How much does it cost and whats included
Please see our "price & costs" page for exact details on how much it costs to join an expedition.
Included in the expedition price is all scuba diving training (up to Advanced Open Water + EFR) and comprehensive science training. 2 dives and 3 meals a day, tea, coffee and water, accommodation on a paradise beach location. For volunteers signing up as a non-diver, a BCD and Regulator will be provided for FREE during your open water course training. Other items you will need to bring or rent from Barefoot Conservation are:- mask, snorkel, wetsuit, fins, dive boots, dive slate and dive computer
Do I need any extra spending money
While all necessities are provided in the price of the expedition, there are opportunities to purchase the odd luxury like a cold beer or coke to help watch the amazing sunset. The local village also has a small shop where you can buy other goodies like sweets. Other extra spending money can be spent on further scuba diving courses, like Rescue Diver and Dive Master, please see the "price & costs" page for further details on these courses.
James Sharpe
Having done a marine conservation expedition in the past I am very excited that I will be joining this project and get to dive in such a natural and culturally diverse area of the world.
Joel Scriven
Barefoot Conservation is leading conservation efforts in one of the Earth's last pristine marine environments, by working not only to assess biodiversity value of the ecosystems but also working with local communities to raise awareness and capacities to ensure the sustainable use of natural resources into the future.
Dave Hope-Thomson
Barefoot Conservation will offer me the opportunity to dive some of the most pristine waters in the world, whilst contributing to the marine environment's conservation...bring on my expedition!!
View from the balcony of our new beach bungalow for private room rental.
Coral reefs just don't get more pristine than the ones on our house reef, just meters from your accommodation.
Well stocked with local sweets and treats for when you need a sugar fix!
This iconic creature is at the top of every divers wish list.
Yanbuba is one of the villages Barefoot Conservation volunteers help teach English at.
More...
This is our new beach bungalow accommodation that is available for private room rental, either double bed, twin or single bed options available. The cost is only £120 per room per week. Contact our operations team at: operations@barefootconservation.org for more details.
Our advantages
Please check out the list below, for just a few of the advantages your receive when joining an expedition with us...
A few words about us....
Barefoot Conservation is a new and exciting, not-for-profit organisation that takes a fresh look at marine conservation and community awareness.
Our focus is grass roots conservation and community action. Our aim is to engage, educate and empower the local community to make sustainable conservation a way of life, not just a project.
We feel this holistic approach to conservation will give you/us a greater depth of experience and understanding. Through community projects we gain vital insights into the needs and values of the community and how marine conservation efforts can be integrated to benefit local people.
Our conservation strategy is to help the local community build their resilience to climate change, globalization, and the economic and ecological choices the region will inevitably face.
A major part of our scientific work is our marine research program. This will monitor and assess the impact of climate change, over-fishing, and pollution on the marine environment and the people whose livelihoods depend on it. The information we gather will be used by the local government, local stakeholders, community and NGO's to implement measures to prevent and mitigate ecosystem degradation.
Regions we work in:-
What sets us apart from similar non-profit dive volunteer organisations (other than the stunning pristine untouched paradise location!) is that volunteers see exactly where their contribution to the community is going, and the ratio of your fee that goes into the community is very high. The part of your expedition fee that doesn’t cover diving, insurance, food, accommodation, transport, fuel and minimal staff wages (most of our staff, even the CEO, work for free!) will be spent on community projects. For example, this money may go towards special solar panels that provide clean drinking water for the community and you will help the villagers install them. Or your money combined with others may buy new school books or medicines which are vital for education and health in the communities. You will then help distributing these in the schools/villages and be able to stay in touch with the children you have helped educate.
Some of the money will go toward wider community based projects like installing rubbish bins around the island to keep plastics out of the ocean, but it won’t go to support a fancy head office far away and it certainly won’t be making anybody rich.
Our community projects work to alleviate poverty and create entrepreneurial solutions to ensure conservation is a viable and attractive economic alternative to current practices such as shark finning and/or dynamite fishing. By raising awareness of, and helping implement, strong ecotourism and sustainable fisheries management, we can ensure that the community and visitors benefit from the remarkable marine resources for generations to come.
Under our Indonesian Universities Scholarship Programme, we invite Indonesia's future marine biologists to work and study with us for free. This provides a wonderful opportunity for synergy between international volunteers and Indonesian students, sharing ideas and building a cohesive environmental ethic for the future.
Make a difference. See a difference. Be the difference.
Why become a marine conservation volunteer with Barefoot Conservation
Do you want to work in marine biology or conservation? Do you want to do something life enriching with your GAP year or career break? Are you a scuba diver who wants to take your passion to the next level?
With Barefoot Conservation you will gain practical marine conservation experience in one of the world’s most stunningly pristine and remote locations for marine research.
- Work with experienced marine scientists and the local community on vital marine conservation projects.
- Learn marine biology field skills essential for scientific and marine conservation research.
- Get involved in local community projects.
- Gain recognized scuba diving qualifications, skills and experience.
Volunteering is one of the most rewarding things you will ever do. Barefoot Conservation is committed to ensuring you know where every penny goes and the real difference your time with us makes.
Make a difference. See a difference. Be the difference.
" When you walk with naked feet, how can you forget the earth "
- Carl Jung