from 2,395€

Brilliant 4.7rating (193)
  • Climate Action
  • Life Below Water

Climate Change & Coral Bleaching research

location
2 - 12 weeks  Â·  Age 18 - 50+
rating  Brilliant 4.7  Â· 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Good response rate
Volunteer project with the highest quality. This project sets unprecedented standards in quality - an unparalleled level of excellence.

Highlights

  • Contribute to coral reef recovery research, learn about threats to coral reefs, and contribute to protecting Fiji’s marine resources.
  • Earn the PADI Coral Reef Research Diver speciality.
  • Submerge yourself in the warm turquoise waters of the South Pacific and witnessing the spectacle of underwater life in this tropical region while honing your diving skills.
  • Stay, for the entire duration of your program, in the Dawasamu District of Fiji
  • Live and work with a team of marine conservation and diving experts as well as international participants from all over the world.

Especially suitable

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
50+

About the program

Assist with marine conservation initiatives, like surveying corals for recovery after previous coral bleaching events and tropical storms! 🪸

Contribute to coral reef recovery research and other marine conservation initiatives in the Dawasamu District, Fiji. Learn about threats facing corals worldwide and specifically in Fiji. Assist with marine conservation initiatives, like surveying corals for recovery after previous coral bleaching ...

About the program

Contribute to coral reef recovery research and other marine conservation initiatives in the Dawasamu District, Fiji. Learn about threats facing corals worldwide and specifically in Fiji. Assist with marine conservation initiatives, like surveying corals for recovery after previous coral bleaching events and tropical storms, assisting with beach or ocean floor plastic pollution clean ups, and environmental education with the local community.

This project gives volunteers around the world an opportunity to contribute to key marine conservation objectives identified by local Fijian organisations. 

International volunteers do not have to have previous experience, simply a keen interest in marine conservation, snorkeling, and diving. 


Increasing Employability - Pre Departure Program Training:
Our programs are not only life-changing experiences but are also designed to help participants increase their employability. We have developed a curriculum to be completed prior to arrival in the country in order to ensure that more time is dedicated to program work once you commence your volunteer program. 

Eight weeks prior to your start date, you will complete the following online courses in preparation for your in-country program:
  • PRE-DEPARTURE ORIENTATION (1 hour)
  • PROGRAM SPECIFIC TRAINING (1 - 5 hours)
  • OPTIONAL: MARINE CONSERVATION COURSE (10 - 15 hours)

In order to obtain a certificate for the Marine Conservation course which is endorsed by the University of Richmond and UNC Charlotte, you will need to complete quizzes & assignments and will be given 4 weeks post program to submit your work. 

If you are looking to travel in less than 8 weeks from now, you will still complete the course however this will be done in country and all content will need to be downloaded before arrival. 

Health & Hygiene:
The work we contribute to across the globe remains important and new measures allow our participants to continue to join our programs and continue impacting positively on their world and the communities we work with. Changes to our existing protocols have been made by our health and hygiene team to strengthen our health and hygiene protocols and ensure that international standard safeguards are in place to protect our participants, staff and host communities. Please inquire for more information on the protocols. 

Typical day

As a volunteer you will be doing at least 1 -2 dives or snorkels a day. The health of coral reefs ensure the sustainability of an important global food source, namely fish. Corals act like nurseries of the underwater kingdom, providing juvenile fish species with a sheltered environment to grow to ...

Typical day

As a volunteer you will be doing at least 1 -2 dives or snorkels a day. The health of coral reefs ensure the sustainability of an important global food source, namely fish. Corals act like nurseries of the underwater kingdom, providing juvenile fish species with a sheltered environment to grow to their adult sizes. In coastal regions and island nations, like Fiji, fish is central to the local diet. In addition, the fishing industry supports the international economy and national markets, like that of island nations like Fiji. In traditional Fijian communities, the ocean is also a source of building materials. Much of the funds supporting economies of island nations and largely coastal regions, come from tourists looking to experience the vibrant underwater worlds of these areas first-hand. Hard corals specifically, also protect equatorial regions like Fiji from tropical storms.

