What makes EcoMarine, Malta worth the visit?

EcoMarine combines dolphin encounters with scientific research, collecting marine data on every voyage. Each trip is unhurried and intentional, with sustainable tourism that directly supports understanding and protecting Malta's marine life.

Malta, Europe

EcoMarine

From the rugged western cliffs to the hidden reefs below, Eco Marine Malta offers a gateway to the islands’ wilder side where the focus remains on genuine and respectful encounters with the Mediterranean’s rich biodiversity

There came a moment in my life when I knew I didn’t just want to study the sea — I wanted to share it. I wanted people to feel the same wonder I feel when dolphins surface beside the boat, when the water shimmers with life and when the horizon seems endless.

EcoMarine Malta was born from that dream: to bring people close to nature in a way that is gentle, unhurried and deeply meaningful. Over time, this passion grew into something even bigger, as we began combining these unique experiences with scientific research, collecting valuable data on marine life while at sea. Today, EcoMarine truly embodies sustainable tourism as a means for conservation — where every trip is not only an unforgettable encounter with the marine world, but also a step towards understanding, protecting and preserving it for the future.

We don’t have a fixed property — our “office” is the sea and the great outdoors. All our activities take place either on the water or surrounded by nature. For our sea adventures, we currently use a 50-foot Bavaria sailing boat — spacious, comfortable and equipped with everything you need for a relaxing day at sea.

When we explore on land, our nature walks start and finish at set meeting points, but the real magic happens along the way, with the sights, sounds and stories of Malta’s coast.

We do have an office at the University of Malta, which we use for our research work, but the experiences we share with guests are all about being out there — feeling the wind, the sun and the beauty of the sea and nature around us.

A Shared Journey

We translate science into simple, captivating stories, invite our guests to take part in real research and guide them to connect slowly and respectfully with the sea

secret treasures

From tucked-away coves with crystal-clear water to calm snorkelling spots, visitors who venture beyond the crowds will discover a side of the island many miss

Passion over Profit

Dive deep with a team who want to share their love for the Mediterranean and its creatures, and who live every day guided by a simple principle — respect

Recharge in nature

Join us for an aperitivo and a swim during the sunset after a marine life spotting session

Your Hosts - Patrizia & Giovanni

EcoMarine Malta was born from a very personal choice. I’m Patrizia Patti, a marine biologist, and my love for the ocean began when I was just five years old. I still remember sitting in the cinema watching Orca, the Killer Whale. The story touched me so deeply that, even as a child, I knew my life would somehow be connected to dolphins, whales and the sea. Since then, the ocean has always been my safe place — the space where I find peace, strength and the energy to keep going.

I studied marine mammals for years, fascinated by their intelligence and beauty, but along the way I realised something important: research alone wasn’t enough. While working as a marine biologist in resorts, I saw how people’s eyes lit up when I explained the mysteries of the sea in simple words. I understood then that what the ocean needs is not only scientists, but storytellers — people who can open a door for others to experience its wonder, fall in love with it and feel the responsibility to protect it. That became my mission.

Giovanni, my partner in life and co-founder of EcoMarine Malta, has always had his own deep bond with the sea. His passion lies in sailing, in the freedom of the wind, in the quiet strength that comes from navigating the waves. Where I bring the science, the emotion and the dream of sharing the ocean’s stories, Giovanni brings his seamanship, his calm precision and his unwavering support. Together, we blend our different passions and skills into one shared vision.

EcoMarine Malta is the dream we built together — a way to unite science, storytelling and adventure. Each tour, each research project and each encounter at sea is designed to be more than an experience: it’s a bridge between people and the ocean, a gentle and sustainable way to discover its beauty while contributing to its protection. For us, EcoMarine is not just a company — it’s our life’s calling and our way of giving back to the sea that has given us so much.

Our insights..

Transparency is essential if we are all going to grow and improve together and this is why we have dedicated this section to sharing what we love about each place and its hosts. We work with each of our hosts to improve their guest experiences, sustainability practices and local impact, this is where you can learn more about that along with what still needs to be improved, the measures being taken to ensure our hosts continue to move forward and every now and then we’ll come back to update you on their progress.

Lars von der Wettern

Visited the property in November 2023

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When we explore on land, our nature walks start and finish at set meeting points, but the real magic happens along the way, with the sights, sounds and stories of Malta’s coast.

A Shared Journey

We translate science into simple, captivating stories, invite our guests to take part in real research and guide them to connect slowly and respectfully with the sea

Passion over Profit

Dive deep with a team who want to share their love for the Mediterranean and its creatures, and who live every day guided by a simple principle — respect

Secret Treasures

From tucked-away coves with crystal-clear water to calm snorkelling spots, visitors who venture beyond the crowds will discover a side of the island many miss

Recharge in Nature

Join us for an aperitivo and a swim during the sunset after a marine life spotting session

Your Hosts - Patrizia & Giovanni

Our insights..

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Lars von der Wettern

Visited the property in November 2023

Community & Sustainability Commitment

Here are some key sustainability & community practices that these hosts are committed to. Please use the key below the icons for reference. You might see that some measurements are not currently in place and that’s okay, we choose to support our hosts on their imperfect road towards a better world and we understand that that takes time.

