MARINE CONSERVATION IN SOUTH AFRICA

Dive with purpose.

Love the ocean? Fancy doing more than just exploring it?

Spend 2–12 weeks living and diving in Sodwana Bay, South Africa, getting hands-on experience with marine conservation and research on some of the country's most remarkable reefs.

Through our local partner, Deep Blue Conservation, you'll combine regular diving, species monitoring, marine ecology and research work with the relaxed lifestyle of a small South African diving community.

You don't need a marine science degree. You don't even need to be a certified diver.

Just bring your enthusiasm for the ocean and a willingness to get involved.

AT A GLANCE

Location: Sodwana Bay, South Africa

Duration: 2–12 weeks

Age: 18+

Diving experience: None required

Conservation experience: None required

Swimming: Must be comfortable in the water and able to swim

Language: Basic spoken English for training and safety briefings

Start day: Friday, subject to availability

Diving: Typically five project dives per week, depending on qualifications, training and sea conditions

Included training: One PADI diving course

Prices: From €2,350

CHOOSE YOUR STAY

Whether you've got a couple of weeks or a few months to spare, there's an option to suit you.

2 Weeks — €2,350

A first taste of conservation life. Get involved in the research, explore Sodwana's reefs and discover what the programme is all about.

4 Weeks — €3,950

More time in the water, more opportunity to develop your skills and a chance to settle properly into the diving community.

6 Weeks — €5,175

Build your diving confidence, develop your knowledge and spend more time contributing to ongoing monitoring projects.

8 Weeks — €6,500

A longer stay for anyone wanting to become more familiar with the reefs, the research and life in Sodwana Bay.

10 Weeks — €7,700

Plenty of time underwater and the opportunity to gain more substantial practical conservation experience.

12 Weeks — €8,700

Three months of diving, marine conservation and living in one of South Africa's most interesting coastal communities.

Deep Blue also offers programme lengths in one-week increments between 2 and 12 weeks. Ask about availability and pricing for other durations.

All prices and final programme details are confirmed by Deep Blue Conservation.

YOUR PADI DIVING COURSE

Never dived before? No problem.

Every programme includes one PADI diving course.

If you're new to scuba diving, you'll begin with your PADI Open Water training. Once qualified and comfortable underwater, you can join the conservation dives.

Already an Open Water Diver? Your included course can be PADI Advanced Open Water, helping you develop your skills while taking part in the research programme.

It's an opportunity to become a better diver while learning more about the environment you're exploring.

REAL MARINE CONSERVATION

Turn your dives into something more.

Marine conservation isn't just something you'll hear about in a lecture. You'll be getting in the water and taking part.

Depending on current projects and conditions, your activities may include:

• Marine species identification and monitoring

• Reef surveys

• Fish and invertebrate counts

• Nudibranch identification and photography

• Underwater photographic monitoring

• Water-temperature observations

• Recording and processing research data

After diving, you'll help the team review photographs, identify species and record observations.

The information contributes to ongoing monitoring of Sodwana Bay's marine environment.

It's hands-on learning, with experienced people showing you how to make useful observations and collect data properly.

And there's still plenty of time to enjoy the diving itself.

LEARN AS YOU GO

You don't need previous research experience.

Throughout your stay, you'll learn to recognise marine species, understand reef ecosystems and develop the skills needed to contribute to the projects.

You'll also attend marine lectures led by a local zoologist, exploring subjects such as nudibranchs, fish identification, coral reefs, marine ecology and conservation.

The idea isn't to turn your holiday into a classroom.

It's to help you understand more about the remarkable place you're spending so much time exploring.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Dive. Learn. Explore. Contribute.

You'll arrive on a Friday, with the weekend to settle in, meet the crew and get to know Sodwana.

Saturday is generally spent finding your feet, with an introduction to the town and the programme.

On Sunday, you'll be introduced to the conservation projects before heading to the pool.

Already certified? You'll complete a skills refresher.

Never dived before? You'll begin your Open Water training.

Once you're ready to join the project dives, a typical day includes:

Morning: Head to the beach, prepare your equipment, attend the dive briefing and launch through the surf for a reef dive.

Midday: Return to the house, have lunch and relax.

