Reef Conservation Supporter

North Bali Reef Conservation needs the support from international volunteers to help with its current projects. One main focus is building and deploying artificial reefs onto an area of previously destroyed reef. Volunteers will work alongside other international volunteers and local fishermen to build personalised artificial reef structures, which are regularly deployed into the sea using traditional fishing boats. The next day volunteers will scuba dive and arrange these structures under water, between 6-8m, where they will provide habitats to a wide variety of marine species. An on-site reef monitoring program has shown that the artificial reefs improve marine biodiversity by 7x, compared to the previously destroyed area of reef and it is great for volunteers to see their hard work paying off!

There are a wide variety of other activities offered to volunteers each day:

• Volunteers have an opportunity to teach in local schools about marine conservation and environmental issues such as plastic responsibility. This is part of an ongoing education program to empower a new generation of environmentally conscious young village people and is a great opportunity for volunteers who love working with children.

• Participate in weekly beach cleans with local schools. This reinforces the lessons volunteers have been teaching about looking after the sea.

• Helping with the newly founded plastic recycling centre. Here, plastic collected (from beach cleans etc) is shredded up and moulded into useful materials such as bricks and tiles to improve local infrastructure.

• Participating in scuba diving activities such as reef cleans, deployment of artificial reefs and coral transplanting. Volunteers can expect to dive 1-2 times per week. If volunteers are not certified before coming, optional PADI courses are offered at an additional cost.

• During turtle nesting and hatching season (May-August) volunteers have an opportunity to help in our turtle conservation area. This involves creating pathways and ensuring turtle hatchlings safely make it to the sea. In the turtle conservation area, there is approximately one nest hatching per week, but please note this cannot be guaranteed.

North Bali Reef Conservation was set up in Tianyar village and volunteer accommodation is just a stone’s throw away from the beach with a perfect view out to the ocean. Artificial reefs are constructed on this beach under the shade of tall palm trees. The structures are deployed directly out from the building area. Tianyar is in the region of Karangasem and is three hours from Bali’s capital Denpasar. Visiting the fishing village of Tianyar is a unique cultural experience because unlike the much of South Bali, it is untouched by tourism. It is also a great site to call home as volunteers travel around Bali with good condition road links both north and south. Many volunteers choose to take day trips to feel mentally and culturally​ enriched at Balinese Hindu temples such as Lempuyang temple, to cool off in waterfalls such as Aling-Aling or to hike to the top of Mt Batur and witness the breathtaking Balinese sunrise.

What can volunteers expect?

• A variety of interesting and meaningful volunteering activities offered Monday-Thursday

• 3 meals a day provided Monday-Friday

• Clean and friendly living environment in newly built Balinese cabins for up to 4 people

• Helpful and approachable staff on site 24 hours a day.

• Local drivers available all week to take volunteers on day/weekend trips

• Volunteers can expect to dive 1-2 times per week

What is expected of volunteers?

• Positive mental attitude and an interest in marine conservation.

• It is not required that volunteers bring any specific equipment, however, it is recommended a snorkelling mask, snorkel and fins are bought along for hygiene reasons.