Marine Conservation
Coordinator | Mohamed
Coordinator | Mohamed
Book with Flex Option!
Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs.
Highlights
Rescue and rehabilitate turtle patients either victims of ghost net entanglement or the illegal pet trade
Gain knowledge about marine conservation and turtle rehabilitation
Actively engage with the community and raise awareness about turtle conservation, waste management and the importance of the ocean
Make life long friends, be inspired by fellow ocean lovers and experience incredible marine wildlife encounters
Experience many sides of the Maldives from the local islands to the resort island and all the uninhabited islands inbetween
Rehabilitate turtles that have been rescued from ghost net entanglement and the illegal pet trade, while educating the Maldives' community about environmental awareness.
This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Groups
Details
This program is a great chance to get involved in marine conservation and work closely with the amazing sea turtles. Sea turtles are brought to the marine centre after being kept as pets, or rescued from the ocean where they get trapped in ghost nets and rehabilitated and kept in the centre until they are ready to be released. The program is run by our two resident Marine Biologists, allowing you to learn from and work with other ocean enthusiasts. If weather conditions are suitable and you are a competent swimmer and free diver, you will also take part in coral gardening in an attempt to restore the degraded reefs. There is also opportunity to learn and take part in reef monitoring, to record the health of the surrounding reefs.
You will be given the chance to immerse yourself in a different culture and experience the 'real' Maldives. The Maldives is far more than just luxury resorts (although you may have the opportunity to experience the luxurious resorts too).
Our marine
program is extensive and relies on volunteer support to help us achieve all
our project aims. Simply put, without our amazing volunteers we would not be able to ensure
the upkeep and continued operation of Atoll Marine Centre.
Volunteer Tasks
Volunteers will work closely with our 2 resident marine biologists. Daily tasks are varied and may include:
- Cleaning and feeding the rescued turtles
- Cleaning the tanks
- Taking our resident turtle on rehabilitation ocean swims
- Assisting our Marine Biologists in the lab with injured turtles
- Organising beach cleans/marine awareness sessions
- Creating decorations and painting our marine centre
- Educating and communicating about your role and the importance of marine conservation with resort guests
Typical day
Usual working days are Tuesday - Sunday.
- 8:30 AM - Eat breakfast with everyone at Aqua Cafe
- 9:30 AM - Move to the centre to start duties (clean tanks, feed turtles and ocean swims)
- 10:30 AM - Every day can differ but sometimes we run tours for resort guests and other times we'll go on ocean swims or snorkel to see our coral frames
- 1:00 PM - Lunch with the staff and volunteers
- 2:00 PM - Afternoon activities varies depending on the weather but include snorkels, beach clean ups, turtle swims, documentary viewing, crafts, games, bon fires, lectures with our Marine Biologists or Vet and we love to watch sunset at Sunset Beach!
- 7:00 PM - Dinner with the staff and volunteers followed by rest/relax time
- Saturday is our day off and we reserve this day to go on an off-island excursion. Excursions vary, depending on volunteer preference and weather, but include snorkeling, exploring uninhabited islands, dolphin watching, night fishing, a day trip to a nearby resort or just sunbathing in the beautiful Maldivian sun.
Free-time activities
We organise one excursion per week, normally on Saturday.
We can go on a variety of exciting excursions around the Lhaviyani Atoll which are absolutely breathtaking!
These can range from exploring uninhabited islands, swimming with sharks, sun bathing on the beach, going to a resort day trip, overnight camping, BBQs, and definitely snorkelling or swimming in the pristine Maldivian waters.
Volunteers may also get the chance to go on reef surveys, turtle patrol or participate in turtle festivals on the neighboring islands with our marine team.
During your free time on the island, we encourage volunteers to get in the sea as much as possible and take photos of the marine life and islands. We have a wonderful little community here and there is some fantastic sights and scenery to take in as you walk around our island. We commonly see rays, sharks, turtles and heaps of fish on our on house reef!
