Marine conservation holiday in Thailand
Project can include dive training courses and conservation training.
Families with children 12 + can join.
No single room supplement.
£100 discount for any family members who are under 18.
Description of Marine conservation holiday in Thailand
Join an amazing conservation team in Thailand and be presented with a completely unique glimpse into an underwater world that needs your help to survive.
As a volunteer you’ll be tasked with a variety of daily activities to help conserve Thailand’s fragile marine ecology. From surveying and monitoring the health of coral reefs to constructing and maintaining artificial reefs, each day you’ll learn the basics and develop existing skills to ensure you get as much out of the experience as you’re prepared to put in.
The programme is structured over 4 weeks, which you can join for 1 week or more as well as any additional time for dive courses you may need. The longer you are able to stay, the more diverse the range of conservation topics and initiatives you can get involved in.
Each week combines lectures with dives and activities with a specific conservation focus. Here is an outline of what’s typically involved, which can vary through the year depending on the research and activities undertaken by the project:
- Reef health surveys
- Biorock coral rehabilitation and coral nursery
- Artificial reef construction / maintenance
- Mooring buoy installation
- Giant clam nursery
- Sea turtle ‘head starter programme’ and releases
- Surveys and monitoring of specific species including seahorses, invertebrates and coral predators such as crown of thorns starfish
- Water testing
- Coral spawning capture and culture programme
- Erosion control
As part of a small team of conservation volunteers (from 5 – 10 people) you’ll be working alongside permanent skilled staff and long-term interns. It is typically a 9-5pm role from Monday to Friday however, hours and days can change depending on activities and when assistance is needed most.
If you’re new to diving you’ll spend the first week gaining your SSI Open Water and your Advanced Adventurer certificates. Extra marine conservation certificates can also be completed as part of your placement depending on the duration of your holiday. All induction and conservation training, diving qualifications, diving equipment, crisis management insurance and 24/7 back up and support, in Thailand and the UK, will be included.
Volunteer accommodation throughout your time away will be on the island of Ko Tao. You will have your own ensuite room with a fan and cold water shower just a few minutes’ walk from the dive school – some rooms are owned by the dive school and others are in neighbouring hotels. The rooms are in a great location, just minutes from the beach! There is WIFI available at the dive school. Alternatively, you can upgrade to a premium room located by the beachfront next to the dive school, for a weekly supplement. These include air-conditioning and hot water showers and have a lovely view over the bay.”
Price information
Project can include dive training courses and conservation training.
Families with children 12 + can join.
No single room supplement.
£100 discount for any family members who are under 18.
Check dates
Travel guides
Holiday information
Reviews
1 Reviews of Marine conservation holiday in Thailand
Reviewed on 17 Jul 2019 by Eve Nelson
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
One particularly memorable dive was removing Crown of Thorns starfish which were destroying the reef by eating the coral. It was a beautiful dive, made all
the more enjoyable knowing that the conservation we were undertaking would help keep the reef healthy.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Don't worry about your level of conservation or diving experience - the project caters to everyone. Take some Reefsafe suncream and a reusable water bottle,
container and straw, so you can help keep the oceans plastic free and the corals healthy. It's an amazing project and you'll have a fantastic time!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I would say all three - you eat out for all three meals which is a great way to try Thai foods and support local restaurants and cafes. The project has a hugely
dedicated and knowledgeable team who carry out amazing conservation and research, and it is great to be a part of that. The team is very passionate about
reducing environmental impacts, both when diving and on land.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Fantastic! One of the best conservation holidays I have been on - a very fun, interesting and rewarding experience. A lot of people who go to the project short
term end up staying permanently, and it's easy to see why!
Responsible Travel
Planet
By taking part in this project you will be making a major contribution to marine conservation on Koh Tao. Through your reef surveys you will providing the data from which the reefs can be monitored and conservation strategies and activities planned. In addition you will be directly taking part in projects such as reef clean ups having an immediate impact on the environment.As the island has become more popular the environment has come under increasing pressure, so there is a real need for action in order to protect the environment and maintain a balance between nature and the demands on it from diving and tourism, the fishing industry and the Thai community. This project is trying to facilitate this by bringing the different parties together, generating awareness about the need for action and implementing a series of in-water and on-land projects.
This is a small project that is having a quick and direct impact on the island's environment. It has already made great progress including the development of a bio-rock artificial reef and island-wide clean ups.
While our volunteers and customers are overseas, we identify and encourage simple steps to minimise their impact on the local environment. And at our office in the UK we try to recycle as much of our office waste as possible, use recycled products where available, avoid printing (no brochures) and minimise energy usage.
People
Before volunteers depart we provide them with a detailed volunteering guide on the area they will be visiting. We try to educate and encourage our volunteers to understand and respect the local cultures and customs.This is a locally run organisation, providing employment for local Thai staff. While volunteers are in-country, they stay in locally owned accommodation and we encourage them to buy locally and support local businesses.
Popular similar holidays
Family community volunteering and elephant watching, Thailand
From £525 - £550 6 days excluding flights
Volunteering and elephant watching in a Karen village
Elephant refuge volunteering in Thailand
From £695 8 days excluding flights
Volunteer with rescued elephants in an inspiring refuge
4 day Thai cultural stay and elephant watching
From £360 - £495 4 days excluding flights
Stay in a Karen village & observe elephants in Thailand
