Marine Conservation Expedition in Seychelles

Scuba-dive in the Indian Ocean on this critical conservation expedition.

Get your PADI Advanced Open Water and PADI Reef Ecosystem Diver (RESD) Specialty qualifications while working on critical marine conservation projects. Your research will contribute towards providing data to the local government on various conservation initiatives. Partnerships like these highlight the connection between social, environmental issues, and community development in the islands.

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

You will contribute towards various conservation-related surveys aimed at providing data to the Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority (formerly Seychelles National Marine Park Authority – SNPA) and local government on coral reef, fish and invertebrate research and assist with the development of environmental education awareness. You might also undertake marine plastic pollution cleanups both on the land around the base, our neighbouring beaches and across our adopted dive sites.

You’ll spend a large part of your time on this expedition scuba-diving and as such you need to be qualified to at least PADI Open Water or equivalent before joining the program. For non-divers wishing to attend, we can recommend local dive centres that will help you qualify before your intended start date. You can also receive the PADI Reef Ecosystem Diver (RESD) Specialty segment of the PADI Divemaster course. This unique offering by GVI and PADI teaches you about best practices when conducting underwater coral reef surveys. This is offered to participants staying for longer than two weeks on the program.

• Find science and adventure: Explore the open seas while you learn how to identify fish, coral and invertebrates as part of a research team conducting daily coral reef surveys.

• Find a diver’s paradise: Explore dive sites among the tropical islands of Seychelles and experience incredible local marine megafauna like turtles, sharks, rays and dolphins.

• Be part of the real deal: Contribute to ongoing environmental projects that address critical challenges aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

• Join ethical initiatives: Join local conservation partners and qualified professionals to ensure your efforts are highly ethical, meaningful and sustainable.

• Experience unreal adventures: Venture outside typical travel itineraries to get exclusive access to extraordinary remote habitats, rare species and unique ecosystems.

• Make friends for life: Share epic experiences with like-minded, passionate changemakers from all over the globe.

• Enjoy a hassle-free, safe trip: With expert local staff and 24/7 support at every step – you can relax and enjoy the experience stress-free.

• Take a break: Disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with nature, yourself and your purpose.

Skills

• Data entry

• EFR training

• Marine conservation

• PADI

• Species identification

• Survey research

• Volunteering

• Cultural awareness

• Interpersonal skills

• Communication

• Teamwork

• Easily adaptable

Some of the example typical activities you could participate in on this program.

• Fieldwork training: Identify species and conduct surveys that contribute to data collection efforts and help build an inventory of marine species in Seychelles.

• Support conservation surveys: Help monitor coral reefs, assess bleaching, coral growth, and engage in invertebrate, fish, seagrass, shark and megafauna surveys.

• Support conservation projects: Assist with tasks as needed, like seagrass monitoring, marine megafauna sightings, beach cleans, and data entry into citizen science databases.

• PADI Advanced Open Water: Build diving skills with adventure dives: deep water, underwater navigation, buoyancy, underwater naturalist and boat diver.

• PADI Emergency First Response: Learn primary and secondary care theory, practise skills in role-play scenarios to enhance your first aid knowledge and prepare for emergencies.

• PADI RESD Speciality: Take the exclusive GVI PADI Reef Ecosystem Diver (RESD) Specialty, advancing conservation diving skills and mastering coral reef surveys.
  

• PADI Rescue Diver: Increase your diver safety knowledge , handle complex situations, practise direct intervention in role-play rescue scenarios (programs > 8 weeks).

GVI Experiences:

We want you to make the most of the chance to live in – and contribute towards –  the most diverse and unique wildernesses and communities on earth. Introducing GVI Experiences – immersive adventure, cultural and wellness activities exclusive to GVI that have been specially designed in collaboration with our local partners to support and stimulate sustainable economic development. 

Enhance your impact. Expand your adventure. Explore your world.

• Experience Thérèse Island’s coastal trails

• Sauzier waterfall hike and jungle picnic

• Paddleboard across the bay

• Hike through lush forests and across rocky plateaus

• Drift through the reef after dark

• Learn about rare and endemic species of plants

• Swim at a secret beach

• PADI AWARE Dive Against Debris (or snorkel)
  

Free time & cultural immersion

By joining a GVI program, you not only contribute to preserving unique ecosystems but also get the chance to explore the surrounding area or venture further to see what else the region has to offer on weekends.

