Marine Conservation - Thailand
Location: Koh Tao
Start dates: First and third Saturday of each month Project closed from 5th October - 20th December 2013
Duration: 1 - 12 weeks
Cost: From £695 - see pricing table below
Discounts: For friends / partners sharing a room
Start dates: First and third Saturday of each month Project closed from 5th October - 20th December 2013
Duration: 1 - 12 weeks
Cost: From £695 - see pricing table below
Discounts: For friends / partners sharing a room
How will I make a difference?
By becoming a marine conservation volunteer in Thailand you will be making a major contribution to marine conservation on Koh Tao. As the island has become more popular the local environment has come under increasing pressure, and there is now a real need for action in order to protect the island 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 very well respected on the island and is having a quick and direct impact on the island's ecological outlook.
During your stay you will learn about coral reef ecology, research, and restoration and, by increasing your own knowledge and awareness, you will be an active part of the reefs’ protection. The research collected by volunteers is used to report to the government and university researchers who together are working to direct restoration policies and awareness on the island. The restoration work so far has reduced the threats and notably improved the local reef health. The methods and techniques used in the program are ones which take relatively low tech tools and little specialized training which means they can be implemented anywhere around the world - wherever you may travel next.
What will I be doing?
Depending on your current dive level 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.
You will also obtain your SSI Ecological Diver certification whilst at the project. For volunteers staying 3 weeks or more the project includes your Ecological Monitoring Project (EMP) Certification and manual, EMP is the official monitoring program for Koh Tao.
Each day varies considerably, but this gives you an idea of the daily schedule for the marine conservation activities:
09:30 Arrive at Dive School to prepare for the day’s activities
10:00 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)
The work can vary and include reef surveys and research dives which are often accompanied by a brief lecture and other conservation initiatives such as:
More about the project
The marine conservation project is led by a small, friendly and family-owned dive school run by a British diver. It is dedicated to the protection of the local environment of Koh Tao in the Gulf of Thailand and is active on two fronts; surveying the reefs and collecting data, and implementing a range of local environmental initiatives. Since opening in 1995, 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 project are part of a larger initiative called 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 people from all over the world are given an opportunity to learn techniques that support local efforts and can be brought to other areas of the world.
Location and free time
You will be based in the relaxed and friendly village of Chalok Ban Khao on the south side of the island. 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 participate in the marine conservation project from Monday to 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.
Volunteer accommodation
You will have your own room in a very attractive and friendly resort just a few minutes’ walk from the dive school.
What's included and where your money goes
Prices
Beginner /2 weeks: £1195
Open Water /2 weeks: £995
Advanced + /1 week: £695
Extra weeks available at discounted price as well as for friends/partners sharing a room
By becoming a marine conservation volunteer in Thailand you will be making a major contribution to marine conservation on Koh Tao. As the island has become more popular the local environment has come under increasing pressure, and there is now a real need for action in order to protect the island 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 very well respected on the island and is having a quick and direct impact on the island's ecological outlook.
During your stay you will learn about coral reef ecology, research, and restoration and, by increasing your own knowledge and awareness, you will be an active part of the reefs’ protection. The research collected by volunteers is used to report to the government and university researchers who together are working to direct restoration policies and awareness on the island. The restoration work so far has reduced the threats and notably improved the local reef health. The methods and techniques used in the program are ones which take relatively low tech tools and little specialized training which means they can be implemented anywhere around the world - wherever you may travel next.
What will I be doing?
Depending on your current dive level 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.
You will also obtain your SSI Ecological Diver certification whilst at the project. For volunteers staying 3 weeks or more the project includes your Ecological Monitoring Project (EMP) Certification and manual, EMP is the official monitoring program for Koh Tao.
Each day varies considerably, but this gives you an idea of the daily schedule for the marine conservation activities:
09:30 Arrive at Dive School to prepare for the day’s activities
10:00 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)
The work can vary and include reef surveys and research dives which are often accompanied by a brief lecture and other conservation initiatives 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
More about the project
The marine conservation project is led by a small, friendly and family-owned dive school run by a British diver. It is dedicated to the protection of the local environment of Koh Tao in the Gulf of Thailand and is active on two fronts; surveying the reefs and collecting data, and implementing a range of local environmental initiatives. Since opening in 1995, 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 project are part of a larger initiative called 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 people from all over the world are given an opportunity to learn techniques that support local efforts and can be brought to other areas of the world.
Location and free time
You will be based in the relaxed and friendly village of Chalok Ban Khao on the south side of the island. 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 participate in the marine conservation project from Monday to 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.
Volunteer accommodation
You will have your own room in a very attractive and friendly resort just a few minutes’ walk from the dive school.
What's included and where your money goes
- A comprehensive information booklet
- Support from your dedicated volunteer manager within the PoD UK team
- Travel advice and assistance
- Being met on arrival at Koh Tao, Thailand
- PADI Open Water + PADI Advanced dive courses (unless you are already PADI Advanced or equivalent)
- PADI scuba review if you have a dive qualification but haven't dived recently
- Conservation training
- EMP Certification and manual (volunteers staying 3 weeks+)
- All conservation dives
- Use of all dive equipment
- Accommodation (own room) in a beachside resort
- Support from the project team
Prices
Beginner /2 weeks: £1195
Open Water /2 weeks: £995
Advanced + /1 week: £695
Extra weeks available at discounted price as well as for friends/partners sharing a room