Travel to the crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean as you contribute to critical marine conservation projects amongst the beautiful islands of the Seychelles.
African Impact is a multi-award winning volunteer travel organisation which runs and manages meaningful and responsible volunteer experiences and internship programs throughout Africa. The organisation was founded in 2004 in Zimbabwe, and since then has grown into the Africa leaders in volunteer tourism, having facilitated over 12,000 volunteers and interns in 12 countries across the continent. We are proud to offer fun, safe and structured placements where volunteers understand their contribution to responsible projects run in partnership with local communities and conservation efforts. Our journey so far has been both inspiring and humbling and we will keep pushing the horizons of what volunteering can achieve. in the power of volunteering and have seen the amazing things volunteers can achieve. in Africa and all that this inspiring continent can offer to the world. in the passionate people who work with us and alongside us to create tangible positive impacts and change lives. To us, volunteering is a two-way thing. It s not just about the hands-on help and skills that volunteers bring; it s also about what this amazing continent, its people and its wildlife can give those volunteers in return. The volunteer experiences we offer in Africa are based on three key points: 1) volunteers having an amazing time and experiencing everything Africa has to offer; 2) volunteers learning as much as they can about local history, culture and wildlife and soaking up the essence of the country; and 3) supporting local communities and conservation efforts through education and hands-on help.
In conjunction with our partners, we are the leading marine data collection organization in the Seychelles. We help local organizations with projects that they do not have the manpower to do alone. You re invited to join us as a volunteer to carry out current surveys and ongoing research once your training is complete. Training is relatively quick and volunteers are usually collecting data quite soon! This is a physically demanding project entailing plenty of activity on the project itself, plus allocated duties in camp. On this expedition you will focus on several key conservation efforts. Volunteers on this project assist the Seychelles government and local NGOs on their priority conservation programs in the marine environment of the Seychelles. Training begins as soon as you confirm your place on the program, as you will need to arrive at the project with a basic comprehension of the science topics, and familiarity with the relevant species. Volunteers will be allocated fish or coral as part of coral reef monitoring. All 4-week volunteers will be given Group 1 Fish to monitor. Weekends allow the opportunity to explore nearby islands, beaches and forests, the coral reefs and culture of the Seychelles. Your duties will involve some or all of the following activities: CORAL AND FISH SPECIES DATA COLLECTION: Learn to identify target species. INVERTERBRATE AND FISH SURVEYS: Collect data on abundance/biodiversity, helps assess overall recovery of fish life on the reef. Also examine inverts such as sea cucumbers to assess whether fisheries quotas are being met. CORAL: Health, coral communities and point intercept data. Level of disease/algae/coral cover within a metre square quadrant over the transect. INCIDENTAL SIGHTINGS: compile a species list and maintain a record of the daily occurrences of different marine creatures at the various dive sites. PLANKTON SAMPLING: all year round. This then goes to our partners the MCSS for analysis.
SEA TURTLE RESEARCH: all year round. Record any observations of turtles from behaviour/food type/size/species/gender etc. COMMUNITY AWARENESS- working with the kids from the local school in marine biology and reef protection lessons and taking them for snorkels. During the expedition there will be free time to explore the beautiful islands and Creole culture of the Seychelles. Volunteers have a two-day weekend, usually Friday and Saturday, though occasionally community events are organised at the weekend. Thursday night is BBQ night, and at the weekend volunteers can catch up on some well-earned sleep, or head to the nearest internet café to keep in touch with family and friends back home. Alternatively, volunteers are free to leave the base on Friday and explore Mahé, Praslin or the other islands, returning on Saturday night. Then on Sundays you go back to work! Before and after your program you could spend a little more time in the Seychelles on the inner islands of Praslin and La Digue, or join a charter to sail even further afield. Please allow several days if you hope to travel between islands, there are over 100 in the archipelago but getting around takes time the possibilities are endless! Live in one of the most visually stunning countries in the world Take your PADI Advanced and PADI Coral Reef Research Diver courses Explore the other islands of the Seychelles Enjoy plenty of world-class diving - look out for sharks, manta rays, and dolphins Visit breeding areas for the hawksbill and green turtle Make friends for life!
This program is based in Cap Ternay on Mahé Islands in the Seychelles. Minimum 18 years - maximum decided on the health of the potential participant. SCUBA qualification is essential for this project. Volunteers will need a minimum of the PADI Open Water certification OR EQUIVALENT (SSI, NAUI, CMAS, etc.), which we suggest that you book with the Underwater Centre. Do let us know if you need help with this, and we ll put you in touch directly. You will also need to be physically fit and capable of carrying diving equipment for up to 150m through shallow water. 4-12 weeks This project runs all year round.
Airport pick up is at 7:30 am the Friday before the program starts. You will need to arrive to Seychelles to Mahe International Airport at least the day before program start date, and there will be one airport pick-up at 7:30am that will take you to Beau Vallon area. On the morning the expedition starts (Saturday) you will be picked up at the pick-up point in Beau Vallon that will be given to you at 9.30am Most people stay in the village of Beau Vallon which is right on the beach and the main centre for tourism in Mahé, with restaurants and shops close by. The night before in Beau Vallon is not organised by us, but we can recommend you different accommodation options. If you can't get to Mahe by Friday at 7:30 am don't worry since all of the hotels would be able to arrange you pick up from the airport when you arrive for a small fee. For your departure volunteers are taken back to Mahe on the Saturday the project ends so we would recommend to book flights from the afternoon onward. Note for 12 week volunteers You may only stay for 3 months so you must not arrive too early in advance. You will need to meet at either La Louise Lodge or Pearl Noire Restaurant in Beau Vallon. Volunteers will be required to leave base on the last day of project. At the end of your placement you will be dropped off again in Victoria or Beau Vallon. Additional accommodation or travel after the end date is at your own expense. Arranging your visa is your responsibility and the information we provide is to serve as a guideline only. We advise that you confirm this information with the embassy / consulate of the country that you will be visiting in your home country before departure.
