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- Discover Barcelona underwater by helping to conserve the diverse ecosystem of the coast of the city from your home based in the community apartment of the NGO!
- Live and volunteer with the Catalan federation of scuba diving and scientific programs in various marine preservation tasks in mediterranean waters.
- Explore Barcelona on afternoons and weekends in an authentic and engaged way, outside of the traditional tourist circuits
- Meet other volunteers and make lifelong friends with the same ideas and goals!
Join a group of local and international volunteers to scuba dive in order to explore and act on all things that can be done to protect underwater environments.Divers volunteers have the opportunity to join a non-profit diving initiative in a variety of projects with social and environmental impact in order to provide support to underwater conservation efforts and to help to tackle and reduce ocean pollution.
As an ocean conservation volunteer, you’ll be using and improving your scuba diving skills while being actively involved in restoring the natural state of the marine ecosystem of Catalonia and the wider Mediterranean Sea.
Volunteers daily tasks can vary depending on the time of the year but can include: clean-up the seabed to reduce the marine debris – equipped with diving equipment and nets; logging information on items and trash collected; remove the marine living organisms from the trash collected and put it back in the sea; document and collect information of fauna – fish and invertebrate species – in a monitored biodiverse area as part of a scientific research project; learning more about the marine ecosystem and how to protect it and collect and register information of the biodiversity in an ecosystem created with the natural colonization of a former dismantled thermal power plant.
If you volunteer in the summer, you might also have the opportunity to help in the summer camps for kids with fewer opportunities through developing workshops about the sea and the environment.
Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities
The Barcelona coast provides various marine animals with food, protection and shelter, but because of various factors, these delicate ecosystems are under threat. Volunteers will use their diving skills to contribute to the protection and conservation of these ecosystems and will gain experience and knowledge that they can pass on to others. In this way, volunteers continue to leave a positive impact, even after they have left the project. As a volunteer on this project, you will engage in various marine preservation tasks. These range from survey dives to identification dives and may include photography of fish and various forms of life. Volunteers will take part in the eradication of the trash, the data collection of various native species and the assessment of the local biodiversity in relation with.
Volunteers will work 35 hours a week, from Monday to Friday. Weekends will be free to enjoy the city of Barcelona!
Requirements & eligibility
The minimum age requirement to participate in the program is 18 years. Basic level of Spanish or English is required.This program can welcome families with kids aged 14+.The program includes all dive equipment except computers. Anyone with an Advanced certification who plans to take part in our optional night or deep dives MUST bring their own dive light/torch.We recommend Non-certified divers to sign up for a minimum duration of two weeks so they can take part in conservation dives.
A typical day
Day 1, Sunday: Arrive at Barcelona Airport (El Prat) on Sunday. Volunteers are accommodated in the apartment
of the NGO.
Day 2, Monday: Volunteers will begin each morning at 7:30am by preparing and eating on their own (Mum
said…) a morning snack of coffee and fruit in the NGO accommodations. On Monday 8:30 am, volunteers will go by metro and walk to the Scuba Diving Center, where the journey starts at 9:30 with the training and preparation of the dive. They will settle in and have an orientation before the first dive at 10:30am. Non-divers will begin their PADI Open Water training.
Day 3, Tuesday: Volunteers will begin as usual at 7:30am by preparing and eating on their own a morning breakfast in the NGO accommodations. The journey starts at 9:30 with the training and preparation of the dive. The dive will be at 10:30 AM observing local underwater biodiversity
followed at 11:30 by a training regarding material organization and maintenance.
Lunch can be made on site at 12:30 or at home at 13:30. Then Volunteers come back by Metro to the NGO for the Afternoon briefing. Then during 2 hours they will give a hand to community work that needs to be done before ending the shift at 16hs.
Day 4, Wednesday: Starting from 7:30am by morning breakfast and going to the scuba diving club as everyday. The journey starts at 9:30 with the training and preparation of the dive. The dive will be at 10:30 AM observing local underwater biodiversity followed at 11:30 by a training regarding material organization and maintenance. Then they will receive training dedicated to the local ecosystem balance and resilience. Lunch can be made on site at 12:30 or at home at 13:30. Then Volunteers come back by Metro to the NGO for the Afternoon briefing. Then during 2 hours they will give a hand to community work that needs to be done before ending the shift at 16hs.
Day 5, Thursday: Starting from 7:30am by morning routine. The journey starts at 9:30 with the training and preparation of the dive. The dive will be at 10:30 AM by the mission to clean the sea without disturbing it; followed at 11:30 by a training regarding material organization and maintenance.
