At SamBoat, the sea is at the heart of everything we do. It brings people together, inspires days out on the water and creates lasting memories with family and friends.
But the sea is more than the backdrop to our favourite holidays. It’s also a fragile environment that deserves our care and attention.
So when we started thinking about how we could make a positive contribution ourselves, partnering with Fondation de la Mer felt like a natural step.
Why SamBoat supports protecting our seas
Since SamBoat launched, our mission has remained the same: to make boating more accessible and help more people enjoy memorable experiences on the water.
Because the sea plays such an important role in our everyday world, we wanted to do more by supporting hands-on projects that help protect marine ecosystems.
Rather than starting from scratch, we wanted to support an organisation already doing important work in this area.
If you’re planning to rent a boat in the Mediterranean, you’ll see first-hand just how important these ecosystems are.
Why SamBoat chose Fondation de la Mer
Founded in 2015, Fondation de la Mer works to support the protection of marine environments in France and around the world. It supports charities, researchers, field initiatives and programmes addressing several key challenges, including marine biodiversity, pollution, scientific research and public awareness.
In 2024, the Foundation supported 48 marine biodiversity projects, organised 2,770 beach and coastal clean-ups, and helped remove more than 500 tonnes of waste from the environment – roughly the equivalent of 50 refuse lorries.
An independent scientific advisory board helps guide the projects it supports and ensures they are backed by sound research. Fondation de la Mer also contributes to international discussions on marine protection through its observer status at the United Nations.
How the SamBoat x Fondation de la Mer partnership works
We wanted to create something simple, transparent and accessible.
When booking through SamBoat, you can choose to add a donation of any amount during checkout. 100% of donations go directly to Fondation de la Mer.
The idea is to make supporting these projects as simple as possible, whatever amount you choose to give. Because together, small actions can help fund meaningful projects such as:
- Improving our understanding and protection of whales and dolphins through scientific research and acoustic monitoring.
- Protecting Mediterranean Posidonia seagrass meadows, which play a vital role in marine biodiversity.
- Tackling marine pollution through litter collection initiatives, clean-up operations and projects carried out in ports.
- Protecting sea turtles through nest monitoring and conservation programmes.
- Funding scientific research focused on rays and sharks to better understand and protect these vulnerable species.
To find out more about the projects supported through our partnership with Fondation de la Mer, visit our dedicated page.
A commitment that goes beyond donations
For us, this partnership is about more than adding a donation during the booking process.
It’s about making that commitment part of the way we work every day: sharing content that helps people better understand marine environments, offering tips on eco-friendly boating, and supporting initiatives alongside our team and wider community.
Because enjoying the sea also means helping to look after it.
FAQ
How can I support the protection of our seas when booking with SamBoat?
Every time you make a booking, you have the option to make a voluntary donation to Fondation de la Mer. Every donation goes directly towards practical marine conservation projects.
How do donations work?
During checkout, you can choose the amount you’d like to donate. There is no minimum amount and donations are entirely optional.
What does my donation support?
Your donation helps fund Fondation de la Mer’s work to protect marine biodiversity, tackle plastic pollution, preserve coastal ecosystems and raise awareness of the challenges facing our seas.
In which currency are donations made?
Donations to Fondation de la Mer are only available for bookings processed in euros. If your booking is made in another currency, the donation option will not appear during checkout.
Can my donation be refunded?
No. In accordance with the applicable terms and conditions, donations cannot be refunded, regardless of the amount.
