from 18,245€

Brilliant 4.7rating (173)
  • Climate Action
  • Partnerships For The Goals
  • Life Below Water

PADI Divemaster & Marine Apprenticeship

location
760€ per week  ·  24 - 24 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate

Highlights

  • Earn your PADI Divemaster, opening up a career of travel and diving.
  • Earn your PADI Coral Reef Researcher Speciality, exclusive to our marine programs.
  • Gain experience working in a dive shop on a Thai island is really like.
  • Improve your leadership and organisational skills.
  • Contribute to UN SDG, #14, Life Below Water in Fiji.

Especially suitable

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
50+

About the program

Earn your PADI Divemaster certification while exploring the waters surrounding the islands of Fiji and Thailand.

Enter the global scuba diving realm by acquiring a professional diving qualification on this program, while gaining work experience in the marine conservation field.This six month internship puts you on the fast track to earning a living as a divemaster in any top diving destination your heart ...

About the program

Enter the global scuba diving realm by acquiring a professional diving qualification on this program, while gaining work experience in the marine conservation field.This six month internship puts you on the fast track to earning a living as a divemaster in any top diving destination your heart desires. It includes three months of intensive training in the South Pacific isles of Fiji and a three month placement at a dive centre in Southern Thailand.

Your PADI divemaster qualification is one of many skills you will acquire while participating on this program. Participants undergo an extensive training programme and gain in-depth knowledge about the marine ecosystem, which is also put to work in the form of data collection and assisting with research on tropical coral reefs and fish species.

Afterwards you will join a dive centre in Thailand as a staff member, where you will perfect your skills as a recreational dive leader. The internship is designed to give you an intensive and comprehensive introduction to professional diving with the opportunity to experience two of the world’s most popular diving locations. 

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)
  • MARINE CONSERVATION COURSE (10 - 15 hours)
  • LEADERSHIP COURSE (10 - 15 hours)
  • CAREERS COURSE (10 - 15 hours)
In order to obtain a certificate for the Marine Conservation, Leadership and Careers courses which are 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

INITIAL 3 MONTHS TRAINING IN FIJI
  • The first three months of your divemaster internship will be spent in the Dawasamu District in Giji.  
  • Here, you will be helping our local team with their long-term project of assisting the Fijian government and local communities with the management of Fiji’s ...

Typical day

INITIAL 3 MONTHS TRAINING IN FIJI
  • The first three months of your divemaster internship will be spent in the Dawasamu District in Giji.  
  • Here, you will be helping our local team with their long-term project of assisting the Fijian government and local communities with the management of Fiji’s coral reefs.
  • Before getting started, our marine science officers assist you with completing your PADI Coral Reef Researcher Speciality to allow you to effectively conduct fish and coral surveys.
  • Our diving instructors will also assist you with starting your PADI Divemaster training, learning the theoretical underpinnings of professional diving as well as starting to hone your skills through practice exercises.
  • Learn about safety protocols and rescue procedures as well as setting up and maintaining your dive kit.
  • In addition, an assigned mentor on base will assist you with earning your ILM Endorsed Leadership Certificate

WORK PLACEMENT IN THAILAND

  • Once you have successfully completed the first three months of training in Fiji, you will travel to a dive centre in Southern Thailand.
  • Here you will learn what the business of running diving tours is really like, under the guidance of a professional diving team.
  • Gain experience working with clients by leading a dive in preparation for your final PADI Divemaster assessment.

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 (fluently)

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

Competent Swimmer (200m). Volunteers will normally be diving or snorkeling twice daily. Must be PADI Open Water Certfied

