• Life Below Water

Great Barrier Reef Marine Conservation

location
1 - 3 weeks  ·  Age 17 - 50+
rating  Outstanding 4.9  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate

Highlights

  • Conserve the Great Barrier Reef
  • Swim with an abundance of sea life including turtles and sharks
  • Undertake activities used for scientific purposes
  • Learn to snorkel in the most amazing place in the world
  • Contribute to global databases with your data

Especially good for

Age 17+
Singles
Couples
Families
Groups
50+

About the program

This unique placement opportunity is not offered anywhere else and gives volunteers to truly make a difference to marine conservation. 🐠

The Project

This unique placement opportunity is not offered anywhere else and gives volunteers to truly make a difference to marine conservation. Based in the world’s largest coral reef, the Island Reef Research and Conservation project offers volunteers the opportunity to participate in valued ...

About the program

The Project

This unique placement opportunity is not offered anywhere else and gives volunteers to truly make a difference to marine conservation. Based in the world’s largest coral reef, the Island Reef Research and Conservation project offers volunteers the opportunity to participate in valued conservation activities and environmental research endeavours.

Volunteers work in collaboration with various oceanographic organisations to research the ecosystem, monitor and survey the reef, and help clean up beaches of marine debris.

Work sites are based across two distinct islands, 45-minutes from the Port of Cairns.

The program gives participants the freedom to explore Far North East Queensland with free afternoons, evenings and weekends, traveling to an iconic location that is under serious threat from coral bleaching, pollution, mining, overfishing and climate change among other factors.

Oceans 2 Earth Volunteers aim to ensure each volunteer walks away with a tangible sense of fulfilment from participating in our once in a lifetime program, being impassioned and empowered to protect our precious planet.

The Location

The Far North Queensland location of Cairns is a regional city and popular hotspot travel destination for foreign and local tourists alike. The welcoming tropical climate serves as a major incentive for people wanting to visit the Great Barrier Reef and the luxurious surrounding landmarks. 

The reef is comprised of a range of ecological communities, habitats and species, all of which make it one of the most complex, unique and intricate natural ecosystems in the world. It stretches 2300 kilometres to be the largest living structure on the planet, a size so significant it can be viewed from outer space. It is infamous for the wondrous aesthetic and colour of the underwater landscape, providing a home for a large variety of fish, plants and animals. 

Species of turtles and crocodiles currently living in the reef date back prehistoric times, maintain a lifestyle that has existed for thousands of years. The breathtaking collection of marine creatures includes 600 types of soft and hard corals, 1625 types of fish, 133 varieties of sharks and rays, more than 100 species of jellyfish, 3000 varieties of molluscs, 500 species of worms, and more than 30 species of whales and dolphins. 

This iconic corner of the globe operates as a port for exporting gold, sugar cane and other minerals, metals and agricultural products from nearby coastal areas and Atherton Tableland region. 

Please Note 

The second instalment of your project fees is due within 1 week after you paid the deposit on Volunteer World. This is a total of $495 AUD and comes off your balance. The balance is due 90 days prior to travel. For all further information about the fees, please scroll down to the section "Program Fees“.

Typical day

Following your initial travel and settling in period on Sunday, the next Monday will be utilised for a complete orientation to the site and the project.

Each day beyond that stage will be entirely unique and dependent on the week of your placement, but an example of what it will consist of is:

• 6.30

Typical day

Following your initial travel and settling in period on Sunday, the next Monday will be utilised for a complete orientation to the site and the project.

Each day beyond that stage will be entirely unique and dependent on the week of your placement, but an example of what it will consist of is:

• 6.30am - breakfast
• 7am - hostel departure
• 9am – work duties: featuring coral reef surveying, gathering of raw oceanographic data, clearing marine debris or care of sick and injured turtles for rehabilitation. Please note only volunteers on the 2, 3 and 4 week programs visit O2E’s Turtle Rehabilitation Project.
• 12pm – Lunch break and return-ferry to Cairns • 1pm – Cairns arrival and free time 

The project itself will consist of various 2-5 hour work-related activities, with the remainder of the time open for volunteers to explore the beauty of Cairns

Free-time activities

There is no shortage of free activities to do in this vibrant part of Australia, so why not take time out before or after your placement and see why this is such a go-to destination for tourists?

Cairns is perfect for those adrenaline junkies and thrill seekers looking for that exciting experience. ..

Free-time activities

There is no shortage of free activities to do in this vibrant part of Australia, so why not take time out before or after your placement and see why this is such a go-to destination for tourists?