Then they will receive last guidelines to remember for the certification they shall pass on friday. Then Volunteers come back by Metro to the NGO. From 14hs to 16hs they will give a hand to community work that needs to be done before ending their shift.
Day 6,Friday: Starting from 7:30am by morning routine. The journey starts at 9:30 with the training and preparation of the dive. The dive and the exam will be at 10:30 am Student-divers will end with their training and complete their certification. Newly scuba certified volunteers will take part in all conservation dives in the following weeks. Then they will receive their certification and come back by Metro to the NGO. From 14hs to 16hs they will redact an article about the mission they worked on.
Day 7, Saturday: Free time to explore Barcelona with other volunteers.
Day 8, Sunday: Free time to explore Barcelona with other volunteers.
Life on the programme
Accommodation & meals
Airport Transfer
The project site is in Barcelona, Spain. When you land in Barcelona, a local representative will be waiting for you at the airport with a sign that says your name and will take you directly to your accommodation. Airport pickup is provided between 10am – 6pm on the program arrival date, which has to be Sunday.
Orientation
Participants are given an induction on arrival and welcome interview in the next few days to be able to plan the volunteering and the program.
Accommodation and Meals
Participants are accommodated in a sustainable hostel or a shared, same-gender apartment, depending on availability and length of stay. Private rooms may be available for an additional cost. All accommodations include shared kitchens and bathrooms.
Food is provided throughout the program. Volunteers collaborate to plan and prepare meals together, with lunch typically prepared and shared communally. Breakfast, dinner, and snacks are self-managed by participants using the ingredients supplied. The project covers basic, healthy, and nutritious food items, with additional support from a local food bank.
Local Transportation
Participants typically use the Barcelona Metro to travel between their accommodation and the project site. The metro system is reliable, affordable, and well-connected across the city.
During your Free Time
Barcelona is one of the world’s most vibrant and visited cities, offering a wide range of cultural and recreational activities. The local team can provide guidance on places to visit, eat, and explore. Volunteers are also encouraged to organize their own outings.
For weekend trips, the Costa Brava—just 1.5 hours from Barcelona—offers beautiful coastal towns such as Cadaqués, Platja d’Aro, and Tossa de Mar.
Volunteer work takes place in the Nou Barris district, an area known for its diverse immigrant community, where many residents face socio-economic challenges. This provides participants with an opportunity to make a meaningful local impact.
Start dates
Weekly start dates, year-round — pick any week across the next two years.
Program fees by duration
A one-off application fee ($249 / £179 / €229 / AU$350) is charged in addition to the program fee — valid for one year, during which you may enrol in multiple programs. A 5% international banking fee applies to credit-card payments in USD or AUD.
| Duration | Program fee | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 week | $990 | |
| 2 weeks | $1,555 | |
| 3 weeks | $2,155 | |
| 4 weeks | $2,515 | |
| 5 weeks | $2,995 | |
| 6 weeks | $3,475 | |
| 7 weeks | $3,955 | |
| 8 weeks | $4,435 |
Indicative conversion — your booking is charged in the currency you choose at checkout.
✓ What you're paying for
- Pre departure Information and Support
- Airport pickup in Barcelona during scheduled hours
- Orientation/Induction on arrival
- Workshops
- Accommodation in shared apartment or hostel
- Full induction and orientation on arrival
- Dive Equipment
- Meals
- Laundry
- In-country support
- Project equipment and resources
Not included
- Flights
- Visa if required
- Travel Insurance
- Personal Expenses
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply?
Apply as soon as your dates are decided — spots are limited. The application fee is valid for a full year, so you can apply early to secure your place.
How do I apply and when do I pay?
Fill in the online application form and pay the application fee. The program fee can be paid later, even in instalments, but must be complete 45 days before the program starts.
What are the requirements?
Participants must usually be at least 17 (families welcome with younger children), with an open mind, good health and respect for local customs. A clear criminal background check is required from all adults.
Where will I stay and what about food?
You stay in a volunteer house or with a host family, with meals provided. Private-room upgrades are usually available.
Is there support while I'm there?
Yes — a local coordinator gives you an orientation on arrival and is available 24/7 throughout your placement.
Do I need insurance and vaccinations?
Valid travel-medical insurance is mandatory (available from us at a nominal cost). Consult your travel doctor for recommended vaccinations; your pre-departure pack covers the details.
Do you help with the visa?
Yes — all enrolled participants get visa-requirement information in the pre-departure manual, and your point of contact can answer questions.
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