Depending on the needs of the local partner organisations at the time, you may also take part in other important marine conservation projects like beach cleans or ocean floor clean ups and environmental education programs in local schools or with community groups. In this way, this program allows volunteers to directly address United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #14, Life Below Water. 
Other threats to coral reefs include unsustainable fishing practices like overfishing, bottom trawling, and electrofishing. Plastic pollution is another threat. Research has shown that plastic on the reef increases the risk of diseases for corals and that corals often consume microplastics.

Your time on project will be spent researching coral bleaching and contributing to efforts to restore and regrow coral nurseries. 

Free-time activities

In your down time you will be free to travel in the local area and you will be free on the weekends. In this time you could do day trips such as dolphin watching, visiting other islands, scuba diving, or relaxing in a near by resort. You could travel to the capital city of Suva, take a ferry to ...

Free-time activities

In your down time you will be free to travel in the local area and you will be free on the weekends. In this time you could do day trips such as dolphin watching, visiting other islands, scuba diving, or relaxing in a near by resort. You could travel to the capital city of Suva, take a ferry to Taveuni - 'the garden of Fiji' or explore the interior of VitiLevu– the possibilities are endless!

We also now include cultural/local experiences. These experiences will take place once every 4 weeks. 

These activities may include: 
  • Learn to cook iTaukei food
  • Make a traditional drink from kava root
  • Learn indigenous plant medicine
  • Hike to the top of Tova Peak
  • Fish with iTaukei women
  • Weave a traditional mat
  • Visit Vatu-i-Ra Conservation Park
  • Boat to Leleuvia Island

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)

Criminal Background Check

required

Required Documents

PADI Medical form and Medical Form

Nationality Restrictions

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

Other Skills

PADI Open Water certificate (or equivalent) if joining for 4 weeks Competent Swimmer (200m). Volunteers will normally be diving or snorkelling twice daily.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

What's Included

What's Included

Services by GVI

WHAT'S INCLUDED:

  • 24-hour emergency phone
  • 24-hour in-country support
  • Access to Alumni Services and Discounts
  • Airport pick-up (unless otherwise stated)
  • All necessary project equipment and materials
  • All necessary project training by experienced staff provided online 8 weeks prior to program start:
    • PRE-DEPARTURE ORIENTATION (1 hour)
    • PROGRAM SPECIFIC TRAINING (1 - 5 hours)
    • OPTIONAL: WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COURSE (10 - 15 hours)
  • Certification and summary of training and experience received
  • Location orientation
  • Long term experienced staff
  • Meals while on project (except on work placements for long term internships)
  • Safe and basic accommodations (usually shared)
  • Welcome meeting
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED:
  • Additional drinks and gratuities
  • Extra local excursions
  • Flights
  • International and domestic airport taxes
  • Medical and travel insurance
  • Personal dive kit, e.g. mask, fins, wetsuit, timer etc.
  • Personal items and toiletries
  • Police or background check
  • Visa costs (where necessary)

Airport Pickup at Nausori Airport

Airport pick up is included and we will ensure, whenever possible, that one of our dedicated staff will be available to meet you at the airport. We will arrange with you prior to your departure that, should you arrive in the agreed upon pick up window, a member of our staff will be there to welcome you.

Accommodation

Accomodation on our Caqalai base is just a few meters away from the water, providing participants with a once in a lifetime experience. Participants are traditionally housed in dorm rooms for the duration of their stay, with shared bathrooms facilities and communal relaxation and social areas.

Food & Beverages

The core of Fijian cuisine consists of taro, rice, cassava, coconut and fish. Participants take it in turns to prepare meals for the group as a whole, which is all part of living on a GVI base. Food consists of primarily a vegetarian diet, though meat is provided on base roughly once per week. Breakfast varies, but could include porridge, fruit or toast, and lunch and dinner are a mixture of lentils, beans and vegetables with pasta, rice, noodles, roti, cassava or dalo.

