Volunteer: Ocean Stewardship Program in Cambodia

The Experience

The Ocean Stewardship Program offers an immersive blend of training, conservation, and community engagement, tailored to inspire and equip participants for meaningful impact. Here’s a breakdown of the enriching activities awaiting you:

• Week 1: Dive Into Adventure
• Completing PADI Advanced Open Water Certification
• Refreshing dive skills
• Maintaining coral nurseries
• Community projects such as environmental education workshops or beach clean-ups
• Weeks 2-3: Explore Coral Reef and Seagrass Ecology
• Coral Reef Ecology course
• Seagrass Ecology course (seasonal)
• Weeks 3-4: Contributing to Marine Research
• Data collection for coral, fish, and invertebrate populations
• Substrate assessment
• Seagrass monitoring (seasonal)
• Engaging in community initiatives like assisting with English lessons for local children or supporting livelihood projects

Survey Details

Each survey dive lasts about an hour, with observations recorded for species diversity, population density, and environmental conditions. Data is meticulously entered into a shared database for analysis, contributing directly to conservation efforts in the region.

Seasonal Opportunities

• Reef Biodiversity Data Collection - All year round
• Seagrass Surveys - October – November
• Artificial Coral Reef & Coral Nursery - All year round
• Coral Bleaching Monitoring - All year round
• Coral Spawning Surveys - Daytime Spawning Species: October – November; Nighttime Spawning Species: February – April
• Beach Cleans - All year round
• Community Projects & Education Outreach - All year round
• International Medical Relief Mission (1-week dedicated mission) - Varies every year – please contact directly if this is of interest (please note no other activities are available during this week)

Logistics

• Living in a traditional Cambodian-style building in a small village on the north side of Koh Rong Island
• Shared rooms with a maximum of two volunteers, furnished with a fan, shelves, pillows, mattresses, and mosquito nets
• Electricity available 24 hours a day
• Training at an air-conditioned building with 24-hour electricity, fast free WiFi, and hot water shower facilities, as well as a gym available for use during your time off
• Three hot meals per day, cooked by trained Khmer chefs with a balanced and diverse array of choices (vegetarian, vegan and dietary requirements can easily be accommodated)
• Unlimited drinking water provided during your stay
• On-site fully trained doctor available 24/7, in case of any illness
• Weekly budget of $60 USD recommended for additional snacks, drinks, and personal items
• Several restaurants in the local village and a newly built road allowing access to explore the rest of the island of Koh Rong in your free time
• No ATMs on the island, thus you should budget accordingly
• Arrival in Cambodia requires making your own accommodation and internal travel arrangements prior to the expedition start
• Project representatives meet you in Sihanoukville town (approximately 2 and a half – 3 hours by bus from Phnom Penh) and guide you to the field site by speedboat

Requirements

• Minimum age – 18 years
• Minimum 4-week commitment
• Interest in marine conservation and sustainable development
• Healthy level of general fitness and stamina
• Ability to swim 200 m unaided
• PADI Advanced Open Water certified (we can teach you this course on-site! But you must be PADI Open Water certified as a minimum)
• Travel & medical insurance (to include unlimited diving up to 30 m depth)
• Necessary vaccinations as advised by your local travel nurse or GP
• Valid passport (minimum 6 months until expiry from date of entry in Cambodia)
• N.B. Visas for Cambodia are very easy to get, and are obtained at the airport on arrival
• N.B. You will need to provide your own scuba mask, snorkel, fins, wetsuit (3-5 mm recommended) and booties. All other dive equipment will be provided for you on-site.

Costs

• First 4 weeks = US$2550
• Additional 1-week blocks (after the initial 4 weeks) = US$250 per week
• PADI Advanced Open Water course (as required) = US$350 (includes all manuals, learning materials and activities – no hidden costs!)*
• Places are confirmed with a $500 deposit.

Book a Call

Schedule a free call with us to discuss your exact interests and requirements to help us match you with the perfect project for you.