Sodwana Bay is found just outside the Isimangaliso Wetlands Park which is South Africa’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. This coastline offers 50 km of unspoiled reef with over 1.100 species of fish. Those who can't dive will have a dive course first. Volunteers dive every day during the week in the morning, collecting photographic data on turtles, manta rays and nudibranchs.
| Location | Sodwana Bay, South Africa |
|---|---|
| Duration | From 2 - 12 weeks |
| Dates | From January until November |
| Requirements |
|
| Minimum Age: | 18 |
| Documents required | Enrolment form, curriculum vitae, letter of motivation, passport copy, proof of medical insurance, PADI medical certificate |
| Day of arrival | Friday |
| Day of departure | Friday |
The Scuba Diving Conservation Project offers the experience of a lifetime with a volunteering and diving vacation rolled into one!
This project accepts both qualified and non-qualified divers, we offer dive courses during the first week for non-divers and further dive qualifications for divers. Each day, five days of the week, volunteers drive on the back of a bakkie through the coastal forest to the beach for the morning dives. At the beach we kit up under the gazebo and head out on the boat through the waves to dive on some of the best reefs in the world.
After the morning dives, volunteers can choose to stay on the beach or head back to camp to freshen up and eat lunch. We then enter the data collected on the dives into the database and relax and enjoy a casual lecture on the Sodwana marine life from a local Zoologist.
The rest of the day is up to the volunteers! With help of the on-site coordinators, plan out your perfect day. Whether its relaxing by the camp pool, taking surf lessons, going to a local view point to watch the sunset or so much more.
The camp is ideally situated within walking distance of many shops, restaurants, bars and cafés. The camp is also a local favourite to hang out, play pool and relax by the fie so don't worry if you are travelling alone, you will get the chance to meet many new amazing people during your stay.
Please note that the project cannot take participants who have certain physical limitations (e.g. blindness, being wheelchair bound or severe motion sickness).
The first week is used to complete the PADI Open Water or Advanced Open Water course. If you are already a qualified diver, you will begin with research diving on the Monday after you arrive.
Volunteers dive every day during the week in the morning, collecting photographic data on turtles, mantas rays and nudibranchs.
In the afternoon, any data that has been collected during the morning dive will be entered into the database. Volunteers then get the chance to take part in short, casual marine lectures to learn more about the ocean and marine conservation.
Once database entries and lectures are done for the day, you may take the rest of the day off. There are loads of awesome activities to keep you busy during your stay.
Volunteers will be either staying in shared or single igloos that have single beds and will have between 1 – 4 volunteers at a time depending on the numbers. Each igloo has an en-suite bathroom, the kitchen is communal and includes a fire area to braai or have a bonfire. The accommodation is located on the town's main road so volunteers have freedom to walk to different restaurants, bars and shops. The camp also has a pool and a restaurant that has pool tables and TVs.
Bedding Is provided but towels need to be brought.
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