PADI Conservation Diving-Beginner (LOCAL volunteer)

Perhentian Islands Terengganu Malaysia

BB
Biodiversity Business
  • Email address verified
7 reviews
Duration: 14 days
Group size: 1 - 12
PADI Conservation Diving-Beginner (LOCAL volunteer)
Perhentian Islands Terengganu Malaysia

Biodiversity Business
  • Email address verified
7 reviews

Duration: 14 days
Group size: 1 - 12

About this trip

PADI CONSERVATION DIVING - VOLUNTEERING


QUALIFIED DIVERS: minimum stay 1 week

BEGINNERS: minimum stay 2 weeks (includes PADI Dive course first week)


Come and experience the beauty of the Perhentian Islands while learning about marine conservation with PADI. The Perhentian Marine Research Station works  in partnership with Reef Check Malaysia and the national Marine Parks Department. It offers a PADI conservation diving course for beginners. Once you complete the course, you can join the dive team and take part in various conservation activities, including coral reef restoration and seagrass surveys.  


Whether you're a beginner or a qualified diver, you can become a PADI conservation diving volunteer and participate in hands-on activities such as surveying and mapping local seagrass, which serves as a vital feeding ground for sea turtles. You can also help in developing artificial coral reefs and researching their effectiveness as fish habitats. The project team collaborates with University Malaysia Terengganu and Plymouth University to shape decisions about the protection of coral reefs and seagrass beds in the park.  


In addition to contributing to marine conservation efforts, you'll also get to immerse yourself in the local culture of the village you're based in. You can even take part in local community work, such as Eco Snorkel guide training, beach cleanups, buoy line maintenance, recycling, and other activities.


Program Highlights

Project Aim

The Perhentian Marine Research Station (PMRS) began operations in February 2017. Its aim is to evaluate the effect of divers on coral reefs and to promote the conservation of the reefs. PMRS also works on waste management in the islands. The station provides opportunities for international and local volunteers to participate in conservation projects by making a financial contribution towards project costs. Practically, volunteers contribute valuable data for coastal zone management without the project requiring any other external resources.


Program of activities*

The project focuses on two main activities, Seagrass Surveys and Mapping, and Assessment of the Artificial Reef. Seagrass beds serve as vital feeding grounds for sea turtles, and research has shown that migrating turtles use them, but nesting turtles do not. Therefore, the project aims to map these seagrass beds to study them further. As a volunteer, you will help conduct dive surveys to identify the seagrass beds, map them using GPS, and determine their percentage of cover and condition. You will also study the epiphytes that live on the seagrass.  


 In addition, the project aims to reduce pressure on natural reefs by creating new fishing grounds for local villagers through the use of artificial reef structures. Volunteers will assist in snorkel surveys to count fish and establish the Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) for these artificial reefs.  


 Finally, the project is also collecting information on sea temperature and water factors, such as quality, turbidity, and salinity, to better understand the impacts on the local marine environment. As a volunteer, you may have the opportunity to assist in collecting this data.


Our PADI dive courses are perfect for both novice and experienced divers. Our local dive school partners specialize in providing full support for your diving needs, including upgrading your skills. If you prefer to complete the PADI Open Water course before your travels, that option is available too. We offer Advanced and Rescue Diving courses as well. 


 For beginner divers, week 1 is dedicated to getting your diving certification. Meanwhile, experienced divers will receive training in research surveys. 

Volunteers have the opportunity to go on 1 or 2 dives per day, either in the morning or afternoon, with the latter reserved for data input or analysis, or more diving, if desired. Following that, the next weeks will focus on marine surveys. 


We also conduct reef and beach cleanups once a week in collaboration with local dive shops, other conservation projects, local authorities, and various conservation organizations. We properly sort the collected rubbish on the ground, with plastics being stored for upcycling using our on-site plastic recycling machine.  Moreover, staying in the local village will give you a better understanding of the local culture. You may also get involved in local community work, such as Eco Snorkel guide training, buoy line maintenance, recycling, and other activities.

What’s included

  • Project activities
    Marine conservation tasks: Seagrass monitoring and mapping, Coral reef surveys and restoration, Beach Clean Up, Dinner with local Malay family, Awareness Talks and Educational projects
  • All meals
    The volunteer is provided with all daily meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. The food in Perhentian consists of simple Malaysian dishes mixed with some Malaysian styled western foods.
  • Transfer to project
    The volunteer fee includes return boat transfer from and to Kuala Besut, but not the marine park fees.
  • Dormitory accommodation
    Male and Female dormitory with basic fan and shared bathroom. Private room available upon request.