Cairns is perfect for those adrenaline junkies and thrill seekers looking for that exciting experience. This includes dive sites, off road driving, ballooning, canoeing, scuba-diving, kayaking, sailing, skydiving, snorkeling, swimming and rock climbing.

For those that want some rest and relaxation during their stay, there is more than enough to satisfy those requirements. This includes visits to the Fitzroy Island National Park, cruising, bushwalking, canopy walk, wildlife spotting, lakes/rivers/dams beaches, hot springs, spas, scenic flights and railways, shopping, markets, galleries, roadside stalls, cellar doors, tea plantation, coffee plantation, wineries, sky-high cable car and lava tubes.

Cairns is place to be to find that tropical lifestyle on your getaway. Swim at the Esplanade lagoon, sample local produce at a farmer's market, enjoy free entertainment, shop for a summer wardrobe, visit caves, National Parks and Falls, or cruise around the marina and check out the evening markets.

Take a cool dip at a secluded freshwater swimming hole, jump on a bike for a sightseeing tour along the city's network of cycle paths, or experience the splendid rainforest.

After dark you can choose a lively bar, pub, nightclub or casino to enjoy a drink, taste local seafood at an award-winning restaurant, party on a dance floor, discover treasures at the markets or take in a local cultural show.

Secluded but easily accessible and welcoming, the city of Cairns is easy to travel around with the reef, rainforest and outback on right on its doorstep. The Cairns International and Domestic airports are only 10 minutes from the Central Business District, providing the ideal entry point for a Tropical North Queensland adventure.

Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 17 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 17 years old on the program start date.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (basic level)

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Other Skills

Volunteers must be able to swim well and speak fluent English in order to participate in this program.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 07:00 - 01:00

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Oceans 2 Earth Volunteers

All project fees are payable in Australian Dollars (AUD).

Prices include 10% Australian Goods & Services Tax (GST).

What's included in this project?

Pre-departure support
Project Information Pack 
On the job training
Accommodation 
Lunch Monday to Friday
24-hour in-country support
24-hour O2E emergency phone

What's not included in this project?

Flights
Night time and weekend meals
Snacks
Travel insurance
Personal spending
Visas

Accommodation

The accommodation is located at the YHA Central Cairns Hostel (or equivalent if not available). This is a dormitory-style hostel in central Cairns, located in close proximity to a range of cafes, restaurants, the mall, the esplanade and tourism operators. You can expect to share a room with 1-6 others of the same gender (please note that you can be accommodated with both O2E volunteers and non-volunteers). Note at peak times, volunteers may be placed in a mixed dorm. Volunteers who identify as they or non-binary will be placed in a mixed dorm unless a request is made by a volunteer for another room type.

Accommodation upgrades to private rooms or smaller rooms including twin and double share rooms are available at an additional cost, as well as extra nights of accommodation before or after your program. It is best to arrange accommodation upgrades or extensions with the local team at least 4 weeks prior to your program start date. Please note that these upgrades are subject to availability.

After your initial deposit is paid, the first instalment of $495 Australian Dollars is payable within one week of receiving your booking confirmation. or if you are inside 90 days the full fee is due. 

Food & Beverages

Healthy lunch varieties are provided across Monday to Friday with vegan and vegetarian catered for. Breakfasts and dinners are the responsibility of the participants, however there are supermarkets and many great eateries in Cairns as well as a communal kitchen for those volunteers that would like to shop for groceries and cook their own meals.

Internet Access

Good access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Airport Pickup at Cairns Airport

An airport pickup isn't included within the program fees either.

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Cairns Airport (CNS) in Cairns. We assist you to find cheap flights to Australia. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Australia provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in Australia you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Australia. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

There is a program starting every month around the start of the month. Stay for 1, 2 or 3 weeks.

3/11/2024 to 30/11/2024

1/12/2024 to 14/12/2024 (1 or 2 week program only)

12/01/2025 to 8/02/2025

2/02/2025 to 1/03/2025

2/03/2025 to 29/03/2025

4/05/2025 to 31/05/2025

1/06/2025 to 28/06/2025

6/07/2025 to 2/08/2025


Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

1 week (min. stay) 1,491€
2 weeks 2,485€
3 weeks (max. stay) 3,579€
Average fees 1,342€/week

Program fees

1,342€ per week 1 - 3 weeks Age 17 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES

Duration

1 - 3 weeks

Deposit

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.

Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with Oceans 2 Earth Volunteers during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.

