from 2,250€

Outstanding 4.9rating (9)
  • Life Below Water

Marine Adventure & Diving

location
2 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+
rating  Outstanding 4.9  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Highlights

  • Embark on your marine conservation journey in South Africa's best-kept secret, diving on some of the most pristine reefs in the world.
  • Join a small, local company run by two passionate individuals whose main focus is ensuring you have the experience of a lifetime.
  • Learn about scuba diving and the marine environment from passionate dive professionals and a local zoologist.
  • Don't just dive; enjoy weekly excursions included so you can fully experience all the beauty and adventure this paradise has to offer.
  • Create memories and lasting friendships not only with your fellow volunteers but also with our amazing team and the incredible community of Sodwana.

Especially suitable

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Groups

About the program

Dive into adventure with Deep Blue! Join us for the ultimate blend of marine conservation, incredible diving, and a beach holiday all in one project!

Dive into adventure with Deep Blue's volunteer program, where marine conservation meets the ultimate diving vacation!

Week one is the start of your Sodwana diving journey! You'll begin your PADI Open Water course and in just three action-packed days, you'll be a certified PADI diver. Already a diver? ...

About the program

Dive into adventure with Deep Blue's volunteer program, where marine conservation meets the ultimate diving vacation!

Week one is the start of your Sodwana diving journey! You'll begin your PADI Open Water course and in just three action-packed days, you'll be a certified PADI diver. Already a diver? No worries, dive straight into our project dives and explore our incredible coral reefs.

Once you're a certified diver, the adventure continues! You'll join our team of passionate volunteers and staff, collecting photographic data on nudibranchs—those colorful sea slugs that'll soon be your favourite ocean creatures. Together, we're building a database to uncover the secrets of Sodwana's biodiversity and research nudibranchs as bioindicators for reef health and climate change that can then be used to monitor reefs around the world! If you want to learn more, you can also dive deeper into knowledge with our Marine Lectures—a fun and casual way to expand your understanding of marine life and the ocean. 

We believe in balancing adventure with relaxation. So, we've carved out two days each week just for you. The first off-day is your chance to unleash your inner explorer, embarking on unforgettable adventures with our weekly excursions. And when you're ready to recharge, the second off-day invites you to kick back, relax, and savor the memories of your incredible dives, gearing up for another week of underwater adventures.

Get ready to dive into the adventure of a lifetime!

Get ready to dive into the adventure of a lifetime

Typical day

Every morning, five days a week, we make our way to the beach for another incredible day of diving! We drive through our beautiful coastal forest on the back of a pick-up (known as a bakkie in South Africa) to get to the beach. Once on the beach, we kit up for our dive and drive through the waves on ...

Typical day

Every morning, five days a week, we make our way to the beach for another incredible day of diving! We drive through our beautiful coastal forest on the back of a pick-up (known as a bakkie in South Africa) to get to the beach. Once on the beach, we kit up for our dive and drive through the waves on a Zodiac boat to reach our largest reef, 2 Mile. During our dives, we take photos of all the nudibranchs we see. We understand that you want to take photos home with you of all your amazing dives, so feel free to take as many photos as you want of all the exciting creatures that call our reefs home. We work on African time, so after the dive, we're never in a rush; you're welcome to relax at the beach or grab some tasty lunch at our beach kiosk.

Back at camp, it's time to freshen up. We typically have an hour or two lunch break to shower, relax, and eat some lunch before the database. After lunch, we gather around the TV with our ID books and identify all the nudibranchs we saw that day to enter in our database. After the database, you're welcome to join in on a lecture if you would like, but these are not compulsory.

With database duties and lectures checked off, the rest of the day is yours! Whether chilling at camp, going next door to play pool, exploring the town, or watching the sunset, there are always loads of things to keep you busy.

On our first day off from diving, we go on a trip, either to one of our Northern beaches, Lake Sibaya, or Tolla se Gat. As South Africans, we always find an excuse to braai (barbecue), so on all our trips, we light the fire and make food, swim in the water, and soak up the sun.

