Marine Conservation Volunteering Abroad

From coral nurseries in Bali to penguin rescue in South Africa, our marine conservation programs put volunteers to work on the ocean’s front line. Restore reefs by scuba diving in Tanzania, run species surveys from an island research base in Madagascar, or join Mediterranean coastal conservation in Valencia, Spain. Fees start from $475 including accommodation, meals and in-country support — no marine science background required. If turtles are what draw you to the water, start with our sea turtle programs.

What will you do as a marine conservation volunteer?

• Restore coral — build and maintain nursery structures, plant coral fragments and monitor their growth.
• Survey reef fish, turtles and other marine species, contributing data to long-term research.
• Join beach and underwater cleanups tackling plastic and ghost fishing gear.
• Care for rescued penguins and marine birds at South Africa’s coastal rehabilitation centre.
• Learn to dive on the scuba-based projects — dive training is built into the Bali and Tanzania reef programs.
• Run awareness sessions with local schools and communities on reducing plastic use.

“My experience joining the Marine Conservation program has been incredible. In addition to learning about the importance of marine ecosystems, I have met wonderful people from all over the world. Their enthusiasm and experience helped me to achieve my goals within the volunteering program.” – Andrea M, Marine Conservation Program

Marine conservation volunteering: frequently asked questions

How much does marine conservation volunteering cost?

Programs start from $475 in Bali, with dive-based reef restoration projects from around $1,059. Fees include accommodation, meals and in-country support.

Do I need to be a qualified diver?

No. Beach, survey and rescue-centre roles need no diving at all, and the scuba-based reef programs in Bali and Tanzania include dive training. Check each programme page for what’s covered.

Do I need a marine biology degree?

No — volunteers of all backgrounds are welcome and trained on arrival. Students of marine and environmental sciences do find the survey work directly relevant to their studies.

Where can I volunteer in marine conservation?

Volunteering Solutions runs marine programs in Bali, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, South Africa and Spain — coral restoration, species monitoring, coastal cleanups and marine bird rescue.

What difference does it actually make?

Coral fragments planted by volunteers regrow reef structure, cleanup data informs local policy, and rescue centres return rehabilitated animals to the wild. Long-running projects publish their outcomes — ask us for the detail on any programme.

Keep exploring: All Volunteer Abroad Programs · Volunteer with Elephants · Volunteer with Sea Turtles · Wildlife Conservation Programs