How to travel like an explorer
Where does an explorer choose to journey to? Professional traveler and Oceana ambassador ALEXANDRA COUSTEAU shares the destinations and experiences that stir her love for planet earth
For the magic of the ocean
“My grandfather [Jacques Cousteau] taught me about the interconnectivity of life and the oceans, and how it is complex and magnificent, vulnerable and fragile. From diving with hundreds of sharks in French Polynesia and freediving with wild dolphins in the Bahamas, to swimming belly-to-belly with a juvenile manta ray in Honduras and snorkeling with humpback whales in Maui, the ocean is truly magical. I’ve been blessed with several life-changing moments with marine creatures and from every encounter I come away more determined to protect the oceans – their home and ours.”
For pro-explorer packing
“I travel light, but I always take a scarf on expeditions. It’s just so useful – you can put it in water and put it on your forehead and collapse in the shade if you overheat. I also pack a camera, Revo sunglasses (because of their UV protection) and sunscreen, and I love traveling with an exfoliator, because when you’re out filming and dusty, it’s nice to take a hot shower and scrub all that dirt off your face.”
For an unforgettable adventure
“In my 2009 expedition to Africa, I fell in love with the Okavango Delta in Botswana. We stayed in Wilderness Safaris’ tents out in the wilds, with elephants grazing in front of our tent at dusk under the huge African sky. There’s nothing like it. The drive to the lodge is only about five kilometers, but it took us an hour to get there because there were so many animals. There are a lot of places that are degraded, but it still felt untouched and special, which is truly rare.”
Read more about Alexandra’s work with Oceana here. Book your own bespoke adventure with Blue Marble Travel