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Enter the global scuba diving industry with a professional diving qualification combined with work experience and marine conservation training.
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Enter the global scuba diving industry with a professional diving qualification combined with work experience and marine conservation training.
Travel to the beautiful Seychelles islands in the Indian Ocean where you will train to improve your scuba diving skills while participating on our Marine Conservation Expedition, conducting vital marine research.
Project work is 5 days a week
January, April, June, September
Your First 12 Weeks – During your expedition phase expect working days to long and starting early in the morning. Diving days will begin with preparing the dive boat, followed by a short journey to one of the research dive sites. Depending on weather conditions, we aim for everyone to have 1 or 2 dives/snorkels a day, 5 days a week, during which you will conduct underwater surveys after completion of your training.
On other days, you should expect to be involved in additional projects and activities, including training sessions, beach cleans, marine debris surveys, environmental education sessions with the local community depending on local and project needs at the time. The days are rounded off with an evening debrief, followed by dinner and time to relax, take in the beautiful sunset and share stories.
On successful completion of the first half of your internship, you will be placed at a local dive centre undertaking your PADI Divemaster course that will continue throughout the duration of 12 week work placement. During this time you will help with the general day-to-day operations of the centre, learning about the dive industry. This might include tasks like guiding tourists on dives, working in the office, compressing tanks, repairing dive equipment.
Work Placements: your placement will vary depending on location, but you will continue to spend the majority of your days diving, learning to work within diving community. This work placement is a great first step in a professional diving career. Field work positions can be paid or unpaid, range in duration from one month to one year, and availability varies.
This internship is the perfect opportunity to enter the world of professional diving and/or marine conservation while living and working in a pristine environment to complete what will be a life changing experience.
Highlights include
Our base is located in Baie Ternay Marine National Park, a 3-minute walk from the beach. The building was originally a school that has been transformed into an eco-friendly research base with classrooms for presentations, a recreation room to relax after a day of diving, giant hammocks for more relaxation, and a large grassy area with benches for eating or studying.
Life on base is much like a big family and we share cooking and tidying duties on a rotation basis. Those who have completed their intensive survey and dive training, can look forward to a short boat trip to the dive site once or twice about 5 days a week, depending on the quality of weather conditions. On other days, participants conduct either marine debris surveys or environmental education sessions with the local community depending on the project needs at the time.
Days start early with boat preparations, or training, and are rounded off with an evening debrief, followed by dinner and time to relax, take in the beautiful sunset, and share stories.
You will be based in and around the national parks in the main group of islands, and working on coral reefs in and around the main group of islands. Travelling around the local area is fairly easy and is best done using the (very cheap) local bus service, although access to and from the base can be difficult so travel may be limited to weekend breaks. For further exploration you may choose to hire a car or make use of the inter-island ferry services.
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. In this time 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. 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!
Mixed dorm with a shared bathroom
Accommodation is in shared (mixed sex) dorm rooms (up to 10 people). The tap water is safe for drinking on the expedition base and there is cold running water available. Bathroom facilities are shared but split-sex, and participants also share base duties, including cleaning and other chores. Refrigeration is available for communal food only.
For divemaster interns accommodation during placement phase will be included, usually in a shared apartment in or near to Beau Vallon.
Participants take it in turns to prepare meals for the group. Food is basic but nutritious, and primarily vegetarian with optional fish or meat available once or twice a week. 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.
Participants mostly use internet cafe’s to keep in touch with access to internet about once a week.
You will have access to long distance communications whilst on the program, but make sure friends and family know how often they can expect to hear from you. Local SIM cards and pay-as-you-go credit can be bought affordably in the Seychelles and the signal is good in most areas. Contact your mobile/cell phone provider for more information before travelling.
The nearest emergency medical facilities are located in Victoria on Mahé island, 25 miles (40km) from the Cap Ternay expedition base. Project staff are trained in first aid, and during your training you will receive First Aid training. First aid kits are provided on base and in boats/vehicles, and oxygen is available in the event of a diving emergency.
Provided, more details to be provided upon confirmation
English
PADI Open Water certification (or equivalent), CRB, PADI Medical form
Doctors note must be signed if you have any illnesses to declare
Kit list will be sent across at time of confirmation
Once you have confirmed your spot on this program, you will be allocated to a dedicated program expert who will assist you as you prepare for your program.
Project staff on base who facilitate the project, run training’s & assist with any additional health & safety needs if required. 24 Hour emergency phone. Please ask your program expert for more information.
You will be given the option to pay in instalments for an Instalment Fee of £125 per booking. If you select this Instalment Fee option, a non-refundable deposit payment of £350 is due within 48 hours of notice of acceptance onto the program, 50% of the balance will fall due 16 weeks before departure and the remaining 50% of the balance will fall due 12 weeks before departure. If you the Participant cancel this agreement, the Participant shall not be entitled to a refund of any monies paid.
If you do not select the Instalment Fee option, the full cost of your booking is due within 48 hours of notice of acceptance onto the program. If you the Participant cancel this agreement more than 16 weeks prior to departure, the Participant shall be entitled to a refund of the full amount paid minus £350.
If you the Participant cancel this agreement between 16 and 12 weeks prior to departure, the Participant shall be entitled to a refund of 60% of the full amount paid. If you the Participant cancel this agreement less than 12 weeks prior to departure, the Participant shall be entitled to a refund of £100.
What I love about GVI Mahe is that whether you have a degree in Marine Biology and wish to begin your conservation career, or are just looking for some great diving during your gap year, it’s the perfect place for all. The beautiful island became home to us by the end of week 1 and I can’t say I ever got used to its beauty. This program really represents what GVI is all about, not just conservation but helping the communities around them. We got to work with many organisations, including SNPA (Seychelles National Park Association) in working towards our mutual conservation goals. I loved this trip and recommend it to anyone who loves diving and immersing themselves into the natural world.
Review by:
Millie Onslow
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