Our second off day is for relaxing and recharging, but you can also add on an extra trip on these days, such as a safari, or simply enjoy a day at the beach!

Free-time activities

There are loads of awesome activities to keep volunteers busy during their stay!

  • Relaxing on the beach or pools in town.
  • Freediving.
  • Local markets.
  • Bars and restaurants.
  • Safari trips.
  • Kosi Bay boat trips.
  • Whale watching during whale season.
  • Sundowners at local viewpoints.
  • Watching the moonrise on the beach.
  • Tu

Free-time activities

There are loads of awesome activities to keep volunteers busy during their stay!

  • Relaxing on the beach or pools in town.
  • Freediving.
  • Local markets.
  • Bars and restaurants.
  • Safari trips.
  • Kosi Bay boat trips.
  • Whale watching during whale season.
  • Sundowners at local viewpoints.
  • Watching the moonrise on the beach.
  • Turtle tours during nesting and hatching season.
  • Surfing or learning to surf.
  • Night walks on the beach to see the bio-luminescent plankton.
  • Hikes and nature walks.
  • Braais (barbecues) at camp or on weekly excursions.
  • Quad biking trips.
  • And more...

Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (intermediate level)

Required Documents

Application Form and PADI Medical Certificate

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Other Skills

Volunteers must be able to swim.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 07:00 - 15:00

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Deep Blue Conservation

Includes:
  • PADI Open Water course (If you're already a diver you can do your Advanced Open Water or do the program without a dive course).
  • All required dive training manuals.
  • 1 dive a day, five days a week.
  • Hard gear rental (BCD, regulator, cylinder, and weight belt).
  • Transport to and from the Richards Bay airport.
  • Welcome, and farewell South African braai (barbeque).
  • Transport to and from the Sodwana Bay beach as well as around Sodwana.
  • Gate fees into the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (excluding weekends).
  • Food (Each week groceries are bought, and volunteers then prepare their food in the shared kitchen).
  • Accommodation.
  • Weekly excursions to local attractions and viewpoints.
  • Marine lectures.
  • Recommendation letter.
  • 24/7 local support.

The above prices are an estimate and may be subject to change due to fluctuations in exchange rates, the final prices will be confirmed by Deep Blue during the application process.

Airport Pickup at Richards Bay Airport

Get ready to kick off your adventure with a warm welcome! Every Friday, our friendly staff will be waiting to greet volunteers at Richards Bay Airport (RCB). Transfers take place before 3 pm, we suggest booking the morning or afternoon Richards Bay flight. We then have a scenic two-hour drive to our camp in Sodwana Bay. 

Accommodation

Volunteers are welcomed into our volunteer and intern house, conveniently located along Sodwana Bay's main road. This prime location offers easy access for strolls around town, letting you soak up the town of Sodwana Bay during your free time.

Inside, you'll find a fully equipped communal kitchen, perfect for whipping up delicious meals and sharing stories with fellow volunteers. Our communal bathroom ensures comfort and convenience. Step outside onto the outdoor patio, where you can unwind under the African sky after a day of adventure.

We also have shared rooms with single beds, a fan, and mosquito nets. If you would like your own room, please let us know.

Plus, just next door, we have a bar/restaurant that serves the best burgers in town alongside entertainment like pool tables and TVs. With complimentary WiFi, you can stay connected with family and friends.

Welcome to your home away from home!


Food & Beverages

Each week our volunteers make a shopping list, and our staff then buy the groceries for the week within the weekly food budget. This budget ensures we stock up on essential staples to fuel our week of conservation and exploration. 

Back at the volunteer house, in the communal kitchen, volunteers come together to prepare their meals. From hearty breakfasts to savory dinners, this is the perfect time to come together, chat, and share meals from around the world. 

