Help exciting marine conservation volunteer programs in beautiful locations around the world. Some projects include becoming a PADI diver, helping coral restoration, researching nature and working with local villages to raise awareness of environmental issues, animals and sustainability.
Best Marine Conservation Programs
Sea Turtle Conservation in Costa Rica
• 2-12 weeks
• Price from £1,395
Indonesia Shark Conservation Project
• 2-12 weeks
• Price from $2,199
Why Participate
Despite covering over 70% of our planet, only 0.6% of the world oceans are protected. Humans are damaging the world’s fragile marine ecosystems and the species they support at an alarming rate. Fishing practices are unsustainable, with stocks of our fished species expected to collapse before 2050.
Billions of unwanted fish and other animals are caught as bycatch, with dolphins, turtles, seabirds, sharks, and corals dying due to inefficient, illegal, and destructive fishing practices. Pollution is suffocating and poisoning our oceans through oil spills, sewage, chemical and agricultural waste and plastic, with 20 million tonnes of plastic entering the oceans each year. So what can you do?
How Marine Volunteering Helps
Marine conservation programmes are vitally important in the effort to protect species and their habitats. Local and international charities run several marine conservation programmes, working in some of the most biodiverse but threatened marine areas on the planet.
International volunteers can support trained scientific researchers in collecting baseline data and monitoring changes in marine biodiversity, contributing to the protection of threatened wildlife and ecosystems, whilst having the privilege of observing marine wildlife in its natural habitat.
You could work on the protection of coral reefs, mangrove forests and seagrass meadows, and with species of shark, ray, turtle, dolphin, manatee and hundreds of fish and invertebrate species. Data collected on these projects is used to inform and educate governments, businesses and communities responsible for the conservation of these areas and species.
Where You Can Work
There are organisations working all around the world to help marine conservation efforts, from Europe to Oceania. Popular countries to help include Spain, Thailand, Tanzania, Madagascar, Costa Rica, Greece, Fiji, Belize and the Maldives.
Types of Programs
We believe in promoting established globally recognised programs in order to help participants maximise their contribution to understanding marine environments and coral reef health. There are lots of incredible programs of initiatives and activities focused on contributing to the global movement to protect and conserve our fragile coral reef ecosystems for future generations.
During your time you will be able to participate in a range of programs to improve you research diving skills and knowledge of marine environments. You can expect to be diving on the research and monitoring program 5 days per week, and participating in community environmental awareness initiatives one day a week.
Companies we promote adopt the Reef Check survey methodology, with volunteers being certified as Reef Check Eco Divers, a globally recognised certification that means you can participate in surveys all over the world! All the data collected is submitted to the Reef Check database to enable analysis and identification of global trends in coral reef health.
In addition to becoming a scuba diver, volunteers might also get the opportunity be certified as PADI Reef Health Surveyor Distinctive Specialty diver, and PADI CoralWatch Coral Health Chart Specialty diver. Additional options include the PADI Shark Conservation Specialty diver and other conservation focused distinctive specialties.
Community activities are arranged and aimed at encouraging responsible and sustainable behaviours from others, whilst giving volunteers the opportunity to work with local people and have fun!
How to Apply
For more details, please browse our featured opportunities and book your spot today!
Paid Marine Conservation Jobs and Careers
If you have an academic background or experience working in the industry you can find marine conservation jobs, from working on the ground or underwater protecting biodiversity, to leading educational tours and volunteer programs. Some operators offer gap year jobs whilst others offer professional full time careers. Salaries vary depending on the company and location.