Afternoon: Review photographs, record research observations or take part in marine lectures and other project activities.

The programme normally includes diving on five days each week, with time set aside for a local excursion and a free day.

You might visit Lake Sibaya, explore one of the northern beaches or enjoy a braai and swim at a local spot.

Want to do your own thing on a free day? There's time for that too.

Schedules can change with the weather, sea conditions and ongoing research. Safe diving always comes first.

LIFE IN SODWANA BAY

Welcome to the dive life.

Sodwana isn't a luxury resort town. It's a laid-back coastal community where diving and the ocean are part of everyday life.

You'll stay at the Deep Blue house with other participants, sharing bedrooms and using the communal kitchen, living spaces, patio and garden.

The beach and dive launch are about ten minutes away by vehicle, with transport arranged for diving activities.

When the day's work is done, things slow down.

Cook together, relax at the house, head out for something to eat or spend the evening talking about what everyone saw underwater.

There are beaches, coastal forests and interesting places to explore nearby, along with optional activities for your free time.

It's simple, social and very much centred around the ocean.

And there's a good chance you'll leave with a few new friends from different corners of the world.

WHO IS THIS FOR?

This programme could be a great fit if you:

• Love diving, marine wildlife and the ocean

• Want hands-on experience with conservation and research

• Are considering studying or working in marine conservation

• Want to improve your diving skills and confidence

• Enjoy meeting people who share your interests

• Prefer an adventurous, community-focused experience over a luxury resort holiday

You don't need a science background or previous conservation experience.

And beginners are welcome. Your diving journey can start right here.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Your Marine Conservation Programme includes:

• Shared accommodation at the Deep Blue house

• Weekly groceries

• Return transfers from Richards Bay Airport

• One PADI Open Water or Advanced Open Water course, depending on your qualifications

• Typically five conservation project dives per week, subject to training and conditions

• Diving equipment rental: BCD, regulator, cylinder and weights

• Transport to and from the beach

• Local transport around Sodwana

• iSimangaliso Wetland Park dive entry fees

• Weekly local excursions

• Marine research and conservation instruction

• Marine lectures with a local zoologist

• Support from the on-site team throughout your stay

ADDITIONAL COSTS TO PLAN FOR

The programme includes accommodation, groceries, diving and local transport, but you'll need to budget separately for:

• International and domestic flights to Richards Bay

• Comprehensive travel and diving insurance, including medical treatment and emergency evacuation

• Passport and visa costs, where applicable

• Food and drinks beyond the provided groceries

• Personal spending

• Optional activities outside the included excursions

• Any medical examination or clearance required before diving

Participants completing a PADI course must complete the relevant medical questionnaire. A doctor's clearance is required when indicated by the questionnaire.

Final programme requirements, costs and inclusions are confirmed directly by Deep Blue Conservation.

TRAVEL & ARRIVAL

All programmes start and finish on Fridays.

Deep Blue provides transfers between Richards Bay Airport and Sodwana Bay.

Friday arrival collection: 12:00

Final Friday airport drop-off: 11:00

International visitors normally connect through Johannesburg to Richards Bay.

Please confirm your programme dates, airport transfers and flight arrangements with Deep Blue before purchasing tickets.

WHAT YOU'LL LEAVE WITH

You'll probably arrive because you love the ocean.

By the time you leave, you'll have had the opportunity to develop your diving skills, learn more about reef ecology and gain practical experience contributing to marine conservation research.

You'll understand more about the animals you're seeing underwater, how research data is collected and why long-term reef monitoring matters.

But there's another side to the experience that's harder to put on a CV.

Weeks spent diving together, launching through the surf, cooking with the crew, exploring South Africa and meeting people who care about the ocean as much as you do.

That's often the bit that sticks.

READY TO DIVE WITH PURPOSE?

Not sure how long to stay or whether you need previous diving experience?

Ask Shaun about Marine Conservation.

Tell me a little about yourself, how long you'd like to spend in Sodwana Bay and what you're hoping to get out of the experience.

I'll help you find the right programme and connect you with Deep Blue Conservation.

All programme bookings, payments, training and on-site activities are handled directly by Deep Blue Conservation.

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