Marine Conservation Program

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A MARINE CONSERVATION EXPERIENCE THAT STILL FEELS LIKE AN ADVENTURE

Dive on one of the most incredible reef systems in the world while actively contributing to ongoing marine research.

This program blends structured conservation work with the adventure of living and diving in Sodwana Bay.

DURATION

2 - 12 weeks

AGE

18+

SEASON

January - December

LOCATION

Sodwana Bay, South Africa

What You’ll Be Doing

This program combines great diving with real conservation work, so you can enjoy every dive while still contributing to meaningful research.

Dive with a purpose: Participants dive five days a week on Sodwana Bay’s reefs, taking part in relaxed drift dives while contributing to a range of marine monitoring projects. Depending on current projects and conditions, this may include monitoring marine species, reef surveys, fish and invertebrate counts, collecting temperature data, and photography-based research. Nudibranch monitoring is also part of our ongoing research.

Learn as you go: You’ll learn how to identify marine species, collect useful observations and data, and contribute to different research projects, with your knowledge and confidence developing naturally over time, no pressure and no tests.

Turn dives into data: After diving, participants take part in easy, guided data sessions, where observations, photographs, and other information collected underwater are recorded and processed together in a relaxed, social setting.

Marine lectures: A series of engaging lectures led by a local zoologist helps you understand what you’re seeing underwater, covering nudibranchs, fish ID, coral reefs, marine life, and conservation.

Who This Program Is For

This program is a great fit if you:

Want to dive regularly while contributing to real conservation work.
Are curious about marine life and excited to learn more.
Enjoy a relaxed, community-focused lifestyle rather than luxury travel.
Are wanting to meet like-minded people who love the ocean as much as you do.

You don’t need a science background or previous conservation experience, just a passion for the ocean.

A Typical Week With Us

Life in Sodwana Bay is relaxed, ocean-focused, and flexible. While we follow a general weekly structure, plans can shift depending on weather and sea conditions. We take things day by day, always prioritising safe and enjoyable diving.

Your First Week:

Friday: Arrival day. Participants are welcomed, shown around the house, and given time to settle in after travel.
Saturday: A slow, easy introduction to Sodwana. The day includes orientation, a town tour, and a talk about the area, with plenty of downtime to adjust and meet the group.
Sunday: The day starts with a marine conservation and research introduction, followed by pool sessions. Certified divers complete a refresher, while those doing an Open Water course begin their confined water training.
Monday - Wednesday: Participants begin diving, either completing their four PADI Open Water course dives or joining conservation and research dives.
Thursday: First trip day.

Dive & Project Days:

We typically dive five days per week (usually Saturday to Wednesday).

07:30 Camp pick-up
08:00-08:30 Kit up dive gear & dive briefing at the beach
08:30-10:00 Dive
10:00-11:00 Return to camp
11:00–13:00 Lunch break
13:00–14:00 Database entry
14:00–15:00 Marine lecture

Exploration & Time Off

Trip Day (Thursday): A day to relax and explore the area. We usually head out for a braai and swim at places like Tolla se Gat, Lake Sibaya, or one of the northern beaches.
Free Day (Friday): Your day off. Participants can relax or join optional activities, which we can help organise, such as surfing, quad biking, Kosi Bay boat trips, beach days, or safari excursions.

Sodwana Bay runs on ocean time. While this outline gives a good idea of what to expect, schedules may change due to weather, dive conditions, and the research projects taking place at the time. Most participants find the slower pace refreshing and enjoy the balance between structure and freedom.

What You’ll Leave With

Most participants leave with far more than just dive memories.

Improved diving confidence and underwater awareness.
A stronger understanding of marine species, reef ecology, and conservation.
Hands-on experience contributing to long-term marine conservation research.
A deeper understanding of how reefs function and why they matter.
New friendships and a sense of belonging within the dive and conservation community.

Costs

2 weeks - € 2350

4 weeks - € 3950 (Most Popular)

6 weeks - € 5175

8 weeks - € 6500

10 weeks - € 7700

12 weeks - € 8700 (Best Value)

We also offer discounts for groups of two or more participants, email us with your group size and we'll get back to you on the discount.

What's Included

Richards Bay airport transfers.
Accommodation at our Deep Blue house.
Weekly groceries.
One diving course (PADI Open Water or Advanced Open Water if you are already a diver).
Five project dives a week & hard gear rental for dives (cylinder, BCD, regulator & weight belt).
Transport to & from the beach for dives as well as around town.
Gate fees into the iSimangaliso Wetland Park for dives, as it is a marine protected area.
Weekly excursions to view points, Lake Sibaya, Tolla se Gat or our northern beaches.
Marine lectures from a local zoologist.
24/7 support from our on-site staff.

