from 686€

Outstanding 4.9rating (11)

Marine Conservation and Coral Planting Assistant

location
2 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Outstanding 4.9  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World

Highlights

  • Explore different dive sites along the Nacala shoreline, immerse yourself in the beautiful world of corals, fish, anemone, sea stars and nudibranches..
  • Make a difference as a volunteer, dedicated to our coral planting project, safeguarding the marine ecosystem, actively participating in data collection and conservation initiatives.
  • Develop techniques needed to survey coral, fish, mangroves and other ocean species.
  • Inspire local fishing communities by engaging in community events, workshops, and presentations.
  • Make memories with unforgettable experiences and new friends in a beautiful tropical paradise.

Especially suitable

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Families
Groups
50+

About the program

The program is an amazing Marine Conservation Project not only aimed at the ocean but also at uplifting fishing communities dependant on the ocean for their livelihood.

Our project is aimed at Marine Conservation, Coral planting and Community Work. In 2020 with the help of, the Department of Fisheries and Agriculture, Local Government and CCP, a Marine Protected Area was established in front of our property.  

During our time developing and safeguarding the MPA we ...

About the program

Our project is aimed at Marine Conservation, Coral planting and Community Work. In 2020 with the help of, the Department of Fisheries and Agriculture, Local Government and CCP, a Marine Protected Area was established in front of our property.  

During our time developing and safeguarding the MPA we have found that volunteers are a critical component of a well-run Marine Protected Area. They are invaluable in their help and support. We host groups of positive and energetic volunteers to benefit both the MPA and local community.

The Project has excellent volunteer infrastructure, which includes accommodation virtually unmatched by other volunteer programs. The accommodation and dive centre is situated on the beach with beautiful views and sunsets, it includes:

  • Several units with bedrooms, aircons, bathrooms, common areas and fully equipped kitchens

  • Pool

  • Trampoline

  • Beachfront

  • Volleyball Court

  • Wi-Fi

  • Pizza Oven and Barbeque Area

  • Scuba Dive Centre

Within the volunteer program Management will leverage each volunteer’s strengths, and organize data in an effort to reach mission attainment namely to have a positive impact on the conservation of corals, fish and other marine species by creating a healthy coral population and creating alternative food and income sources for the local community affected by the Marine Protected Area. 

Volunteers are managed by the MPA’s founder and an assistant manager who are supported by several local staff members. Volunteers will work on evolving projects in the ocean, on land and with the local communities. We have boats, kayaks, stand up paddle boards, scuba and snorkel gear but we advise volunteers to bring their own mask, snorkel and fins if possible.


Volunteers will be taught how to:  

  •  Identify fish and coral

  • Grid and survey a variety of different coral systems at varying depths

  •  Identify and record different species of coral to gain data and insights on these ecosystems and help monitor their health and growth over time

  • Build a variety of coral growing structures

  • Plant corals

  • Look after and clean the coral nursery


Volunteers who are not familiar with the ocean can help us maintain and grow the MPA by raising awareness about it through social media. We have various community projects, one of which is to breed rabbits, so apart from diving/snorkelling and assisting in the MPA we need volunteers to help us take care of the rabbits, build cages and  teach locals how to set up a sustainable breeding system.

We love the ocean and work hard for its conservation but when we're off we enjoy relaxing by having pizza evenings at the pizza/pool area, playing volleyball and having picnics on deserted beaches. Our Mozambican staff are friendly and will help however they can. You'll have an amazing adventure at our MPA.

Volunteers who are qualified divers will, weather permitting, dive daily. Volunteers who are not qualified have the option to do an Accredited Padi Diving course at an extra cost with a local lodge that supports our cause.




Typical day

Typical day:

The daily schedule may vary. Please be flexible, daily life in Mozambique revolves around the weather, family, boats and tides. Embrace the island style way of life and don’t get into a hurry. Enjoy the adventure of getting to know the ocean and all it's secrets.  


Estimated ...

Typical day

Typical day:

The daily schedule may vary. Please be flexible, daily life in Mozambique revolves around the weather, family, boats and tides. Embrace the island style way of life and don’t get into a hurry. Enjoy the adventure of getting to know the ocean and all it's secrets.  


Estimated Schedule: 

  • 7h30: Breakfast

  • 8h30: Daily briefing/orientation  

  • 9h00 - 12h00: First Dive/Snorkel to clean the coral nursery and check on the growth of the corals.

