Summer Marine Conservation Experience

After you have settled in your program will start with Orientation. We want to ensure that everyone has the same level of knowledge about LTO, the conservation work we do, and your role as a volunteer. Orientation will also include planning your dive training, key introductory lectures and a site tour.

At the end of the program you will be asked to do a presentation (in groups if you prefer) on a marine conservation topic of your choice. For the keen underwater film/ photographers wanting to create a video, awesome, we are here to support your creativity! 

Below you will find a little more detail about the activities you will be doing with us. You may not do these activities in this order as many of these are outdoor activities and depend on the weather. You will be doing a different activity every day though, on a rotation to keep you on your toes! The dive qualification will be one of the first things you do as you'll need that for the coral reef work.

PADI Dive Qualification

You do not have to be a diver before you come out to Mozambique, you can train with us here! Included in your program fee is scuba diving training. During the first 2 weeks of the program you can either attain:

- PADI Open Water Certification. For first time divers, which consists of lectures, pool sessions and 4 open water dives

- PADI Advanced Open Water Certification, designed to advance your diving. The course helps build confidence and expand your skills through 5 open water adventure dives.

Conservation Science Training

Conservation science is very complex so at Love The Oceans we aim to provide you with the basic knowledge and skills to allow you to go on to develop your own projects and continue with Conservation Science. 

You will participate in a series of educational lectures with the Founder of our organisation based around our specific areas of work within Conservation Science. if you'd like to focus on a specific interest area let us know - we have a variety of experts in our Research team.

Ocean safaris and Megafauna Research

You’ll have a theory session on how to photograph megafauna for a successful ID shot. You’ll be learning about humpback whales and whale sharks, with some manta ray IDs too. 

Your skills will then be put to the test on ocean safaris where you can practise taking ID shots. You will also be taught why the conservation of these species is so important. 

Participate in Coral Reef Surveying

We believe we’re in a biodiversity hotspot and we need coral reef data to prove our area is worth protecting. You will be introduced to LTO’s coral reef methodology and once qualified, may have the chance to help with LTO surveys on your dives.

LTO collects this data to develop a robust dataset which will provide the evidence base required to effectively lobby for changes to certain fishing legislation and a Marine Protected Area (MPA) to be established. We believe that securing an MPA will create opportunities for eco-tourism, bringing much needed income into the region, and provide a viable alternative to unsustainable fishing. 

Participate in Fisheries Research

LTO collects fisheries data in order to assess how sustainable the fisheries are in their current form. Our research is collected at two beautiful beach fisheries locations - our Guinjata Bay research base, and our Paindane Bay research site. 

You will be supporting LTOs fisheries research and during this time you will learn to collect beach monitoring data, how to log it and why this is so important. You will record fish, shark and ray measurement data into the logs along with their corresponding images.

In building this dataset for monitoring and analysis it is our aim to work with the local community to determine a minimum landing size for individual species and help re-build a sustainable artisanal industry. 

Help Improve local school facilities 

The Government does not have enough money to provide the standard of learning facilities the children need. Every year we fundraise for money specifically to improve the school facilities in consultation with the local community. 

We strongly believe in supporting the organic growth and development of the local community, as such we employ local builders to complete construction/improvement work. Our volunteers then enhance this by painting educational murals on the school walls. 

We ask you to get creative and design a mural (anything ranging from the human body to the solar system or an underwater scene) and then spend the day bringing your art to life for the children.  You are also welcome to bring some designs out with you

 Participate in a Cultural Tour

Mozambique is a developing nation with limited food resources, electricity and running water. The region we operate in is remote and many people live below the poverty line. 

You will have the opportunity to visit a local family’s home and learn how they live in rural Mozambique, and how they prepare meals. Volunteers have found this experience to be rather humbling, but also a lot of fun with the many children many Mozambican families have! 

Support swimming lessons for local kids

Surprisingly few local children are confident in the water. Part of our commitment to the local community is teaching local school children to swim on Saturday afternoons. 

We do this to improve water safety skills in the community, and with the aim of igniting a passion for the marine environment in the younger generations. We hope for a future where the local community both want, and are able to, experience the underwater world for themselves. 

Language Lessons

The community speak Portuguese and the local dialect, Bitonga. You will participate in language lessons while you’re with us. These have proven great fun in the past and allows you to learn a little of both Portuguese and Bitonga.

Learn to source and cook local food

Mozambique is a developing nation with limited food resources. In the region we operate is remote, and the coastal soil and climate conditions are not favorable to varied agriculture. You will witness a lot of household subsistence farming. The local food is very filling and consists of a few different vegetables cooked in various different ways. 

You will join in one evening for some local cooking. You will have the opportunity to to see what a normal family lives off in rural Mozambique, and how they prepare meals. Volunteers have found this experience to be rather humbling, but also a lot of fun with the many children many Mozambican families have!

Optional Safari Trip

After 3 weeks in Guinjata Bay, you have the option to be whisked away to South Africa to spend 5 days exploring the stunning Balule Private Game Reserve in the Greater Kruger Park Ecosystem. We LOVE it here.  All accommodation, meals (B/L/D) and overland transport is included, but the drinks are on you! 

Our partners in South Africa will be taking care of you. Here you will be taken on game drives, bush walks, and participate in an animal behaviour lecture and walk – all with experienced field guides. There will also be a scenic tour through the Drakensburg Mountains to see God’s Window, the Three Sisters and the spectacular Bourke’s Luck Potholes. When it’s time to say good-bye, you will be transported to Johannesburg Airport to arrive Friday evening.

Typical day

Details on Arrival

Free-time activities