Marine Conservation Volunteer Programs in Asia

GoEco is one of the world’s top volunteer organizations, with award-winning and ethical programs selected by sustainable travel experts. Since 2006, tens of thousands of volunteers have taken part in projects and internships worldwide, focusing on wildlife and marine conservation, education, and medical initiatives. GoEco operates in over 50 countries, providing unique cultural immersive experiences that aim to make a positive impact on the environment and society. The organization also offers internships and academic programs for students. GoEco provides safe and meaningful experiences while promoting sustainable travel and reducing carbon emissions.

Volunteer on this marine conservation project on the stunning island of Koh Tao and contribute to vital marine conservation. This project is suitable for those with diving experience as well as those wishing to learn how to dive. It is committed to sustainable development for the sea and its surrounding communities. Hence, education is a big part of the project and volunteers help spread awareness of the importance of marine conservation. You will work with local schools, teaching children to swim, dive and snorkel responsibly. This project has been so successful in its work that the Thai government and environmental agencies have used data gathered to make policy decisions. The program includes diver Scuba Schools International (SSI) training from beginner to advanced level. Conservation Diver certifications can also be included, depending on the duration of your placement. We welcome volunteers with a range of skills. The most important is the ability to swim a minimum of 2 lengths of a 25-meter swimming pool. You must also love water and be interested in sea life. You must also have a moderate level of fitness as everyone will be required to carry tanks and equipment.

Join the 6-month Gap Year, an extraordinary six-month journey of learning, adventure, and making a difference. This gap year program is the perfect blend of excitement and enrichment, offering a language and culture study course in Spain, environmental initiatives, and addressing social and economic issues in South Africa, turtle conservation in Sri Lanka, and a community preservation, building and gardening volunteering in Cambodia. Eligibility requirements: - Must be in good physical and mental health - At least 18 years old during travel - Have a fluent understanding of English - Have a clean background check if working with minors Broaden your horizons and nurture a deep sense of cultural appreciation that will extend beyond the end of the program. Visit our website and inquire today to get specific details about this program.

At International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), we unite people from over 96 countries who want to make a meaningful difference while exploring the world. With 300+ projects in 40+ destinations, IVHQ offers the widest selection of volunteer programs globally—from Teaching and Childcare to Wildlife Conservation, Medical Outreach, and Environmental Sustainability. Since 2007, IVHQ has supported over 147,000 volunteers on life-changing journeys. We specialize in fully-hosted volunteer trips that are safe, affordable, and accessible—starting from just $20 per day. Your experience includes airport pick-up, accommodation, meals, and round-the-clock support from our local teams. With flexible booking options and no change fees, planning your volunteer adventure has never been easier. Our programs run year-round and are available for 1 to 24 weeks across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Pacific, South and Central America, North America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Volunteering with IVHQ is about more than giving back—it’s about growing, learning, and building genuine global connections.

Lying in the crystal-clear tropical waters of the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Tao’s abundant and diverse coral reefs offer some of the finest scuba diving found anywhere on the planet! The perfect location to maximize your diving and reef ecology experience, this exciting and in-depth program has been specifically designed for volunteers wishing to engage in marine conservation activities that protect, restore, and conserve Koh Tao’s coral reefs. With both 4 and 8-week programs available, get ready for a comprehensive marine conservation experience! If you're looking for a little more, join us for a full 12 weeks and complete an award-winning Divemaster training course, which is perfect if you wish to achieve a professional diving qualification that allows you to transform your passion into a paid job!

Travel to the Coral Triangle, learn to SCUBA dive in one of the most biodiverse marine regions in the world, and contribute to marine conservation science. You’ll be assisting a team of marine scientists to conduct critical research on coral reef systems and develop community-based conservation systems. This organization operates from Bulak, Dauin, Philippines, conducting long-term and fine-scale research on coral bleaching, corallivorous invertebrates, and ocean pollution. As they aim to involve the scientific community by publishing their findings in reports and journals, they also work to encourage and support locally-led, grassroots conservation strategies through evidence-based community outreach programs. They are a valuable asset to marine ecology in the Philippines and the furtherment of Marine Conservation Science worldwide. As an intern, you'll be assisting with the collection, processing & analysis of data from their Dauin Long-Term Reef Monitoring Project - going underwater research dives where you’ll catalog species, map habitats, & monitor biodiversity. You’ll also work on the data-analysis of images gathered using marine science software systems & equipment.

Hello! Nice to meet you! Are you ready to make a real difference? We are always looking for enthusiastic people who want to join our research team in Indonesia. You don’t need to be a shark expert or diver to join our project; we are simply looking for volunteers with a passion and commitment to marine and shark conservation. We appreciate all the unique skills that you can bring to our project and welcome people from every corner of the world. During your stay with us, you will learn how to dive or improve your dive skills and become a PADI Scientific Diver and Shark and Turtle Specialist. We teach everything you need to know about underwater roving video surveillance, coral health index surveys, coral restoration, photographic identification, roving survey dives, land & marine-based time-lapse projects, how to analyze and input data, and much more! We are an award-winning marine life conservation organization called Gili Shark Conservation. Our headquarters is based on the beautiful paradise island of Gili Air, Indonesia. Our dedicated research team, together with our amazing Shark Warriors, work all year round to promote conservation efforts through education and research.