Our field staff are a great source of advice on local travel options. Many participants choose to travel before or after their experience, solidifying friendships made on the program. 

Engaging with a new context teaches global awareness, adaptability and critical thinking – skills highly valued in today’s world. Cultural immersion is encouraged, and there are many activities to enjoy during your free time or before and after your program. Please note, these suggestions aren’t included in the program fee and are at your own expense.

Mahe

GVI’s programs in the Seychelles are based on the main island of Mahe – the largest granitic island in the Seychelles, surrounded by coral reefs, granite drop-offs and white sandy beaches. The island rises up to forest-covered mountainous terrain with steep winding roads throughout the island. Turquoise-blue waters house expansive fringing reefs providing habitats to a staggering variety of fish and marine invertebrates. The steep shelf surrounding the islands means that along with the high diversity of reef fish, oceanic species such as tuna and sailfish are common just offshore. It’s home to the capital of the Seychelles, Victoria. Despite being the most populous island, Mahe has very few inhabitants – compared to most of the urban areas international visitors are used to – and its natural habitat is very well preserved.

Seychelles

The Seychelles is a tropical archipelago off the east coast of Africa, consisting of over 100 islands. The islands located near the center of the group are made of granite, and researchers believe they used to form part of the Indian subcontinent. The granite islands attracted corals to their shallower waters and most of the outer islands of the Seychelles are based on coral or sand. The islands are famous for their biodiversity and are home to literally thousands of land and underwater species. The waters of the Indian Ocean are a haven for coral conservation efforts, making the Seychelles a sought-after diving destination.

Weekend trips

Takamaka rum distillery

The rum distillery at Pointe Au Sel is a popular destination for volunteers to visit. There’s also a tea plantation and local handicraft village nearby, which you can tack onto your sightseeing agenda.

Victoria City

The capital of the Seychelles, Victoria (one of the smallest capital cities in the world) is only an hour away from our base in Baie Ternay Marine National Park. Here, you can learn more about the particular blend of cultures that have shaped the Seychelles over the centuries. Visit Hindu temples built adjacent to Catholic cathedrals and sample dishes with both French and Indian influences. Visit Eden Island for restaurants, shopping, bars, and clubs. Glass-bottom boat tours are available from Victoria – see coral reefs, fish and fauna, visit the abandoned island prison, and travel to a local island for lunch.

Beau Vallon Bay

The most popular tourist spot on the main island of the Seychelles, Beau Vallon offers a massive stretch of beach, lined with shops and restaurants.

Local adventures

Water sports

Other than diving, there are many other water sports in the Seychelles, like surfing, kayaking, sailing and snorkeling. And of course, there’s always the option of simply swimming in the ocean or relaxing on the beach.

Cap Matoopa hike

The highest point next to our base, Cap Matoopa offers spectacular views of Cap Ternay Bay. Climb the jungle-encrusted granite rocks to the top, where you’ll be rewarded with a magical Indian Ocean view, especially for sunrise or sunset.

Recreational diving

The dives we conduct on the project have a strict research focus. There are, however, plenty of opportunities to go for a recreational dive in your free time.

Hiking and climbing

The inner islands of the Seychelles, where you will be staying while on this project, are made of granite, which means there are many opportunities for hiking. Visit Morne Seychellois National Park to hike or climb the highest peak in the Seychelles. Take note of the dark granite boulders. This is the only place you’ll find these massive rocks in a tropical setting, and they are everywhere. There are also local hikes to Matoopa Point, walks to Port Launay and Ephelia Beach, and nearby waterfalls to swim in.

A short three-minute walk from the beach, our Cap Ternay research station is based in Baie Ternay Marine National Park, a picturesque location with tropical weather. With a thirty-minute walk to the nearest village and shop, our base is in a protected and secluded area. It almost feels like we have a private beach all to ourselves (the road ends at the base). The variety of marine life makes this an amazing location – you can see a plethora of life around the island and in the sea, such as reef sharks, dolphins, eagle rays, tropical fish, endemic birds and interesting coastal creatures and critters. 

