Indo Ocean Project is an innovative and award-winning dive master and research diver training program in Indonesia. It was founded by a community of marine biologists, dive instructors, and ocean enthusiasts from around the world as a platform for aspiring ocean professionals while conducting critical research in remote regions of Indonesia.
They work with institutions, government agencies, NGO’s, and local communities to carry out research that address marine conservation issues in Indonesia. Field expeditions host international and local projects that are focused on ecological monitoring, direct conservation efforts, and education and community outreach programs.
Internships are undertaken at one of their three locations; Nusa Penida (Bali), Bira (South Sulawesi) or Raja Ampat (West Papua). The Divemaster course will teach you to be a leader, and you will develop the skills to direct a variety of scuba and marine research activities while working alongside a team of marine biologists and dive professionals.
White Shark Projects is a world leading organisation focusing on the great white shark. Founded in 1989 purely as a research centre, since 1989 it has grown and broadened its services to include a commercial diving and viewing centre and a separate educational department. White Shark Projects has taken the lead to establish shark tourism as an educational experience. “Everything we do we aim to do in harmony with nature and the environment we are working in.”
White Shark Projects has a volunteer programme that is dedicated to the exploration and conservation of the world’s greatest predator, the great white shark, and its environment. The volunteer programme works with students, eco-tourists, conservation organisations and marine resource users (subsistence fishermen, sport divers and dive operators) to gather data on great white sharks, correct negative misconceptions about sharks, and stop the needless slaughter of over 100 million sharks annually.
Founded in Spain, Costa Rica and California, Innoceana is a non-profit whose team comprises of marine biologists, research scientists, engineers, among other disciplines.
Innoceana are on a mission to preserve marine ecosystems through the empowerment of coastal communities in order to create a global network of marine conservation and education centres which will help preserve the oceans for future generations.
Innoceana’s Marine Conservation and Education Center (MCEC) in Costa Rica proposes an innovative model that seeks to raise awareness in the local and international community on the comprehensive care of marine ecosystems, creating as well an ideal space for research projects. Described by National Geographic as “the most biologically intense place on Earth”, Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula is home to creatures big and small, from breaching humpback whales to brightly coloured nudibranchs. The waters surrounding the peninsula are home to biologically important ecosystems including the coral reefs of Caño Island, mangrove forests and wetlands.
In 2015, two dive instructors met on a tiny island in Indonesia and fell in love. They noticed that over the years they saw less sharks and more trash in the ocean. Something had to change! Together they started Gili Shark Conservation, an award-winning conservation, and data collection program on the Gili Islands.
Did you know that Indonesia is the top shark-fishing nation in the world? Gili Shark Conservation made it their mission to protect and restore the coral reef environment around the Gili Islands and to help to create the first recognized shark nursery ground in Indonesia by 2025.
Would you like to help out? Gili Shark Conservation has 10 spots available in their research team throughout the whole year. During your stay you will learn how to dive (or improve existing skills), be certified as a PADI Scientific Diver, and as PADI Aware Shark Specialist. Their research team will teach you all about sharks and their role in the ecosystem, how to identify rays, sharks, and turtles, how to set up and monitor a coral restoration project, how to conduct data input and analysis and much more!
Apply today for one of the 10 spots in their research team, and get to work with a passionate group of marine scientists, instructors, social media experts, and entrepreneurs from around the world. We promise you; you won’t regret it!
The SharkWise Project Internship is based in Umkomaas, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa and is aimed at young students wanting hands-on experience in marine biology, focusing on shark research. It was founded by Dr Sara Andreotti, a marine biologist specialising in shark research, and Walter Bernardis, world-renowned shark behaviour expert.
The interns work with Masters and/or PhD students that are registered at Stellenbosch University. The interns assist with data collection for the postgraduate research. Current postgraduate research includes: genetic sampling, shark fin photo identification, underwater photogrammetry and reef biodiversity assessment
Marine Conservation Philippines (MCP) is a non-profit NGO working to preserve the fragile marine habitats, like coral reefs and mangrove forests, and to improve quality of life for marginalized workers in central Philippines.