At Projects Abroad, we’re passionate about travel with a purpose. Since being founded in 1992, more than 130,000 volunteers have traveled to over 20 destinations around the world. Our programs will make you step out of your comfort zone and engage with your new friends from around the world. These are long-term projects, led by local people and aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. By taking part in our programs, even for a short time, you will be contributing towards a sustained effort to support the communities that host us! We believe no other provider offers the safety and security to their volunteers and interns that we do. You'll receive 24-hour staff support from our trained staff, alongside a gold standard of safety planning of your trip - so you don't have to worry about a thing. Choose a project you are passionate about from working with children to medical internship, conservation, and wildlife volunteering. We offer projects starting at one week in over 20 stunning destinations across Asia, Africa, Latin America & The Caribbean, South Pacific & Europe. Ready to make a difference? Follow the link to visit our website!

Find out why more and more people are choosing to become a Love Volunteer! Love Volunteers is the most affordable way to volunteer and help local communities in developing countries! Why are we cheaper than other organisations? Firstly, we are just a handful of passionate people working hard to help volunteers and local communities around the world. We don't have huge overheads - no company cars, no downtown office - we're just volunteers who knew we could do a better job. Secondly, we work with local organisations wherever we can to keep administration costs to a minimum and also to feed as much money and skills into the local communities where we operate. All of Love Volunteers partner organisations have been fully vetted to ensure that, not only does a genuine need for assistance exist, but that the environments that we place our volunteers are safe and of high quality. Choose from one or more of our 200+ amazing community-based programs in 37 developing countries around the world. Every program has been personally visited by one of our dedicated staff members and is regularly audited to ensure it meets our high standards in terms of safety, sustainability, and local impact.

Looking to apply your talent and expertise to a good cause? Find a program that matches your interests and skills through Volunteer World! We are the largest volunteer abroad comparison platform around the globe, enabling you to seek and compare offers from major travel agencies as well as smaller grassroots NGOs and local specialists in more than 80 countries. All these with just one click! Find projects in wildlife, teaching, community development, and several other areas. Simply choose your desired destination and desired travel date, and our search engine will compare the best volunteer abroad programs on your behalf. Whether you wish to gain experience at a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa or teach English at a monastery in Nepal, we've got you covered. Volunteer World guarantees a quick and easy application. We will guide you through this process, as well as help plan your next meaningful trip. We provide free access to quality-checked projects and flexible options. And if anything goes wrong, we've got your back with our qualified support team and our refund guarantee.

Travel to Thailand to volunteer in the stunning coastal province of Phang Nga, an area that encapsulates the very meaning of "dramatic", home to incredible islands and an abundance of natural beauty. Besides marine conservation activities, you will become immersed in the culture through various community initiatives to promote environmental education and English language learning. As a volunteer, you will help to protect some of the world's most beautiful beaches and coral reef systems. Contribute to the education of the community on local marine issues and on dealing with the social and economic pressures, which lead to the destruction of reefs, fish, coral, and turtle populations.

This program goes beyond ordinary high school travel programs and build cross-cultural community service summer trips perfectly geared to your interests and curiosities. Whether you’re looking to contribute to authentic service projects, experience exhilarating adventure, or develop your language skills, GoBeyond will immerse you in a new culture where you can make a meaningful difference while on the journey of a lifetime. Our high school community service summer programs proudly serve in many under-resourced communities and environments throughout the world. Explore our journeys in the British Virgin Islands, Costa Rica, Galapagos & Ecuador, Peru, Iceland, Spain, China, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, and Australia. Beyond experiencing the adventure of a lifetime and creating lasting memories, we believe our community service summer trips enable lasting positive change in the world. For over forty years, we’ve been transforming communities, environments, and students’ lives through meaningful, collaborative adventures and service that develop skills and a more sophisticated worldly outlook—ultimately shaping the person you become.

Play games with Asian elephants, snorkel in crystal blue waters, and immerse yourself in village life as you explore a country known for its warm people. Our programs take you off the beaten path for an unforgettable journey through Thailand. This includes: Thailand Adventurer – Travel from the mountains to the beach and Chiang Mai to Bangkok as you go rock climbing, snorkeling, and rafting. Plus, interact with Asian elephants. Thai Elephant Conservation Project – Learn how to be an elephant trainer while doing hands-on tasks at an animal sanctuary. Ocean and Rainforest Service – Explore Thailand’s vibrant ecosystems as you snorkel pristine reefs, learn conservation techniques in ancient rainforests, and immerse yourself in the rich culture of a unique seaside community. Come with Nothing – Dive into service projects at three remote villages in Northern Thailand, and then spend time with your host families as you learn about local life in this culturally immersive program.

