Marine Conservation Family Experience

location
1 - 2 weeks  ·  Age 14 - 50+

rating  Fantastic 4.5  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Highlights

  • Explore a local Maldivian island and immerse yourself in the local community!
  • Snorkel some of the most amazing coral reefs and see amazing marine life!
  • Try Maldivian cuisine and take a stroll through local cafes and markets!

Highlights

  • Explore a local Maldivian island and immerse yourself in the local community!
  • Snorkel some of the most amazing coral reefs and see amazing marine life!
  • Try Maldivian cuisine and take a stroll through local cafes and markets!
  • Work with a small marine conservation NGO to help look after sea turtles!
  • Sit back and relax on excursions to uninhabited islands!


  • Especially good for

    Age 14+
    Families

    About the program

    Come and help out at our sea turtle rehabilitation project whilst exploring the real Maldivian culture! Please note that this program is only open to families of 2+

    The Maldives - a holiday hotspot all year round! But what not many people experience is the real Maldivian culture and community! Join us in Naifaru to immerse yourself in the traditional Maldivian lifestyle. Make an impact during your stay and give back by volunteering in our sea turtle ...

    About the program

    The Maldives - a holiday hotspot all year round! But what not many people experience is the real Maldivian culture and community! Join us in Naifaru to immerse yourself in the traditional Maldivian lifestyle. Make an impact during your stay and give back by volunteering in our sea turtle rehabilitation center! 

    Volunteering aspect:

    Our centre opened over 22 years ago with the purpose of educating the locals about keeping sea turtle hatchlings as pets. This is a common issue in the Maldives and our centre allows a safe place for the locals to surrender their hatchlings so they can be returned to the wild. Fast forward to now where our centre also works with adult sea turtles who are caught in ghost nets, hit by boats or have been impacted by humans in any way. We also have a coral restoration program to improve our house reef which was impacted by previous bleaching events. As a family support our mission and learn about these marine conservation issues. Help our team with sea turtle husbandry, building coral frames, beach clean ups, outreach events and more! 

    What will you be involved in?

    Help take care of our turtles - including feeding, cleaning and general husbandry. Our marine biologists will be their to support you with all centre duties! Alongside looking after our turtles you can help turn trash into treasure! We frequently look to create things for the centre or items to sell made out of discarded plastic we find on the beaches. This includes ghost nets which can make great jewelry! We run weekly beach cleans around Naifaru or on uninhabited islands. We always try to collect any plastic bottles we see whilst walking around the island as we have a recycling program which uses these bottles to make clothing! We also have our coral nursery which we are in the process of expanding every two weeks (weather permitting). We also have a great outreach and education program where we teach in the local school, run plastic awareness sessions and have resort and local guests visit our centre!

    Most importantly our marine biologists and vet give amazing presentations about marine life and the threats they face. We teach to help empower people to pass the message along about what you can do to protect marine life.

    What we expect from our volunteers?

    To get involved in all aspects of the program and become ocean advocates! We also love volunteers who bring new ideas to our centre! If your family can help us to improve then we want you!

    What to bring?

    As we are based on a local island we do ask that volunteers respect the local rules. This includes females covering shoulders, chest and thighs completely. Wearing long shorts (to the knee) is fine but anything higher is not acceptable. These rules also apply for swimming - we ask that you bring clothes you can swim in and advise darker colours and lighter colours go see through when wet. 

    There is also no pork, alcohol and the promotion of any religions other than Muslim allowed.

    To get the most out of your stay we ask everyone to bring their own snorkel, mask and fins! The real Maldives is under the water so make sure to bring your own to be able to explore the amazing marine life!

    We do have a donations list as we are on a very remote island where medical supplies are basic. Our vet will provide a donations list depending on our stock close to your arrival.

    Downtime: 

    Alongside helping at our centre make sure to relax on nearby uninhabited islands and explore marine life and coral reefs. Even just on your doorstep our house reef is home to a variety of marine life so you can snorkel to your hearts content! Look out for rays, sharks, turtles and many many fish! Naifaru also has plenty cafes, restaurants and shops that you can explore to try local cuisine!

    We look forward to welcoming you to the real Maldives and having your family help us protect the marine environment!




    Typical day

    Day 1: Arrive to One The Island. Check in. Naifaru walking tour with local guide.
    Day 2: Marine Center tour in the morning: Visit our center, learn from our friendly marine biologist, and meet the turtles. Also help out with sea turtle husbandry, coral restoration, outreach events or whatever is ...