Program Length

You can join us for any duration between 2 and 12 weeks, in one-week intervals.

Start & End Days

All programs start and end on Fridays, which helps with travel planning and orientation

2026/2027 Season Dates

Our 2026 season runs from 2 January to 18 December 2026.

You may start on any available Friday within this period, provided your chosen program length fits within the season dates.

We’ll then be closed for the festive season and reopen for our 2027 season on 15 January 2027. Programs will be available to start from this date.

Prerequisites

To join our Marine Conservation Program, you only need to meet the following requirements:

Age: Participants must be between 18 years or older.
Swimming ability: You must be comfortable in the water and able to swim.
Language: A basic ability to speak and understand English is required, as all training, briefings, and safety information are conducted in English.

No prior diving or marine science experience is required, all necessary training is provided as part of the program.

Accommodation

Participants stay together in our Deep Blue house.

Accommodation is in shared rooms, with access to a communal bathroom, a shared living room, and a fully equipped kitchen.
The house also has a patio and garden, which is often used for relaxing, studying, and socialising after dive days.
The house is right next door to a popular bar and restaurant, known for good food, TVs, and pool tables, making it an easy and convenient social space.
Transport is arranged for all dive days, with the beach and launch site approximately a 10-minute drive away.

Living in Sodwana Bay

Life in Sodwana Bay is slow, relaxed, and community-focused, with a strong dive and conservation culture.

The house is located on the main road, allowing volunteers and interns to walk easily to nearby shops, bars, restaurants, and swimming pools.
Sodwana has a similar feel to a small student town, with many young people, divers, and international travellers passing through.
Days are centred around the ocean, while evenings are often spent cooking together, watching movies, studying, or heading out for a casual meal or drink.
Sodwana is not a busy city or luxury destination, it’s a place to disconnect, slow down, and fully immerse yourself in beach life and conservation work.

Safety in Sodwana

Sodwana Bay is a small, close-knit coastal town and is considered very safe, particularly within the areas where participants live and spend their time.

During the day, you can walk freely around town without concern, including to shops, restaurants, and social spaces.
As with most rural towns, there is occasional petty crime (such as opportunistic theft), but violent crime is extremely rare.
The program, accommodation, and daily activities are located within a well-known and well-used part of town, and participants are always briefed on basic safety awareness on arrival.

While media portrayals of South Africa can be alarming, most participants are pleasantly surprised by how safe, relaxed, and welcoming Sodwana feels, and quickly settle into daily life with confidence.

Medical & Health Information

Diving medical requirements: If you are completing a diving course during your stay, you will be required to complete the PADI Medical Form. If you answer “yes” to any questions, a doctor’s note confirming that you are fit to dive will be required before starting the course.
Malaria: Sodwana Bay is not considered a high-risk malaria area, however we recommend consulting a doctor before arrival. Some malaria medications can have negative interactions with scuba diving, so it is important to inform your doctor that you will be diving during your stay.
Medical support & emergency care: There are doctors available in town for routine medical needs. The nearest government hospital is Mseleni Hospital, located approximately 30 km away (around a 30-minute drive) from Sodwana Bay. The nearest private hospital is in Richards Bay, approximately 186 km away (around a 2.5 hour drive). All staff are trained in Emergency First Response (EFR), and clear emergency procedures are in place.

Flights

All international participants should fly into OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg). From OR Tambo, you will take a domestic connecting flight to Richards Bay Airport, which is the closest airport to Sodwana Bay.
Richards Bay Airport is a small regional airport, with three flights per day to and from OR Tambo, making travel simple and straightforward.

Arrival & pickup (Fridays only)

All participants are collected on Fridays at 12:00 from Richards Bay Airport.
We recommend booking flights that arrive at 07:40 or 11:45.
Airport transfers between Richards Bay and Sodwana Bay are arranged by us, so no additional transport planning is required.

Departure & drop-off (Fridays only)

Participanrts are dropped off at Richards Bay Airport at 11:00 on their departure Friday.
We recommend booking flights that depart at 12:25 or 17:50.

Airport Transfer

The drive between Richards Bay and Sodwana Bay takes approximately 2.5 hours and is a scenic journey through rural KwaZulu-Natal, offering a relaxed introduction to the area.

HOW TO BOOK YOUR MARINE CONSERVATION PROGRAM

Email us at info@deepblueconservation.org to book your spot or click the button below.

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“I didn’t know what to expect but what I got was so much more. I wanted adventure and diving, but I also gained confidence, knowledge, and lifelong friends. The team’s passion made every dive and every lecture exciting, and Sodwana will always stay in my heart.”

— Pia Forrestal

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