Internet Access

Limited access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Richards Bay Airport (RCB) in Richards Bay. We assist you to find cheap flights to South Africa. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for South Africa provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in South Africa you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for South Africa. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

The program starts every Friday, if Friday doesn't suit your schedule we are also happy to do transfers on other days if needed, this may be at an extra cost.

OR Tambo Airport in Johannesburg (JNB) is the nearest international airport, from here a domestic connection can be made to the Richards Bay airport (RCB) which is our nearest airport to Sodwana. From there one of our drivers will fetch you from the airport and you'll make the last stretch of your journey to our camp!

Please make sure that you book either the morning or afternoon flight for Richards Bay, we do not do transfers after 3 pm unless necessary.

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

2 weeks (min. stay) 2,250€
3 weeks 3,065€
4 weeks 3,880€
5 weeks 4,695€
6 weeks 5,510€
7 weeks 6,324€
8 weeks 7,139€
9 weeks 7,954€
10 weeks 8,769€
11 weeks 9,584€
12 weeks (max. stay) 10,398€
Average fees 995€/week

Program fees

995€ per week 2 - 12 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES

Duration

2 - 12 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.

Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with Deep Blue Conservation during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.

Meet your organization

Deep Blue Conservation

Outstanding 4.9 rating (9 reviews)

Agency - founded in 2018

Verified by Volunteer World

  Excellent response rate

Coordinated by

Joanne

Spoken languages: English

About the project

Deep Blue is an Adventure Volunteer Organization. Volunteers learn about the ocean, marine conservation, take part in research and have the experience of a lifetime!

Meet your organization

Deep Blue is a new organisation run by a young couple looking to put a new spin on volunteering. We wanted to create a program that allowed volunteers to make a difference to Marine Conservation efforts worldwide while having a fun diving vacation. 

Our mission is to provide volunteers with an amazing unforgettable experience both under the water and on land. We want volunteers to leave feeling that they have made a difference in the conservation of our oceans and have the knowledge and passion to continue protecting our oceans in the future. 

9 reviews · rating4.9

Poppy Hunt rating5

2022 at Marine Adventure & Diving

My time with Deep Blue was without a doubt the best 2 months of my life!! I booked for 6 weeks and had no choice but to extend my stay for as long as possible! I came to Sodwana with no diving experience at all, and everyone was super helpful and made it such as easy experience. I very quickly ...
Michelle Wilbert rating5

2022 at Marine Adventure & Diving

It‘s really hard to find the right words to explain my time with Deep Blue. Every single day of the 4 weeks I had in Sodwana felt like an amazing adventure. Jo and Marius are the kindest and most welcoming persons I can ever imagine and they will always do their best to make your trip memorable ...
Tim Zaugg rating5

2021 at Marine Adventure & Diving

It is good people who make good places, and what an amazing place it was!!! Just great holidays with lovely people and good vibes all around, which makes it perfect for any gap year experience or relaxing holidays. Just be ready to not wanna go back home again, I will definately be going again as ...
Alberto Massara rating5

2019 at Marine Adventure & Diving

Incredible experience where you have the opportunity to meet new people, learn diving, explore the underwater world and make an impact. I had the opportunity to help the organisation to collect underwater photos and videos to detect new species and to help to conserve the ...
Ben Rowland rating5

2019 at Marine Adventure & Diving

This project made me fall in love with the undersea world, its some of the best diving in the world and even better people, marius and joanne are also great teachers so theres nothing to worry about ...
Marijke van den Broek rating5

2019 at Marine Adventure & Diving

Everything was so much fun and the diving was incredibly beautifull! I spend 8 weeks at this project, before i came here i was afraid that 8 weeks would be to long but now that i finished it i wish i could have stayed for so much longer. Sodwana really is a magical place, the surrounding, the ...

Location

Africa > Southern Africa > South Africa > Sodwana Bay

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Volunteer Abroad  >  Environment  >  Marine Conservation in South Africa
Contact Joanne
  Excellent response rate
English

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