    Typical day

    Day 1: Arrive to One The Island. Check in. Naifaru walking tour with local guide.
    Day 2: Marine Center tour in the morning: Visit our center, learn from our friendly marine biologist, and meet the turtles. Also help out with sea turtle husbandry, coral restoration, outreach events or whatever is going on during the day at the centre!
    In the afternoon snorkeling OFF the island. Take a chance and snorkel among beautiful corals and can spot many species of fish.
    Day 3: Help Clean up the uninhabited beaches and have Island hopping which will help you get a closer feel for the true geographic nature of this extraordinary atoll. Chill out on your own on beaches and swim in the lagoon.
    Day 4: Volunteer work at the Marine Center in the morning, sunset watching with BBQ on the beach in the evening.
    Day 5: Snorkeling on Island Reef, this place has a lot to offer. After lunch enjoy an exclusive excursion to the local island.
    Day 6: Marine center volunteering, spend some time listening to presentations from our marine biology and vet team. In the evening enjoy a farewell dinner and bonfire at the beach.
    Day 7: Time to say: SEE YOU SOON. Departure day.
    We can extend trips if necessary - tentative schedule can be subject to changes.


    Free-time activities

    The guest house have various excursions planned into your trip including snorkeling, visiting uninhabited islands and eco workshops. 

    You can feel free to explore the local island - there are plenty of stores, markets and cafes where you can try local food and drinks. In particular Hedhikaa which ...

    Free-time activities

    The guest house have various excursions planned into your trip including snorkeling, visiting uninhabited islands and eco workshops. 

    You can feel free to explore the local island - there are plenty of stores, markets and cafes where you can try local food and drinks. In particular Hedhikaa which translates to 'small eats'. This is eaten by the locals in the afternoon and consists of small snack like foods incorporating fish or sweet treats with coconut or banana! 

    You can also snorkel around the house reef with two main snorkeling areas on either side of the island. We frequently spot sharks, rays, large fish and turtles depending on the time of year! It is also common to spot wildlife from the beach including spinner dolphins in the atoll and baby sharks which cruise the shallower water. 

    If your family are looking to dive our island has a dive center linked with our turtle center. You can try diving if it is your first time or complete your courses it is completely up to you! Diving is a great skill that can be used all around the world and allows you to connect more with the wildlife the Maldives has to offer!


    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 14 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 14 years old on the program start date.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (basic level)

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Other Skills

    Strong swimmer and snorkeling experience are recommended to get the most out of the experience

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday from 09:00 - 13:30

    What's Included

    What's Included

    Services by Atoll Volunteers

    Package for Adults 16+ - $951
    Package for Children 7-16 y.o. - $821
    Package for Children 2-6 y.o. - $481
    Prices per week
    0-2 free of charge
    Costs include: domestic flight, all meals, accommodation at the island guesthouse, access to the marine centre and all excursions listed

    Airport Pickup at Male International Airport

    We arrange your domestic flights from Male International Airport to Madivaru Domestic airport which is just  5 min boat drive away from Naifaru! We will collect you from Madivaru and we have a helpful team who will collect you and your luggage to take you over to our island guest house!

    Accommodation

    Our island guest house is both modern and humble. We offer double bed rooms and extra beds for the little ones if you need!
    Relax on our roof top terrace with stunning views of the ocean - keep your eye out for whales and dolphins that pass our island!
    All modern furniture, in house team and washing facilities. All rooms have AC, water, tea, and coffee provided.
    Helpful staff who will be able to solve any query you may have during your stay!
    Family friendly - we have cots if needed and access around the island with strollers should you use them.

    Food & Beverages

    Enjoy all meals on our roof top terrace and indulge in local Maldivian cuisine! Or feel free to venture out to the local restaurants!

    Internet Access

    Limited access at the project site

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Male International Airport (MLE) in Male. We assist you to find cheap flights to Maldives. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Maldives provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in Maldives you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Maldives. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    We are open all year round! You can come any day of the week and stay for 7 days. If you would like a longer stay we can arrange this.

    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program fees

    1 week (min. stay) 949€
    2 weeks (max. stay) 1,897€
    Average fees 949€/week

    Program fees

    949€ per week 1 - 2 weeks Age 14 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    1 - 2 weeks

    Deposit

    The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


    Final Payment

    Your final payment will be agreed with Atoll Volunteers during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


    Meet your organization

    Atoll Volunteers

    Fantastic 4.5 rating (19 reviews)

    Non-profit - founded in 2012

    Verified by Volunteer World

      Excellent response rate

    Coordinated by

    Mohamed

    About the project

    Set in the Maldives, our projects allow for volunteers to enjoy a little bit of paradise, while working with local people to develop the community.

    Meet your organization

    Atoll Volunteers is a young and vibrant organisation of local and international volunteers, based in the Maldives.

    We offer a range of local volunteering programs and we are dedicated to securing the most exciting and beneficial
    projects for our volunteers while still making sure that as much attention and funding as possible is funneled directly into our community. Most importantly, we at Atoll Volunteers believe that volunteering does not need to be all work and no play, and that the most rewarding of volunteer programs allow you to enjoy your placement at the same time as giving back to our community.

