from 4,345€

Brilliant 4.7rating (193)
  • Life Below Water
  • Quality Education

Marine Conservation and PADI Training Expedition

location
2 - 12 weeks  Â·  Age 18 - 50+
rating  Brilliant 4.7  Â· 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Good response rate
Volunteer project with the highest quality. This project sets unprecedented standards in quality - an unparalleled level of excellence.

Highlights

  • Earning your PADI Advanced Open Water certificate
  • Learning how to identify fish and coral in the Indian Ocean.
  • Exploring different dive sites among the tropical islands of the Seychelles, searching for the incredible ‘mega-fauna’ in the area, such as sharks, rays, and dolphins.
  • Participation in local ecosystem surveying including seagrass monitoring, mangrove species identification and nudibranch diversity checks.
  • Developing the techniques needed to survey coral reefs.

Especially suitable

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
50+

About the program

Gain your PADI Advanced dive certification and work alongside esteemed partners such as the Seychelles National Parks Authority on critical marine conservation. 🪸

Live the island life in the Seychelles while contributing to the conservation of the marine ecosystem. 

Interns will be PADI dive trained in order to effectively complete necessary data collection on the coral reef without causing any damage. Upon completion of this internship, you will receive your ...

About the program

Live the island life in the Seychelles while contributing to the conservation of the marine ecosystem. 

Interns will be PADI dive trained in order to effectively complete necessary data collection on the coral reef without causing any damage. Upon completion of this internship, you will receive your PADI Advanced Open Water and the unique speciality PADI Coral Reef Researcher.

All data collected is passed on to local authorities in order that they may implement new protection policies to ensure long term survival of the marine ecosystem in the Seychelles.  You could also expect to participate in dives against debris, community outreach activities and environmental education classes. 

You could also expect to be involved in crown-of-thorns starfish removal and data collection on mega fauna as well as coral, fish and invertebrates. 

This program includes an optional Marine Conservation online course which must be completed in order to obtain a certificate offered in partnership with the University of Richmond in the United States:

Typical day

Participants are expected to remain flexible as project work changes based on weather as well as needs of our project partners. 

Estimated Schedule:
  • 5 or 6am: Wake up call
  • 6 - 10 am: First Dive
  • 12pm: Lunch
  • 1pm - 4pm: Second Dive
  • 6pm: Dinner 
  • 9pm: Bed Time
Participants could expect to be involved in 1 to 2 ...

Typical day

Participants are expected to remain flexible as project work changes based on weather as well as needs of our project partners. 

Estimated Schedule:
  • 5 or 6am: Wake up call
  • 6 - 10 am: First Dive
  • 12pm: Lunch
  • 1pm - 4pm: Second Dive
  • 6pm: Dinner 
  • 9pm: Bed Time
Participants could expect to be involved in 1 to 2 dives OR snorkels a day. 

Free-time activities

By participating in this program, you are not only offered an opportunity to work toward conserving ecosystems but also the opportunity to see local sites! Our dedicated field staff are the best resource when researching local trips, they have compiled this list of activities. 

These side trips are ...

Free-time activities

By participating in this program, you are not only offered an opportunity to work toward conserving ecosystems but also the opportunity to see local sites! Our dedicated field staff are the best resource when researching local trips, they have compiled this list of activities. 

These side trips are not included in the program fee but are highly recommended: 
  • Victoria City
  • Inner island hopping (Praslin, La Digue, Silhouette Felicity and Sister)
  • Hiking and climbing
  • Water sports
  • Beau Vallon Bay 
  • Cap Matoopa Hike
  • Recreational Diving
The possibilities are endless! 

We also now include cultural/local experiences. These experiences will take place once every 4 weeks. 

These activities may include: 

  • Learn to cook traditional Seychellois Creole dishes
  • Visit the Mission Ruins at Venn's Town
  • Paddleboard across the bay
  • Hike through lush forests and across rocky plateaus
  • Explore the ocean after dark with a night dive
  • Discover rare and endemic species of plants
  • Swim at a secret beach
  • Go fishing with local fishers

Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (intermediate level)

Criminal Background Check

required

Required Documents

PADI Medical Form and PADI Open Water qualiffication (or equivalent) qualification

Nationality Restrictions

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

Other Skills

All participants must be PADI Open Water certified before joining the program and should be able to walk 400m over uneven ground carrying their dive equipment. Training is provided online 8 weeks prior to program start through self paced training materials.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

What's Included

What's Included

Services by GVI

WHAT'S INCLUDED

  • 24-hour emergency phone
  • 24-hour in-country support
  • Access to Alumni Services and Discounts
  • Airport pick-up (unless otherwise stated)
  • All necessary project equipment and materials
  • All necessary project training by experienced staff
  • Community work workshop
  • Coral reef ecology
  • Diving compressor training workshop
  • First Aid & CPR training
  • Location orientation
  • Long term experienced staff
  • Meals while on project (except on work placements for long term internships)
  • National Park fees and permits
  • PADI Advanced Open Water
  • PADI Coral Reef Research Diver Distinctive Speciality
  • Safe and basic accommodations (usually shared)
  • Use of O2 equipment workshop
  • Welcome meeting

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

  • Additional drinks and gratuities
  • Extra local excursions
  • Flights
  • International and domestic airport taxes
  • Medical and travel insurance
  • PADI Open Water
  • Personal dive kit, e.g. mask, fins, wetsuit, timer etc.
  • Personal items and toiletries
  • Police or background check
  • Visa costs (where necessary)

Airport Pickup at Seychelles International Airport

Airport Pick up's can be arranged between 07:00 - 10:00 AM the day before your program start date. Please request this service before hand if need be. 