Prior to your trip you will need to arrange medical insurance which will give you full cover for any medical requirements which may arise during your trip, including cover for full air evacuation in the unlikely event that this is necessary. Your medical cover also needs to include repatriation. If you do not already have a company that you are happy to use to take out a policy with, we suggest World Nomads or Mind The Gap Year, who offer comprehensive medical and travel insurance. Please be sure to check your policy carefully to ensure that it does cover activities which you are likely to participate in, and on this project specifically, for diving activities up to 30m deep. Facilities are shared mixed-sex accommodations (small dorms) which might be more basic than what you are accustomed to please travel with an open mind and a willingness to adapt to local conditions. ELECTRICTY There is 24-hour mains electricity. Some of our volunteers bring laptops, and these may be charged on base, but please note that we cannot be held accountable for any loss or damage. RUNNING WATER/ABLUTION ARRANGEMENTS Cold running water and flush toilets are available on the expedition base. Showers are limited to once a day, and the tap water on base is safe to drink. INTERNET There is none on base. during free time. Volunteers can use internet cafes in Victoria, the capital of Mahé, DUTIES Daily duties include cleaning bathrooms and communal areas, raking and maintaining the grounds, kitting and de-kitting the boat. Volunteers will also be required to go on compressor duty and radio duty daily.
VALUABLES Cash, credit cards and passports may be stored in the safe on base. Other valuables, such as laptops, are brought at own risk, however, it s a very safe area. Meals are simple, healthy and almost entirely vegetarian. Breakfast could be porridge with fresh fruit, or occasionally pancakes or cereal, lunch and evening meals may include pasta, beans, rice, fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, etc. Volunteers are in charge of preparing meals on a rotational basis and will vary accordingly. The days are long and hard, with an early start to make the most of daylight hours. The day typically includes a short briefing, ensuring all volunteers are suitably equipped and prepared for the day, travel to the survey sites or work project, completing the work for the day and any survey forms, returning from the work location, cleaning and storing all equipment, and generally a late finish, after cooking and once all the data collected has been reviewed and input in the database. At the end of the day, the whole team gathers for the evening debrief and to eat and socialize. Volunteers may rotate between various tasks, and you can spend some of your time participating in additional projects such as those listed in the initial expedition section. Volunteers are also fully involved in the logistical operations of the camp, from the day-to-day rotations of cooking and cleaning to maintenance of equipment. In your down time you will be free to travel in the local area and can expect one or two free days per week, usually at weekends. During this time you could you could explore the islands of Praslin or La Digue, visit the capital of Mahé, Victoria, visit local beaches, snorkel or just relax on base. Upon your arrival in the Seychelles and once you have settled in, you will be orientated to the area that you will be living in, as well as be shown the areas that you will be volunteering in.
Throughout your placement you will have the support and guidance of our experienced project managers. They are part of our greater African Impact support team, which will provide you with competent 24-hour field support and assistance. Pricing GBP 4 weeks 2,145 8 weeks 3,145 12 weeks 4,145 Pre-departure support, 24-hour emergency phone and round-the-clock support on location Airport pick-up will be at 7:30 am the day before the expedition start date Arrival- and location orientation, and welcome meeting from long-term experienced staff Safe and basic accommodations (usually shared) All meals All necessary project equipment and materials except dive kit, and project training by experienced staff First Aid & CPR training Community work workshop Marine research training PADI Advanced Open Water and Coral Reef Research Diver PADI distinctive specialty qualifications!
Flights Medical and travel insurance Visa costs Personal dive kit the full list may be found in your Field Manual Additional drinks and gratuities Extra local excursions International and domestic airport taxes Airport Transfers if not on scheduled time Pre-Project accommodation in the Seychelles During the weekends many volunteers head to Beau Vallon Bay. The bay is the main tourist area of Mahé with a lovely long beach, hotels and guest houses, shops and restaurants to suit all tastes. The dive shops in the area offer many options for all diving needs. Most people would agree that sitting at The Coral Strand Hotel bar with a cool drink and watching the sun set behind Silhouette Island is an experience not to be missed. Volunteers may have the opportunity to visit the islands of Praslin and La Digue. Praslin is home to the Vallee de Mai (a world heritage site) thought by early explorers to be the original Garden of Eden, home of the famous Coco de Mer palm tree that produces the huge double nut famous for its provocative shape. La Digue is the picture perfect tropical island, small and intimate with quaint guest houses and arguably the most beautiful beach in the world - Anse Source d Argent. Victoria is the capital city of the Seychelles, the smallest capital city in the world. Volunteers often visit to catch up at internet cafes, do a little shopping, or visit the market to soak up the local atmosphere. Public transport is cheap and frequent and all parts of Mahé can be explored easily by catching a bus. Many volunteers spend happy times bouncing around the island roads on buses taking in the beautiful scenery whilst enjoying the company of locals going about their daily business.
We look forward to welcoming you for a unique, rewarding and unforgettable experience!