Location:

Cairns, Australia

Program Type:

Volunteer Abroad

Degree Level:

Gap Year

Work Types:

Environment

Duration:

1-2 weeks

Program Overview

Program Description:

This amazing 6-12 day project caters for both beginners and experienced divers and provides a unique way for volunteers to get up close and personal with the iconic Great Barrier Reef while contributing to vital conservation efforts to protect the reef and the plants and animals that rely on it for survival.

You will spend your first five days learning to scuba dive or upgrading your diving skills with accredited dive instructors. You will then spend several days using your new skills to explore the reef, while collecting coral health data as part of the ongoing reef monitoring program ‘Eye on the Reef’. The data you collect is essential for providing current information to reef managers and researchers and helps to provide information on reef health status and trends, the distribution of protected and iconic species, and early indicators of environmental impacts.

In addition to helping to protect the reef, this project gives volunteers the opportunity to learn from local reef experts, providing a unique, special and authentic learning experience.

Setting Description:

Cairns is a regional city located in the far north of Queensland. It is popular with tourists because of its tropical climate and as a central location for exploring the Great Barrier Reef and Far North Queensland. The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef in the world and stretches more than 2,000 kilometres along Queensland’s east coast. It is renowned for its extensive corals beds and huge numbers of colourful tropical fish. It is also home to dolphins, whales, turtles and many other amazing sea creatures.

Cost:

from $1358 USD.

Additional Program Information

Requirements:

Volunteers must be 18 years or over to join this project.

Scholarships:

No