  • 12h30: Lunch

  • 2pm - 5pm: Second Dive/Snorkel to survey or plant corals. If not diving you will help build coral planting structures, rabbit cages and plant mangrove saplings.

  • 18h30: Dinner 


Participants could expect to be involved in 1 to 2 dives or snorkels a day during the week. 


Volunteers who are not familiar with the ocean will assist us maintain and grow the MPA by raising awareness about it through social media. We have various community projects, one of which is to breed rabbits, so apart from diving/snorkelling and assisting in the MPA we need volunteers to help us take care of the rabbits, build cages and  teach locals how to set up a sustainable breeding system.


Extra curricular activities:

-Once a week dinner out at a restaurant to taste a local Mozambican dish.

-Once in two weeks a picnic on a deserted beach.

-Once in two weeks a visit to the local night market.

-Once on two weeks a walk along the beach to the fish market for lunch.

-Once in three weeks an overnight trip to Ilha de Mozambique.


Free-time activities

Visit the beautiful and interesting Ilha de Mozambique.

Accompany us to a Nacala town visit/ shopping once a week.

Visit a night market and buy some interesting fruit, veg, goods or souvenirs

Have a tasty Mozambican meal at one of our local restaurants.

Visit the Nacala fish market for a cold beer or ...

Free-time activities

Visit the beautiful and interesting Ilha de Mozambique.

Accompany us to a Nacala town visit/ shopping once a week.

Visit a night market and buy some interesting fruit, veg, goods or souvenirs

Have a tasty Mozambican meal at one of our local restaurants.

Visit the Nacala fish market for a cold beer or drink.

Cross the bay with a Mozambican dhow to have a picknick/barbeque on a deserted beach.



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 (basic level)

Nationality Restrictions

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

Other Skills

Volunteers do not need to be qualified divers but definitely need to know how to swim. Our project is concentrated around the ocean so all volunteers will either be snorkelling or diving depending on their qualifications. If you are not a qualified diver and would like to get qualified you'll be able to do so. At an extra cost, a local lodge with an accredited Padi Centre, will qualify you during your stay with us.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 07:30 - 16:00

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Mulala Marine Sanctuary

FEES WILL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

Nacala Airport or Bus Station pickup.

Staff salaries.

Diving equipment.

Project materials.

Accommodation, linen, towels, basic toiletries.

Three meals per day 

Laundry service.

Mulala Sanctuary t-shirt.

Overnight trip to Ilha de Mozambique (for volunteers staying three or more weeks)

5 or more scuba dives per week if you're a qualified diver, if not 5 or more reef snorkels per week.

Workshops on coral, fish, mangroves, Sea Cucumbers etc.

One trip to town per week.

Nacala night market visit.

A night out per week to a local restaurant for a traditional Mozambican meal with a soft drink or a beer.

A walk along the beach to the local fish market for  lunch with a soft drink or a beer every two weeks.

A beach barbeque every two weeks.

A traditional dhow trip to a deserted beach for a picnic/barbeque every two weeks. 

Make your own pizza day/evening next to the pool and volleyball court once every two weeks.





Airport Pickup at Nacala

Our manager or one of our staff members will pick you up from either the local bus station (15km from us) or the airport (7km from us) upon you arrival.


Accommodation

Accommodation consist of three units:

1) Two bedroom unit with  kitchen, living area, bathroom and netted veranda.
2) Two ensuite bedroom unit with kitchen, living area, guest toilet, scullery and netted veranda.
3) One dorm unit with four beds bathroom and coffee area.
 
All units have aircons.

Food & Beverages

We can prepare vegetarian meals upon request.

We have a local chef who prepares our meals, he is very creative and enjoys cooking.

Some of our volunteers have enjoyed giving him new recipes to try out.

We supply limitless drinking water and a soft drink with each meal.

Internet Access

Good access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Nacala (MNC) in Nacala. We assist you to find cheap flights to Mozambique. 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 Mozambique provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

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

Details on arrival

Volunteers are welcome any time of the year depending availability . 

We do have a two week minimum and twelve week maximum stay policy.

We will pick you up from the airport or local bus station upon your arrival.

We are looking forward to you joining us at our amazing Marine Sanctuary.

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

Program fees

2 weeks (min. stay) 686€
3 weeks 1,029€
4 weeks 1,372€
5 weeks 1,715€
6 weeks 2,058€
7 weeks 2,401€
12 weeks (max. stay) 3,704€
Average fees 325€/week

Program fees

325€ 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 Mulala Marine Sanctuary during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

Mulala Marine Sanctuary

Outstanding 4.9 rating (11 reviews)

Agency - founded in 2020

Verified by Volunteer World

Coordinated by

Amanda

Spoken languages: English

About the project

Mulala Marine Sanctuary is a marine conservation project not only aimed at the ocean but also at the surrounding communities dependant on the ocean for their livelihood.

