Login

Select travel dates to see prices

Brilliant 4.79rating (94)
  • Life Below Water

SCUBA ADV + Great Barrier Reef Marine Conservation

location
2 - 4 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+
Verified
Volunteer project with the highest quality. This project sets unprecedented standards in quality - an unparalleled level of excellence.

Highlights

  • Become a trained volunteer marine biologist, surveying and reporting on the health of the Great Barrier Reef through snorkeling adventures on tropical islands. 😍
  • Dive into the incredible underwater world and swim alongside a diverse range of sea life, including fascinating turtles and majestic sharks. 🦈
  • Take part in marine debris clean-up activities, actively reducing the threats posed to marine life and making a direct positive impact. 🐚🐬

Highlights

  • Become a trained volunteer marine biologist, surveying and reporting on the health of the Great Barrier Reef through snorkeling adventures on tropical islands. 😍
  • Dive into the incredible underwater world and swim alongside a diverse range of sea life, including fascinating turtles and majestic sharks. 🦈
  • Take part in marine debris clean-up activities, actively reducing the threats posed to marine life and making a direct positive impact. 🐚🐬
  • Enhance your diving skills in one of the world's most amazing locations with an Advanced Dive course (Must have OWD Certification).
  • Connect with like-minded individuals from around the world, sharing your passion for marine conservation and creating lasting friendships.
    • You don't have to pay anything yet

    Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    Protect and conserve the world’s biggest coral reef and get your advanced scuba qualification (ADVANCED OPEN WATER CERTIFICATE). 🪸

    Are you ready to take your diving skills to the next level while making a meaningful impact on one of the world’s most iconic ecosystems?

    This extraordinary program offers Open Water Certified Divers the opportunity to earn their Advanced Open Water Certification while contributing to vital ...

    About the program

    Are you ready to take your diving skills to the next level while making a meaningful impact on one of the world’s most iconic ecosystems?

    This extraordinary program offers Open Water Certified Divers the opportunity to earn their Advanced Open Water Certification while contributing to vital conservation projects on the breathtaking Great Barrier Reef. Combining adventure, skill-building, and conservation, this program takes you deep into the heart of the reef, where you’ll learn, explore, and protect.

    Why Choose This Program?

    • Skill Development with Purpose: Advance your diving expertise with specialised training, including deep diving, underwater navigation, and more. Gain confidence while exploring vibrant coral ecosystems and encountering incredible marine life.

    • Adventure Meets Conservation: Transition from diver to citizen scientist by actively participating in reef monitoring, coral health surveys, and the Marine Debris Initiative.

    • Research Snorkeling for Precision: Conservation activities, such as reef health checks and data collection, are conducted while snorkeling. This ensures the highest quality data collection, allowing for unparalleled visibility and mobility in reef surveys.

    • O2E’s Ethical Edge: As a non-profit charity, Oceans 2 Earth Volunteers leads the way in ethical, transparent, and sustainable travel, offering programs that truly make a difference while ensuring your contributions directly support conservation efforts.

    • Liveaboard Dive Experience: Spend three days on a dedicated dive vessel, enjoying multiple dives while living among the waves of the Great Barrier Reef.

    • Tropical Island Retreat: Snorkel your way through pristine reefs in the mornings, then unwind with free time to explore walking trails, enjoy water sports, or simply relax on the beach.

    The Reef Awaits

    Dive into the world’s largest living structure, home to over 600 coral types, 1,600 fish species, and countless other marine creatures. From the graceful glide of manta rays to the intricate details of coral formations, every dive and snorkel brings you closer to this awe-inspiring ecosystem.

    Your Home Base

    • Cairns: Stay in a vibrant hostel in this tropical adventure hub.

    • Liveaboard Reef Experience: Wake up to ocean views from your cabin and spend your days diving and learning.

    • Tropical Islands: Balance meaningful conservation work with leisure in a stunning island setting.

    Who Is This For?

    • Adventure-Seekers: Passionate about diving and eager to enhance their skills while exploring the underwater world.

