PADI Marine Conservation 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
Enhancing your scuba diving skills with daily dives (weather permitting).
Conducting underwater surveys in the warm waters of the Pacific.
See coral reefs up close and discover a myriad of fascinating marine creatures to study.
Spending time getting to know the local community.
Learn to dive in the warm waters of Fiji, while directly contributing to conservation efforts in the region.
This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Families
Groups
50+
Dawasamu District, in Fiji plays host to a diverse mix of marine conservation projects, which participants will experience while living an island-style, communal environment with fellow participants and GVI staff. Dive close to Caqalai island which is on the edge of an expansive reef system, which provides volunteers and interns with the opportunity to see extensive and exclusive underwater life, generating a vastly in-depth, explorative experience as a whole.
On this program, you will learn all about coral reef ecology and conservation issues facing tropical marine organisms and the communities that depend on them. Participants typically spend time in the water every day, in what can only be described as a vibrant marine ecosystem. There is a possibility of seeing endangered species such as sharks, rays, humphead wrasse and whales while participating on the program. While on dry land, you will also likely spend some time in the community helping with environmental education in our partner schools.
You will spend the majority of your time on this expedition in the water and as such you need to be qualified to at least PADI Open Water, or equivalent. Non-divers can join for 8- and 12-week durations, and we will supply you with all the training you need to be certified up to PADI Advanced Open Water. The 2-4 week durations are only open for divers already qualified to PADI Open Water Diver or equivalent.
You will spend the majority of your time on this expedition in the water and as such you need to be qualified to at least PADI Open Water, or equivalent. Non-divers can join for 8- and 12-week durations, and we will supply you with all the training you need to be certified up to PADI Advanced Open Water. The 2-4 week durations are only open for divers already qualified to PADI Open Water Diver or equivalent.
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.
Activities
Waste Reduction
Sea Turtle Conservation
Diving
Ocean Cleaning
Plastic Reduction
Coral Reef
Green Sea Turtle
Typical day
Dive qualified volunteers will be trained in invertebrate, benthic or fish target species and life forms dependent on your duration.
Once fully trained in species identification, volunteers will be taught several survey techniques allowing them to become a member of the data collection survey team building an inventory of marine species in Moturiki waters.
Marine expedition volunteers will also have the chance to assist in delivering lessons focussed on environmental awareness in two schools on Moturiki Island and will participate in community based work giving workshops and helping to improve water security (rain water harvesting infra structure, compost toilets).
The project runs Monday to Friday and days are busy with presentations, dive training, point out snorkels, dives, data collection snorkels and dives, running alongside the daily chores required to keep the base operational. Once volunteers have completed their training in their allocated area, they are welcome to become survey ready in another.
Research is shared with local communities as an aid to make informed decisions about the management of their marine assets. The data is also shared with our in country partners the Fiji Locally Management Marine Area Network (FLMMA) and the Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement (IRD), the Ocean Conservancy and the Great Fiji Shark Count
Free-time activities
You will have time off and be free to travel in the local area on the weekends, usually from around 14:00 Friday, coming back to base by 17:00 on Sunday. In this time you could do daytrips such as visiting the old colonial capital Levuka, on nearby Ovalau, or trekking up the mountains there. You can also go snorkelling or scuba diving, relax for a night or two in a nearby resort or go further afield on Viti Levu. Before and after your program there are countless attractions that can be reached after a day or two of travelling. You could visit the Dolphins at Moon Reef, take a ferry to Taveuni - 'the garden of Fiji' or explore the interior of Viti Levu - 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
Water Sports
Swimming
Concert/
Music
Music
Sightseeing
Diving/
Snorkling
Snorkling
Shopping/
Souvenirs
Souvenirs
Climbing
Safari/
Zoo
Zoo
Hiking
Museum/
Opera
Opera
Sports
Riding
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
Medical Form and PADI Medical Form
No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.
Volunteers joining for 2-4 weeks must be PADI Open Water or equivalent.
Competent Swimmer (200m). Volunteers will normally be diving or snorkeling twice daily.
Competent Swimmer (200m). Volunteers will normally be diving or snorkeling twice daily.
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 provided online 8 weeks prior to program start:
- PRE-DEPARTURE ORIENTATION (1 hour)
- PROGRAM SPECIFIC TRAINING (1 - 5 hours)
- OPTIONAL: MARINE CONSERVATION COURSE (10 - 15 hours)
- 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)
- PADI Coral Reef Research Diver Distinctive Specialty
- PADI Open Water (for 8 and 12 week volunteers) and Advanced Open Water
- Safe and basic accommodations (usually shared)
- Transfer to base location
- Use of O2 equipment workshop
- Welcome meeting
- 1 Cultural/Adventure activity per week up to 8 weeks
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)
Most volunteers arrange international flights to arrive at Nadi International Airport and then a connecting flight to Suva the day before the Program starts.
GVI offers an airport pick up at Nausori Airport, Suva on the Friday prior to project start for the 2 flights below:
• Fiji Airways (FJ7) Arrival: 09:00 AM Nausori International (SUV)
• Fiji Airways (FJ21) Arrival: 07:00 PM Nausori International (SUV)
You will be greeted by a member of staff who will wear a light-blue collared shirt and transport will be arranged to drop you at South Seas Hostel in Suva. If you choose to stay elsewhere, you can easily get a taxi from South Seas to your accommodation.
If you choose to arrive on a different flight, you will need to make your own way from the airport to the centre of Suva, a taxi will cost around FJ$30.
The Nadi to Suva trip can also be completed by taxi, approx. FJ$250. You must be in Suva before 11:00am on Saturday.
Located in a busy seaside village, experience some of the most spectacular sunsets and sunrises! Become fully immersed in the Fijian culture!
You will be living with the other volunteers in shared (same gender) accommodation. There is rain water available for cooking, drinking, and washing. Careful water conservation is necessary, and water may be rationed during droughts.
Food is very basic, and most volunteers will prepare their own breakfasts, usually toast and cereals, and packed lunches to eat at the project site. You will be split into teams to prepare the evening meal on a rotational basis, which is loads of fun, but also encourages team building. All dietary requirements will be catered for accordingly.
Limited access at the project site
Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations are NOT included in the program fees.
The nearest airport is Nausori Airport (SUV) in Suva. We assist you to find cheap flights to Fiji.
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.
If you are intending to volunteer in Fiji you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Fiji.
Dates & Fees
NO CREDIT CARD FEES
Details on arrival
2022
- 08 Jan 2022
- 22 Jan 2022
- 05 Feb 2022
- 19 Feb 2022
- 05 Mar 2022
- 19 Mar 2022
- 02 Apr 2022
- 16 Apr 2022
- 30 Apr 2022
- 14 may 2022
- 28 May 2022
- 11 Jun 2022
- 25 Jun 2022
- 09 Jul 2022
- 23 Jul 2022
- 06 Aug 2022
- 20 Aug 2022
- 03 Sep 2022
- 17 Sep 2022
- 01 Oct 2022
- 15 Oct 2022
- 29 Oct 2022
- 12 Nov 2022
- 26 Nov 2022
- 10 Dec 2022
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
- 27 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
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
2 - 12 weeks
Program fees
2 weeks
(min. stay)
$4,232
4 weeks
$5,418
6 weeks
$6,774
8 weeks
$7,791
10 weeks
$8,978
12 weeks
(max. stay)
$10,108
Average fees
$1,479
/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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PADI Marine Conservation Expedition
Learn to dive in the warm waters of Fiji, while directly contributing to conservation efforts in the region.
$1309/week
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