Diving and Marine Conservation in Thailand with Projects Abroad

  Thailand

• Other Cities in Thailand: 
Krabi

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: All year round

Description: Join our Conservation & Environment project in Ao Nang and the first thing that you'll be doing is learning how to scuba dive. We will train you up to the level of Advanced Scuba Diver, helping you to learn the fundamental theoretical and practical aspects of diving in the beautifully clear warm waters of the Andaman Sea. This allows you to dive to depths of 30m and participate fully in the underwater conservation work. If you have the advanced scuba diving qualification already, you can start on the underwater reef research work straight away and choose to gain the next qualification as a Rescue Diver.

We work in partnership with Kontiki Dive Center which employs fully qualified instructors and dive masters. Kontiki are a 5* PADI dive center and have been operating in Thailand since 1989.

By observing and analyzing reef damage and fish populations, you'll be helping to find the best ways to protect marine life from the dangers of increased tourism and human negligence. The diving is some of the best in the world and you'll have the chance to observe a wide variety of marine life - including turtles, rays, harmless reef sharks and hundreds of species of multicolored tropical fish.

We are collecting information on the development, deterioration and overall condition of coral reefs and fish populations in the area. This information forms part of a wider database which will be used across the world by experts in this field.

Unfortunately, the water around the reefs contains large volumes of litter discarded from fishing and diving boats and our volunteers collect waste materials on salvage dives and dispose of it correctly once back on land. In addition to our coral reef monitoring and salvage recovery work, our conservation program also involves some very important land-based activities that are vital to conserving the coastal ecosystems of the region. We undertake beach clean-ups, often in conjunction with local schools, to ensure that these areas - some of the most beautiful beaches in the world - remain pristine.

We also replant mangrove forests. Mangrove forests are among the most productive and bio-diverse wetlands on earth, yet these unique coastal forests are among the most threatened habitats. They may be disappearing more quickly than inland tropical rainforests and, so far, with little public notice. Healthy mangrove forests are key to a healthy marine ecology. Help is needed to monitor the mangrove forests in Krabi province to prevent further destruction and assist with reforestation projects in this beautiful yet fragile area of Thailand.

Your Role as a Volunteer on the Diving & Marine Conservation Project in Thailand

A work schedule is established each week so you know what is happening and when. The schedule varies, depending on the time of year, the weather and the number of volunteers on the project.

Volunteers normally work five days a week, so you will have two days off to relax, travel or get involved in some of the many other activities the area offers. Your days off may not always be together or at the weekends. You'll live in the Projects Abroad guest house sharing a room with between one and three other conservation volunteers. Each room has its own private bathroom. The rooms are cleaned regularly and the house has electricity and hot running water.

Meals are provided in the communal ground floor area of the house with a buffet style lunch and dinner. On days when you are out diving all day or working at the mangrove site for example, lunch will be provided on the boat, at the work site, or a packed lunch may be taken.

The volunteer house is located about five minutes drive from the center and main beach in Ao Nang. We provide transport to take volunteers to-and-from work sites. To get into the town center in your free time it is easy to get the bus which stops right outside the house or hire a tuk-tuk. Getting home is also cheap and easy by tuk-tuk.

This project is available for two weeks if you don't have time to join us for a month or more. This project has been selected by our local colleagues as being suitable for short term volunteering for both the host community and the volunteer. Although you will gain a valuable cultural insight and take part in a variety of the conservation activities please be aware that you may not be able to make the same impact as someone volunteering for a longer period.

Volunteers joining the Conservation Project for two weeks should arrive in Krabi on a Friday or Saturday of the first or third weekend of the month. As a two week volunteer you will receive one dive course and your role in some of the diving activities after completing the course may be limited to observation and assisting the longer term volunteers. It is important to remember that the amount of diving available over a two week period can be affected by bad weather. Two week applications also need to be made at least a month before the start date in order for our staff in Thailand to plan the schedule effectively.

Highlights: Thai culture is one of the strongest in the world. As their country was never colonized, Thai people are eager to keep hold of their uniqueness. The generosity of Thai's is sometimes unimaginable and can take some getting used to. People are always willing to help and can go to extraordinary lengths, such as accompanying you on a two hour bus journey to make sure you get there safely!

All accommodation is organized, paid for, and monitored by Projects Abroad. All project placements are regularly visited and checked. We require high standards of supervision and accommodation, which are verified before you arrive in India.

This project offers the opportunity to become fully immersed in the culture in a manner which even the most hardened of backpackers could never hope to do.

Cost in US$: From USD 3,145 and up

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Thailand Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Projects Abroad's Mission Statement: As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.

Year Founded: 1992