    • Eco-Conscious Explorers: Committed to making a tangible difference through marine conservation.

    • Global Citizens: Looking to connect with like-minded individuals and leave a positive impact on one of Earth’s most precious ecosystems.

    Inclusions
    • Full day marine biology and conservation field training
    • Tropical island research locations
    • Advanced Open Water Dive Course (11 dives, 1 night dive)
    • Hostel and liveaboard accommodation
    • Research equipment (BYO snorkel gear)
    • All meals on liveaboard and lunches on volunteer days
    • 24/7 in-country support
    Essential Details

    • Minimum age: 18

    • Must be able to swim 200 metres or snorkel 300 metres and tread water for 10 minutes.

    • Dive certification: Open Water Certification required.

    Join Oceans 2 Earth Volunteers for a life-changing journey. Elevate your dive skills, explore the reef, and contribute to its long-term protection. Ready to dive in? Secure your spot today!

    Please note*
    The second installment of your project fees is due after you paid the deposit on Volunteer World. This is a total of $495 AUD and comes off your balance. The balance is due 90 days prior to travel. So if you book within 90 days you will be required to pay in full upon booking confirmation. For all further information about the fees, please scroll down to the section "Program Fees."

    Typical day

    Your itinerary: 
    • Week 1: Start with in-depth conservation, participating in snorkel-based reef health surveys, turtle monitoring, and clean-ups. Gain hands-on experience in marine biology and ecological data collection.
    • Week 2: Advance your dive certification with the Advanced Open Water ...

    Typical day

    Your itinerary: 
    • Week 1: Start with in-depth conservation, participating in snorkel-based reef health surveys, turtle monitoring, and clean-ups. Gain hands-on experience in marine biology and ecological data collection.
    • Week 2: Advance your dive certification with the Advanced Open Water Certification, exploring the reef through guided dives.
    Optional Extra 1 or 2 Weeks: Deepen your impact with extended training in marine debris collection and data analysis.


      A day as an Oceans 2 Earth volunteer begins with a short walk to the boat before heading out to snorkel over vibrant coral reefs, conducting health surveys and recording marine life to support critical conservation efforts. After a morning of discovery, you return to the island for a relaxing lunch with fellow volunteers. In the afternoon, you tackle marine debris through beach clean-ups, contributing valuable data to global databases, followed by an engaging workshop on marine conservation challenges and solutions. As the sun sets, you enjoy free time to explore the hostel pool and Cairns, and maybe cook up a meal together as a lively communal affair, where stories and laughter are shared.

    Free-time activities

    Enjoy a wide range of activities!

    There is plenty to do in this vibrant part of Australia so take some time out before or after your placement to explore some of the surrounding areas.

    Cairns and the surrounding areas have it - dive sites, Fitzroy Island National Park, off road driving, ballooning, ...

    Free-time activities

    Enjoy a wide range of activities!

    There is plenty to do in this vibrant part of Australia so take some time out before or after your placement to explore some of the surrounding areas.

    Cairns and the surrounding areas have it - dive sites, Fitzroy Island National Park, off road driving, ballooning, canoeing, cruising, scuba-diving, kayaking, sailing, scenic flights, shopping, skydiving, snorkelling, swimming, bush walking, rock climbing, wildlife spotting, markets, hot springs, beaches, lakes/rivers/dams, nightlife/clubs/pubs/casinos, roadside stalls, cellar doors, scenic railway, canopy walk, tea plantation, coffee plantation, wineries, sky high cable car, lava tubes, kayaking, spas and galleries.

    Cairns is the best place to soak up the tropical lifestyle. Swim at the Esplanade lagoon, sample local produce at a farmer's market, enjoy free entertainment, shop for a summer wardrobe, visit some caves, National Parks or Falls, or cruise around the marina and check out the night markets. Take a cool dip at a secluded freshwater swimming hole, jump on a bike for a sightseeing tour along the city's network of cycle paths or experience the unique rainforest.

