Marine conservation diving in Malaysia. Get involved in a marine conservation program on the Perhentian Islands in Malaysia. All programs in South East Asia here.
Conservation and research on marine ecosystems
Our partner Fuze Ecoteer has developed three conservation projects on the Perhentian Islands: sea turtle protection, marine ecosystem research and biodiversity protection education. The Perhentian Marine Research Station project is based in the village of Kampung, on the island of Pulau Perhentian. Its mission is to collect data on seagrass beds and coral reefs in order to study and protect marine ecosystems. This research program relies on divers trained in scientific diving. It also welcomes eco-volunteers who can take their diving certificate on site, if they don't dive.
Scuba diving data collection
You'll be diving as part of a team. If you're not a certified diver, don't worry, our partner works with the island's diving schools and you can get certified on site. On these dives, you'll be collecting data on marine habitats. You'll use the Seagrass Watch method to monitor seagrass beds. Your data will be analyzed and compared with other seagrass beds around the world. You'll map seagrass beds using quadrats.
Waste management and beach clean-up
You'll also help the team with waste management, at the stand set up on Long Beach to inform tourists and locals about eco-apnea. You'll collect waste on the beaches once a week and help sort and analyze it.
You'll learn how to create artificial coral reefs. You'll discover different methods such as transplanting coral fragments onto specially designed bottle reefs, or creating coral pyramids.
Dates
- Arrival on Mondays from April 15 to the end of September
- From 2 to 4 weeks
Rates
With diving course (for non-divers)
- 2 weeks: £1,000 (approx. €1,200)
- 3 weeks £1264 or approx. €1517
- 4 weeks £1547 or approx. €1856
For divers who are already certified
- 2 weeks: 849 £ or approximately 1019 €.
- 3 weeks £1132 (approx. €1358)
- 4 weeks £1387 (approx. €1664)
Prices in euros vary according to the exchange rate
- Dive into the turquoise waters of the Perhentian Islands
- Learn about scientific diving
- Improve your knowledge of marine life and the environment
- Understand the importance of corals for marine life and their maintenance
- From age 18
- From 2 to 4 weeks, between April and September
- Good physical condition
- Language: English (basic level)
- For non-divers, take the certification on site
The location
You will live in a village (Kampung) with a Malay community. As this is a Muslim village, volunteers must adapt their dress and behavior when in the village. Pork and alcohol are strictly forbidden. The night is a time of rest for the hard-working islanders. It is frowned upon to party late into the night and to return home intoxicated. It's also inadvisable to make a lot of noise at night, as houses are very close together. For women, the dress code is a little more conservative. When swimming on the village beach, women must keep their shoulders and knees covered, i.e. wear shorts and a vest or T-shirt - bikinis are not appropriate.
Accommodation
Volunteers will stay in the Fuze Ecoteer Volunteer House, where you will sleep in shared rooms.
You will also sleep at the nesting beach base camp - Tiga Ruang. You'll spend two nights a week here, when you'll be doing night patrols and other activities during the day. Accommodation is very basic, consisting of two huts. There's no electricity, just solar batteries for recharging phones, and provisions are brought in from the village.
Food
Volunteers are not asked to cook, but to help clean up. However, you are welcome to bring your own ingredients.
Takeaway
- Long shorts or three-quarter length pants must be worn in the village.
- Shirts or tops covering the shoulders must be worn in the village.
- Water bottles and other reusable items (shopping bags, food containers, reusable cutlery, etc.)
- Swimsuit covering shoulders and knees.
- Bath towels.
- Mosquito repellent.
- Sandals or flip-flops.
- A small backpack.
- A hat to protect you from the sun.
- Personal medications.
- Hiking shoes if you want to go hiking.
- Mask and snorkel (shared with partner)
Arrival
Volunteers can either fly to Kota Bharu, then take a cab to the Kuala Besut pier, or arrive in Kula Lumpur and take the overnight bus from Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) to Kuala Besut.
Once in Kuala Besut, go to the Safe Park Holiday office at the pier (just 5 minutes from the main road). Important: please do not take the boat with other operators, as they may charge you excessive fees. The team will welcome volunteers on site.
All Fuze Ecoteer mission reviews
About the partner
Fuze Ecoteer is a Malaysian social enterprise co-founded by Daniel, who after studying ecological sciences at Plymouth University moved to Malaysia to develop biodiversity protection and ecotourism projects. Fuze Ecoteer has been working to promote biodiversity and environmental education since 2010. The organization has developed three conservation projects on the Perhentian Islands: sea turtle protection, marine ecosystem research and biodiversity protection education. All missions with Fuze Ecoteer
