Marine Conservation volunteers in Split have the unique opportunity to provide support to underwater clean-up efforts, helping to reduce sea pollution and conserve marine life.

As an ocean conservation volunteer, you’ll be using and improving your scuba diving skills while being actively involved in restoring the natural state of the marine ecosystem of the Dalmatian region and the wider Adriatic Sea.

The program is open to beginners without any diving experience; however, volunteers will have to gain dive certification before engaging in any type of underwater conservation activities. The Program Fee covers the cost of the required online and in-person training, full scuba equipment, and volunteer supervision from an experienced dive instructor.

All volunteers complete internationally recognized SSI (Scuba Schools International) diving certifications. The diving certification you complete will depend on your current diving experience and the length of your stay. The courses offered range from Suba Diver to Open Water Diver and also include specialties such as marine ecology and fish identification. The project works with a local diving school, therefore you are always supervised by an experienced dive instructor.

Depending on the time of the year you are coming, after you conclude your certification or during your volunteer period you also can join a scuba diving club on an underwater cleanup weekend at remote places around Split and make a bigger impact helping the local clubs with their mission of cleaning and protecting the sea and marine life.

All volunteer efforts on the project work towards the vision of healthier oceans, thriving ecosystems and a clean coastline - all driven by an aware and inspired community. As part of this, your tasks as a volunteer can include collecting trash from the sea, logging information on items collected, learning more about the marine ecosystem and how to protect it, and observing and identifying fish.

Please note in your application when you apply for the program if you have any existing dive certifications. If you do have certifications already, you will need to send a copy of these along with your diving log book through to our local team in Split - Croatia prior to your program starting. All volunteers are also required to provide a medical certificate which clears them for diving.