Best Marine Conservation Volunteer Opportunities for 2025/26

Marine conservation is one of the most popular volunteer opportunities available, and for good reason! You’ll get to spend your time protecting the Earth’s oceans, their ecosystems, and the species that live within them. You’ll see firsthand how human activities harm the environment while restoring marine life, leaving the sea better than you found it. 

There are plenty of amazing volunteer opportunities available dedicated to marine conservation. But with so many programs to consider, how can you choose? Let’s explore some of the best Volunteering Solutions has to offer to make your decision easier. 

Marine Conservation Volunteering Program in Madagascar

Madagascar isn’t only home to some of the most unique animal and plant species, but also the least explored marine sites in the world! The Marine Conservation Program has been designed in collaboration with oceanographic organizations to protect these, and you could be a pivotal part of the journey. 

Most of the responsibilities for this project are in-water, from ecological dives to see the vibrant sea floor up close to coral watch, which is part of a global effort to monitor coral health and raise awareness for the impact climate change has on it. You’ll also help remove debris and clean up artificial reefs to encourage more coral to grow and thrive. Dry activities include beach clean-ups and data entry, which are just as important as water activities.

During your downtime, you’ll be able to explore the majestic world of Madagascar. Spot lemurs in the wild, explore diverse ecosystems like rainforests and spiny deserts, or immerse yourself in the blend of African and Austronesian culture. This is the opportunity of a lifetime for anyone passionate about marine life and making a difference. 

Marine Conservation Program in Bali

Bali is a small island just off the coast of Indonesia, meaning it’s surrounded by oceans teeming with marine wildlife. Rising levels of pollution in the water are directly harming the beautiful species living within, and your volunteering efforts can make all the difference in the mission to protect Bali’s native species.

You’ll be staying in Tianyar, a small fishing village in Bali that used to boast a healthy 3km-long coral reef. However, years of exploitative fishing practices have left it in poor condition, which is why we need your help. You’ll dive to remove debris and care for the coral, build a personalized fish dome to deploy onto the reef, and spend time teaching locals the importance of protecting Bali’s marine life.   

This program gives you a three-day weekend, so you’ll have plenty of time to explore the island. Stay close in Tianyar, with the amazing white-sand beaches and rolling hills, or explore further afield. Bali is known for its breathtaking volcanic mountains and diverse beaches, so it’s up to you to guide your own adventure. The locals are friendly and the food is amazing, so get stuck in and celebrate being immersed in its culture. 

Penguin and Marine Bird Rescue Center in South Africa

The Penguin and Marine Bird Rescue Program is the perfect opportunity if you want to blend your love for animals with a desire to help protect and rehabilitate their natural environments. With just under 10,000 African Penguin breeding pairs in South Africa today, this represents a severe decline from historical populations (over a million pairs a century ago). 

During this project, you’ll work with vulnerable birds, including African Penguins, gannets, cormorants, and seagulls. Your main role will be actively rescuing and rehabilitating them, giving them the best chance of a fulfilled life. This project works closely with the bird hospital and sea school, where you’ll help out wherever it’s needed to fundraise, teach local communities the harms of global warming, and catch and release birds from the wild.  

The project takes place in Algoa Bay, where you’ll find plenty of amazing beaches to relax on during evenings and weekends. King’s Beach and Hobie Beach are some of the show-stoppers, where you can choose to take a boat to go dolphin and whale watching. Take a safari at the Addo Elephant National Park, or explore the Donkin Reserve and its historic pyramid. The calm waters around the bay are also perfect for watersports! 

Underwater Conservation in Barcelona

If you’re hoping to volunteer in Europe, Barcelona has the prime opportunity to conserve its diverse ecosystem in the Mediterranean waters. You’ll work on and improve your scuba diving skills to help tackle harmful ocean pollution. This is the ideal project for people passionate about marine life who are eager to learn diving skills. 

You’ll lend a helping hand, actively restoring the natural state of the marine ecosystem of Catalonia and the wider Mediterranean Sea. No diving experience is required, as you’ll be taught during the project before taking part in any conservation dives. This is purely for your safety, so we recommend signing up for at least two weeks if you don’t have prior experience - otherwise, you may not be able to participate in the actual dives. 

Barcelona is a beautiful place, renowned for its beaches and historic culture. You’ll get weekends off to explore or relax, whether you want to check out the mountain and monastery of Montserrat, the charming coastal towns of Sitges, or immerse yourself in the rich history of Girona. Or, simply spend more time in the water working on your diving!  

Coral Restoration & Sea Turtle Conservation by Scuba Diving in South Tanzania

Another incredibly popular marine life program, the Coral Restoration and Sea Turtle Conservation Project gives you the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the waters surrounding Mikindani, Mtwara. Discover and fall in love with the marine world through diving, supporting sea turtles to thrive, and teaching locals about the importance of conservation. 

As a volunteer on this project, you’ll be able to get stuck in with all activities performed to restore the coral reefs and protect sea turtles. Spend half your time creating new restoration techniques and building new structures to support the growth of coral reefs, and the other half at the sea turtle welfare centre, providing the species with a safe space to grow without the threat of poachers. Also teach in schools, participate in beach patrols, and snorkel for underwater mapping! 

South Tanzania is a gorgeous place for volunteers to explore, and Mikindani offers plenty of options so you don’t have to travel too far. Explore the Old Town and learn some of the region’s richest history, check out the natural beauty of coastal forests where birding is prevalent, or simply spend your days relaxing on one of the many beaches. 

Ready to Plan Your Marine Conservation Volunteer Experience? 

Helping the world’s marine life thrive is an incredibly rewarding opportunity - and one that not many people get to experience! Not only will you support the protection and rehabilitation of marine life and ecosystems, you’ll also have the chance to discover the world, make lasting friendships with other volunteers, and immerse yourself in a completely different culture. 

Check out our environment and wildlife conservation volunteer opportunities to learn more about the work Volunteering Solutions does with marine organizations. Once you’ve found your perfect match, take the first step and get in touch - we’ll guide you through every step of your volunteering journey.