MARINE CONSERVATION EXPERIENCE AND A VACATION ROLLED INTO ONE

Dive on one of the most amazing reef complexes in the world while contributing to marine research.

With Deep Blue Conservation

What to Expect From the Marine Conservation Program

Your journey begins on any Friday of the month. From the moment you touch down in Sodwana Bay, you’re stepping straight into the adventure of a lifetime.

  • Friday / Saturday (The Arrival): Settle into camp with a full orientation to the area, meet your new Sodwana family and soak up the laid-back coastal vibes.

  • Sunday (The Pool): Hit the pool to kick off your PADI Open Water course or brush up on your skills to prep for the ocean ahead.

  • Week One (The Launch): Knock out your Open Water certification over three action-packed days and get straight onto the reefs. Already certified? Jump right into the research team's dives.

  • The Mission (Marine Research): As a certified diver, you’ll hit the water 5 days a week to support our Nudibranch monitoring project. Collect photographic data, track reef biodiversity and help safeguard this ecosystem against climate change impacts.

  • The Theory (Marine Lectures): Deepen your knowledge with casual, engaging marine lectures, walking away with a completion certificate for your CV or future studies.

  • The Balance (Off-Days): We work hard and play hard. Enjoy two off-days every week. One for thrilling local excursions and one to relax, reflect, and recharge.

This is more than just a volunteer program. It’s your chance to gain hands-on marine science experience, build ocean confidence and make a real impact on one of the world's most rugged coastlines.

What's Included

  • Airport Transfers: Seamless round-trip transport between Richards Bay airport and our private camp.

  • Dives & Gear: 1 dive a day, 5 days a week. Plus full hard gear rental (BCD, regulator, weight belt, and cylinders).

  • Accommodation: A comfortable home base at our private camp.

  • Local Transport: Daily rides to and from the beach, plus town transport for excursions and nights out.

  • Food: Essential groceries supplied for communal cooking in our shared kitchen.

  • Park & Gate Fees: Included entry fees into the iSimangaliso Wetland Park Marine Protected Area.

  • PADI Certifications: PADI Open Water or Advanced Open Water course included (depending on your selected path).

  • Weekly Excursions: Scenic viewpoints, trips to Lake Sibaya, and traditional weekend braais (barbeques).

Program Pricing & Options

Choose your starting path below. All options are available for durations between 2 and 12 weeks, running from January through November.

  • PADI Open Water (Never dived before? Earn your qualification during your first week and explore with total confidence.)

    • From €2,350 (First 14 nights)

    • €850 (Per additional 7 nights)

  • PADI Advanced Open Water (Already certified? Push your limits and unlock depths of up to 30 meters.)

    • From €2,350 (First 14 nights)

    • €850 (Per additional 7 nights)

  • No Course, Only Dives (Already certified and ready to work? Complete a quick refresher and head straight into research dives.)

    • From €2,350 (First 14 nights)

    • €850 (Per additional 7 nights)

      Prices are subject to change based on shifting exchange rates, fuel costs, and other external factors. We do our best to keep things stable, but lock in early to secure your spot!

Quick Facts

  • Duration: 2 to 12 weeks

  • Age Requirement: 18 – 36 years old

  • Season: January – November

  • Location: Sodwana Bay, South Africa

Are you ready to join us in Sodwana Bay, or would you like help picking the right start date?

Group of eight friends outdoors near a vehicle, smiling and sitting on the ground, with a blue sky overhead.
Four people practicing scuba diving in a swimming pool, with lush greenery in the background.
Group of nine people, some in wetsuits, at the beach on a cloudy day, with vehicles and equipment in the background.
Two men on a grassy beach at sunset, one tending a small campfire with a shovel, the other standing and looking at the ocean.
Four scuba divers on a boat preparing for a dive, with the ocean in the background.
A sunset over a rural area with a pink, round building with a corrugated metal roof in the foreground, surrounded by weathered wooden posts and dry grass.
Three young women sitting close together on the ground outdoors, smiling at the camera. Two are holding bottles of beer, and one is giving a thumbs-up. They are dressed casually with jackets and hats, and there is a vehicle in the background.
Two people scuba diving underwater, making peace signs with their hands.
A person holding a mask in water, with water splashing around.
People near a beachside rental hut with boats and watercraft, during sunset.
Deep Blue Conservation logo featuring a stylized blue wave