Tubber & Sustainable Sailing Greece: Your guide to eco-friendly yacht charter holidays in the Greek Seas

Tubber & Sustainable Sailing Greece: Your guide to eco-friendly yacht charter holidays in the Greek Seas

Planning a sailing trip to Greece? Discover how Tubber and Sustainable Sailing Greece are teaming up to protect the stunning Greek coastline. Learn how to enjoy the ultimate feeling of freedom on the water while minimizing your environmental footprint.

There is no better way to experience the ultimate holiday feeling than on the water; anchoring in a beautiful bay, reading a good book, and unwinding completely away from the daily hustle and bustle. However, as our earth, seas, and oceans face the growing threat of pollution, sustainability has become a crucial factor for yacht charter holidays today.

That is why Tubber is incredibly proud to collaborate with Sustainable Sailing Greece. Together, we are on a mission to educate sailors, promote responsible practices, and protect the beautiful and unique marine ecosystems of the Greek seas for generations of sailors to come.

Tubber’s Mission: Clean the Ocean. Save the Planet.

At Tubber, our mission is to provide everyone with an unforgettable, hassle-free, and care-free sailing experience on the world’s bluest waters. As a platform offering over 18,000 yachts across 750+ destinations worldwide, we believe that a sailing trip is an adventure and a unique way to travel. It is the ultimate natural way to move forward, combining mankind with nature, where the sun, water, and wind all work together to create a journey with a very low CO2 footprint.

We recognize our deep responsibility to the oceans. The amount of plastic and pollution in the water is an ongoing challenge, and we believe it is time for the sailing community to take decisive action. By making mindful choices on the water and adopting everyday sustainability habits such as reducing disposable plastics, avoiding single-use packaging, and managing our overall carbon footprints, we can ensure that sailing remains a pristine, nature-focused experience.

Sustainable Sailing Greece: Who they are & what they do

To help us turn our eco-friendly goals into a reality in one of our most popular destinations, we have partnered with Sustainable Sailing Greece.

Who they are

Sustainable Sailing Greece is a Greek not-for-profit organization dedicated to transforming nautical tourism in Greece into a force for environmental protection, local empowerment, and long-term sustainability. They are a dedicated collective of sailors, environmentalists, educators and advocates working together to ensure that every sailing journey in Greece not only leaves no trace but gives back.

What they do

Through educational outreach, hands-on materials, and active partnerships (both Greek and international), Sustainable Sailing Greece is redefining what it means to sail responsibly. They aim to create a sustainable future for sailing in Greece by:

• Promoting Responsible Practices: They advocate for actionable, science-based practices that protect delicate marine and coastal ecosystems, such as the vital Posidonia meadows.
• Providing Accessible Tools: They equip the sailing community with the knowledge and resources needed to make responsible choices. This includes practical tools like guidebooks, videos, and their signature Sailing Sustainably in Greece Guide to help sailors, skippers, crew, and charter companies reduce their environmental footprint.
• Raising Awareness: They highlight the environmental and social impacts of nautical tourism through dedicated education and advocacy.
• Supporting Local Communities: They advocate for responsible tourism that supports local economies while preserving the natural and cultural heritage of the Greek coastline.
• Strengthening Cooperation: Believing that sustainability is a shared responsibility, they bring together individuals, charter companies, local authorities, and civil society to inspire collective action and address shared environmental challenges in the sailing sector.

Essential Sustainable Sailing tips for your Greek Adventure

To ensure you leave the Greek coastline exactly as beautiful as you found it, we have compiled top sustainable sailing tips directly from the Sustainable Sailing Greece resources:

1. Leave no trace

The smaller Greek islands often do not have the facilities to deal with large amounts of waste.

• Never throw waste overboard: This includes everything from organic matter to cigarette butts.
• Secure your rubbish: Keep all trash safely secured below deck so it doesn't blow away into the sea.
• Hold onto recycling: Keep your recyclable materials on board until you reach a marina or a larger port equipped to process them properly.
• Cut down on single-use items: Avoid takeaway cups and bottled water to instantly reduce your plastic footprint. Opt for reusable bottles and shopping bags instead.

2. Moor safely and protect the seabed

Anchoring incorrectly can cause severe damage to underwater ecosystems.

• Anchor in sand or mud: As all good sailors know, sand or mud gives a much better hold for your anchor, keeping your boat and crew safe. Another critical reason to do this is to avoid vital seagrass beds, which are crucial for marine biodiversity. Ensure your anchor doesn't drag to prevent further seabed damage.
• Tie lines responsibly: When tying long lines to the shore, attach them to sturdy rocks. Avoid tying lines to sand dunes (which protect inland areas from wind and waves) or trees.

3. Prevent marine pollution

What goes into your boat eventually makes its way into the sea.

• Empty holding tanks and bilges safely: It is illegal to have your holding tanks open when in port. You should only empty out when very far from shore in deep water. Where possible, always use shore-based facilities to minimize contamination.
• Use marine-friendly products: Protect water quality by exclusively using marine-friendly, biodegradable sunscreens, shampoos, and boat cleaning products.

4. Lower your speed

You don't always need to sail at full throttle. Reducing your speed from full throttle by just 10% can reduce your fuel usage by a massive 20%. It is an incredibly simple way to lower your carbon emissions, save money, and give yourself more time to take in the magnificent nature around you. Better still, put the sails up!

5. Buy local & choose sustainable seafood

Sustainability isn't just about the environment; it's about supporting the local economies you visit.

• Provision locally: Buy your groceries and supplies from small local shops and independent markets.
• Dine responsibly: When eating at local Greek tavernas, always ask for and choose sustainable seafood options to support healthy fish populations.

6. Respect marine wildlife

Greece is home to gorgeous marine life, and you can appreciate it without causing distress.

• Keep your distance: If you spot marine wildlife, immediately put your engine in neutral and maintain a safe, respectful distance. Avoid making noise, and do not try to approach or swim with them.
• Become a citizen scientist: You can actively help researchers! Report your wildlife sightings using the resources provided in the official Sustainable Sailing Greece Guide.

Ready to sail the blue waters responsibly?

A sailing holiday is the ultimate adventure, but it comes with the duty of keeping our seas pristine for marine life and future generations. Whether you are a first-time visitor or a seasoned sailor, you can join the movement to protect the seas we love.

By combining Tubber’s high-quality yacht charters with the invaluable educational resources of Sustainable Sailing Greece, you can embark on an unforgettable holiday that gives back to the ocean.

Book your next eco-friendly yacht charter with Tubber today, explore the guides from Sustainable Sailing Greece, and let’s work together to keep the sea clean!