
   

We prefer…

• Follow the marked paths and the guide's instructions to avoid any unintentional damage and better understand the symbolism of the sites.
• Learn from the locals about the customs and stories associated with the sites, for an enriching and respectful experience.
• Take part in cultural awareness programmes, often run by local people, which provide a deeper understanding of the culture and the importance of preserving these sites.
• Watch this video to discover simple and effective ways of respecting the places you visit.
• Opt for an educational guided tour. These tours offer a local perspective, enriching everyone's experience while integrating environmental and heritage protection practices.

Let's avoid

• The most popular itineraries during high season when possible 
• Touching artifacts and archaeological vestige

But rather...

• Think outside the box and choose less crowded destinations which turn out to be as beautiful