Discover the wonders of marine life in the Philippines while helping to save its oceans with Marine Conservation Philippines (MCP). As a volunteer, you'll get hands-on experience in protecting coral reefs, from building artificial reefs to surveying underwater ecosystems. These surveys help scientists understand the health of coral reefs and guide conservation efforts. But it's not just about diving. You'll also join MCP's efforts on land, teaching local schools and communities about ocean conservation. By spreading awareness and empowering others to take action, you'll be making a real difference in protecting marine life. From teaching first aid to organizing fun activities for kids, MCP volunteers are ambassadors for change, working together to preserve our oceans for the future.

Join this conservation program in Nusa Penida, where you will play a vital role in protecting and rehabilitating Indonesia's endangered sea turtles! Our hands-on program allows you to work alongside dedicated local teams, identifying turtle species, collecting eggs, monitoring nests, or safely accompanying baby turtles to the sea. Beyond conservation, immerse yourself in the beauty of island life. Spend your free time exploring breathtaking beaches and engaging in cultural activities. Help protect Bali's sea turtles and get ready for an unforgettable journey. This project aims to preserve the island's wildlife, meaning it is not a tourist activity and is not open to the public.

A region accentuated by the colorful robes of Buddhist monks, the vivid greens of rice fields and jungle forests, and the cultural diversity of hill tribe communities—this is the ultimate Southeast Asia semester. Each country offers a unique cultural experience unto itself, and each faces the challenge of reconciling urban expansion and industrialization with indigenous land rights, free movement of nomadic peoples, and equal access to resources. This semester, walk among ancient temples, traverse mountainous jungles, and explore the clear blue water of Thailand’s beaches. You’ll explore tradition, globalization, and human rights against the backdrop of two of Asia’s most complex nations. Immerse yourself in community life through homestays and visits to remote villages. Emerge with your self-awareness and perspective forever altered. 2025: CLOSED Spring 2026: February 25 - May 6 Fall 2026: September 24 - December 4

The Borneo Marine Conservation Project is located on the paradise island of Pom Pom, where you’ll live in individual tents on the beach and scuba dive every day in crystal-clear waters. If you haven’t already acquired PADI certification, don’t worry. This is included in the placement! Volunteers at this project must be aged 18+ and be confident swimmers. The project focuses on protecting and replanting coral reefs damaged by 45 years of illegal blast fishing around the islands of the Celebes Sea, Malaysian Borneo. Damaged reefs offer no hiding places for reef fish and blast rubble scattered over the reef leaves bare sand, which supports few species. Through raising environmental awareness, campaigning for tighter restrictions on illegal fishing, and volunteer conservation efforts, the project creates solutions to these problems and aids in the recovery of the reef and the greater ocean environment. By collecting fragments of hard and soft corals and transplanting them into damaged areas, volunteers are aiding the recovery of these habitats and increasing biodiversity.

Sea turtle and marine conservation volunteer abroad projects are fun and combine your beach vacations with meaningful work which goes a long way in the concentrated efforts globally to prevent these enchanting marine creatures from going extinct. All seven sea turtle species are endangered today and without conservation turtles may soon be pushed to the brink of extinction. Our Sea Turtle and Marine Conservation volunteer abroad programs will bring you to exotic locations that are nesting sites for turtles. By joining hands with trained biologists and local conservation groups you can help to secure the future of these creatures and also help raise awareness in the local community you will be living in. Volunteers work alongside trained biologists and go on beach patrols, witness nesting turtles, and hatching babies, assist with care of disabled turtles, feeding turtles and cleaning turtle hatcheries. Saving turtles and releasing older babies back into the ocean is a truly scintillating experience! From saving sea turtles in Costa Rica to working with turtles in the Maldives, there are plenty of sea turtle conservation projects waiting for you!

Experience the beauty of Bali and volunteer in a variety of projects for a well-rounded and meaningful adventure! Make friends with Balinese youth while you develop creative lesson plans and teach English at a local elementary school. Learn about sea turtle conservation and even have the opportunity to release a baby sea turtle into the ocean. Participate in a service project with the award-winning Coral Restoration Project in Pemuteran, which utilizes innovative technology to restore and encourage healthy reef growth. In addition to these hands-on projects, discover the best Bali has to offer! Get off the beaten path and explore parts of the island most tourists don’t even know about. Open to participants finishing grades 9, 10, 11 and 12, this program is the perfect mix of culture, adventure, and community service.

World Endeavors offers exciting programs that allow participants to experience Indonesia while meaningfully contributing to the community. Volunteers can choose from various immersive, unique, and rewarding community engagement projects like Relief & Reconstruction, Mangrove Conservation, IT Skills Training for Balinese high school students, or Komodo Dragon Conservation! Indonesia, a Southeast Asian nation made up of thousands of volcanic islands, is home to hundreds of ethnic groups speaking many different languages. It is known for its beaches, volcanoes, and jungles sheltering elephants, tigers, and Komodo dragons. Bali is an island of pristine beaches, surfing, and diving, lush mountains, never-ending rice terraces and volcanic hillsides, and spiritually infused culture.