    Our community is desperate for your help in so many ways but in return we promise to welcome you into our lives as a friend, show you the best the “real” Maldives has to offer and be on hand to support you in any way we can. We may not be able to offer you the luxuries of the 5 star hotels but the natural beauty of the Maldives is not limited to 5 star resorts – idyllic beaches, uninhabited islands and some of the world’s most beautiful coral reefs teeming with marine life of every colour are yours to explore. Atoll vVolunteers provides accommodation in our volunteer houses which are modern but simple and clean, and similar to what you would expect to find in a European beach resort.

    Our mission at Atoll Volunteers is to ensure that you leave the Maldives having experienced the warmth and friendliness of our people, explored our islands, been amazed at the beauty of our marine life and hopefully come to love the little island that we call home. We have extensive experience in placing volunteers in exciting projects that have seen our volunteers partake in activities as varied as turtle conservation, teaching, community organizing, various sports programs and much, much more.

    Atoll Volunteers endeavours to provide the best volunteering experience that the Maldives has to offer and have a range of customized placements which have been planned in cooperation with our schools, hospitals, sporting teams and local community of over 5000 people to offer a wide variety of volunteering options.

    History

    We are a young organisation which was officially founded in early 2012 after more than 4 years of experience running volunteer programs on Lhaviyani Atoll (hence the name Atoll Volunteers) on behalf of other international volunteer organisations in the Maldives through our NGO.

    We chose to launch our own volunteer program since the various international partnerships that we were previously involved in all had extremely high administration costs, which meant that only a small fraction of the volunteers’ placement fees would actually reach our organisation and the island community – in some cases the community found themselves needing to subsidise the volunteers’ stay as the funding that was received was simply not enough to cover basic accommodation and food costs.

    Therefore, we decided to make a change for the better. One of the most frequently asked questions by potential volunteers is “Where does my money go?” and we wanted to ensure that it really was reaching the community it was intended for. At Atoll Volunteers we keep our running costs to a minimum, with no international offices or paid international staff, we keep our advertising and administration costs as low as possible and have a transparency policy which means that as our volunteer you will be able to monitor what your funds cover – any funds remaining from your program fee go directly into local community projects.

    Not only are our fees at Atoll Volunteers lower and more transparent than most other Maldivian NGOs, but we were also the first NGO in the Maldives registered to bring in foreign volunteers. This means that you can be sure that we know what we are doing and that our visa application process is smooth and quick.

    However, as all our full time employees are local Maldivians, please do excuse us if our English, which is our second language, is not always perfect!

    So come and join us for the chance to experience the ultimate in island volunteering but do it knowing that you will help make a real difference in our community!

    Naifaru balan aadhey!
    See you at Naifaru!

    19 reviews · rating4.5

    Jane Stanley rating5

    2024 at Turtle Rehabilitation

    Unbelievable, great balance of work experience, knowledge and free time. Loved it all, staff were fantastic and supportive getting the best of everyone. Enjoyed snorkelling and a scuba dive the Indian ocean is wonderful . Special thanks to Lorraine, Adam and crew who looked after us so well. Food ...
    Shauni Loopmans rating5

    2023 at Turtle Rehabilitation

    Volunteering at Atoll Marine Conservation Centre has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me. Everybody was super welcoming and the atmosphere was overall amazing!! I learned so much about turtle rehabilitation and marine conservation in general and was able to experience so many different ...
    Anja Rosenberger rating5

    2023 at Turtle Rehabilitation

    I had the most incredible time at Atoll Marine Centre in Naifaru and I am very grateful that I was able to help with the great work of the locals and volunteers to protect the sea turtles in the Maldives. I've learned so much from the marine biologist Barbara und the vetenarian Noemie about sea ...
    Jana Kleinmeyer rating4.6

    2023 at Turtle Rehabilitation

    It was my first time, I really had a great time. Nice people and learned a lot. It's not that you only come for work there, they really want you to learn something. ..
    Preeti Tak rating1.4

    2023 at Turtle Rehabilitation

    The short version: - made me and my peers feel unsafe, unheard, uncared for & robbed. - money-grabbing scheme fuelled by male ego - Turtle welfare is shocking - No coral work going on - programme brochure is a lie and I was duped into coming here on the basis that more coral work would be ...
    Laura Stitzel rating1

    2023 at Turtle Rehabilitation

    This program is safe or healthy. Basic necessities not provided. The food was terrible and did not provide us with nutrition needed to get through the day. The island is very small and isolated and its close to impossible to get fruit and vegetables. The only fruit I ate was a quarter of an apple or ...

    Location

    Asia > Southern Asia > Maldives > Naifaru

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