    After dark choose a lively bar for drinks, taste local seafood at an award-winning restaurant, party on a dance floor, discover treasures at the markets or watch a local cultural show.

    This compact city is easy to get around and has the reef, rainforest and outback on its doorstep. With the Cairns International and Domestic airports only 10 minutes from the Central Business District, Cairns is the ideal entry point for a Tropical North Queensland adventure.

    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 18 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (fluently)

    Required Documents

    Proof of travel Insurance docs

    Nationality Restrictions

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

    Other Skills

    Must be able to swim 200 metres or snorkel 300 metres and tread water for 10 minutes. Dive certification: Open Water Certification required.

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 08:30 - 16:00

    What's Included

    What's Included

    On-site Services

    All project fees are payable in Australian Dollars (AUD).

    Prices include 10% Australian Goods & Services Tax (GST).

    What's included in this project?
    • Pre-departure support
    • Project Information Booklet
    • Project orientation
    • Training
    • Field equipment and materials
    • Hostel accommodation in Cairns in a dorm (room upgrades available)
    • Accommodation on the Reef
    • Most meals
    • PADI Advanced Open Water Dive course  (12 day program) 
    • 3 day/ 2 night liveaboard on the Great Barrier Reef
    • Multiple dives on the Great Barrier Reef
    • 2 day trips to a tropical island
    • O2E t-shirt
    • 24-hour in-country support
    • 24-hour O2E emergency phone
    • Certificate of Participation, if requested
    What's not included in this project?
    • Flights
    • Travel insurance
    • Reef taxes and levies 
    • Most meals (only lunch is included)
    • Personal spending
    • Visas
    • Dive medical costs (if required)
    • Optional activities
    Please note*

    The second installment of your project fees is due after you paid the deposit on Volunteer World. This is a total of $495 AUD and comes off your balance. The balance is due 90 days prior to travel. So if you book within 90 days you will be required to pay in full upon booking confirmation. For all further information about the fees, please scroll down to the section "Program Fees."

    Accommodation

    The accommodation is split between Cairns and a boat on the reef. While on the mainland, the accommodation is located at the YHA Central Cairns Hostel (or equivalent if not available). 

    • This is a dormitory-style hostel in central Cairns, located in close proximity to a range of cafes, restaurants, the mall, the esplanade and tourism operators. 
    • You can expect to share a room with 1-6 others of the same gender (please note that you can be accommodated with both O2E volunteers and non-volunteers). 

    Note at peak times, volunteers may be placed in a mixed dorm. Volunteers who identify as they or non-binary will be placed in a mixed dorm unless a request is made by a volunteer for another room type. Volunteer who are 17 must stay in a single room and pay a single room supplement. 

    Accommodation upgrades to private rooms or smaller rooms including twin and double share rooms are available at an additional cost, as well as extra nights of accommodation before or after your program. It is best to arrange accommodation upgrades or extensions with the local team at least 4 weeks prior to your program start date. Please note that these upgrades are subject to availability.

    Food & Beverages

    Only lunch is included Monday to Friday with vegan and vegetarian catered for. Breakfasts and dinners are the responsibility of the participants, however there are supermarkets and many great eateries in Cairns as well as a communal kitchen for those volunteers that would like to shop for groceries and cook their own meals.

    All meals on the Liveaboard are provided.

    Internet Access

    Good access at the project site
    You don't have to pay anything yet

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Airport Pickup at Cairns Airport

    An airport pickup isn't included within the program fees either.

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Cairns Airport (CNS) in Cairns. We assist you to find cheap flights to Australia. 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 Australia provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

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

    Details on arrival

    Start dates

    The Marine Conservation program begins on the first Sunday of each month.

    Please plan your travel so that you arrive on your confirmed Sunday start date. This gives you time to settle in, meet the local team and other volunteers, and be ready for your program orientation and activities from Monday.

