Tropical Island & Coastal Environment Restoration
Coordinator | Natalie
Coordinator | Natalie
Book with Flex Option!
Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs.
Highlights
Live on the essentially uninhabited island of Curieuse, on the famously beautiful Anse St. Jose beach
Gain work experience in conservation working to support a local government conservation organisation
Contribute to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #15, Life on Land
Help to restore the pristine island landscape of Curieuse Marine National Park
In your free time visit neighbouring islands of the Seychelles archipelago such as Praslin or La Digue
Contribute to the removal of invasive species on Curieuse Island to help native species recover.
This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 18+
Singles
Couples
The colonisation of Curieuse island led to the introduction of several destructive invasive species, such as cinnamon, a spice once considered a pillar of the Seychelles economy, and cocoplum, a species previously planted to stabilise eroding soil, and rodents, introduced accidentally by travelling ships.
On this program volunteers work on the rehabilitation of Curieuse Island by eradicating invasive species setting the scene for a return of native species like seabirds. You will also be participating in a range of other scientific monitoring projects like studying the island’s giant tortoise and mangrove populations. Throughout the program you will work with an international team of GVI staff, interns, and volunteers to assist the Seychelles National Parks Authority with collecting research data that will help them make decisions about sustainably managing the island’s fragile habitat and species.
You will receive training on the following topics dependent on season:
Invasive Species Eradication: Learn about how species like cinnamon, cocoplum, and rats cause damage to island flora and fauna and what is being done to remove these species.
Monitoring Induction: Training provided by our staff on the techniques and best practices for conducting research in the field.
Plastic Presentation: A presentation highlighting the issue with plastic and measures that can be taken to help reduce plastic consumption.
Sea Turtle Beach Surveys: Learn how to study the nesting success of Hawksbill and Green turtles. You will find out how to collect data on tag numbers, carapace (shell) measurements, and the number of eggs laid. You might also carry out nest excavations to measure hatching success.
Coco de Mer Growth Survey: Learn how to collect growth and reproductive data related to the native Coco de Mer palm tree.
Mangrove Mapping: Learn how to investigate seedling recruitment, a term used to describe when a young plant has joined a population of plants, the mortality of seedlings, and species distribution across the mangrove forests of Curieuse island.
Tortoise Population Census: Learn about our annual census of the island's giant Aldabra tortoise population. You will also find out how to collect data on the growth rates of hatchlings and juvenile tortoises in the nursery.
Sicklefin Lemon Shark Monitoring: Learn about our catch-and-release sicklefin lemon shark project. Find out how shark pups are safely caught to gather population and growth rate information on this understudied species.
Beach Profiling: Learn how to record the rate of coastal erosion to assist in our beach profiling surveys.
Baited Remote Underwater Video Surveys (BRUVs): Participants are shown how to correctly set up a BRUV, including rigging, baiting, and camera setup. Correct handling techniques are also taught for safe deployments and retrievals of the frames, and participants may be trained in fish identification to assist with video analysis.
Boat and Snorkelling Orientation: Detailed lessons on the boat procedures, including knot tying, entry and exit procedures, as well as emergency plans.
Coconut Husking Lesson: Participants are shown the correct technique for husking a coconut and have the opportunity to practice preparing a coconut to eat or to use as a beverage.
Tortoise Conservation
Plant Conservation
#Hotspots
Waste Reduction
Shark Conservation
Sea Turtle Conservation
Giant Tortoise
Mangrove
National Park
Plastic Reduction
Whale Shark
Green Sea Turtle
Hawksbill Turtle
Typical day
Volunteer work is Monday through to Fridays with weekends free to explore. The Island is only accessible by boat.
The focus of the program is dependent on seasons and therefore we encourage our participants to remain flexible.
Days are long and a good physical fitness is required as you will be dong a lot of hiking over uneven terrain.
Free-time activities
You will be based in and around national parks in the main group of islands, and working on a diverse range of wildlife and habitats on and around Curieuse Island. Access to and from the island is only by boat so travel to other islands is limited to weekends. Praslin has a limited, cheap bus service and taxis are easily available. For further exploration you may choose to hire a car on Praslin or make use of the inter-island ferry services between the other islands.
In your down time you will be free to travel in the local area and can expect one or two free days per week, usually at weekends. In this time you could explore the islands of Praslin or La Digue, visit the capital of Mahé, Victoria (although the ferry to Mahe is relatively expensive), visit local beaches, snorkel or just relax on base. Before and after your program you could spend a little more time in the Seychelles on the close-by islands of Praslin and La Digue, or join a charter to sail even further afield. Please allow several days if you hope to travel between islands, there are over 100 in the archipelago but getting around takes time – the possibilities are endless!
