As 2024 comes to a close, we extend our deepest gratitude to our donors, travelers, and partners for helping us foster deeper connections between people and nature, building a more oceanic society.
Your support made remarkable achievements possible this year—from combating plastic pollution and protecting sea turtles to studying whales and expanding ocean experiences in San Francisco. Together, we’ve created lasting positive change for the health of our oceans.
As we look ahead to 2025, we invite you to make a tax-deductible donation to sustain these vital programs. Thanks to generous supporters, all donations will be matched 1:1 through December 31, 2024, until we reach our goal of $60,000—effectively doubling your impact. Your contribution directly supports ocean conservation efforts.
Improving Access to Ocean Experiences
Our Conservation Scholars Program (previously called Critter Scholars), offers free, educational ocean experiences to students from underserved communities in the San Francisco Bay Area.
15 free educational cruises provided for 533 students
1 short film produced
94% of students reported learning something new about the ocean
100% of students pledged to support environmental conservation in their communities
Through this program and with generous support from sponsors, Oceanic Society provides free boat trips for student groups who otherwise would not have the opportunity to participate in such activities. These excursions are paired with educational programming that integrates seamlessly into classroom curricula, offering educators innovative and engaging ways to teach environmental topics.
In 2024, we led 15 educational cruises on the San Francisco Bay, welcoming 533 students. For 80% of participants, it was their first time experiencing the ocean from a boat. Looking ahead to 2025, we are thrilled to continue this impactful program, with several additional trips already funded and planned.
Sea Turtle Conservation
We support and strengthen local sea turtle conservation programs worldwide, because sea turtles are powerful flagships for ocean conservation.
SWOT Report vol. 19 published an distributed
$18,000 provided in small grant support
19 grants awarded in 11 countries
1 peer-reviewed article published
1 educational film produced
20-year impact report published
Researchers from the Anambas Foundation monitor a nesting green turtle in Indonesia’s Anambas Islands. Our 2024 State of the World’s Sea Turtles Report compiled sea turtle data from partners throughout Southeast Asia. © Anambas Foundation
Our State of the World’s Sea Turtles (SWOT) Program is a global effort to study and protect sea turtles and their habitats, and to leverage the amazing charisma of sea turtles to drive ocean conservation action. In 2024 we published the 19th volume of the award-winning State of the World’s Sea Turtles Report and provided more than 2,000 copies to research and conservation programs worldwide.
In addition, the SWOT program provides small grants to field-based partners worldwide to accomplish high-priority research and conservation goals. We awarded 19 small grants this year. To date, 160 grants have been awarded to 125 applicants in more than 60 countries and territories.
Behavior Change for Ocean Conservation
We’re using cutting edge behavioral science to go beyond simply ‘raising awareness’ to motivate and sustain ocean-friendly behaviors that positively impact ocean health.
$12,000 provided in grants to partners
51 coastal cleanups facilitated
2,243 volunteers engaged
78,477 pounds of marine debris removed from 54 miles of ocean and coast
Through our Global Ocean Cleanup we facilitated 51 coastal cleanups and provided $12,000 in grants to partners in 2024. Together with 2,243 volunteers we removed 78,477 pounds of marine debris from 54 miles of ocean and coast. © FUNZEL
In 2024, our Behavior Change Program inspired thousands of people worldwide to support healthy oceans through actions like fighting plastic pollution, choosing sustainable seafood, and reducing carbon footprints. We led events such as the Global Ocean Cleanup, a worldwide campaign to combat ocean plastic pollution. Partnering with organizations globally, we cleaned critical ocean habitats and transformed collected waste into inspiring artwork. To-date, the campaign has removed 85.5 tons from 18 ecologically important coastlines.
Beyond removing trash, we engaged audiences online and offline, provided funding to impactful organizations, and used behavioral science to drive lasting change for ocean conservation.
Conservation Travel
We lead global nature travel programs and California whale watching tours that support ocean conservation through our unique non-profit model.
$273,730 generated for conservation
1,559 travelers served
171 whale flukes identified
89 educational trips provided
$10,825 awarded in small grant support
65,800 pounds of trash removed through our Plastic Pollution Offset Program
2,289 hours of volunteer work facilitated
In 2024, we facilitated 2,289 volunteer hours for ocean research and conservation, including by the volunteers seen here with a leatherback turtle in Trinidad. © Ashleigh Bandimere
Since 1969, Oceanic Society has pioneered nature-based travel since 1969, becoming one of the first organizations to offer whale watching and international ecotourism experiences. Our founders believed that first-hand ocean experiences are the most powerful way to inspire ocean stewardship. Over the years, we’ve seen how responsible nature travel can drive conservation and support sustainable local livelihoods. In many destinations, tourism has helped recover endangered species, protect sensitive habitats, and create economic opportunities for local communities.
In 2024, our travel programs generated more than $250,000 for ocean conservation and funded the removal of 200 pounds of ocean trash per traveler through our Traveler Plastic Pollution Offset Program. To date, this initiative has removed 70 tons of waste, advancing our mission to protect the world’s oceans.
Thank You For a Great 2024
A heartfelt thank you to all of our supporters, travelers, and community members for making these achievements possible!
Help us make waves in 2025 with an end of year donation. Donate by December 31, 2024, and your donation will be doubled until we reach our goal of $60,000.
