New SCUBA diving volunteering project 19/12/2011

Biosphere Expeditions, the not-for-profit conservation agency, has launched a new ‘voluntourism’ project for divers in Malaysia. The conservation venture will take place at Tioman Island, voted as one of the most beautiful islands in the world. Participants will work together in small groups to study and help protect the beautiful coral reefs of the local Marine Park, which is home to some of the best diving sites on earth. Divers can expect to see plenty of sharks, dolphins and turtles in the clear waters around the island.

For the first 5 days of their stay, volunteers will be based at a beach chalet resort on the island, and will be given the chance to familiarise themselves with the Reef Check Research techniques. After this initial training period, the guests will move on-board a sailing yacht that has been specially equipped for the diving research. For the next 7 days, the volunteers will be able to dive in some of the most remote areas of the marine park.

The expedition will allow the participants to train as ReefCheck EcoDivers, a qualification which will allow them to progress to a PADI or NAUI Reef Check Speciality Course after the project has finished. In order to take part in the volunteering program at Tioman Island, you must have a minimum of the equivalent of a PADI open water qualification.

The dates of the expeditions are 18-30 March 2012 and 1-13 April 2012. The cost per diver is £1,390 per person, which excludes flights to and from Malaysia.