Marine Conservation and PADI Training Expedition
Coordinator | Graeme
Coordinator | Graeme
Book with Flex Option!
Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs.
Highlights
Earning your PADI Advanced Open Water certificate
Learning how to identify fish and coral in the Indian Ocean.
Exploring different dive sites among the tropical islands of the Seychelles, searching for the incredible ‘mega-fauna’ in the area, such as sharks, rays, and dolphins.
Participation in local ecosystem surveying including seagrass monitoring, mangrove species identification and nudibranch diversity checks.
Developing the techniques needed to survey coral reefs.
Gain your PADI Advanced dive certification and work alongside esteemed partners such as the Seychelles National Parks Authority on critical marine conservation.
This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 18+
Singles
Couples
50+
Live the island life in the Seychelles while contributing to the conservation of the marine ecosystem.
Interns will be PADI dive trained in order to effectively complete necessary data collection on the coral reef without causing any damage. Upon completion of this internship, you will receive your PADI Advanced Open Water and the unique speciality PADI Coral Reef Researcher.
All data collected is passed on to local authorities in order that they may implement new protection policies to ensure long term survival of the marine ecosystem in the Seychelles. You could also expect to participate in dives against debris, community outreach activities and environmental education classes.
You could also expect to be involved in crown-of-thorns starfish removal and data collection on mega fauna as well as coral, fish and invertebrates.
This program includes an optional Marine Conservation online course which must be completed in order to obtain a certificate offered in partnership with the University of Richmond in the United States:
Shark Conservation
Activities
Waste Reduction
Dolphin Conservation
Ray Conservation
Whitetip Reef Shark
Diving
Ocean Cleaning
Bottlenose Dolphin
Manta Ray
Plastic Reduction
Diving certificate
Coral Reef
Typical day
Participants are expected to remain flexible as project work changes based on weather as well as needs of our project partners.
Estimated Schedule:
- 5 or 6am: Wake up call
- 6 - 10 am: First Dive
- 12pm: Lunch
- 1pm - 4pm: Second Dive
- 6pm: Dinner
- 9pm: Bed Time
Participants could expect to be involved in 1 to 2 dives OR snorkels a day.
Free-time activities
By participating in this program, you are not only offered an opportunity to work toward conserving ecosystems but also the opportunity to see local sites! Our dedicated field staff are the best resource when researching local trips, they have compiled this list of activities.
These side trips are not included in the program fee but are highly recommended:
- Victoria City
- Inner island hopping (Praslin, La Digue, Silhouette Felicity and Sister)
- Hiking and climbing
- Water sports
- Beau Vallon Bay
- Cap Matoopa Hike
- Recreational Diving
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 traditional Seychellois Creole dishes
- Visit the Mission Ruins at Venn's Town
- Paddleboard across the bay
- Hike through lush forests and across rocky plateaus
- Explore the ocean after dark with a night dive
- Discover rare and endemic species of plants
- Swim at a secret beach
- Go fishing with local fishers
Water Sports
Swimming
Sightseeing
Diving/
Snorkling
Snorkling
Shopping/
Souvenirs
Souvenirs
Climbing
Safari/
Zoo
Zoo
Hiking
Sports
Yoga/
Meditation
Meditation
Requirements
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.
You need to speak English (intermediate level)
required
PADI Medical Form and PADI Open Water qualiffication (or equivalent) qualification
No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.
All participants must be PADI Open Water certified before joining the program and should be able to walk 400m over uneven ground carrying their dive equipment. Training is provided online 8 weeks prior to program start through self paced training materials.
Your helping hand will be required on
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
What's Included
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
- Community work workshop
- Coral reef ecology
- Diving compressor training workshop
- First Aid & CPR training
- Location orientation
- Long term experienced staff
- Meals while on project (except on work placements for long term internships)
- National Park fees and permits
- PADI Advanced Open Water
- PADI Coral Reef Research Diver Distinctive Speciality
- Safe and basic accommodations (usually shared)
- Use of O2 equipment workshop
- Welcome meeting
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
- Additional drinks and gratuities
- Extra local excursions
- Flights
- International and domestic airport taxes
- Medical and travel insurance
- PADI Open Water
- Personal dive kit, e.g. mask, fins, wetsuit, timer etc.
- Personal items and toiletries
- Police or background check
- Visa costs (where necessary)
Airport Pick up's can be arranged between 07:00 - 10:00 AM the day before your program start date. Please request this service before hand if need be.
Meeting point on your project start date (very important)
On the morning of the expedition, the pickup point/meeting point will be in the car park behind La Perle Noire restaurant in Beau Vallon at 11:00 AM. It is essential that you are on time. Late arrivals will not be accommodated.
Only 3 minutes walk from the beach, our eco friendly research base is situated in the Baie Ternay Marine National Park.
Accomodation facilities are shared dormitories and can be considered basic.
Typical Seychelles meals can be expected, all ingredients are provided by us however participants take it in turns to prepare meals. We can cater for most dietary requirements.
Limited access at the project site
Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations are NOT included in the program fees.
The nearest airport is Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) in Mahe Island. We assist you to find cheap flights to Seychelles.
Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Seychelles provides security and is a plus to have.
If you are intending to volunteer in Seychelles you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Seychelles.
Dates & Fees
NO CREDIT CARD FEES
Details on arrival
2023
- 07 Jan 2023
- 21 Jan 2023
- 04 Feb 2023
- 18 Feb 2023
- 04 Mar 2023
- 18 Mar 2023
- 01 Apr 2023
- 15 Apr 2023
- 29 Apr 2023
- 13 May 2023
- 27 May 2023
- 10 Jun 2023
- 24 Jun 2023
- 08 Jul 2023
- 22 Jul 2023
- 05 Aug 2023
- 19 Aug 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
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
2 - 12 weeks
Program fees
2 weeks
(min. stay)
$4,362
4 weeks
$5,538
6 weeks
$6,994
8 weeks
$7,946
10 weeks
$9,178
12 weeks
(max. stay)
$10,298
Average fees
$1,520
/week
The organization charges its fees in EUR. The price table in USD is subject to currency fluctuation.
GVI
will let you know about the final price during your application process.
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.
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.
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Marine Conservation and PADI Training Expedition
Gain your PADI Advanced dive certification and work alongside esteemed partners such as the Seychelles National Parks Authority on critical marine conservation.
$1357/week
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