Internet Access

Limited access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Nausori Airport (SUV) in Suva. We assist you to find cheap flights to Fiji. 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 Fiji provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

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

Details on arrival

2023
  • 02 Sep 2023
  • 16 Sep 2023
  • 30 Sep 2023
  • 14 Oct 2023
  • 28 Oct 2023
  • 11 Nov 2023
  • 25 Nov 2023
  • 09 Dec 2023
2024
  • 06 Jan 2024
  • 20 Jan 2024
  • 03 Feb 2024
  • 17 Feb 2024
  • 02 Mar 2024
  • 16 Mar 2024
  • 30 Mar 2024
  • 13 Apr 2024
  • 27 Apr 2024
  • 11 May 2024
  • 25 May 2024
  • 08 Jun 2024
  • 22 Jun 2024
  • 06 Jul 2024
  • 20 Jul 2024
  • 03 Aug 2024
  • 17 Aug 2024
  • 31 Aug 2024
  • 14 Sep 2024
  • 28 Sep 2024
  • 12 Oct 2024
  • 26 Oct 2024
  • 09 Nov 2024
  • 23 Nov 2024
  • 07 Dec 2024
  • 21 Dec 2024
Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

2 weeks (min. stay) 2,395€
4 weeks 3,695€
6 weeks 4,845€
8 weeks 5,645€
10 weeks 6,545€
12 weeks (max. stay) 7,495€
Average fees 911€/week

Program fees

911€ 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 GVI during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.

Meet your organization

GVI

Brilliant 4.7 rating (193 reviews)

Agency - founded in 1998

Verified by Volunteer World

  Good response rate

Coordinated by

Bianca

Spoken languages: English

About the project

GVI tackles critical local and global issues by operating award-winning education and training programs on sustainable development projects around the world.

Meet your organization

Founded in 1998, GVI runs programs in 21 locations, in 13 countries around the world, each manned by our own staff and aligned to the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals or UN SDGs as well as the objectives of local partners. We welcome participants from all around the world and help facilitate their development into global citizens. This is how we achieve our mission of building a global network of people united by their passion to make a difference.


We are truly a global family brought together by our dedication to long-term positive impact. At the root of our success is our commitment to investing in authentic, meaningful connections with one another, which is why mutual respect and trust are central to our operations. Although we respond with empathy to difficult situations, we believe that most circumstances can benefit from taking a light-hearted approach. By sharing stories of local achievement with our teams worldwide we build the momentum to catapult us toward our vision for the future.

193 reviews Â· rating4.7

Rebecca Suter rating5

2024 at Empowerment of Women Internship

GVI Ghana has been absolutely incredible. The staff are so amazing at what they do and have an amazing balance between professional and friendly. It really feels like you are part of a family and the atmosphere on base makes you really feel at home. The work itself has been so rewarding. The ...
Nanna Madsen rating5

2024 at Empowerment of Women

My journey started out pretty chaotic as my flight to Ghana got cancelled. I got on a new flight and when I arrived in Ghana a day later than expected, the airline had lost my luggage. I called GVI Ghana and the staff helped me to sort the situation quickly. Overall I am really pleased about my ...
Mary Christensen rating5

2024 at Community Development Internship

GVI is a passionate organization that works diligently to promote life long learners and explorers. As an intern with GVI, I was able to explore the culture of my country of choice, serve a purpose greater than myself, and meet friends all around the world. I highly recommend this program to anyone ...
Pam Parkes rating5

2024 at Women's Empowerment Internship

I really enjoyed my recent trip to Siem Reap. The accommodation was very good, I upgraded to a single room with aircon and en-suite and had a fabulous room overlooking the pool. Food was excellent with plenty of choice, both in the guest house and local restaurants where we ate in the evenings ...
The GVI internships were amazing. I had the opportunity to learn and apply some new skills to real world partners that desperately needed help. So as well as building connections, earning a certificate, having fun, learning new skills, you will also make a difference to an organisation. I thoroughly ...
I got to live in the rainforest for a month volunteering with GVI in Kekoldi, Costa Rica. Everyday with could see various exotic birds just from the base. Toucans were more common to see than pigeons in the city. We surveyed different trails in the rainforest (during the day and night), listening to ...

Location

Oceania > Melanesia > Fiji > Suva

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Volunteer Abroad  >  Environment  >  Marine Conservation in Fiji
Contact Bianca
  Good response rate
English

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