Pari Island once had a robust ecology consisting of mangroves, corals, and seagrasses, which effectively sustained the subsistence activities of its inhabitants. The balance between humans and nature, however, has been disrupted by tourism development, which has improved quality of life on the islands but at a socio-economic and ecological cost. During the COVID-19 pandemic which led to a cessation of tourism activities, there was a lack of alternative job possibilities as resources allocated to tourism-related businesses had been exhausted. The purpose of this study is to raise awareness among the global community and derive insights regarding the effective management of small islands from the example of Pari Island. The accuracy of our field observations supports the notion that tourism has indeed caused degradation to ecosystems, limiting the possibilities for their restoration.