The innovative partnership between BCSS (Bazaruto Center for Scientific Studies) and Kisawa Sanctuary has been spotlighted in the June 2025 edition of DAN Alert Diver magazine — reinforcing their position as leaders in sustainable dive tourism and ocean science.
Kisawa Sanctuary, Benguerra Island
A Feature Worth Reading
As part of their ongoing mission to bridge science with the scuba and conservation communities, DAN Alert Diver magazine featured BCSS and Kisawa in a dedicated spread — a first for Mozambique.
The article outlines how the Resort to Research concept is setting new standards in the field of sustainable dive travel in Africa, especially in remote island ecosystems where both tourism and biodiversity intersect.
BCSS is a regular contributor to DAN media, and this feature cements their reputation as a future-focused research hub redefining marine conservation models.
What Is the “Resort to Research” Concept?
At its core, the Resort to Research concept is a circular model where sustainable luxury travel directly funds marine research and ecosystem monitoring. Rather than separating tourism from conservation, this approach weaves them together — creating a consistent, transparent pipeline of funding, data, and community involvement.
Unlike traditional philanthropic or NGO-led conservation projects, the Resort to Research concept creates real-time value for both researchers and guests. And it’s working.
Kisawa Sanctuary, Benguerra Island
Recreational divers staying at Kisawa Sanctuary actively contributing to marine research through the Resort-to-Research initiative.
The Power of Partnership: Kisawa Sanctuary Mozambique x BCSS
This isn’t just theory. The partnership between Kisawa Sanctuary Mozambique — a cutting-edge luxury eco-resort — and BCSS — Africa’s first permanent Ocean Observatory — is a fully functioning example of the Resort to Research concept in action.
Together, the two institutions have:
- Conducted comprehensive benthic and pelagic surveys
- Mapped 13 dive sites and adjacent reef systems
- Created high-resolution underwater spatial data for protection planning
By combining Kisawa’s design-forward hospitality with BCSS’s deep scientific rigor, the partnership is making waves — both literally and figuratively — in the world of marine research in Bazaruto.
Aerial view of the Bazaruto Archipelago, home to both BCSS and Kisawa Sanctuary.
The Data Behind the Vision
Since launching their collaboration, BCSS has collected over 16 million data points using oceanographic sensors, hydroacoustic tools, and community fieldwork. This includes:
- Ocean temperature and salinity trends
- Coral reef resilience indice
- Fish biomass fluctuations across seasons
Annual climate overview of Benguerra Island, Mozambique — home to Kisawa Sanctuary and the BCSS observatory. Data reflects 2024 findings from over 300,000 land and sea-based measurements, showcasing temperature, precipitation, sea conditions, and wind patterns.
This real-time data doesn’t sit on a server — it guides tourism operations, informs national conservation planning, and fuels academic research. It’s also showcased during weekly guest briefings at Kisawa Sanctuary Mozambique, turning insight into inspiration.
Guests Become Guardians
One of the most compelling aspects of the Resort to Research concept is how it transforms tourism into stewardship. Guests at Kisawa Sanctuary Mozambique can:
- Join BCSS scientists on marine surveys
- Contribute to mapping coral habitats
- Participate in environmental education workshops
- Fund field equipment or reef monitoring
This kind of sustainable dive travel in Africa flips the script on luxury — proving that high-end travel can be as impactful as it is indulgent.
Aligned with the SDGs
The partnership actively contributes to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including:
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 14: Life Below Water
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Both BCSS and Kisawa Sanctuary Mozambique have also committed to low-carbon operations. Kisawa, in particular, runs its operations using solar power and sand-compressed construction methods that drastically reduce emissions.
This is more than just optics — it’s system-level change that aligns luxury with responsibility.
A Model Others Are Watching
As the Resort to Research concept gains traction, it’s being explored by other eco-resorts, dive collectives, and ocean NGOs seeking more effective funding and research delivery models.
Institutions across East Africa and the Western Indian Ocean have already reached out to BCSS for guidance on replicating aspects of the model in their own regions. What started as an experiment between two vision-aligned partners is now becoming a potential template for sustainable dive travel in Africa and beyond.
STAT BLOCK
- 16,000,000+ Data points collected
- 13 Dive sites mapped
- 24/7 Ocean data from BCSS sensors
- 100+ Guests engaged in marine experiences
- Zero plastic policy on-site
Experience the Future of Conservation-Led Travel
Explore the Ocean Observatory at BCSS, learn more about the sustainable ethos of Kisawa Sanctuary Mozambique, and discover how hospitality can directly support ocean science and protection.
A BCSS x Kisawa research boat departing for a marine research excursion
More information:
For questions about this article, please contact:
Ekaterina Kalashnikova, Bazaruto Archipelago – Ocean Observatory Bazaruto Center for Scientific Studies ekaterina.kalashnikova@bcssmz.org
To get in touch and collaborate with our research Center , please visit https://bcssmz.org/logistical-support-consultancy/
To learn more about our Scientific Training Program, please see https://bcssmz.org/scientific-training-program/
