This is a Dive Master internship program with a focus on marine conservation and research techniques. The program is a minimum commitment of 8 weeks and includes 5 specialty certifications in the marine ecology field including shark, manta, turtles, coral, and marine ecology. The project runs every day but interns work 5 days per week for an average of 7 hours per day plus independent study time. Our interns take an active part in the research aspects often part of the project development and independent operation of field research (after training). We currently host 9 projects focused on aiding the marine park managers and other stake holders. We are currently publishing papers for peer review on the use of citizen science in monitoring marine parks.

There are 3 projects:

The Penida Project - mantas, mola mola, turtles, and a healthy coral reef system. This project is located on the island of Nusa Penida, a 45 minute ferry ride from south Bali. 
2) The Bunaken Project - opening June 1st 2019. Wall diving, reef sharks, turtles, and amazing macro life (sea horses!). This remote program also includes 3 meals per day plus snacks! Located in the Bunaken National Park off the Northern coast of Sulawesi, 40 minute boat ride from the city of Manado.
3) The Bira Project - opening October 2019. Sharks sharks sharks! This is our most remote location with pristine waters and famous for the best shark populations in Indonesia. Help us keep it that way with the development and management of a marine protect area. Opening soon!

The price of the program covers accommodation, the dive master certification, 5 specialty courses, in country transportation, and more. There are different packages for different projects and the price varies depending on which package you qualify for, the more dive courses you are missing the longer you need to stay and the more expensive your program is to cover the associated costs.

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*The weekly cost of this project is calculated with the 'research diver' option

 

Typical Day

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The project runs 7 days a week and all interns are entitled to 2 day off per week or 8 days off per month. These days can be accumulated if you require a few days off in a row. 

Your first few weeks are dedicated to dive, methodology, and fish ID training and workshops. Once you are trained and have successfully complete your BRUV research diver and Fish ID test you will take part in the daily research tasks.  

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The average day starts at 7am and continues until 5pm with variations to accommodate sunrise rise, night dives, night shifts, and other activities. Expect to work an average of 6 hours total throughout the day. 

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1) Dive Master’s and Dive Guides – learning how to guide certified divers and learn the different dive sites.

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2) Instructors – assisting courses from Discover Scuba Diving to Rescue Diver in the pool, classroom, and open water.

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3) Research Team – Take an active role in the research team as a research diver and field scientist collecting abundance data on dives and placing and retrieving the BRUV’s.

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4) Office Time/Workshops – Help the dive team in the office with equipment maintance and repair, sales and bookings, data entry and analysis, independent study, project development, and dive master workshops.

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Workshops

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• survey diver

• shark ecology

• manta ray conservation

• mangrove workshop

• nudibranchs workshop

• coral restoration and taxonomy

• cleaning station

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DIVE MASTER $2982

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Description: For advanced divers who have completed most of their diver training before program start date.

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Prerequisites: For candidates who have completed their Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver, Rescue Diver, CPR/First Air & O2 Provider courses prior to their program start date. Have a minimum of 40 logged dives and have been cleared for diving by a doctor.

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Courses Included: PADI/SSI Dive Master, Scientific Diver Specialty, Shark Ecology, Manta Conservation, Coral Restoration & Identification, Turtle Conservation

*Minimum Time Commitment: 8 weeks

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RESCUER $3824

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Description: For experienced divers who need to complete their rescue skills during their program.

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Prerequisites: For candidates who have completed their Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver courses prior to their program start date. Have a minimum of 20 logged dives and have been cleared for diving by a doctor.

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Courses Included: Rescue Diver, EFR CPR/First Air & Oxygen Provider, PADI/SSI Dive Master, Scientific Diver Specialty, Shark Ecology, Manta Conservation, Coral Restoration & Identification, Turtle Conservation

*Minimum Time Commitment: 10 weeks

 

ADVANCED $4315

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Description: For divers with beginner knowledge and experience who have completed their first diving course with a few extra dives.

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Prerequisites: For candidates who have completed their Open Water Diver training prior to their program start date and have been cleared for diving by a doctor.

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Course Included: Advanced Open Water Diver, Rescue Diver, EFR CPR/First Air & Oxygen Provider, PADI/SSI Dive Master, Scientific Diver Specialty, Shark Ecology, Manta Conservation, Coral Restoration & Identification, Turtle Conservation

*Minimum Time Commitment: 12 weeks

 

BEGINNER (ZERO TO HERO) $5183 

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Description: For applicants who have no previous diving experience and need to complete all the required prerequisites to complete your Dive Master certification.

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Prerequisites: Comfortable in the open water, can complete a timed 400m free swim and tread water for 15 minutes, have been cleared for diving by a doctor.

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Course Included: Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver, Rescue Diver, EFR CPR/First Air & Oxygen Provider, PADI/SSI Dive Master, Scientific Diver Specialty, Shark Ecology, Manta Conservation, Coral Restoration & Identification, Turtle Conservation

*Minimum Time Commitment: 14 weeks

 

RESEARCH DIVER $1894

 

Description: For divers who do not want to complete the dive master course and just focus on conservation and research activities and courses.

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Prerequisites: For candidates who have a minimum of Rescue Diver certification. Have a minimum of 60 logged dives and have been cleared for diving by a doctor. You must be a competent diver before entering this program.

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Courses Included: Scientific Diver Speciality, Shark Ecology, Manta Conservation, Coral Restoration & Identification, Turtle Conservation

*Minimum Time Commitment: 4 weeks

 

**Additional Weeks: $263 /week up to a maximum 4 add on weeks