What’s not included

  • Marine Park fee
    Government Entry fee to the Perhentian Marine Park
  • Transport
    Any transport to and from Kuala Besut should be arranged by the volunteer

Available Packages

Trip Price - 2 weeks

Perhentian Conservation Diving, 2 weeks incl. PADI beginner course, accommodation, food and volunteer activities

3,900 MYR
Deposit:975 MYR

Available options

Private room
780 MYR

Air-conditioned private room with double or twin beds and attached bathroom @Rm130/night, total Rm780 per week.

Extend for one week
1,100 MYR

You can extend your volunteer stay by ONE WEEK at a special rate: Rm 1,100.

Get a special quote for stays longer than 4 weeks.

Your Organizer


BB
Biodiversity Business
7 reviews
Biodiversity Business is a non-profit company that promotes conservation tourism through responsible wildlife holidays and volunteering. Our Mission is to help save endangered animals and their habitats. 'Malaysian Wildlife' is our program for volunteering and internships. You can view all our ethical wildlife experiences on biodiversitybusiness.com

Reviews

Great trip, many thanks to Hymeir. Really hidden gem, there were no people at all! Only sounds of nature. I hope it will remain hidden. We could not see the elephants, only heard them, so we need to come one more time.
By Yauheniya K for Wild Elephant Safari on Sep 02, 2024
Thank you Yauheniya for sharing your amazing experience with out wild elephant safari. The Ulu Muda forest is truly a hidden gem and Hymier's passion to conserve this area is surpassed by none. Your visit helps us in his quest! We hope to see you again soon.
By Michelle Latorre on Sep 02, 2024
ML
I had a fantastic time. Wonderful people and animals. Great food and great company. Would thoroughly recommend. The vet team is fantastic, as are all the keepers, management and volunteer teams!
By Jess Q for Java Wildlife Rescue - Internship on Aug 14, 2024
Dear Jess, we are thrilled to hear that your time at the Java Wildlife Centre was a success, especially your experience working with the resident veterinarians. They are indeed a lovely dedicated team. Thanks so much for helping out and improve the lives of rescued wild animals.
By Biodiversity Business on Aug 15, 2024
BB
Eye-opening experience, really got to experience living with the bare essentials. Got to see some really beautiful reefs and learnt a lot about the conservation work that is being done + got to help out in their conservation work.
By ZhiWei C for Tropical Marine Conservation Camp (LOCAL) on Aug 06, 2024
Hi ZhiWei, We're so glad you found the experience eye-opening. Your hands-on involvement is crucial for protecting the future of our sea turtles and reefs. Thank you for being a part of our mission and even extending an extra week to continue the good work. We hope to see you soon at another one of our conservation projects!
By Michelle Latorre on Aug 15, 2024
ML
Had a fantastic time here
By XIU TING C for Perhentian Turtle Volunteering (Discounted: LOCAL volunteer, 1 week) on Jun 19, 2024
Dear Xiu Ting, We a thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your experience on the Perhentian islands, especially since you so generously volunteered for both the turtle and the marine research. Thanks for all your support and keep caring for Malaysian Wildlife!
By Biodiversity Business on Jun 19, 2024
BB
This is a life changing experience. The people who work at Batu Kapal are some of the nicest, kindest people I have ever met. Without getting too mystical, there is a purity here that is sadly missing in the Western world. Although diving in headlong to every activity can be tough it is so worth it - not just the opportunity to see orangutan, macaque, langurs, butterflies, birds, lizards etc but also the sense of community that is gained from working hard towards a common goal. I am 57 and managed! You will feel incredibly sweaty, hot, bitten and tired but you will also feel fulfilled, lucky, wondrous and joyful all at the same time. Book it now or at least donate to help buy the 5 missing hectares that will create a land corridor to the National Park and keep the orangutan here.
By Fern C for Sumatra Wildlife Volunteer on Mar 14, 2024
Dear Fern, Thanks so much for this glowing review. We are so happy that you found your volunteering visit to Batu Kapal so inspiring. You are right that this place is worth saving, not just because of the unique animals but also the amazing people in the local community. We will continue our efforts to help them protect the national park and the surrounding wildlife corridors!
By Biodiversity Business on Mar 14, 2024
BB
Show More Reviews