Project summary

Join a marine conservation project on Koh Tao, learning about coral reefs and taking part in reef check dives and other local environmental initiatives.

By increasing awareness and involvement, this project hopes to decrease our impacts on coral reefs and provide solutions to protecting and restoring the reefs around Koh Tao. 

This project links together with our land conservation project on Koh Tao, which is a good alternative if you like the idea of marine conservation but prefer not to scuba dive! 

A typical day

Depending on your current dive level (if any) you will start off by taking the PADI Open Water (4 days) and Advanced course (2 days), before taking part in the conservation work itself.

Each day varies considerably, but to give you an idea of the daily schedule for the marine conservation activities:

09:30  Arrive at Dive School to prepare for the days activities
10:00  Begin Lecture or Briefing
11:30  Depart by boat to dive research/restoration site
15:00  Return to Dive shop, wash Equipment
16:00  Debriefing and Data Entry
16:30  Finish (or optional help around office and data entry)

You will learn how to perform underwater reef surveys and help with data collection. This will give you to opportunity to gain knowledge about coral reefs and their inhabitants and you will learn how to identify different fish species and types of coral.

There will also be coral rehabilitation and nursery maintenance dives. Research dives are usually accompanied by a briefing or lecture so that you have a better understanding of the intricate eco systems that you are working with. There is an ongoing Bio-rock initiative which involves the insemination of coral on a man-made rock structure as well as a variety of other local projects you can get involved in ranging from buoy installation to turtle releases.

The location

Koh Tao is a dramatic mix of dense jungle and hilly terrain in its interior and granite outcrops and beaches along its coast.  However, it has become best known for the abundance of excellent dive sites within a short distance of the island.  It is a simple, friendly and fun island with an atmosphere that means people usually stay a lot longer than intended!

You will be based in the relaxed and friendly village of Chalok Ban Khao on the south side of the island.

How you can make a difference

Coral Reefs cover less than 2% of the ocean floor but support 25% of all marine life. They are the most biologically diverse ecosystems on earth, but also one of the most threatened. All over the world reefs are in decline, and with them the fate of over 2 million species and the economies that support millions of people.

By taking part in this project you will be making a major contribution to marine conservation on Koh Tao. 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 is a small project that is having a quick and direct impact on the island's environment. 

Pricing

What's included

• A comprehensive information booklet and pre-departure support
• Travel advice and assistance
• Being met on arrival at Koh Tao
  
• Conservation training
• PADI Open Water and Advanced dive courses (depending on your current dive level)
• PADI scuba review if you have a dive qualification but haven't dived recently
• All conservation dives
• Use of all dive equipment
• Accommodation for 14-28 nights (your own room)
• Ongoing support, help and advice from our local team

To participate in the dive conservation and survey work you will need to be at least PADI Advanced so all our programmes include dive training to take you to the PADI Advanced level if you don't already have these qualifications.

What else to budget for

The following items are not included and estimates are given as a guide for your budgeting: flights (£450-£600), travel insurance, visa (no cost if staying less than 30 days), food and general living costs (£50-£75 per week).

Other projects you might also be interested in....

* Land conservation on Koh Tao

* Reef conservation in Belize

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More details

Background information about the project

The project is lead by a small, friendly and family-owned dive school (run by a British diver) that is dedicated to the protection of the local environment of Koh Tao in the Gulf of Thailand. It is active on two fronts, surveying the reefs and collecting data, and implementing a range of local environmental initiatives. Since opening 15 years ago, they have made marine conservation and management one of their main priorities, and they are now leading the way to making dive schools into coral reef research and restoration centres.

The Reef Conservation Program (RCP) encompasses both research and restoration. Research is the only way to get a true idea of what the problems are and what needs to be done to alleviate them. After the problem has been identified it can be stopped and restoration activities can take place. In the RCP we give people from all over the world an opportunity to learn techniques that support local efforts and can be brought to other areas of the world.

You will learn about coral reef ecosystems, and participate in our monthly or ongoing projects, such as:

• Reef surveys (Ecological Monitoring Program)
• Biorock Coral Rehabilitation and Nursery
• Artificial Reef Construction and Maintenance
• Mid-water coral nurseries
• Mooring Buoy Installation
• Giant Clam Nursery
• Sea Turtle Sanctuary and Releases
• Land and Underwater Clean-ups
• Water Testing
• Underwater Mapping
• Erosion Control
• Awareness Campaigns

Volunteer accommodation and food

You will have your own room in a very attractive and friendly resort just a few minutes walk from the dive school.

Meals are not included in the placement but there are plenty of restaurants nearby, giving you a good choice for eating.  

Freetime and travel opportunities

You will participate in the project from Monday-Friday, with weekends off to relax and explore the local area or just chill on the beach!

There are plenty of bars and restaurants on the island, giving you a good choice for eating and going out, as well as a few beachside nightclubs. There are also many activities you can get involved in such as yoga, kick-boxing, Thai cooking.

Challenges

You will need to be reasonably fit and healthy, able to tolerate high temperatures and humidity, and work well within a team.

Where does your money go

PoD is run as a non-profit organisation and does not receive any external funding. We charge a fee for all our placements to cover the overseas costs of volunteering and the costs of running our organisation in the UK. 

For this project approximately 70% of the fee you pay is passed to directly to the centre.

Volunteer reviews

Click here to read volunteer reviews for our Thailand marine conservation volunteer project.