Dive into the heart of the coral triangle and help protect one of the planet's richest and most threatened marine ecosystems. As an ecovolunteer, you'll take part in participatory science dives to restore coral reefs, and raise awareness among local communities of the need for sustainable management of the sea... All the missions to protect coral reefs here.
Protecting a treasure trove of fragile biodiversity
At the heart of the Coral Triangle, the Konawe region in the southeast of the Indonesian island of Sulawesi boasts an inestimably rich seabed. Yet this exceptional ecosystem is in peril: mining operations are destroying habitats, plastic waste is invading the waters and invasive species are threatening local biodiversity.
Faced with the threats to Konawe's marine ecosystems, our partner has initiated the "Marine & Coastal" project to protect these underwater treasures and preserve the fragile harmony between man and the aquatic world. The objectives of the project are:
- Ecological study and monitoring: our partner ensures rigorous monitoring of marine biodiversity, in particular the state of coral reefs, by observing, collecting and analyzing data according to established scientific protocols.
- Restoring and protecting ecosystems: actions are aimed at rehabilitating coral reefs, encouraging their regeneration and combating the spread of Acanthasters, an invasive starfish that destroys coral.
- Community awareness and involvement: working with local communities to build their capacity in sustainable marine resource management, promote responsible fishing practices and organize awareness-raising workshops.
- Advocacy for sustainable development: by influencing decision-makers, our partner encourages eco-responsible tourism and sustainable management of fish stocks, guaranteeing food security for local populations and preserving biodiversity.
- Raising awareness on an international scale: the threats to the seabed are global, and our lifestyles have a direct impact on these remote ecosystems. It is essential to educate and mobilize the world's citizens on these environmental issues to encourage commitment beyond borders.
The action of eco-volunteer divers
The participatory science diving mission is part of the "Marine & Costal" project. You will contribute directly to the following actions:
- Ecological monitoring: You will take part in scientific dives to survey underwater flora and fauna and monitor the state of the coral reefs.
- Combating invasive species: you'll be helping to manage Acanthasters, the starfish that threaten the survival of corals.
- Raising awareness in local communities: you'll take part in workshops and exchanges to encourage sustainable management of marine resources.
- Ecosystem restoration: you'll be helping to replant mangroves and regenerate damaged coral.
If you wish, you can also
Produce artistic and/or audiovisual content: If you have artistic and/or audiovisual skills (video, photography, illustration, content creation, etc.) you can produce a logbook or capture the beauty of the surroundings. Your vision will help to fill people with wonder, raise awareness and highlight Naturevolution Indonesia's actions to preserve marine ecosystems.
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Departure from Kendari |
Kendari's return |
Duration |
Price |
|---|---|---|---|
|
October 20, 2025 |
October 31, 2025 |
2 weeks |
Scuba diving option 2200 € snorkeling option 1800 € |
|
Nov. 17, 2025 |
Nov. 28, 2025 |
2 weeks |
Scuba diving option €2,200 Snorkeling option €1,800 |
|
Dec. 22, 2025 |
January 2, 2026 |
2 weeks |
Scuba diving option€2200 Snorkeling option €1,800 |
|
January 12, 2026 |
January 23, 2026 |
2 weeks |
Scuba diving option €2,200 Snorkeling option €1,800 |
|
February 2, 2026 |
February 13, 2026 |
2 weeks |
Scuba diving option €2,200 Snorkeling option €1,800 |
|
April 6, 2026 |
April 17, 2026 |
2 weeks |
Scuba diving option€2200 Snorkeling option €1,800 |
|
April 20, 2026 |
May 1, 2026 |
2 weeks |
Scuba diving option €2,200 Snorkeling option €1,800 |
|
May 18, 2026 |
May 29, 2026 |
2 weeks |
Scuba diving option€2200 Snorkeling option €1,800 |
|
June 15, 2026 |
June 26, 2026 |
2 weeks |
Scuba diving option €2,200 Snorkeling option €1,800 |
|
July 13, 2026 |
July 24, 2026 |
2 weeks |
Scuba diving option €2,200 Snorkeling option €1,800 |
|
