Why should we choose eco-friendly gifts? You don’t have to be a scuba diver to understand how our individual decisions can help (or harm) our ocean planet. Save the ocean-themed gifts not only spread joy to the recipient but also play their part in supporting our ocean. We’re here to help you find the perfect gift! Whether you’re looking for environmentally friendly gifts, marine biology gifts or fun gifts that support ocean conservation, the marine gift ideas below are always the right choice!
According to a recent survey, nearly half of us (47%) have stopped using a product because it conflicted with our values. For example, I now buy locally-made, packaging-free bar soap instead of disposable bottles of liquid hand soap. I also encourage myself to look for gifts made from recycled ocean plastic for the holiday season.
So pause before you click BUY on that trending kitchen gadget or toy, and consider an eco-friendly alternative from the list below. Instead, say yes to gifts made from recycled ocean plastic and sustainable living! Not only are these marine gift ideas gentle on the Earth, but they also give back to ocean conservation in some way. Keep reading and give a gift that you’ll feel good about!
Table of Contents
- Make a Donation to PADI AWARE
- Symbolically Adopt a Marine Animal
- Fun and Inexpensive Gifts for Marine Life Lovers
- Gifts to Stimulate Conversations About Conservation
- Sustainable Gifts Made from Recycled Plastic
- Eco-Friendly Gifts They’ll Use Every Day
- Gifts To Keep Pollution Out of the Ocean
- Voluntourism and Sustainable Travel
- Gift a Stay at an Eco-Conscious Dive Resort
Make a Donation to PADI AWARE
Whether you’re searching for eco-friendly gifts for the holidays or looking for the perfect birthday present for the ocean lover in your life, you can make an investment in healthier oceans by purchasing any item on this page. We’ve featured a beautiful selection of marine biology gifts, from symbolically adopting marine animals, to countertop soda makers! Below you’ll find lots of sustainable gift ideas that avoid unnecessary packaging, start conversations about the important issues and focus on businesses doing the right things. Scroll on to find our favorite marine biology friendly gifts for ocean lovers, conservationists or anyone who wants to gift sustainably.
Any Amazon Associates revenue earned from products featured in this article will be donated to the PADI AWARE Foundation®.
Symbolically Adopt a Marine Animal
Support conservation efforts for a specific animal through a symbolic adoption. You can choose from more than two dozen marine animals via REEF, Oceana, Coral Vita, and Coral Gardeners.
When you ‘adopt’ an animal from Oceana, you get a warm and fuzzy feeling from protecting an underwater creature and a plushie to send to your gift recipient.
Oceana offers adoption packages ranging from USD $35 to $75, and you can choose from the critters below:
- Blue whale
- Clownfish
- Dolphin
- Harbor seal
- Harp seal
- Manatee
- Octopus
- Orca
- Penguin
- Puffin
- Polar Bear
- Ray
- Sea otter
- Sea turtle
- Shark
Coral adoptions don’t come with cuddly and soft plushie versions. However, they give a look into the restoration work done with your adopted animals. This is one of the best marine biology gifts for someone who enjoys combining education with awareness.
Adopting a coral from Coral Vita or Coral Gardeners supports active coral restoration initiatives. Additionally, your gift recipient will receive updates so they can witness their coral adoptee become a thriving coral in the wild. You can adopt coral fragments starting at approximately USD $33. A larger and faster developing ‘coral cookie’ is USD $350.
Fun & Inexpensive Gifts for Marine Life Lovers
If marine animal adoption isn’t in your budget, you can still give memorable eco-friendly gifts that support marine life. Let us introduce you to the Fin Pin Shop!
Fin Pin Shop, founded by two marine biologists, shares a love for ocean life through unique, ocean-themed products. With a passion for marine puns and eco-friendly living, they offer items that not only celebrate the sea but also support wildlife conservation and scientific research. Fin Pin has more than a dozen items ranging from USD $5 to USD $35. Most items are $10 US or less! For example, buy a Back Off, Mate sea turtle pin, and consequently 20% of the proceeds support the In Water Research Group’s coastal habitat protection efforts.
View all Fin Pin products that benefit marine life. In addition to the critters listed above, there are glow-in-the-dark coral pins and even a Blue-Footed Booby breast cancer awareness pin. Every purchase helps save our ocean!
Gifts to Stimulate Conversations About Conservation
A lot of divers and ocean lovers are likely already using a reusable water bottle. But these bottles are often quite simple in appearance and could be a lot more eye-catching and interesting if they were covered with “refills not landfills,” or “plastic blows” stickers. Check out these ocean conservation stickers to help your friend show their ocean love every time they hydrate.
Sustainable Gifts Made from Recycled Plastic
You’ve likely read that only 9% of plastic gets recycled. This is due in part to the fact that some plastics can’t be recycled, but also because it’s not profitable to do so. By purchasing gifts made from recycled ocean plastic, you minimize waste and give financial support to an industry dedicated to sustainability.