    Upcoming start dates:

    2026

    • Sunday 6 September

    • Sunday 4 October

    • Sunday 1 November

    • Sunday 6 December

    2027

    • Sunday 10 January*

    • Sunday February, starts 31 January 2027*

    • Sunday March, starts 28 February 2027*

    • Sunday 4 April

    • Sunday 2 May

    • Sunday 6 June

    • Sunday 4 July

    • Sunday 1 August

    • Sunday 5 September

    • Sunday 3 October

    • Sunday November, starts 31 October 2027*

    • Sunday 5 December

    *Holiday-period start dates may vary. Please check the available dates when booking before arranging flights.

    Arrival

    Your arrival day is Sunday, with the program beginning from Monday.

    Once your placement is confirmed, we’ll provide you with detailed pre-departure information so you know exactly where to go, when to arrive and what to expect.

    Please do not book flights until your program dates have been confirmed, particularly if you are travelling over the Christmas and New Year holiday period.

    Your arrival information will include:

    • your confirmed arrival date

    • where to meet the local team or how to reach the accommodation

    • recommended arrival times

    • airport or local transport information

    • accommodation details

    • local contact information

    • what to expect during your first evening and orientation

    Where possible, we recommend arriving with enough time to settle in on Sunday rather than arriving late at night. Starting well-rested makes the transition into fieldwork much easier.

    If your travel plans mean you need to arrive earlier than your program start date, let us know before booking so we can advise you on the best options.

    Please note*

    The second installment of your project fees is due after you paid the deposit on Volunteer World. This is a total of $495 AUD and comes off your final balance. The final balance is due no later than 90 days prior to travel. So if you book within 90 days you will be required to pay in full upon booking confirmation. For all further information about the fees, please scroll down to the section "Program Fees."



    Please note*
    The second installment of your project fees is due after you paid the deposit on Volunteer World. This is a total of $495 AUD and comes off your balance. The balance is due 90 days prior to travel. So if you book within 90 days you will be required to pay in full upon booking confirmation. For all further information about the fees, please scroll down to the section "Program Fees."

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

    Program Fees

    $2,050 per week 2 - 4 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES

    Duration

    2 - 4 weeks

    Deposit

    Reserve your spot with just a few clicks and a small, secure deposit. You can pay by credit card, PayPal, or other convenient methods.

    Final Payment

    You’ll agree on the final payment method with your local organization during the application process. This final payment is only due closer to the start of your trip.

    You don't have to pay anything yet
    4.8
    Travelers’ Choice
    One of the most loved volunteer experiences, according to travelers

    Volunteer photos

    •
    2026
    Absolutely loved it here. Caroline and Peter we're great hosts. Morning started with babies feeds, then cleaning all the animals out. Just ...
    janette Summerscales

    Wildlife Shelter Carer

    •
    2026
    This an Amazing place with Natasha and Mick who are following there dreams in saving Australia's wild life and releasing them back into the ...
    sarah Withycombe

    Wildlife Shelter Carer

    •
    2025
    This is an incredible program. Two programs take place side by side, the elephant program and a wildlife program taking care of the other ...

    Location

    Oceania > Australia and New Zealand > Australia > Cairns

    Meet your project coordinator

    Trish & Tracy
    94
    reviews
    4.79
    Brilliant
    2011
    Founded

    Verified

      Moderate response rate
    Spoken languages: English
    Travel safely by using Volunteer World for your communication and bookings. This way, you can benefit from the Flex Option, Refund Guarantee, and Resolution Support.

    You might also be interested in

    Volunteer Abroad  >  Environment  >  Marine Conservation in Australia
    Contact Trish & Tracy
      Moderate response rate
    English

    Most volunteers ask about

    Do you have any more questions? Send a message to Trish & Tracy
    Please don't share personal contact details for your privacy

    Travel dates

    1. - 1. Jan 1

    Book with Flex Option!

    Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs within 12 months.

    Complete Support for Every Volunteer

    This helps us run our platform and offer essential services like Comprehensive Support, Refund Guarantee, Flex Option without rebooking costs, and Price-Guarantee. This includes VAT.

    Price details