By embarking on an expedition with MCP, participants will join a large team of professional marine biologists, scientists, teachers, and dive instructors to help tackle the myriad of issues facing our oceans today. Participation includes extensive scuba-diving; however, you can obtain these qualifications during the course if necessary.
In a travel market saturated with green washed volunteer opportunities, MCP sets themselves apart. They are a locally registered non-profit, and work under the auspices of the local government, and in collaboration with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatics Resources, the Department of Natural Resources, and several universities. The staff to volunteer ratio is 1:1, ensuring the work of volunteers truly does make a difference!
Founded in 2014, Love the Oceans is a non-profit marine conservation organisation based in Jangamo Bay, Mozambique. Jangamo Bay is home to a vast array of marine life, however, has not been studied in-depth for any prolonged amount of time. As such, Love the Oceans is working to study and protect the diverse marine life found here, which includes sharks, rays, and humpback whales.
They use research, education, and diving to drive action towards a more sustainable future. One of their key goals is to establish a Marine Protected Area for the Inhambane Province in Mozambique. Their cutting edge, ethical volunteer programme provides participants with the opportunity to gain hands-on conservation experience whilst working alongside marine biologists who are undertaking research, community outreach and diving excursions.
New Heaven Reef Conservation Programme (NHRCP) is located on the southern side of Koh Tao, which is situated on the Gulf of Thailand. Dedicated to the preservation, protection and restoration of the reef ecosystems that surround the island, NHRCP raise awareness and educate both volunteers and the local community about marine conservation through the courses offered.
Throughout the programme, participants will have the opportunity to step into the role of reef conservationist and learn the practical applications of marine science and protection. Lectures provide information on numerous key topics, and diving provides the chance to undertake coral gardening, reef surveys, coral predator management, underwater clean-ups and more!
Founded in 1991, Bali Diving Academy is a renowned PADI 5* IDC Center with a 100% Safety Record and the highest quality standard. Partners include National Geographic, the Marine Megafauna Foundation, and the Coral Triangle Center.
Their passion is to connect people with the ocean, and they offer various courses / internships. For example, their Reef Check Eco Diver Course is designed for participants who want to learn how to identify key fish, invertebrates, and coral substrates, as well as to learn more about reef restoration. The Marine Protected Area Project entails volunteers becoming confident dive professional as well as the opportunity to collect data and conduct community outreach.
Founded by the White Shark Diving Company in 2015, the Shark & Marine Research Institute (SMRI) is the perfect place for shark enthusiasts from around the world to come together to learn about and contribute to shark conservation in South Africa. SMRI is a South African public benefit, non-profit organization dedicated to the research and conservation of a variety of shark species along the eastern coast of Cape Town.
We welcome both local and international students to join us, and we’re happy to help students fulfil their university fieldwork requirements. We’re proud to collaborate with Stellenbosch University and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) to further our mission of inspiring change and raising awareness in our local coastal communities through educational outreach initiatives. Join us in our efforts to protect these incredible creatures and the oceans they call home.
The Institute for Marine Research (IMR) is a non-profit organization founded in 2018. Based in Dauin, Philippines, IMR’s mission is to conduct long-term and fine-scale research on coastal marine ecosystems. They publish their findings in scientific papers, furthering marine science globally, whilst also using what they learn for community outreach programs. These are designed to encourage locally-led marine conservation strategies in coastal communities.
Their research focuses on coral bleaching and disease, corallivorous invertebrates, pollution, and community-based marine conservation. IMR does vital work for marine life in the Philippines and the furtherment of marine science around the world. Their research helps to protect coral reefs and all kinds of other marine ecosystems. Moreover, their education and outreach programs raise awareness about the importance of marine conservation and help build a more sustainable future for the Philippines.
