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
Marine conservation in Belize
Help us protect coral reefs and marine ecosystems!
From
US $995
5 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
Dolphin conservation holiday in Greece
Holiday on stunning Greek Island with daily dolphin tours
From
€780 to €850
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
Seychelles Island conservation holiday
Volunteer on a private island paradise in the Seychelles!
From
€2500
4 weeks
ex flights
Whale & dolphin research in Ligurian Sea, Italy
Whale and dolphin conservation trip
From
€805 to €950
6 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
Marine conservation in Belize
Help us protect coral reefs and marine ecosystems!
From
US $995
5 days
ex flights
Tailor made:
Departures on weekends but transfers can be made on other days at an extra cost
Departures on weekends but transfers can be made on other days at an extra cost
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 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.
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