Embracing Eco-Friendly Boating and Watersports with Explore The Outside in Vourvourou

Nestled in the pristine beauty of Vourvourou, Sithonia, in Halkidiki, Greece, Explore The Outside offers an unparalleled boating and outdoor experience. Our company is deeply committed to sustainable nautical tourism, ensuring that our guests can enjoy the natural splendor of this NATURA 2000 protected area while minimizing their environmental impact. At Explore The Outside, we believe in leaving no trace, allowing future generations to experience the untouched beauty of Vourvourou just as we do today.

History of Environmental Awareness

During the 1960s, the faculty of the University of Thessaloniki developed the concept of an environmentally-aware holiday resort and realized this idea nearby Vourvourou. Designed by Professor Thales Argyropoulos, it has become well known for its environment-friendly design and respect for the natural surroundings and has become one of the most prestigious resorts of its kind in Greece.

Discover Vourvourou

Vourvourou is arguably the most beautiful tourist location of the Halkidiki Region and a unique destination, thanks to a rare combination of wonderful sea and lush mountain. Visitors will be amazed by its lace of beautiful beaches (such as Fava, Karydi, Xifara, and Livari to name a few), with their pine-flanked sandy coasts and crystal-clear aquamarine waters.

The Bay of Vourvourou has calm waters and is surrounded by a cluster of nine islands, among which the well-known Diaporos, where the strait of “Blue Lagoon” with its green-blue waters and sandy sea bottom is located. Just rent a boat and visit this unique place with your friends and family. In and around the Bay of Vourvourou, dozens of isolated and only-accessible-by-sea beaches and inlets are waiting for the visitor to enjoy them. All that is needed for a relaxed and romantic full-day field trip are a rented boat, a basket, and water.

Our Commitment to Sustainable Boating

Explore The Outside is dedicated to eco-friendly boating practices. We understand the importance of preserving Vourvourou’s unique ecosystem and are committed to maintaining its natural beauty. Our eco-friendly mission is reflected in every aspect of our operations, from the boats we use to the guidelines we provide our guests.

Eco-Friendly Practices on Our Private Boat Tours

Our private boat tours are designed with sustainability in mind:

• Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products: We use biodegradable cleaning products to minimize water pollution.
• Efficient Fuel Use: Regular maintenance of our boats ensures they run efficiently, reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
• Guest Participation: We encourage our guests to adopt eco-friendly habits, such as reducing plastic use and properly disposing of waste.

Sustainable Bare Boat Rentals

When renting a boat from Explore The Outside, we provide detailed guidelines to ensure eco-friendly boating:

• Proper Waste Disposal: We ask renters to bring back all trash for recycling, rather than discarding it in the sea.
• Minimizing Water Usage: We advise guests to clean off sand before boarding to help reduce water usage for cleaning the boat.
• Respect for Marine Life: We instruct renters to avoid protected areas and not disturb marine habitats.

Eco-Conscious Watersports Activities

We offer a variety of watersports activities, all designed to be as eco-friendly as possible:

• Non-Toxic Sunscreens: We encourage the use of reef-safe sunscreens to prevent water pollution.
• Eco-Friendly Equipment: Our watersports equipment is chosen for its minimal environmental impact.
• Respecting Habitats: We educate participants on avoiding sensitive areas and respecting marine life.

NATURA 2000 and Vourvourou

NATURA 2000 is a network of protected areas covering Europe’s most valuable and threatened species and habitats. It is the largest coordinated network of protected areas in the world, extending across all 27 EU Member States, both on land and at sea. The gulf of Vourvourou is part of this wider area and extends for kilometers, embracing the island of Diaporos and nine smaller islands and islets. Diaporos, covered largely with pine forests and diverse shrubs, is an autonomous protected ecosystem. On its seashore, visitors can enjoy sandy beaches and shallow warm waters, ideal for families, while hikers can explore trails that cross the island from side to side. Rent a small boat and explore its isolated beaches, always respecting the nature that hosts us, gathering our garbage and driving responsibly for everyone’s safety.

Exploring Mt. Itamos

But Vourvourou is not just the sea. It is also the mountain. Mt. Itamos is the highest and biggest mountain range of the Sithonia Peninsula, its top rising at approximately 800 meters above sea level. It is a protected NATURA 2000 area. Its flora comprises pines and other conifer trees and its fauna includes animals such as rabbits, wild pigs, foxes, wolves, and jackals.

Educating Our Guests

Education is key to our eco-friendly efforts. We provide:

• Pre-Trip Briefings: Informative sessions on eco-friendly practices before each trip.
• Informational Materials: Brochures and signs that highlight how guests can minimize their environmental impact.
• Trained Staff: Our staff is well-trained to guide and assist guests in following eco-friendly practices.

Community and Environmental Initiatives

Explore The Outside is proud to be an active participant in local environmental initiatives:

• Environmental Clean-Ups: We regularly organize and participate in local beach and sea clean-ups.
• Partnerships: We collaborate with local environmental organizations to support conservation efforts.
• Education and Awareness: We work with local community groups to promote environmental awareness and sustainability.

At Explore The Outside, we are passionate about protecting Vourvourou’s natural beauty and ensuring that nautical tourism can coexist harmoniously with the environment.

By embracing eco-friendly practices, we invite you to join us in our mission to preserve this stunning area for future generations. Book an eco-friendly private boat tour or rental with us today and experience the thrill of boating in a way that respects and protects nature.