Arival Spotlight Awards 2026: The Little Green Boat Named Tour Innovator Finalist
We’re thrilled to share some big news: The Little Green Boat, a private diving and sailing company in Curaçao, has been named a finalist in the Tour Innovator category of the 2026 Arival Spotlight Awards. This international award celebrates companies that are changing the way travelers experience a destination.
For a two-instructor operation based in Spanish Water, being recognized alongside some of the most innovative tour operators in the world means a lot. Above all, it’s a chance to put Curaçao and its reefs in the spotlight. The winners will be announced on October 14, 2026, at Arival 360 in Spokane, Washington.
At a glance
- What: The Little Green Boat is a finalist in the 2026 Arival Spotlight Awards, Tour Innovator category.
- Who’s behind the award: Arival, the leading global organization for tours, activities and attractions, with a panel of five independent industry experts.
- When: the winners will be revealed on October 14, 2026, at Arival 360 in Spokane, Washington (USA).
- Why us: 100% private trips where every outing becomes a micro-expedition: 3D sonar exploration and live reef listening on our boat tours, shore dives (including a fluorescent night dive), and hands-on citizen science.
- Where: Spanish Water and Curaçao’s best shore dive sites, with guiding in English, French and Spanish.
What are the Arival Spotlight Awards?
Arival is the global community for the people who create and sell in-destination experiences: tours, activities and attractions. Every year, its Spotlight Awards shine a light on the companies moving the industry forward.
Entries are reviewed by a panel of five independent experts from travel and tech, using a points-based system specific to each category. There’s no public vote, so it all comes down to the strength of the project. The rules also make a point we love: a small operator can create an experience just as impactful as a big company.
The Tour Innovator category recognizes operators that have changed how people experience a destination through a format, an itinerary or an approach nobody else is really offering. Past winners include Spinach Tours in Portugal (self-drive electric car tours) and Traveling Spoon (home-cooked food experiences with local hosts).
Why The Little Green Boat made the shortlist
Our starting point was simple: in Curaçao, you shouldn’t just look at the reef. You should understand it and help protect it. That’s why every trip with The Little Green Boat is a micro-expedition, using tools that are usually reserved for scientists.
1. See the seabed in 3D from the boat
On our private boat tours in Curaçao, an Axiom RealVision 3D sonar with two transducers under the hull maps the seabed in real time: reef structure, sand channels, coral heads, small wrecks and schools of fish. Without even getting wet, our guests see what lies beneath the sailboat and how the reef is built. It’s a completely new way to explore Curaçao’s underwater world, whether you dive or not.
2. Listen to the reef breathe
People often call the underwater world silent. It isn’t. A healthy reef crackles, grunts and pops. During our sailing trips, we lower an Aquarian H2D hydrophone connected to a Zoom F3 recorder into the water, so guests can listen to the reef live from the deck and take the recording home with them. Sound is also a valuable indicator of how healthy a reef is.
3. Discover the reef's hidden glow at night
Under a special blue light, with yellow filters on your mask, corals, anemones and tiny crustaceans start glowing in neon green, electric yellow and unexpected reds. This fluorescent night dive reveals a whole other side of Curaçao. It’s the heart of The Hidden Glow Show, our night shore dive.
4. Every diver becomes part of the science
Depending on their level, our divers observe, record and collect information that’s useful to the island’s marine biologists. As Green Fins members, we follow responsible diving practices: no feeding wildlife, keeping a respectful distance and choosing sites to minimize our impact. Want to know more? Read our guide to eco-friendly diving in Curaçao. You can read all about our commitment on our citizen science and reef protection page.
5. 100% private, in your language
Every trip is private: no crowded groups, just a guide who’s there for you, with a maximum of 2 students or 4 certified divers per instructor. We guide in English, French and Spanish. All our dives are shore dives, and our sailing tours take place in the Spanish Water lagoon. Beginners can start with a private Discover Scuba Diving experience from the shore, while certified divers can book tailor-made dives. Ready to level up? Check out our PADI and SSI scuba courses.
Recognition for Curaçao
This nomination isn’t just ours. It puts Curaçao in front of tour operators, distributors and travel media from around the world gathered at Arival 360. It’s a reminder that the island is a top destination for diving that’s both spectacular and responsible: reefs you can reach from the shore, wrecks like the Superior Producer, a must for any wreck dive, encounters with green sea turtles, and the unique Spanish Water lagoon, where our sailboat is based.
A huge thank you to our guests, our partners and everyone working to protect Curaçao’s reefs. This recognition belongs to them too.
Who's behind The Little Green Boat?
The Little Green Boat is Fabien and Carolyn, dive instructors and skippers who dropped anchor in Curaçao with one belief: every dive can make a difference. Our motto, “Every dive makes a difference”, shapes every trip we run. Want to know our story? Head over to About us.
What's next? See you on October 14
The winners of the 2026 Arival Spotlight Awards will be announced on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, during a ceremony at Arival 360 in Spokane. Win or not, we’ll keep doing what we love: showing people Curaçao’s underwater world in a different way, in small private groups, while taking care of the reef.
FAQ: The Little Green Boat and the 2026 Arival Spotlight Awards
What are the Arival Spotlight Awards?
They’re Arival’s annual awards. Arival is the global organization for the tours, activities and attractions industry, and the awards recognize the most innovative and impactful companies across six categories. Entries are judged by a panel of five independent experts.
What is the Tour Innovator category?
It’s the category for operators that have changed the way people experience a destination, through a format, an itinerary or an approach that nobody else is really offering.
When will the winners be announced?
On Wednesday, October 14, 2026, during a ceremony at Arival 360 in Spokane, Washington (USA).
What makes The Little Green Boat's trips innovative?
Every private trip is a micro-expedition: exploring the seabed with 3D sonar and listening to the reef through a hydrophone on our boat tours, fluorescent night dives from the shore, and hands-on citizen science, all following Green Fins best practices.
Can I dive with The Little Green Boat if I'm not certified?
Yes. We offer private Discover Scuba Diving experiences from the shore, including dives with sea turtles, as well as PADI and SSI courses. Certified divers can book wreck and reef dives around Curaçao.
How do I book a trip with The Little Green Boat?
Get in touch through our contact form or on WhatsApp at +599 9664 8138. We’ll put together a tailor-made plan based on your dates, your level and what you’d love to do.