Originally a school, the building has been transformed into an environmentally-aware research station with classrooms for presentations, a library containing marine identification books and resources, and a recreation room to relax in after a day of diving. 

There are also giant hammocks (for more relaxation) and a large grassy area for volleyball. We also have party and BBQ themed nights, and enjoy film and documentary nights in the rec room cinema. Outside in the seating area, participants like to sit and play cards, or just enjoy the weather. Life on base is much like a big family and we share cooking, cleaning, and dive operation duties on a rotation basis.

Being an eco-minded base, there is a recycling area on base, and planters for growing local endemic plant species, which utilise the harvested rainwater. It’s great when participants bring their own ideas and get involved with more eco-friendly practices, such as ecobricking and non-recycling storage methods.

Days start early, with boat or coastal equipment preparations or training, and end with dinner, followed by an evening debrief where we share with the group all the exciting things we have seen, and go through the schedule for the next day. After this, it’s time to relax, take in the beautiful sunset, and share stories. There are also a number of base dogs (who love lots of attention) to keep you company. If you’ve joined a diving program and have completed your intensive survey and dive training, you’ll enjoy short boat trips to nearby dive sites. Depending on the weather conditions and schedule for the week, dives take place once or twice daily, five days a week. On other days, you’ll conduct marine debris surveys, depending on the needs of the project at the time. Staff will often deliver presentations throughout the week, with study time included in the daily schedule. 

For island conservation and wildlife programs, you’ll head out after breakfast to help with surveys, either by snorkelling, hiking or doing beach patrols. Depending on the conservation projects at the time, you might collect data on nudibranchs, island birds, crustaceans, mollusks or seagrass, to name a few.

Accommodation

See what it’s like to live off the beaten track! There are three dorm rooms, each with around 6–10 single beds. The gender-separated bathrooms are shared, with showers and flush toilets. The entire building is equipped with electricity. The base has two buildings. One contains a kitchen with a dining area, and outdoor seating. The second (two-story) building consists of the volunteer dorms, kit room, staff accommodation, office and lecture room.

Transportation

We provide transfers from the airport to our base in Baie Ternay National Park, which is about an hour’s drive. There is a bus service from Port Launay to Victoria (and some other areas depending on the route). Taxis can be ordered to get to and from base and around the island as needed. The beach is very close to our accommodation so we simply walk down to the water to our waiting boat, which is available to take you out to the dive sites. If you’re snorkelling you can take a short stroll to start exploring the shallow waters, or hike the shoreline in search of interesting creatures.

Communication

We are based in a protected natural reserve, which means that mobile signal doesn’t cover the entire area. There are spots with good phone coverage and we have a phone on base for emergencies. For high speed connectivity and a more reliable connection, most volunteers get a local sim card when they are in the Seychelles and pay for their own data.

Meals

Sample the many flavours of Seychellois cuisine, from fresh coconut water sipped out of the fruit to green papaya salad. All food is provided by GVI and prepared by participants. Breakfast includes the usual array of eggs, bacon, pancakes, porridge and fruit. Lunch and dinner varies based on the tastes of participants at the time. Typical meals include curries, stir-fries, pastas, pies and salads. Many participants also buy their own snacks, like banana chips and dried salted fish available at the local Port Launay shops.

Climate

The Seychelles has an equatorial climate, which means sunshine and warm water all year round, with temperatures averaging 26ºC–30ºC (79ºF–86ºF). Tropical rainfall is common, but more frequent from October to April. The weather is warmest from September to May, and coolest in the middle of the year, from June to August (water temperatures reflect these changes too). The temperature stays high during the night – only dropping by a few degrees.

The following itinerary is an example of the activities and project work that participants might get involved in on this program. More specific details of the program are finalised several months before each start date.

• 6:30 - Start your day bright and early! If you're an early riser, walk to the beach and take in the sunrise and the ocean view.
  

• 7:00 - Team breakfast, then prep for the day: getting the boat and equipment ready for your first dive, or preparing for your coastal activities.

• 7:30 - Start by getting trained in diving/ conservation. Once you're all set, you'll switch gears to doing surveys that help the project reach its goals.

• 12:00 - Lunch is enjoyed in our dining hall, or for those on the boat, you’ll eat a picnic lunch onboard the boat to fuel all the scientific research.

