Marine Conservation Volunteer Project in Madagascar

What to expect and how you'll make an impact

Madagascar boasts an incredible ecosystem, blending African and tropical influences. However, like many coastal regions around the globe, human development and climate change pose challenges, necessitating efforts to preserve its natural beauty. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to conservation efforts while gaining hands-on experience through scuba diving.

As a Marine Conservation volunteer in Madagascar, you’ll play a key role in protecting local flora and fauna by assisting oceanographic organizations with various initiatives, such as:

• Reef surveying: Monitoring the biodiversity, health, and growth of the reef system around Nosy Komba through fish, invertebrate, and coral surveys.
• Dive Against Debris: In partnership with the PADI AWARE Foundation, this project focuses on collecting and reporting debris data from underwater clean-up dives.
• Coral Watch: As part of a global initiative, volunteers will help monitor coral health by collecting data on coral bleaching using the Coral Health Chart.
• Beach cleans: In partnership with Ocean Conservancy, we’ll be contributing our clean-up data to their Clean Swell project.
• Community engagement: Teaching the local community about environmental issues, including conservation, biodiversity protection, and sustainable use of marine resources.
• Reef regeneration: Volunteers will continue building artificial reefs and maintaining the coral nursery.
• Data Entry: Assist with data input and analysis from underwater surveys data and photos collected.

Before participating in fieldwork, volunteers receive thorough training, which includes wildlife identification (fish, corals, turtles, and invertebrates) and a mandatory Ecological Monitoring Program course. This advanced introduction to coral reef ecology also includes training on coral baseline surveying, an essential technique in marine conservation.

Additionally, all volunteers will participate in eco-brick and bamboo straw-making, as well as Malagasy language lessons.

Volunteers can expect to complete four one-hour dives per week. Additional work includes data collection, as well as occasional activities such as snorkel surveys and dry tasks.

Participants must be competent swimmers and hold both Open Water and Advanced Open Water Dive Certifications. These certifications can be obtained before arrival or completed in Madagascar at the following costs:

• $440 for Open Water Certification
• $340 for Advanced Open Water Certification

Please note that if you choose to certify in Madagascar, you’ll need to complete the PADI online theory courses prior to arrival.

All Marine Conservation volunteers must bring the following items, as they are not available on Nosy Komba: snorkel, mask with tempered glass, open-heel dive fins (with booties for comfort), a wetsuit (minimum 3mm, short or long), two mouthpieces for regulators, and towels.

Recommended additional items include a surface marker buoy (DSMB), reel (small finger reel is sufficient), waterproof watch (200 meters resistance), dive computer/watch, dive compass, and dive torch.

This project requires a minimum four-week commitment to allow sufficient time for training and to make a meaningful impact. When applying, please indicate whether you have the required certifications or will complete the courses in Madagascar.