Meeting point on your project start date (very important) 

On the morning of the expedition, the pickup point/meeting point will be in the car park behind La Perle Noire restaurant in Beau Vallon at 11:00 AM. It is essential that you are on time. Late arrivals will not be accommodated. 



Accommodation

Only 3 minutes walk from the beach, our eco friendly research base is situated in the Baie Ternay Marine National Park. 

Accomodation facilities are shared dormitories and can be considered basic.

Food & Beverages

Typical Seychelles meals can be expected, all ingredients are provided by us however participants take it in turns to prepare meals. We can cater for most dietary requirements. 


Internet Access

Limited access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) in Mahe Island. We assist you to find cheap flights to Seychelles. 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 Seychelles provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

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

Details on arrival

2024

  • 27 Apr 2024
  • 11 May 2024
  • 25 May 2024
  • 08 Jun 2024
  • 22 Jun 2024
  • 06 Jul 2024
  • 20 Jul 2024
  • 03 Aug 2024
  • 17 Aug 2024
  • 31 Aug 2024
  • 14 Sep 2024
  • 28 Sep 2024
  • 12 Oct 2024
  • 26 Oct 2024
  • 09 Nov 2024
  • 23 Nov 2024
  • 07 Dec 2024
2025
  • 04 Jan 2025
  • 18 Jan 2025
  • 01 Feb 2025
  • 15 Feb 2025
  • 01 Mar 2025
  • 15 Mar 2025
  • 29 Mar 2025
  • 12 Apr 2025
  • 26 Apr 2025
  • 10 May 2025
  • 24 May 2025
  • 07 Jun 2025
  • 21 Jun 2025
  • 05 Jul 2025
  • 19 Jul 2025
  • 02 Aug 2025
  • 16 Aug 2025
  • 30 Aug 2025
  • 13 Sep 2025
  • 27 Sep 2025
  • 11 Oct 2025
  • 25 Oct 2025
  • 08 Nov 2025
  • 22 Nov 2025
  • 06 Dec 2025
  • 21 Dec 2025

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

Program fees

2 weeks (min. stay) 4,345€
4 weeks 5,545€
6 weeks 6,795€
8 weeks 7,895€
10 weeks 9,095€
12 weeks (max. stay) 10,245€
Average fees 1,513€/week

Program fees

1,513€ per week 2 - 12 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES

Duration

2 - 12 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 GVI during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.

Meet your organization

GVI

Brilliant 4.7 rating (193 reviews)

Agency - founded in 1998

Verified by Volunteer World

  Good response rate

Coordinated by

Bianca

Spoken languages: English

About the project

GVI tackles critical local and global issues by operating award-winning education and training programs on sustainable development projects around the world.

Meet your organization

Founded in 1998, GVI runs programs in 21 locations, in 13 countries around the world, each manned by our own staff and aligned to the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals or UN SDGs as well as the objectives of local partners. We welcome participants from all around the world and help facilitate their development into global citizens. This is how we achieve our mission of building a global network of people united by their passion to make a difference.


We are truly a global family brought together by our dedication to long-term positive impact. At the root of our success is our commitment to investing in authentic, meaningful connections with one another, which is why mutual respect and trust are central to our operations. Although we respond with empathy to difficult situations, we believe that most circumstances can benefit from taking a light-hearted approach. By sharing stories of local achievement with our teams worldwide we build the momentum to catapult us toward our vision for the future.

193 reviews Â· rating4.7

I volunteered for a month in April 2023 in Mahé on the marine conservation programme and for me the staff and volunteers on base really made the month extremely special. I got my diving qualifications and experienced some absolutely amazing marine life. The staff on base are so lovely but the ...
My time in the Seychelles was the best of my life so far. It was my first time travelling alone and so far away from my home. At first I was worried about getting there and what activities I would be doing and conditions I would be living in. I met my group in the airport and we were immediately ...
From the moment I arrived the group and staff was very welcoming and helped with all our questions! The work is great and you get to do a lot of different things. The walks to the beaches are amazing especially the view points. So far the best thing on curieus island is the sharking this is where ...
Staff members are very nice. It takes a bit of time to get used to the base and your daily schedule but once you get used to it you will have a wonderful time. You get introduced to a life of a marine biologist who has to take care of his/her diving equipment which includes filling up your tanks by ...
It was hard at first, getting used to living in expedition conditions. But I would recommend this program to everyone!! Its literally changed my life. Diving two to three times daily, making some amazing friends ill have for life and memories ill forever cherish, all I can say is do it!! Dont come ...
Nanna Madsen rating5

2024 at Empowerment of Women

My journey started out pretty chaotic as my flight to Ghana got cancelled. I got on a new flight and when I arrived in Ghana a day later than expected, the airline had lost my luggage. I called GVI Ghana and the staff helped me to sort the situation quickly. Overall I am really pleased about my ...

Location

Africa > Eastern Africa > Seychelles > Cap Ternay

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Volunteer Abroad  >  Environment  >  Marine Conservation in Seychelles
Contact Bianca
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English

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