Meet your organization

The Marine Sanctuary, based in beautiful Mozambique, is an amazing marine conservation project not only aimed at the ocean but also at the surrounding communities dependent on the ocean for their livelihood.


About us:

As a South African family (Johannes and Amanda with their two boys Hanri and Luka) living in Mozambique, we realized that our surrounding marine ecosystems were under immense pressure from overfishing, pollution, and habitat destruction. In 2017 we started petitioning to create a Marine Protected Area in the Mozambique. After a lot of hard work and many meetings with the local authorities and fishing communities the Marine Sanctuary was created in November 2020. The Memorandum was signed by the Administrator, CCP (Community Fisheries Councils of Mozambique ), ASSOPENA (The Fishermen Association of Naherenque, Nacala), INAMAR ( The Maritime Police),  the local community Queen and Chiefs of the surrounding Villages. Since then the Marine Sanctuary has emerged as a beacon of hope for the ocean's health in Mozambique.


Who we are looking for:  

Energetic, conservation conscious volunteers.

Volunteers who are vested in marine conservation and interested in community work.

Volunteers who will leave our project as ambassadors for the conservation of the ocean.

Volunteers who can help us create social content for our project.


Why choose us: 

Our aim is to safeguard and restore vulnerable species, habitats and corals. Our efforts prove successful, demonstrating the potential of Marine Protected Areas to support marine biodiversity and replenish fish stocks.  Our Marine sanctuary stands as beacon of hope, reminding us of the power of collective action in protecting our blue planet. Our mission is Marine Conservation and Community Work. At our Marine Sanctuary we’ve develop techniques to plant corals, survey reefs, monitor seagrass and identify mangrove species.  We identify fish and coral while working alongside our amazing team of staff and volunteers from around the world! We grid and survey a variety of different coral systems at varying depths. Identify and record different species of coral to gain data and insights on these ecosystems and help monitor their health and growth over time. We have a positive impact on the conservation of corals, fish and other marine species by creating a healthy coral population.  


Our goal is to teach volunteers how to:

  • Protect and conserve marine ecosystems, species, and habitats to ensure the long-term health and sustainability of the marine environment.
  • Provide a safe haven for endangered species, such as marine mammals, sea turtles, and various fish species, helping to prevent their extinction.
  • Promote sustainable use of marine resources: Marine sanctuaries work to balance the needs of humans and conservation of the ocean by promoting sustainable practices that allow for the continued use of marine resources without causing harm to the environment.
  • Educate the public about the importance of marine conservation and the need to protect our oceans.
  • Restore and rehabilitate damaged marine ecosystems by focus on restoring and rehabilitating damaged coral reefs.


11 reviews · rating4.9

Volunteering at Amanda’s in Nacala, Mozambique was an incredible adventure that intertwined conservation efforts, cultural immersion, and very comfortable living. My experience at Mulala Marine Protected Area was nothing short of extraordinary, offering an understanding of marine ecosystems, ...
Judith Manent Alonso rating5

2024 at Marine Conservation and Coral Planting Assistant

Mulala Marine Sanctuary volunteering is a very complete and gratifying experience. It’s a great way to descover Mozambique and it’s culture. It’s really inmersive. You get to know local people and experience the way they live. We went to local markets, like the fish market, and to ...
I thought it was an great experience and I learned a lot would definitely recommend to other people. The experience I had at mulala MPa was amazing and something I will remember and take with me in my day to day life. Amanda’s does an amazing job with everything and you could tell that she’s ...
Amanda visited Nacala, and she could picture a healthy Coral reef where other people had only seen fishing opportunities. She and her family are making a real effort to make a big change in the area, and is nice to see the results with your own eyes. After this month in Nacala I can proudly say I ...
So this volunteer experience was absolutely lovely. I arrived to greet a family and Amanda and Johannes made me feel so welcome and like a part of their family as we all helped with projects in the sanctuary. I assisted with Coral planting, ID, snorkelling and I even was able to get my PADI open ...
I had the most amazing experience volunteering with Amanda and Johannes! From the moment I arrived, they made me feel so welcome, like I was part of the family. The house that they gave me to stay in was so nice and it had everything I needed like an AC unit in the bedroom and a really well-stocked ...

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