Volunteer travel guide
Volunteering abroad used to be a long term commitment for a highly qualified few. Today, opportunities have opened up for people of all skill levels, in virtually every country in the world.
Marine conservation advice
Work-holiday balance tips
Polly Alford, from our supplier ReefCI shares her advice on having a work-holiday balance:
“Our trips are designed for people to get as involved as they like – if you choose to have a lie in and miss the early morning dive, or simply chill in a hammock under a palm tree then that is totally up to you you! The research methodologies we teach are very simple and straightforward; we try to give the general diver a unique opportunity to learn about and help conserve the marine environment while having a fun holiday. Our trips are for both experienced and non-experienced divers, scientists and non-scientists – everyone makes a contribution regardless of their background and experience, and we appreciate that although you’re helping us, it’s your holiday too.”
“Our trips are designed for people to get as involved as they like – if you choose to have a lie in and miss the early morning dive, or simply chill in a hammock under a palm tree then that is totally up to you you! The research methodologies we teach are very simple and straightforward; we try to give the general diver a unique opportunity to learn about and help conserve the marine environment while having a fun holiday. Our trips are for both experienced and non-experienced divers, scientists and non-scientists – everyone makes a contribution regardless of their background and experience, and we appreciate that although you’re helping us, it’s your holiday too.”
Our Marine conservation Holidays
Peloponnese turtle conservation holiday, Greece
Sea turtle volunteering on stunning Greek beaches
From
€850
9 days
ex flights
Marine conservation in Belize
Help us protect coral reefs and marine ecosystems!
From
US $755
5 days
ex flights
Seychelles Island conservation holiday
Volunteer on an exclusive island paradise in the Seychelles!
From
US $2800
4 weeks
ex flights
Belize marine conservation internship
Hands-on conservation experience on idyllic Caribbean island
From
US $3020
4 weeks
ex flights
Whale & dolphin research in Ligurian Sea, Italy
Whale and dolphin conservation trip
From
€700
6 days
ex flights
Lionfish spearing marine conservation in Belize
Help us protect reef ecosystems by hunting invasive species!
From
US $755
5 days
ex flights
Marine conservation holiday in Thailand
Join an innovative marine conservation programme on Koh Tao
From
£875
7 days
ex flights
Raja Ampat diving project, Indonesia
Dive and conserve the stunning coral reefs of Raja Ampat
From
£1095 to £3550
15 days
ex flights
Dolphin conservation holiday in Greece
Holiday on stunning Greek Island with daily dolphin tours
From
€750
7 days
ex flights
Whale conservation holiday in the Azores
Help assist in integral whale and dolphin conservation!
From
£695 to £4195
7 days
ex flights
Caribbean coral reef conservation in Carriacou
Diving and reef conservation in beautiful Caribbean waters
From
US $1945
14 days
ex flights
Marine conservation holiday in Portugal
Marine Conservation Dive and Clean the Atlantic Ocean
From
US $1299 to US $3259
7 days
ex flights
Dolphin conservation in Greece
Dolphin research and conservation in western Greece
From
€720
6 days
ex flights
Costa Rica turtle conservation experience
Help protect turtles by volunteering in Costa Rica!
From
£640 to £3895
8 days
ex flights
Mozambique marine conservation project
Help in integral marine conservation in stunning Mozambique
From
£2099 to £7799
14 days
ex flights
Whale shark research in Mexico
Snorkeling with Whale Sharks & Giant Manta Rays
From
£2260
7 days
ex flights
Dive to remove plastic waste from the sea in Barcelona
Conservation and diving adventure to tackle plastic pollution
From
£1199
7 days
ex flights
Reef conservation volunteering in Belize
Live on a private Caribbean island
From
£995
7 days
ex flights
The great white shark conservation project in South Africa
Encounter iconic Great White Sharks in South Africa!
From
£895 to £3995
15 days
ex flights
Thailand marine conservation and diving holiday
Diving and marine conservation on a beautiful Thai island
From
£1295
14 days
ex flights
Marine conversation volunteering in Croatia
- Marine Conservation - Volunteering - Responsible Travel
From
€1099 to €2749
4 weeks
ex flights
Caribbean Lionfish hunting in Carriacou, Grenada
Help nature in her fight against invasive lionfish
From
US $995 to US $1965
7 days
ex flights
Shark conservation in South Africa
Conserve sharks, whales and penguins in South Africa
From
£829
7 days
ex flights
Whale Shark conservation holiday in Tanzania
Whale Shark Conservation in the stunning island of Mafia
From
£785 to £4599
14 days
ex flights
Marine Conservation in Portugal
Help on daily dives to remove debris from the ocean
From
£1169
7 days
ex flights
South Africa marine conservation diving holiday
Learn to dive and contribute to research in Sodwana Bay
From
£1345
14 days
ex flights
Volunteer with turtles in Costa Rica
Protect nesting turtles on Costa Rica's beautiful beaches
From
£989
7 days
ex flights
Location advice
Harriet Whitmarsh, from our supplier, The Great Projects, shares her advice on choosing the right location: "Some marine conservation projects are located on obscure little islands where travel links are poor and even though that's amazing when you get there, arriving at your destination could involve internal onward flights, or lengthy road travel, which is fine if you're a seasoned and good traveller, but won't be comfortable if you're not. Think about the logistics involved and don't be immediately wowed by the location - places like Mexico and the Maldives are hugely popular marine conservation spots and very easy to get to, but might be a little bit more expensive than somewhere more isolated. Weigh up what's important to you an choose your destination wisely."Advice on finding the right trip
Anne Smellie, from our supplier, Oyster Worldwide, shares her advice on doing thorough research: “If you are interested in joining a marine conservation project, you need to make sure you’re booking with a company that briefs you thoroughly on all aspects of the trip. If that doesn’t happen you could think you’re booking something completely different to what it actually isn’t and you’ll arrive disillusioned and unhappy, plus the project won’t be happy with you because you will have turned up with all of the wrong expectations. It’s the tour company’s responsibility to make sure you’re prepared, so it’s essential to ask as many questions as you can.”
