After obtaining Friend of the Sea certification, SailBluEyes has joined the Tourism & Conservation Alliance, the new international responsible tourism programme promoted by the World Sustainability Foundation.
Experiences at sea are increasingly appreciated by those wishing to experience nature up close. Today, however, a journey can also become a concrete opportunity to contribute to the protection of marine ecosystems, turning tourism into a tool for awareness-raising and conservation.
This is the philosophy behind SailBluEyes, an experiential sailing tourism project that combines sailing, environmental education and scientific outreach in the Mediterranean Sea.
SailBluEyes was born from a shared idea, arising from the meeting of a passion for the sea and the desire to tell its story in an authentic way. The project was developed by Alessia Rizzo, a naturalist biologist and head of scientific outreach, together with Daisy and Sandro, who have made the sea their home and their work. This combination of different experiences and perspectives has given life to a project dedicated to exploration, knowledge and the enhancement of the marine world.
Through guided snorkelling activities and real ‘open-air laboratories’, Alessia accompanies guests as they discover marine biology, guiding them in observing the biodiversity of the Mediterranean. Each outing thus becomes an experience of learning and awareness-raising, capable of bringing participants closer to the sea in a conscious and respectful way.
SailBluEyes offers experiences for companies and private individuals, from Blue Crew team-building programmes to BioSailExperience, weeks of sailing dedicated to marine biology, as well as themed weekends and online training courses, all united by the aim of promoting authentic and respectful knowledge of the sea.
Friend of the Sea and the Tourism & Conservation Alliance
In 2025 SailBluEyes obtained certification from Friend of the Sea, the World Sustainability Organization (WSO) project for certifying products and services that respect marine habitats and aquatic species.
In the case of SailBluEyes, the certification covers sustainable snorkelling and sustainable whale watching activities, carried out with respect for marine habitats and wildlife. The standards include, among other requirements, operator training, the adoption of responsible behaviour during activities, the elimination of single-use plastic on board and the collection of scientific data to support conservation.
Its recent entry into the Tourism & Conservation Alliance represents a further step in SailBluEyes’ sustainability journey. Launched by the World Sustainability Foundation, a non-profit organisation established by the World Sustainability Organization, the alliance is aimed at tourism operators who wish to connect their activities concretely with biodiversity protection through communication tools, networking opportunities and direct support for conservation projects.
One of the programme’s distinctive features is its direct connection with biodiversity protection projects, divided into the Land and Sea strands. For the first six months of the annual programme, SailBluEyes will support, within the Sea strand, Fondazione Cetacea, which works to protect the marine ecosystem and runs one of Italy’s main Sea Turtle Rescue, Care and Rehabilitation Centres in Riccione.
The SailBluEyes experience shows how tourism can go beyond travel, becoming a concrete opportunity to bring people closer to the sea and contribute actively to its conservation.
