Learn to dive in the Indian Ocean on this critical conservation expedition

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Teaching Children from the International School

Program Overview
Life on the Program
Program Details
Volunteer Testimonials

Program Overview

Travel to the crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean and work on critical marine conservation projects amongst the beautiful islands of the Seychelles.

You will contribute to various conservation-related surveys aimed at providing data to the local government on coral reef research, invertebrate surveys, whale shark migration observations, in-water turtle surveys and turtle nesting research.

You will spend the majority of your time on this program Scuba diving and as such you need to be qualified to at least PADI Open Water, or equivalent. If you wish to join this program but do not yet have the diving experience, GVI can help book you onto a PADI Open Water course at a local dive centre before the expedition if required.

Life on the Program

Weather, season and training permitting, you should expect to have approximately five to ten dives per week on the reef, collecting crucial data on fish species, invertebrates and coral.

At the end of each day, you will eat, relax and socialise with the rest of the team as you recount your sightings from below the surface. Life on the base will be simple island living, sleeping in basic dormitory style accommodation with shared bathrooms as well as sharing cooking and cleaning duties around base.

Weekends will be yours to explore the beautiful surrounding area and islands as you immerse yourself in the Creole culture of the Seychelles.

Program Details

The aims and efforts of the expedition have been agreed upon in conjunction with the Seychelles Ministry of Environment, local government agencies and non-governmental organisations to include:

Coral reef monitoring and recovery research
Whale shark migration observations

Invertebrate fish surveys
Sea turtle nesting surveys
Plankton sampling research
Helping to train local partners
Development of an environmental education and awareness program

You should keep in mind that projects are conducted are dependent on the season and the priorities always remain with our local working partners.

Volunteer Testimonials

Nadia Amoum, Morocco

Overall, my experience in the Seychelles was amazing. Of course there were some rough times but that happens in life and it’s important to learn to overcome challenges. My first two weeks were the hardest; I got sick prior to arriving in the Seychelles and spent all my time on Curieuse studying the fish species with the help of flashcards. It was challenging but I decided that since I was in one of the most beautiful countries in the world I wasn’t going to let it get me down too much. Before I knew it, I was able to dive and I can say that it was worth the wait. I’m a huge turtle fan and I was so excited to see a hawksbill sea turtle on my very first dive.

Due to the circumstances at the time, I was able to stay on both GVI bases in the Seychelles. They are both very basic and rudimentary but that adds to the whole experience! I really enjoyed the whole program, it was a chance for me to get away from my busy city life and meet people who appreciate and have the same values as I do. The members of the staff were extremely supportive and the rest of the volunteers were friendly and overall awesome people.

I would recommend it especially to people who aren’t used to travel alone, and who still need someone to get the most important things organized. GVI offers you a good infrastructure and a helping...

Dina Weindl, Austria

I love the marine life expedition cause I think it really makes sense to educate people and to increase the awareness about the endangerment of marine life! I only would recommend 1 or 2 changes in the pre education so working could start earlier for the volunteers to get more output for everyone.

But I definitely had/have and will recommend GVI to my friends.

Lynsey Wheater, Halland, UK

I had a brilliant time, the staff were really friendly and welcoming and I loved all the diving/Coco de Mer surveys and turtle walks. there was so much variety and a lot to learn - I would definitely go back. This experience has made me change my career to what I love and I’m currently now looking for marine research/science work throughout the world. The GVI experience has made me reconsider what I want from life.

As we approached the beach Neil (GVI staff) pointed out the tracks up the sandy beach towards the brush and our excitement rose. Charlotte and I quietly celebrated the possibility of the first...

Katie Munroe, Washington, USA

As we approached the beach Neil (GVI staff) pointed out the tracks up the sandy beach towards the brush and our excitement rose. Charlotte and I quietly celebrated the possibility of the first sighting on this phase of a turtle nesting.

We stayed for over an hour until the turtle was finished laying her eggs and started to wiggle back and forth, diligently kicking up sand to bury her nest. Charlotte and I were ecstatic to have witnessed something most people would never get a chance to see. My only thought is how amazing the Seychelles and this experience continue to be each and every day.