Time Commitment

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

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 arrival
    • PRE-DEPARTURE ORIENTATION (1 hour)
    • PROGRAM SPECIFIC TRAINING (1 - 5 hours)
    • MARINE CONSERVATION COURSE (10 - 15 hours)
    • LEADERSHIP COURSE (10 - 15 hours)
    • CAREERS COURSE (10 - 15 hours)
  • Certification and summary of training and experience received
  • Community work workshop
  • Confidential professional reference
  • Coral reef ecology
  • Diving compressor training workshop
  • Final evaluation
  • First Aid & CPR training and certification
  • Leading biological surveys course
  • Location orientation
  • Long term experienced staff
  • Meals while on project (except on work placements for long term internships)
  • PADI Advanced Open Water
  • PADI Coral Reef Research Diver Distinctive Speciality
  • PADI Rescue Diver and PADI Dive Master certifications (not including PADI professional fees)
  • Safe and basic accommodations (usually shared)
  • Teamwork and leadership experience
  • Use of O2 equipment workshop
  • Weekly evaluation with your mentor
  • Welcome meeting
  • Work placement - if successful during the first 12 weeks of the internship
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED:
  • Additional drinks and gratuities
  • Extra local excursions
  • Flights
  • Food during the placement portion of your internship
  • 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

Accommodation on base is in shared (mixed sex) facilities with shared bathroom facilities. Flush toilet facilities are available, and participants share base duties, including cleaning and other chores. There is rain water available for cooking, drinking, and washing. Ground water is pumped for other ablutions. Careful water conservation is necessary and water may be rationed during droughts. Basic flush toilet facilities and cold water showers are available.
Participants share daily duties to ensure the smooth running of base, including cleaning, cooking, kitting up boats, tidying the grounds and other chores

For internship volunteers, during the second part of the program (approx. weeks 12-24) you will be based at your dive centre placement in shared accommodation. The exact location will be discussed with you during your program. Accommodation will vary depending on your placement location.

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
  • 16 Sep 2023
2024
  • 6 Jan 2024
  • 30th March 2024
  • 22 June 2024
  • 14th September 2024
Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

24 weeks 18,245€
Average fees 760€/week

Program fees

760€ per week 24 - 24 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES

Duration

24 - 24 weeks

Deposit (15%)

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 (85%)

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 host

GVI

Brilliant 4.7 rating (173 reviews)

Agency - founded in 1998

Verified by Volunteer World

  Very high response rate

Coordinated by

Graeme

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 host

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.

173 reviews · rating4.7

Ombeline Charlot rating5

2021 at PADI Divemaster & Marine Apprenticeship

Hello! My name is Ombeline, I’m a 23 y.o French girl living in Switzerland. I’ve volunteered for 8 weeks in the Marine conservation program - Mexico, Puerto Morelos. I love travelling and exploring the world, so after I finished my Bachelor and worked in the hotel industry for a year, I wanted ...
Vincent Watson rating5

2021 at PADI Divemaster & Marine Apprenticeship

I came with no dive experience and am now on my way to becoming a divemaster. It was an amazing experience and I highly recommend it to anybody interested. The staff are great people and very passionate about protecting nature. On one of my last dives we swam with a pod of dolphins, I have swam with ...
Michael Zimprich rating4.8

2020 at PADI Divemaster & Marine Apprenticeship

Staff members were super cool but still professional when it comes to diving. The community was so awesome. I met so many new people there and immediatley became friens with them. Accomodation is good and clean. There are no hot showers, but who needs them when it has 30°? ;) (the water in the ...
Rose Little rating4.4

2019 at PADI Divemaster & Marine Apprenticeship

I had only done 5 dives before heading out for a 6 month marine conservation and Divemaster internship however the GVI family made me feel at home very quickly and I soon found my feet in the project. We were working on a fish refuge site monitoring coral health and coverage alongside ...
As a marine biology student, the work I did in Akumal completely re-affirmed why I want to do what I’m doing. It reminded me of what I’m passionate about and why I live it so much. Getting to dive every day is a dream come true, all the while working towards making a difference! The staff and ...
Kaitlyn Quinn rating5

2018 at PADI Divemaster & Marine Apprenticeship

I had the opportunity to volunteer in Fiji for 3 month regarding marine conservation research. As an aspiring marine biologist, I had the most wonderful experience working alongside the many passionate and hardworking volunteers and staff. We were able to conduct surveys and collect data first hand, ...

Location

Oceania > Melanesia > Fiji > Suva

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Volunteer Abroad  >  Environment  >  Marine Conservation in Fiji
Contact Graeme
  Very high response rate
English

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