Train to become a PADI Divemaster and contribute to vital conservation projects
Program Overview
Travel to the beautiful Seychelles islands in the Indian Ocean where you will train to improve your scuba diving skills while participating on our Marine Conservation Expedition, conducting vital marine research.
On successful completion of the first half of your internship, you will be placed at a local dive centre, undertaking your PADI Divemaster course that will continue throughout the duration of the placement. During this time you can expand your knowledge of marine conservation and help with general day-to-day operations of the centre.
This internship is the perfect opportunity to enter the world of professional diving, while living and working in a pristine environment to complete what will be a life changing experience.
Life on the Program
The first half of your internship will involve training and preparing for the work placement by diving and monitoring the coral reef, collecting vital data on coral and fish species, among other related projects. You should expect approximately five to ten dives per week, weather, season and training permitting.
On your work placement, your situation will vary depending on location, but you will continue to spend the majority of your days diving in the crystal clear waters perfecting your diving skills, while learning to work within the diving community.
You will have free time on weekends to further explore your stunning surroundings or just relax to take it all in.
Program Details
The expedition phase works in conjunction with several local non-governmental organisations as well as the Seychelles Ministry of Environment working on the following priorities:
- Coral reef monitoring and recovery research
- Whale shark migration observations
- Invertebrate fisheries surveys
- Education of local partners
- Sea turtle nesting surveys
You should note that projects conducted at any time are subject to change based on the season and the needs of our local partners.
Volunteer Testimonials
The skills I learnt, the experience I had and the people I met whilst volunteering for GVI have been invaluable, instead of a year out I have had a complete change of career and will be starting a Masters degree in Marine Environmental Management later this year. Joining GVI as a volunteer certainly changed my life!
One of my aims for my ‘gap year’ was to be of some use in the world and what better way to do it than to stay here in the beautiful Seychelles, working in a pristine but threatened marine environment, putting to good use some of my new skills, using my energy and enthusiasm to make a small difference...and all of that with a great team of like-minded people who, between them, have enough passion about the planet to make a big difference.
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Program Details
Build Your Program
What's Included
- Pre-departure support and discounted services
- 24-hour emergency phone
- Airport pick-up (unless otherwise stated)
- Arrival orientation
- Long term experienced staff
- Safe and basic accommodations (usually shared)
- All meals (unless otherwise stated in field manuals)
- Welcome meeting
- Location orientation
- All necessary project training by experienced staff
- All necessary project equipment and materials
- 24-hour in-country support
- An internationally recognised qualification in Biological Survey Techniques
- An internationally recognised qualification in Team Leading
- Transfer to base location
- National Park fees and permits
- PADI Advanced Open Water
- PADI Coral Reef Research Diver Distinctive Speciality
- First Aid & CPR training and certification
- Coral reef ecology
- Community work workshop
- Use of O2 equipment workshop
- Diving compressor training workshop
- PADI Coral Reef Research Diver Distinctive Specialty
- PADI Rescue Diver and PADI Dive Master certifications (excluding PADI professional fees)
- Coral reef ecology
- Weekly evaulation with your mentor
- Final evaluation
- Certification and summary of training and experience received
- Confidential professional reference
- Work placement (if successful on training period)
What's Not Included
- Flights
- Medical and travel insurance
- Visa costs
- Personal kit
- Additional drinks and gratuities
- Extra local excursions
- International and domestic airport taxes
- Airport transfers
- PADI Open Water
- GOP Medical
