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Coral Restoration & Sea Turtle Conservation by Scuba Diving in South Tanzania
Volunteers work in the project in Mikindani Mtwara are involved in all activities performed to restore the coral reefs.Our volunteers help to create new restoration techniques, build new structures, and expand the project in the ocean and on land in addition to their participation in our routine tasks.
In Mikindani, near Mtwara on Tanzania's southern coast, you join a marine conservation project that restores coral reefs and protects sea turtles through scuba diving. Day to day you collect and plant corals, clean and document nurseries, snorkel to identify and map sea turtles, relocate turtle eggs away from poachers, patrol beaches, and run marine conservation classes in local schools. If you are not yet a diver, you start with an Open Water Course before joining the project; certified divers take a course of their choice. The program suits volunteers aged 17 and over who can swim and want hands-on marine conservation work away from Tanzania's more touristic areas.
Placements run for 2–12 weeks, with a new start every week (sundays); the next start is 13 Sep 2026. You stay in a lodge in Mikindani, in a self-contained room or a Swahili guesthouse with shared bathroom, and get half-board meals of breakfast and dinner. Prices start at $1,474, deposit included. One reason to pick this program: between August and November you can watch humpback whales migrate past the coast while you work.
- Discover and fall in love with the marine world
- Maintain and restore the local reefs
- Protect the native sea turtles
- Expand your knowledge about marine conservation
- Become a great and safe diver with first class instructors
- Experience the authentic Tanzania away from the crowded and touristic areas
- Explore the hidden gems of South Tanzania known only by a few
- Admire the humpback whales’ migration from August to November
Prices, durations, start dates and the minimum age come straight from our booking system for this program. Program facts reviewed 13 Sep 2026.
Your role on this program
- Collect and plant corals during scuba diving sessions to restore local reefs
- Clean and document coral nurseries underwater
- Snorkel or dive to identify and map sea turtles and habitats
- Relocate sea turtle eggs to protect them from poachers
- Patrol beaches to monitor and protect nesting sea turtles
- Run marine conservation education classes in local schools
- Take part in beach clean-ups and community meetings on marine conservation
- Help build new restoration structures and expand the project on land and in water
- Join a weekly marine conservation day covering topics such as overfishing and pollution
Exact duties vary with the placement's needs, the season and your experience.
Role boundaries
Volunteers work under the supervision of dive instructors and marine conservation staff, who set the weekly schedule according to the project's needs and the season; you do not design restoration methods or run diving activities unsupervised. Duties such as egg relocation, beach patrols, and school outreach may vary with the placement's needs, and volunteers follow the same conduct and dress expectations asked of anyone working with the local community.
A typical day and week
On your first day, we introduce you to your new environment: this is Orientation day. We show you the area and the points of interest as much as discuss your schedule and the on-going activities.
Our program adapts to all our volunteers. If you are not a diver yet, we start by teaching you the Open Water Course (first level of scuba diving). It provides you with all the necessary skills and experience required to participate in the coral restoration project. The course is spread over 5 days. Once completed, you join the program.
If you are a certified diver, we are teaching any scuba diving course of your choice (Advanced Open Water, Rescue, Specialties, etc). Better divers positively impact marine conservation through their knowledge and behavior in and out of the water.
Our program takes place 5 days per week, from 8am to 2pm (rarely later depending on the objective of the day). The schedule is set at the beginning of each week according to the needs at the moment.
Over these 5 days, 3 days are dedicated to scuba diving activities such as collecting and planting corals, identifying Sea Turtles, cleaning and documenting our nurseries, mapping underwater habitats, maintaining our local reefs, surveying our reefs, etc.
Activities on the remaining 2 days per week depend on the needs of the project at that moment. They can take place on land to relocate Sea Turtle eggs, run marine conservation classes in schools, perform beach clean-ups, patrol the beaches, or in water to scuba dive, teach swimming lessons, snorkel, or kayak.
Once a week, we also run a “Marine conservation day”. These days are dedicated to expanding the knowledge of our volunteers about marine conservation in general: overfishing, sharks, ocean pollution, etc.
On top of the skills you acquire by participating to our restoration program, our volunteers are offered to dive deeper in Coral Restoration theory and science. This extra course by Coral Restoration experts “Reef Guru” creates Coral Restoration Specialist with extended knowledge on marine conservation. These classes are free for volunteers staying 5 weeks or more. Other volunteers can be certified at an additional cost.
Timings are the placement's usual pattern; the local team confirms your hours at orientation, and they can change with school terms, clinic rotas, weather and the project's needs.
