People often visit nature, spend time in it, and observe wildlife such as birds, mammals, and fish. These moments bring joy, excitement, and good health while helping to reduce stress. Over 50% of the world’s tourists spend their holidays by the sea! That means every other traveller on the planet seeks to meet Mama Ocean during their time away.
Nature-based holidays in wilderness areas — from scuba diving and sailing to exploring remote islands and coastlines — are among the most sought-after experiences. People are willing to invest significant time and money to reach these destinations, drawn by an instinctive need to reconnect with the natural world.
In nature-based cultures and Indigenous wisdom traditions, our relationship with nature is one of reciprocity. It’s a living exchange — a give and take between humans and the more-than-human world. We don’t simply observe, take photos, and leave. We give back — by caring for the land and sea, by offering gratitude, and by honouring the unseen life forces that sustain us. Even the smallest act — a moment of thanks, a mindful gesture, a cleanup, or a contribution to local conservation — strengthens this sacred bond.
Modern society, however, has largely forgotten these ways. Many travellers — particularly in the Western world — have grown up in cultures of comfort, convenience, and consumption. We fly across the planet to seek beauty and escape, often without considering the cost to the very ecosystems and communities that host us. We have become so accustomed to abundance that we forget our experiences of nature are a privilege, not a right.
For many Western travellers, nature has become a backdrop for recreation rather than a living relationship. We take from these places — their serenity, their beauty, their stories — without always pausing to ask what we might return. Yet this awareness is exactly what’s needed now. True connection begins with humility: recognising our privilege, softening our sense of entitlement, and learning again how to give back.
To travel with awareness is to travel with respect — knowing that every wave, forest, and coral reef has its own spirit and story.
It’s time to restore our relationship with nature. By rekindling reciprocity, we not only help nature heal itself, but we also nurture our own well-being and support the communities whose lives are deeply connected to these ecosystems.
Ocean Eye is a new and unique way for marine travellers to give back to nature and coastal communities during their journeys. Through citizen science and micro-donations, travellers can directly support science, marine biodiversity and local community wellbeing. It’s a simple, concrete step toward living in harmony with our blue planet.