Meet your organization

Oceans 2 Earth Volunteers

Outstanding 4.9 rating (211 reviews)

Non-profit - founded in 2011

Verified by Volunteer World

  Very high response rate

Coordinated by

Tracy

Spoken languages: English

About the project

Oceans 2 Earth Volunteers is a non-profit organisation that was founded for the purpose of providing resources and financial assistance to animal welfare and conservation

Meet your organization

The O2E Founders are animal lovers and committed volunteers. They founded and established the organisation in Melbourne, Australia, having seen firsthand that volunteer recruitment agencies were not always aware if the projects they supported had the best interests of animals and environment in mind. Instead, unethical and harmful behaviour including elephant riding, unsustainable tree nursery projects and the consumption of scarce community resources by the presence of volunteers were often the result. Local wildlife communities and the animals’ environments were also clearly disadvantaged. For this reason, we created our Oceans 2 Earth Ethical Standards and the Wildlife Code and measure all potential projects by these policies prior to partnering with them.

Oceans 2 Earth Volunteers offers volunteering and adventure travel experiences for ethically minded animal and conservation lovers looking for the trip of a lifetime.

In creating Oceans 2 Earth Volunteers, the O2E founders challenge and engage individuals to contribute to meaningful animal welfare and conservation projects. As wildlife carers and avid animal welfare and rights campaigners, they uphold a vision to promote ethical volunteering as an advisable travel alternative.

We believe the way to solve the issues of animal mistreatment and environmental destruction and degradation is to provide people with the opportunity to contribute and interact so that they may develop their own personal culture of responsibility and global conservation. People exposed first hand to challenging bio diverse environmental issues are more likely to draw on those experiences and continue to make a positive impact once they arrive home. 

Oceans 2 Earth recognise that individuals really can make a difference. However small the work effort is from one person, if you combine the actions of many people as a whole, the result can become quite significant. By bringing like-minded and ethically conscious animal lovers together, Oceans 2 Earth believe that there is no limit to what we can achieve. 

Our Mission

Promote environmental sustainability and to be accountable for our impact on the environment.

Take action and find solutions to improve the natural, bio-diverse way of life for all. Promote the ethical treatment and natural living ecology of all animals.

Expose and educate volunteers to the plight of animals ill-affected by conflict or interaction with man, encouraging them to take action and find solutions to these global issues. 

211 reviews · rating4.9

This is my 3rd time with O2E and I have thoroughly enjoyed each experience. Tracy in the office has always been extremely helpful and quick to answer my questions. I have done the Marine Conservation twice now and Helen and Tim are great leaders. My first Marine Conservation involved doing my Rescue ...
Oceans 2 Earth is a great organization for anyone looking to volunteer and have some fun while doing it. The program is very well organized and it is clear how you are making an impact. Helen, Amy, and Tim are all great group leaders. You are able to see all sorts of different marine life while ...
Sienna Scouter rating5

2024 at Great Barrier Reef Marine Conservation

Helen, Amy, and Sam were wonderful project leaders. They always showed up with lots of enthusiasm and were excited to teach us throughout the day. Overall, the snorkeling activities were enjoyable and the surveys were ...
Charlotte Pierce rating5

2024 at Great Barrier Reef Marine Conservation

O2E has been great. O2E has been such a great experience, all the staff were so friendly and helpful. I loved learning about how we can observe and conserve the ...
Amylyn Mortimer rating5

2024 at Great Barrier Reef Marine Conservation

Helen, Amy and Timmy were awesome! I learned a lot and enjoyed meeting and becoming friends with the members of our group. Fitzroy and Green island are absolutely beautiful. There’s a lot of down time in the afternoon to freely snorkel or walk around the islands. They were very inclusive of my ...
Emmy Christiansen rating5

2024 at Great Barrier Reef Marine Conservation

I have had one of the best weeks of my life. Not only Australia, but the team here has been wonderful! We learned so many interesting things about the indigenous culture. And I had never seen so many beautiful marine creatures. I’ll never forget this adventure. Thank ...

Location

Oceania > Australia and New Zealand > Australia > Queensland

You might also be interested in

Volunteer Abroad  >  Environment  >  Marine Conservation in Australia
Contact Tracy
  Very high response rate
English

Most volunteers ask about

Do you have any more questions? Send a message to Tracy
Please don't share personal contact details for your privacy

Book with Flex Option!

Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs within 12 months.

Enjoy our services for dedicated volunteers!

Enjoy a Refund Guarantee, Free Flex Option, and Emergency Assistance. Our Price-Guarantee ensures unbeatable value, and our Support Team is ready to assist.