Who can join and what you need
- Minimum age 17; parent or guardian signature required for minors
- Able to swim (mandatory for this program)
- English spoken and written
- Complete a dive medical questionnaire confirming fitness to dive
- Minimum stay of 2 weeks
- Travel and medical insurance (your own policy or the one Volunteering Solutions arranges)
- Criminal background check likely required given school outreach and community work with children, issued within 12 months of the start date
- CV and passport copy for placement arrangements
The placement, its limits and your part in it
The project is a coral restoration and sea turtle welfare initiative based in Mikindani, organized around diving days for restoration work and land-based days for egg relocation, beach patrols, and school outreach. Dive instructors run the Open Water and other diving courses, and staff set the weekly activity schedule according to the project's current needs and the season.
Diving activities are supervised by qualified instructors, and egg relocation, patrols, and education sessions are carried out under staff guidance rather than independently. Your contribution is practical: helping with routine restoration tasks, data collection, and community outreach alongside the local team, with the specific mix of work depending on what the project needs when you are there.
Our standards
- Responsible volunteer travel policyHow we choose, run and review every project
- Animal welfare policyOur rules for wildlife, marine and animal-care projects
- Certified B CorporationSocial and environmental performance verified by B Lab
- How we volunteer responsibly in TanzaniaCountry-level partner context and standards
Start dates
Weekly start dates, year-round — pick any week across the next two years.
Program fees by duration
Prices include your $249 booking deposit — which is deducted from your total program fee. Your deposit stays valid for one year, during which you may enroll in multiple programs. A 5% international banking fee applies to credit-card payments in USD or AUD.
| Duration | Total price | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 weeks | $1,474 | |
| 3 weeks | $1,973 | |
| 4 weeks | $2,472 | |
| 5 weeks | $2,971 | |
| 6 weeks | $3,470 | |
| 7 weeks | $3,969 | |
| 8 weeks | $4,468 | |
| Each additional week | +$595 / week |
Indicative conversion — your booking is charged in the currency you choose at checkout.
✓ What you're paying for
- 24hrs Assistance and Support
- Comprehensive Pre-Departure Information
- Travel and Medical Insurance (available at extra costs)
- Whatsapp contact for information about your transit in Dar-es-salaam
- Assistance to book flights / bus tickets from the capital Dar-es-Salaam to Mikindani Mtwara
- Pick-up from Mtwara airport / Mikindani bus station
- Orientation day
- Accommodation in private room (guesthouse or terrace)
- Half-board (breakfast and dinner)
- One full course of scuba diving (any level)
- Drinkable water and laundry services
- All transport required during program activities
- First level of scuba diving for non-divers
- For volunteers 5+ weeks – Free Reef Guru Restoration diver certification
Not included
- Airfare to reach Tanzania
- Transit stays in Dar-es-salaam
- Airfare / Bus tickets up to Mikindani Mtwara
- Visa and vaccinations
- Lunch meal
- Personal transportation (out of program activities)
- Any drinks other than drinkable water from our fountain
- Sim card, phone credits, wifi, etc
- Any outside/extra activities
Accommodation & meals
We take great care of you throughout your stay in Tanzania and make sure you have a comfortable stay.
Reaching Mikindani Mtwara
Your international flight should land in Dar-Es-Salaam, the main town of Tanzania. To reach Mikindani Mtwara, you have the choice between air or land trips. We can assist you to book any of your tickets or organize your stay if necessary.
By air, Air Tanzania (https://www.airtanzania.co.tz/) and Precision Air (https://www.precisionairtz.com/en/) are the two airlines flying from Dar-Es-Salaam to Mtwara. You can check their schedule and even book your tickets online… or we can assist you with it too! As soon as you are done, send us your flight details so we can get everything ready for your arrival. The flight last approximately an hour… and you will have your first Tanzanian cashew snack, the best in the world!
By land, there are many local bus companies that are traveling down south. Our preference is “Buti La Zungu” which offers daily buses from 6am to 2pm. To book a ticket, you can try online but we would rather assist you with it. Your trip lasts between 8 and 10 hours. Yes, this is longer than a flight, but also more affordable (about USD 12 !) : it depends on your budget! Buses are safe, in good conditions and give you the opportunity to share a real local experience. Tanzanians are very welcoming and you will probably make a few friends during your trip. Also, you will discover many different street foods offered during your trip.By bus, you will get off the bus directly at Mikindani bus station. We will be there to welcome you and bring you back to our place 500 meters away.
Mtwara Airport Transfer
Mtwara Mikindani is composed of Mtwara, the main town, and Mikindani, the original village located 7 Kms away. On your arrival at the Mtwara airport, a member of our team will be waiting for you outside with a sign that says your name. The airport is located roughly 20 minutes away from Mikindani, our village. Our team member will bring you directly to our place.