Health & safety
HEALTH
Cover up when snorkelling - your back, legs and bum can get burnt.
SAFETY
Our top Marine conservation Holiday
Peloponnese turtle conservation holiday, Greece
Sea turtle volunteering on stunning Greek beaches
From
€850
9 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2022: 31 Jul
2022: 31 Jul
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Marine conservation or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
01273 823 700
Call us tomorrow after 9am
Calling from outside the UK
Holiday reviews from our travellers
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travellers are often... other travellers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do - and opinions about what not to.
We have selected some of the most useful marine conservation tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday - and the space inside your suitcase.
We have selected some of the most useful marine conservation tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday - and the space inside your suitcase.
Stay a day or two on each end of your week for visiting local sites. Be open to new people and appreciate the beauty and remoteness of it and the waters around it.![]()
- Michelle Lamarca
"Book for at least two weeks! I was only able to come for one week, but left wanting more." - Karen Whitham
"Be prepared for long days, enjoying yourself, and lots of very, very good diving." - Michael Allbritton
"Go prepared to learn, there's loads of really interesting marine ecology information to learn and there are interesting and knowledgeable people there, who are enthusiastic about sharing their knowledge." - Stephen Orwin
"Be prepared for what you are going to. Not that I think that anyone would be disappointed with the project, but being prepared makes the experience even better! Research what to bring in advance and what sort of tasks you will be doing at the site." - Emilie Gronsund
"Be prepared for long days, enjoying yourself, and lots of very, very good diving." - Michael Allbritton
"Go prepared to learn, there's loads of really interesting marine ecology information to learn and there are interesting and knowledgeable people there, who are enthusiastic about sharing their knowledge." - Stephen Orwin
"Be prepared for what you are going to. Not that I think that anyone would be disappointed with the project, but being prepared makes the experience even better! Research what to bring in advance and what sort of tasks you will be doing at the site." - Emilie Gronsund
Go now! It's amazing! Even if you haven't ever dived before, you will love it.![]()
- Faye Bennett
"Bring warm clothing, but in layers. It can get nice and hot, but it can also get chilly and wet. Waterproof trousers and jacket are an absolute must, and on a sunny day, put sunblock on the back of your hands.... trust me!" - Cara Quipers
"The waves and wind in the mid-Atlantic can be very strong. If you have seasickness problems, the Azores may not be very suitable." - Patty Tse
"If you’re heading to Canada, Remember Newfoundland is vast! Do not underestimate the distances between places you visit." - Helena Hodges
"Pack spare stuff, and bring some portable ipod speakers! Cannot stress how much music cheered everyone up and brought people together in the evenings for jamming sessions!" - Daniel Williams
"The waves and wind in the mid-Atlantic can be very strong. If you have seasickness problems, the Azores may not be very suitable." - Patty Tse
"If you’re heading to Canada, Remember Newfoundland is vast! Do not underestimate the distances between places you visit." - Helena Hodges
"Pack spare stuff, and bring some portable ipod speakers! Cannot stress how much music cheered everyone up and brought people together in the evenings for jamming sessions!" - Daniel Williams
More about Marine conservation
Let us take you underwater with our marine conservation travel guide, discovering whether dipping your toe into marine conservation is the right kind of holiday for you and learning a little more about what this kind of trip entails.
With research projects, land-based projects and some that involve diving, marine conservation holidays differ quite considerably.
Our interactive map and highlights page details some of the best places in the world for marine conservation holidays.
Aside from taking the chance to explore your underwater world, marine conservation activities will also take you above the ocean wave with time to get out and about, as you live alongside the locals, just as important as what lies beneath.
What will you see in the ocean is one of the questions that travellers ask before choosing a marine conservation holiday.
It’s not usually the done thing, killing fish around a highly protected reef system, but lionfish spearing in Belize is one exciting exception.
Volunteer with marine conservation in the Seychelles to combine a holiday in paradise with an award winning effort to restore the ecosystems and native biodiversity of North Island.
Marine conservation holidays in Timor-Leste revolve around the island of Ataúro, whose waters are packed with a diverse collection of fish and other marine life, all flitting around some of the best corals the planet has to offer.
If you want to travel right on a marine conservation holiday then be responsible.
More relevant guides
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