• 12:30 - Training or marine activities like research dives, beach cleans and surveys. Your data supports ongoing studies and citizen science databases.

• 17:30 - Return to base and get stuck into some base duties, including kit cleaning and storage.

• 18:30 - Teams take turns to plan and prepare dinner every evening which makes for a wide variety of meals, enjoyed together as a group.

• 19:30 - Time to relax or get involved in social activities on base. Make use of the common areas to spend time with your new friends, play a game, or do some studying.

We meet you at the airport

When it comes to support, we ensure that each participant is provided with unparalleled, 360 degree support, from your initial contact with the GVI Family, all the way through your program, and even after, as you become part of the GVI Alumni Team.

As part of this promise, we will ensure, whenever possible, that one of our dedicated staff will be available to meet you at the airport. In most locations, we also set up a Whatsapp group to help with managing airport arrivals.

We will arrange with you prior to your departure that, should you arrive in the agreed upon pick up window, a member of our team or representative will be there to welcome you, easily identifiable in a GVI t-shirt or holding a GVI sign and wearing a friendly smile.

This means there will be someone there to greet you as you land, and from there you will be transported to your GVI base to start your adventure and meet the rest of your team.

All of our programs have short-, mid- and long-term objectives that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). This enables us to report on our collaborative impact across the world in a streamlined manner, measuring which UN SDGs we are making a substantial contribution to. Furthermore, this will help our local partners and communities measure and visualise their contribution to the UN SDGs.

Prior to your arrival on base, you will be educated about the UN SDGs. Then once you arrive on base, you’ll learn about the specific goals we have in this particular location, our various objectives, and also clarification of how your personal, shorter-term involvement contributes to these.

Our aim is to educate you on local and global issues, so that you continue to be an active global citizen after your program, helping to fulfil our mission of building a global network of people united by their passion to make a difference.

GVI Chiang Mai’s programs work in collaboration with the local Karen hill tribe community and village of Huay Pakoot. To promote sustainable ecotourism, we work with the elephant-keeping community to assist monitor the introduction of elephants into their natural habitat after their previous lives in tourist camps.

Your contribution will assist in keeping these elephants in protected forests, continuing the conservation of these beautiful animals and what remains of their fragmented forest habitats, as well as providing funding to keep the project running. We also offer alternative livelihoods and English lessons to the local community. Upskilling in English helps facilitate a self-sustainable ecotourism industry. The goal of this project is to have semi-wild herds of elephants living, socialising, and foraging in their natural habitat – supervised by their mahouts (elephant keepers) from the local village.

Elephant Surveys

We work with local mahouts to track elephants in the forest – collecting behavioural data through observation, taking note of the following:

• Two-minute interval activity budget on each elephant.

• Interaction with other elephants.

• Vocalisation recordings (written not audio).

• Monitoring stereotyping behaviour.

Every week we do a health check (eye drainage, tongue check etc.) It’s important to note that we have a hands-off approach.

Gibbon surveys

We gather data from song and visual surveys of white-handed gibbons, assisting scientists in expanding their understanding of gibbon ecology and conservation status in the Chiang Mai region. Typically, you’ll assist in survey planning, GPS tracking, camera trap setup, photography, gibbon sound recording, data sheet entries and database input.

Biodiversity Hikes

We conduct day and night biodiversity hikes, recording any species we see, including birds, gibbons, bats, snakes, reptiles, lizards, amphibians, frogs and toads. We add the images to iNaturalist and eBird.

Quality Education

We work with the local government school – with both teachers and students. Our school-based teaching involves English language, health and wellness workshops, environmental education workshops and sports activities. Our community-based lessons involve adult and child learners in the community. These are often informal evening sessions, based around what the learners want to learn.

The UN Sustainable Development Goals

All of our programs have short-, mid- and long-term objectives that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). We want to be able to measure our collaborative impact across the world in a streamlined manner, so all our staff and volunteers know which UN SDGs they’re making a substantial contribution to. This also helps our local partners and communities measure and visualise their contribution to the UN SDGs.

Prior to your arrival on base, you’ll be educated about the history of the UN SDGs. Then, once on base you’ll learn about the specific goals of your location, the long-, mid- and short-term objectives, and also insight into how your personal, shorter-term involvement contributes to these goals on a global level.

Our aim is to educate you on local and global issues, so that you continue to act as active global citizens after your program, helping to fulfil our mission of building a global network of people united by their passion to make a difference.

Project objectives

GVI Chiang Mai Long-term Objectives:

1. Increase and promote ethical elephant tourism.

2. Create a viable self sustaining ecotourism program for the village.

3. Improve standards of living and job opportunities for the community in the Huay Pakoot village.

4. Improve sustainable natural resource management in the Huay Pakoot area.

5. Ensure the preservation and study of a thriving population of wild white-handed gibbons in the Huay Pakoot area.

No orphanage programs

We don’t support or allow participants to work in institutional residential care facilities, also known as orphanages. We partner with ReThink Orphanages and Freedom United.

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Child and vulnerable adult protection policy

Our Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy requires all our staff and participants to complete a criminal background check and to learn why you shouldn’t reveal a child’s identifying factors in photographs. We support the ChildSafe Movement.

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No medical volunteering

We don’t offer any programs where our participants engage in medical treatment. This is because our participants aren’t typically qualified to do this work and would therefore not be able to do this work in their home country. Our participants only assist with public health programs.

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No disability support programs

We don’t offer any programs where our participants work directly with people with disabilities. This is because our participants aren’t typically qualified to do this work and would therefore not be able to do this work in their home country.

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Aligned to local objectives

Each one of our initiatives is aligned to objectives set by a local organisation or professional. Our staff and participants work to support these local actors in achieving their specific goals.

Local employees remain employed

Our participants don’t replace the staff employed by local organisations. Rather, they support currently employed staff with achieving their objectives. Our goal is always to increase local capacity to address local problems.

Local employees remain focused

Participants require training and support to ensure that they carry out tasks correctly. Our staff provide this training and support so that local staff can focus on what is truly important to their organisation at the time.

No entertainment-based activities

We don’t support the use of wild animals for entertainment purposes. This includes riding animals, having them perform tricks, feeding or bathing them or getting close to them to take photos

No orphaned animal sanctuaries

We don’t encourage, support or allow the rearing of “orphaned” wild baby animals kept at a “sanctuary”. The conservation value of these types of programs is negligent and would only ethically be used in extremely rare cases

Guidelines for touching or movement restriction

When wild animals are restricted for conservation purposes we follow the guidelines of Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA), approved by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.

Animal welfare guidelines

We ensure that the Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare are followed. These include the freedom to express normal behaviour and freedom from distress, discomfort, hunger, thirst, fear, pain, injury or disease.

Local community empowerment

We ensure that conservation efforts are also always locally led, that community needs are front-and centre of any conservation effort and that our participants, projects and partners work to increase local community engagement in local conservation efforts.

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No veterinary programs

We don’t offer any veterinary programs or animal rescue and rehabilitation programs. We don’t allow participants to do any work they would not be able to do in their home country.

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A GVI program is an investment in your career. No matter which you choose, you will be working toward improving your employability by mastering new social skills, gaining further technical expertise and earning qualifications in many cases. Most of our staff are, in fact, GVI Alumni, and we have helped many of our Alumni discover, move toward, and earn their own personal dream jobs. Each program includes introductory workshops, ongoing presentations, as well as on-the-ground professional support provided by our very own trained staff members. In addition, our training programs are critical for helping us to ensure the long-term impact of our sustainable development projects around the world.

Certificates & qualifications

GVI Online Wildlife Conservation course (optional)

If you have a passion for wildlife conservation then this course will provide you with the foundational skills and understanding needed to achieve your conservation-related goals. You’ll learn about the various methods of wildlife monitoring, as well as exploring the delicate balance involved in terrestrial ecosystem management. After successfully completing the course, which you have the option of doing prior to your in-country program, you’ll receive a certificate from GVI.

This online course, valued at £295, is included in all volunteering programs. Full course details can be found here.

We won’t sugarcoat it — traveling abroad is usually a complex process that carries an element of risk. But this is exactly why we’re passionate about providing extensive support throughout the process as well as the highest safety standards during the in-country phase. We believe that volunteering abroad should not only be impactful, but an enjoyable experience that carries as little risk as possible. This is exactly how we’ve been able to maintain our reputation as the most highly respected volunteering organisations in the sector over the past two decades.