In your down time you will be free to travel in the local area and can expect one or two free days per week, usually at weekends. In this time you could explore the islands of Praslin or La Digue, visit the capital of Mahé, Victoria (although the ferry to Mahe is relatively expensive), visit local beaches, snorkel or just relax on base. Before and after your program you could spend a little more time in the Seychelles on the close-by islands of Praslin and La Digue, or join a charter to sail even further afield. Please allow several days if you hope to travel between islands, there are over 100 in the archipelago but getting around takes time – the possibilities are endless!
Water Sports
Swimming
Concert/
Music
Music
Sightseeing
Diving/
Snorkling
Snorkling
Shopping/
Souvenirs
Souvenirs
Climbing
Safari/
Zoo
Zoo
Hiking
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 (basic level)
required
at High School level
Medical Form and Passport Copy
No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.
No specific skills required, all training is provided in field.
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
- Location orientation
- Long term experienced staff
- Meals while on project (except on work placements for long term internships)
- Safe and basic accommodations (usually shared)
- Welcome meeting
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
- Additional drinks and gratuities
- Extra local excursions
- Flights
- International and domestic airport taxes
- Medical and travel insurance
- Personal items and toiletries
- Police or background check
- Visa costs (where necessary)
Most volunteers arrange international flights to Seychelles' main international airport on Mahé Island, arriving on or before the expedition start date.
Airport pick-ups can be arranged at 07:30 AM the day before your program start date, please request this from your support coordinator who will be in touch with you at the time of booking.
It is highly recommended that you arrive at least a day or two earlier if possible, to recover from jetlag and acclimatize.
Most people stay in the village of Beau Vallon which is right on the beach and the main center for tourism in Mahé, with restaurants and shops close by.
Note if you plan to stay on other parts of the island you will be required to make your own way to one of the pick-up points.
Airport pick-ups can be arranged at 07:30 AM the day before your program start date, please request this from your support coordinator who will be in touch with you at the time of booking.
It is highly recommended that you arrive at least a day or two earlier if possible, to recover from jetlag and acclimatize.
Most people stay in the village of Beau Vallon which is right on the beach and the main center for tourism in Mahé, with restaurants and shops close by.
Note if you plan to stay on other parts of the island you will be required to make your own way to one of the pick-up points.
On the morning of the expedition, the pickup point will be next to the car park behind the Pearl Noire restaurant in Beau Vallon at 09:00 AM. It is essential that you are on time.
Accommodation is in shared (mixed sex) dorm rooms. There is cold running water available for showers and bottled water available for drinking. Bathroom facilities are shared, and participants also share base duties, including cleaning and other chores.
Bungalow
Participants take it in turns to prepare meals for the group. Food is basic but nutritious, and primarily vegetarian with optional fish or meat available no more than once or twice a week. Breakfast could be porridge with fresh fruit, or occassionally pancakes or cereal, lunch and evening meals may include pasta, beans, rice, fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, etc.
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
Due to the current situation you have the flexibility of changing the destination and start dates for this program at no extra cost. This added flexibility can be utilised until 31 December 2020.
2020
- 11 Jan 2020
- 08 Feb 2020
- 07 Mar 2020
- 04 Apr 2020
- 02 May 2020
- 30 May 2020
- 27 Jun 2020
- 25 Jul 2020
- 22 Aug 2020
- 19 Sep 2020
- 17 Oct 2020
- 14 Nov 2020
2021
- 09 Jan 2021
- 23 Jan 2021
- 06 Feb 2021
- 20 Feb 2021
- 06 Mar 2021
- 20 Mar 2021
- 03 Apr 2021
- 17 Apr 2021
- 01 May 2021
- 15 May 2021
- 29 May 2021
- 12 Jun 2021
- 26 Jun 2021
- 10 Jul 2021
- 24 Jul 2021
- 07 Aug 2021
- 21 Aug 2021
- 04 Sep 2021
- 18 Sep 2021
- 02 Oct 2021
- 16 Oct 2021
- 30 Oct 2021
- 13 Nov 2021
- 27 Nov 2021
This program is paused due to COVID-19
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
2 - 12 weeks
Program fees
2 weeks
(min. stay)
$2,271
3 weeks
$2,660
4 weeks
$3,048
5 weeks
$3,436
6 weeks
$3,824
7 weeks
$4,213
8 weeks
$4,616
9 weeks
$5,000
10 weeks
$5,384
11 weeks
$5,769
12 weeks
(max. stay)
$6,153
Average fees
$824
/week
The organization charges its fees in EUR. The price table in USD is subject to currency fluctuation.
Global Vision International (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 Global Vision International (GVI) during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.
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All program fees are charged directly by Global Vision International (GVI).
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Tropical Island & Coastal Environment Restoration
Contribute to the removal of invasive species on Curieuse Island to help native species recover.
$729/week
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