Orientation
Your first day with us is dedicated to make you familiar with your new environment and your program so you feel immediately comfortable. Over a few hours, we visit the area, Mikindani village and Mtwara town, showing you the different point of interests: museums, markets, beaches, restaurants, extra activities, etc. We discuss the organization of your stay, go over the schedule and the activities, and answer any of your questions. Finally, we introduce you to our staff and our neighbours to create your first bond with our local community.
Accommodation
All our volunteers are accommodated in our lodge, either in self-contained rooms or in an old Swahili guesthouse with shared bathroom.
Each volunteer has its own room. All our rooms are furnished with a double bed, a big mosquito net, a ceiling fan (inside the net), a bedside table, and a cupboard. Your accommodation includes one laundry per week and drinkable water available at our fountain: make sure you bring your reusable bottle.
Meals
We provide our volunteers with half-board services i.e., breakfast and dinner. On request and extra costs, we can also provide lunch or lunch pack. Breakfast is available between 7am and 10am at our restaurant. However, be aware that activities start at 8am so 10am breakfasts should only happen on days off! Dinner is served between 6pm and 8pm.Meals are mixed between local and international food. Mainly vegetarian, you are offered chicken dish twice a week. We are happy to fit particular diets (vegan, gluten free, etc) as long as you give us notice beforehand
During your free time
Your free time is entirely yours. You can do anything you feel like. Mikindani is really safe and you can freely walk around, make way for the chicken, goats and cows crossing the streets, walk around the conservation area or discover the village and check out the mamas sewing mats. The local community is very welcoming and a smile is always the first step to a great cultural exchange. If you are more into sport activities, we can recommend areas/beaches to go for a swim, a walk, or even a run. You can rent some kayaks or bikes to reach further places, or go sailing on a local dhow, the traditional Tanzanian boat. Of course, we are here to help and recommend places and activities.
Life on the program
Getting there and who looks after you in Tanzania
Airport or bus station pickup
A team member meets you at Mtwara airport or the Mikindani bus station and brings you to the lodge, about 20 minutes from the airport.
First night
You settle into your room at the lodge, either a self-contained room or the Swahili guesthouse with shared bathroom.
Orientation day
Your first day is spent touring Mikindani village and Mtwara town, reviewing your schedule and activities, and meeting staff and neighbors.
First project day
Non-divers begin the Open Water Course; certified divers start their chosen course before joining the coral restoration and sea turtle work.
Ongoing support
Local staff supervise activities daily and set the weekly schedule according to the project's current needs.
From volunteers in Tanzania
Frequently asked questions
What do volunteers actually do on this program?
You take part in coral restoration diving activities such as planting corals and maintaining nurseries, plus land and water tasks like relocating sea turtle eggs, beach patrols, and marine conservation classes in schools.
Do I need to know how to dive?
No; if you are not certified, you start with a 5-day Open Water Course before joining the project, and certified divers take a course of their choice.
What is a typical day like?
The program runs 5 days a week from 8am to 2pm, with 3 days usually dedicated to diving activities and 2 days to land or water tasks depending on the project's needs.
How long can I stay and when do programs start?
Placements run 2–12 weeks, with a new start every week (sundays); the next start is 13 Sep 2026.
What does the program fee include?
Prices start at $1,474, deposit included, covering pickup, accommodation, half-board meals, one full diving course, laundry, drinkable water, and transport for program activities; airfare, visa, vaccinations, and lunch are not included.
Where do I live and what do I eat?
You stay in a lodge in Mikindani, in a self-contained room or an old Swahili guesthouse with shared bathroom, with half-board meals of breakfast and dinner mixing local and international food.
How does airport pickup work?
A team member meets you at Mtwara airport or the Mikindani bus station and drives you directly to the lodge.
What safety and support is available?
Local staff provide guidance and supervision throughout the program, and the standard 24-hour emergency contact applies.
Do I need a visa or vaccinations?
Visa and vaccination requirements are not included in the program fee; guidance on this is sent before departure.
Who is this program suited for?
Volunteers aged 17 and over who can swim, speak English, and want a hands-on marine conservation and diving placement in a less touristic part of Tanzania.
Will I get a diving certification?
Yes, the fee includes one full scuba diving course at any level, and volunteers staying 5 weeks or more also receive the Reef Guru Restoration diver certification for free.
Is a background check required?
Because the work includes school outreach and community sessions with children, a criminal background check issued within 12 months of your start date is likely required.
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