For example, here are a few up-cycled items that make great eco-friendly gifts:
- Backup or replacement PADI certification cards. Choose from a variety of limited-edition cards from award-winning photographers.
- These colorful recycled plastic shark cups are loved by kids and are an easy way to introduce them to sharks and ocean conservation!
- This limited edition PADI Tiger Shark Rash Guard, is made from recycled fishing nets and ocean plastic.
- A PADI Limited Edition Recycled Plastic Dive Flags Rash Guard in “Teal”
- Another PADI Limited Edition Recycled Plastic Dive Flags Rash Guard in “Black”.
- Lightweight Dive Flag travel-friendly towels, crafted from 80% post-consumer plastic!
- This colourful Parrotfish recycled plastic towel. It’s ideal for travelling thanks to the lightweight material and quick-dry fabric.
- Last on the towels list, is this vibrant green Dorado design recycled plastic beach towel.
Eco-Friendly Gifts They’ll Use Every Day
A recent survey found 88% of people want items to help minimize their environmental impact. So don’t hesitate to give a gift that will help friends and family live a more sustainable life with one of these eco-friendly gifts:
- Everyone uses notebooks, so why not make sure it’s a recycled one – yet super stylish at the same time?
- A reusable K cup. Additionally, add a few bags of ethical coffee you think they’ll enjoy.
- A countertop soda maker for the sparkling water enthusiast in your life.
- Snap-tight snack containers, reusable snack pouches and washable produce bags are useful gifts, but not super exciting… unless you fill them with a homemade treat or your favorite snack.
- These recycled plastic sea turtles make excellent desk ornaments and can be used as pen / glasses / or phone holders – never lose your essentials again!
- We LOVE sprout pencils!!! When you have finished with your pencil, simply plant it and watch it grow into your choice of flower or shrub!
Voluntourism and Sustainable Travel
The most cherished gifts can’t be wrapped in a box.
According to a recent report by Forbes, people who chose experiences over material things felt happier. Additionally, recent research done by the Journal of Happiness Studies found that people who volunteer experience a boost in their mental health. Certainly, a trip to an eco-friendly resort or a voluntourism vacation may be the greatest ‘save the ocean gift’ of all.
A popular ecotourism activity for divers is coral reef restoration. Here are some popular scuba diving destinations with coral reef restoration opportunities:
- Great Barrier Reef, Australia
- Bonaire
- French Polynesia
- Grenada
- Bali, Indonesia
- Kenya
- Maldives
- Florida, USA
Gift a Stay at an Eco-Conscious Dive Resort
If someone you know is deserving of something really special, why not surprise them with a stay at one of the many PADI resorts that promote eco-conscious travel? These resorts and liveaboards meet several criteria. Each one has an unwavering commitment to sustainable practices, offers respectful marine life encounters and has direct involvement with local education and eco initiatives. Check out the PADI Travel site for the complete list.
Some of the best eco-conscious resorts and liveaboards include:
- Sau Bay Resort and Spa (Fiji)
- Assava Dive Resort (Thailand)
- Snefro Love Liveaboard (Egypt)
- Explorer Ventures Humboldt Explorer Liveaboard (Galapagos Islands)
In addition, when you book any trip with PADI Travel, you can choose to offset your carbon emissions and preserve reef biodiversity with the SeaGrass Grow Program. Paired with The Ocean Foundation, the SeaGrass Grow Program works to conserve and restore seagrass and mangrove habitats in Jobos Bay Reserve, Puerto Rico.
If your gift recipient isn’t a diver yet, contact their local PADI Dive Shop and ask about a gift certificate for a Discover Scuba Diving® Experience, or give the gift of an Open Water Diver certification.
Both divers and non-divers alike can also receive the PADI AWARE Specialist certification and learn how to make a positive difference every time they dive or travel.
Eco-Conscious Gifts for Outdoor Adventurers
For ocean lovers, being anywhere near the water is most likely a ‘happy place’. By choosing the right ocean-related gifts, you can make their next dive trip or beach day even more enjoyable. Each of these gifts for beach lovers has a green element, whether it’s recycled materials or an ocean-friendly composition.
Additionally, as not everyone likes to lounge in the sun, we’ve included a couple of gifts made from recycled ocean plastic (and more!) for outdoorsy people who won’t be found on the beach:
- Portable Charger – This Nimble CHAMP Portable Charger is made from recycled products.
- Solar-Powered Lantern – These devices are great for camping and other outdoor adventures. We love this collapsible option.
Please note that this article contains affiliate links, and we may earn a small commission if you purchase an item. Any commissions earned will be donated directly to the PADI AWARE Foundation.
Further Reading
For more ideas on marine biology gifts, and gifts made from recycled ocean plastic, keep reading below.