Swimming
Sightseeing
Diving/
Snorkling
Snorkling
Sports
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 (fluently)
No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.
An interest in marine conservation.
Competent swimming ability.
Owns personal snorkeling gear.
A fun attitude and a willingness to learn and give back :)
Competent swimming ability.
Owns personal snorkeling gear.
A fun attitude and a willingness to learn and give back :)
Your helping hand will be required on
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday
from
09:30
- 13:00
What's Included
Pre-arrival:
- 24/7 support from our Volunteer Coordinator
- Pre-arrival information about your program, organisation and environment
- We book local accommodation and organise airport pickup (if accommodation in Male prior or post-volunteering is needed is not included in program fee)
During:
- Domestic flight from Male to Madivaru and boat transfer from Madivaru to Naifaru
- Accommodation on Naifaru (single-sex rooms with a maximum of 3 people per room, access to wifi, fridge and washing machine)
- 3 meals a day
- 1 excursion/week
- 24/7 support from our volunteer coordinator
Post-departure:
- Boat transfer from Naifaru to Madivaru and domestic flight from Madivaru to Male
- Lifetime of memories
Diving packages: (optional)
Not included in fees but can be paid on arrival if you decide to take a course or join our coral restoration dives!
- Discover Scuba Diving ($75)
- PADI Open Water ($400)
- PADI Advanced Open Water ($395)
- Emergency First Response ($190)
- PADI Rescue Diver ($350)
- PADI Dive Master ($1500)
- Recreational and specialty dive prices available on request
OFFER: Complete any course and receive 4 free coral restoration dives (2 coral restoration dives per week)
For all qualified divers and for any extra coral restoration dives ($20 per dive)
We recommend booking morning flights on arrival and night flights on departure. All domestic flights leave from the airport you will land at.
Accommodation is provided in our local guesthouse, Aqua Inn. We have single-sex shared bedrooms with 2/3 people/room. All rooms have their own en-suite. The house has free WiFi and a communal living area equipped with a sofa, books, fridge, washing machine, drying facilities and a kettle. All rooms have air-conditioning.
You may upgrade to stay with our partner guesthouse in a private room for an extra $45 USD per night. For a couple travelling together the upgrade fee to the guesthouse is $55 USD per night.
We eat all our meals at a local restaurant right next door to the marine centre. They can accommodate vegan, vegetarian and non-vegetarian diets.
Good access at the project site
Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations are NOT included in the program fees.
The nearest airport is Male International Airport (MLE) in Male. We assist you to find cheap flights to Maldives.
Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Maldives provides security and is a plus to have.
If you are intending to volunteer in Maldives you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Maldives.
Dates & Fees
NO CREDIT CARD FEES
Details on arrival
You can come at any time during the year! We welcome everyone at all times and we'd love for you to visit! This is obviously subject to availability but we have a partnership with a local guesthouse that costs extra if our standard accommodation is at capacity.
Domestic flights run everyday twice a day from Male airport to Madivaru, a small airport island 10 minutes from Naifaru by boat. So you're welcome to book any day of the week.
We recommend booking a morning flight on arrival and a night flight on departure. Please try to avoid arriving on a Saturday as we are usually off the island on excursion!
If you want or need to stay in Male for any reason we are more than happy to organise your booking, however, you will pay the hotel on arrival.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
2 - 12 weeks
Program fees
2 weeks
(min. stay)
$1,861
3 weeks
$2,644
4 weeks
$3,459
5 weeks
$4,324
6 weeks
$5,040
7 weeks
$5,880
8 weeks
$6,522
9 weeks
$7,338
10 weeks
$7,988
11 weeks
$8,787
12 weeks
(max. stay)
$9,487
Average fees
$861
/week
Please note that the above shown program fees are estimated.
Atoll Volunteers
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 Atoll Volunteers 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
Rehabilitate turtles that have been rescued from ghost net entanglement and the illegal pet trade, while educating the Maldives' community about environmental awareness.
$861/week
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