Sustainability Practices

Community Commitments

Not in Place

Eco Certifications & Efforts

Just as we admire each of our hosts for their singularity, we appreciate that their sustainability journeys are also unique. Because of this, we do not require our hosts to have an eco certification or two under their belt, we simply guide them on improving their sustainable business practices one imperfect – but positive – step at a time. If a host has eco certifications they will be shown below, if not, then know we are working towards this together.

Our Efforts

While we do not yet hold formal eco-certifications, our conservation work is firmly anchored in recognised best practices and meaningful partnerships. We adhere to the ACCOBAMS Code of Conduct for responsible dolphin watching and operate under regular permits issued by the Environment and Resources Authority, ensuring our activities meet the highest environmental standards.

And because every action counts, whenever we come across plastic or debris at sea, we collect it. We also take responsibility by reporting any illegal activities we witness to the competent authorities, ensuring that dolphins, seabirds, turtles, and the wider marine ecosystem are better protected.

Sharing knowledge

Our volunteers and interns are not just helping with research — they are invited to truly know Maltese waters. We guide them through both the beauty and the threats of our seas, focusing on the unique character of the Mediterranean and our local coastal and offshore habitats. By working side by side with us, they learn how fragile and extraordinary these waters are, and why they deserve protection.

Sustainable Tourism for the future

At the European level, we contribute to promoting sustainable tourism through our participation in DG GROW’s “Together for EU Tourism” (T4T) expert group, part of the EU’s Transition Pathway for Tourism initiative. This enables us to share our local experience while contributing to the development of green and responsible tourism practices at a European scale.

Looking ahead, we aspire to help create a unified European certification for sustainable tourism — one that provides meaningful guidance for small operators like us, rather than a confusing mix of overlapping standards.

Research & conservation

At EcoMarine Malta, our commitment goes far beyond running respectful marine tours. We have actively contributed to research and conservation projects that play a crucial role in protecting Malta’s marine life and influencing national and European policies.

One of our most significant contributions was to the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) in Malta, where we wrote the national marine strategy on behalf of the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA). This provided the scientific foundation for monitoring and managing Malta’s seas in line with EU environmental objectives.

We also conducted marine surveys for the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, providing field data essential for enhancing the management of local marine resources.

DelfiShPam Project

We led the DelfiShPam Project, in collaboration with La Sapienza University of Rome, the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, and local fish farm operators. This pioneering initiative studied the interactions between dolphins and aquaculture sites, bringing together science, conservation, and industry. By coordinating the project, EcoMarine Malta helped to generate practical solutions aimed at reducing conflict, improving coexistence, and supporting both marine wildlife and sustainable aquaculture.

NGOs & Local Impact Projects Supported

Each of our hosts strive to have a positive impact on their local communities. Some of our hosts already have established connections with local partners to enrich the lives and wellbeing of their communities, others are in the process of creating these long term relationships. If a host has local NGO connections they will be shown below, if not, then know we are working towards this together.

Our Efforts

Sustainability is also about supporting the community for us. We promote local food, offering it onboard to celebrate Malta’s culinary heritage while reducing our environmental footprint. We work closely with Maltese NGOs, such as BirdLife Malta and Nature Trust Malta, to collaborate on awareness, education, and conservation initiatives that benefit marine life and the broader ecosystem.

Erasmus

We also proudly participated in the MUFFIN Project, an Erasmus+ initiative focused on accessibility and inclusion. The project worked with the deaf community to develop marine-specific sign language, creating a shared vocabulary that enables more people to engage with and understand the sea. This innovative initiative combined conservation, education, and social inclusion, reinforcing our belief that the ocean belongs to everyone.

Education and awareness have always been central to our mission. Through another Erasmus project, we developed outreach programmes to increase public knowledge about the species found in Maltese waters and how to protect them. By combining scientific research with community engagement, we inspired both students and local communities to see themselves as guardians of the sea.

These projects show that even a small company can make a big difference. By gathering data, building partnerships, and sharing knowledge, EcoMarine Malta helps transform science into action. Every survey, every collaboration, and every project is part of our vision: a healthy, thriving Mediterranean where dolphins, seabirds, turtles — and people — can coexist in balance.

Local Collaboration

At EcoMarine Malta, we believe that protecting the sea also means working together. This is why we collaborate with local NGOs that share our mission. With BirdLife Malta, for example, we exchange information when necessary and utilise their valuable research to discuss the seabird species present in Malta during our tours. We also collaborate with Nature Trust Malta, sharing turtle sighting information when we are out at sea and contributing to a broader conservation effort.

As a small company, our support is often in-kind rather than financial, but we give back in the ways we can. All our interventions — whether in schools, at public events, or in collaboration with other NGOs — are offered pro bono, because we believe that raising awareness and inspiring the next generation to respect and protect the sea is one of the most important contributions we can make to our community.

We also strive to support the local economy by choosing local producers whenever possible. During our marine life spotting experiences, we offer our guests fresh vegetables and seasonal fruit, prioritising km0 produce from Malta.

The 4Cs

The 4Cs is a framework designed by The Long Run that integrates sustainable and regenerative practices into any travel business. Designed by practitioners and experts, both proven and flexible, it makes strategic and holistic sustainability more accessible, breaking it down into four chunks: