Marine conservation in Australia

Are you ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure while making a meaningful impact on the Great Barrier Reef? This Marine Conservation Programme in Australia is perfect for those with little to moderate reef experience, as it provides the opportunity to join a team of passionate marine biologists and industry professionals in monitoring long-term coral health. By assisting with the established GBRMPA monitoring programme, you will contribute to the reef’s long-term protection and provide valuable data to help identify and monitor reef health indicators.

It’s not just about the conservation work: our programme also promises an experience of a lifetime. As a volunteer, you will be diving into the stunning waters of the Great Barrier Reef, participating in exciting adventures, and making unforgettable memories. Our team and partners are dedicated to ensuring that each volunteer walks away with a sense of self-fulfillment, knowing that their efforts have made a positive impact on one of the world’s most precious natural wonders. Join us in Cairns for an adventure that combines volunteering and adventure like no other!

Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Cairns

Arrive in tropical Cairns and transfer to your hostel. Enjoy your day discovering Cairns by foot.

Days 2 to 3: Open Water Course, Training Center

Over the next 2 days you will do the first part of your scuba diving adventure. Put all the theory into use in the pool during your practical sessions where all your underwater skills are honed under the watchful eyes of your instructors. After lunch on day 3 it is time for your theory test and a briefing of the upcoming days out on the Great Barrier Reef. At 18:30 on day 2 you will attend the Reef Teach presentation, an insight into the magical world of the coral reef. (Certified Divers have the option of doing their Advanced Course and/or Nitrox)

Days 4 to 6: Great Barrier Reef

Depart on day 4 on your Great Barrier Reef dive adventure. After arriving get briefed by your dive instructor and begin exploring the underwater world on this magnificent natural wonder. Over the 3 days you will do a total of 9 dives out of which 4 will be your final step to becoming an Open Water Diver along with 4 fun dives and 1 night dive. Return to Cairns late afternoon on day 6. (Advanced Open Water and/or Nitrox students will do their course during this trip)

Day 7: Great Barrier Reef day trip and reef conservation tasks

Today you will take a day trip to enhance your marine conservation experience. Under the guidance of your reef expert you will undertake a selection of activities on the day, one diving, one snorkelling, such as Rapid Monitoring surveys and a species count to be entered into Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (number of activities could vary depending on conditions). With the foundation, you will receive a certificate of recognition for your contributions to protecting the world’s marine environment. Return to Cairns late afternoon and free time.

Days 8 to 10: Great Barrier Reef, reef conservation tasks

Get picked up early and transfer to the port before departing for the Great Barrier Reef. Traveling out to the outer reef you will be briefed by your expert reef guide on the Rapid Monitoring Surveys and species count you will be undertaking over the next 3 days. Preceding each dive you will be briefed and findings discussed post-dive. Throughout the 3 day trip you will have a total of 11 dives of which 6-8 will focus on data collection and the remainder will be recreational dives. On your way home you will be presented with your certificate on a job well done!

Day 11: Fitzroy Island

This morning you transfer by ferry to Fitzroy Island where you will meet the volunteers working at the Turtle Rehabilitation Centre on the island. You will assist the team with a Rapid Monitoring Survey on the local reef and then learn about the work done by this organisation, meet some of the patients and, possibly, go behind the scenes to lend a helping hand.

Day 12: Cairns

Today is the end of your tour. Check out and transfer to the airport for your onward or homeward journey. Safe travels!

Monitoring Programme Tasks

Participants will be required to complete the following set tasks on each set dive:

• Timed swim (minimum 10 minutes on each dive), underwater monitoring and species count on the Great Barrier Reef (i.e. corals, marine life species).
• 360 degree survey of sea bed on the dive site: objective is to clearly identify the animals and plants observed in each section.
• Recording of any impacts on coral being observed (i.e. coral bleaching or damage noticed).
• Note: a nominated member of the group will take photos to support observations for all findings. An underwater camera will be provided for this purpose each trip for the group.