"Ocean conservation continues to lag behind land-based efforts, which is why it’s refreshing to see a tourism project centered so heavily on marine research and preservation. Sitting on more than 700 acres of beach and coastal forest on Benguerra Island, off the central coast of Mozambique, Kisawa Sanctuary is a collection of 21 guest bungalows constructed and decorated with local timbers and 3D printing. (The technology was also used to construct artificial coral for nearby reef restoration.) The retreat partners with the Bazaruto Center for Scientific Studies, a nonprofit marine conservation center whose buildings are powered by solar energy. Its research not only helps international scientific organizations better understand the Indian Ocean but also augments the experience for guests, who can help tag sharks or explore underwater landscapes from the same dive center that equips scientists and documentarians." - Jennifer Flowers