August 10, 2026 |
August 21, 2026 |
2 weeks |
Scuba diving option €2,200 snorkeling option €1,800 |
|
Sept. 7, 2026 |
Sept. 18, 2026 |
2 weeks |
2200 € snorkeling option 1800 € |
|
Oct. 19, 2026 |
Oct. 30, 2026 |
2 weeks |
2200 € snorkeling option 1800 € |
|
Nov. 9, 2026 |
Nov. 20, 2026 |
2 weeks |
2200 € snorkeling option 1800 € |
|
Dec. 7, 2026 |
Dec. 18, 2026 |
2 weeks |
2200 € snorkeling option 1800 € |
|
Dec. 21, 2026 |
January 1, 2027 |
2 weeks |
2200 € snorkeling option 1800 € |
|
April 6, 2026 |
April 24, 2026 |
3 weeks |
Snorkeling option: €2,500 |
|
April 13, 2026 |
May 1, 2026 |
3 weeks |
Snorkeling option: €2,500 |
|
May 18, 2026 |
June 5, 2026 |
3 weeks |
Snorkeling option: €2,500 |
|
June 15, 2026 |
July 3, 2026 |
3 weeks |
Snorkeling option: €2,500 |
|
July 13, 2026 |
July 31, 2026 |
3 weeks |
Snorkeling option: €2,500 |
|
August 10, 2026 |
August 28, 2026 |
3 weeks |
Snorkeling option: €2,500 |
|
Sept. 7, 2026 |
Sept. 25, 2026 |
3 weeks |
Snorkeling option: €2,500 |
|
Nov. 9, 2026Nov. 27, 2026 |
Nov. 27, 2026 |
3 weeks |
Snorkeling option: €2,500 |
The entire cost of your mission, including airfare, is tax-exempt: up to 66% for individuals, 75% if you are subject to the IFI, and 60% for companies.
Not included
- International flight + airport taxes
- Personal equipment (tent, clothes, shoes, sleeping bags, water bottle, backpack, headlamps, etc.)
- Antimalarials and vaccines
- The visa
- Extra drinks, snacks and souvenirs
- Hotel accommodation and any other expenses outside the official mission dates
- Air ticket cancellation insurance
Included in price
- Logistics costs :
- Transportation*, meals, hotel accommodation
- The on-site mission management team
- Equipment required for the mission
- Pre-organization to ensure that everything runs smoothly during your stay
* Note that transport is the main cost item, as the motorboat rental needed to reach and carry out our operations in the Sombori-Labengki archipelago is relatively expensive. The pirogue trips on the Lalindu river to reach the Matarombeo massif are also very costly.
- Management fees
- Mission promotion initiatives
- Administrative processing of registrations
- Repatriation and civil liability insurance
- Membership of Naturevolution
- Monitoring and evaluating the results and impact of missions
- Donation to the conservation program
- Wages paid to project staff in the field throughout the year
- Research and development of strategies and means of action to safeguard the region's ecosystems in the long term
- Team travel required for project development
- Day-to-day management and fundraising activities in France, essential to the success of the conservation program
- Purchases and investments to support the development and smooth running of projects
Beyond your direct actions, your presence is essential to us!
A commitment to international citizenship
As an ecovolunteer, you'll be helping to raise awareness of the ecological and social challenges facing these regions in France and abroad. As a direct witness, you'll help to raise awareness of the challenges and the actions implemented by Naturevolution to meet them. As a "citizen of the world", you are committed to the protection of these last sanctuaries of biodiversity and the empowerment of local populations.
Essential financial support
Your participation in the mission becomes a donation and contributes to the financing of various local and sustainable development initiatives in our partner's areas of intervention in Indonesia, Madagascar and France!
Naturevolution
Since 2009, the Naturevolution association has been actively working to protect and enhance the last threatened sanctuaries of biodiversity, notably the Makay massif (Madagascar) and the island of Sulawesi (Indonesia), two territories of exceptional ecological wealth. Born of scientific naturalist expeditions, our partner works hand in hand with local and international interdisciplinary researchers to study and document the richness of these unique ecosystems. At the same time, the association works closely with local communities to develop a holistic approach to sustainable development, focusing on social, environmental and economic aspects. Through documentaries, exhibitions and educational programs, our partner brings these territories to the general public and raises awareness of the urgent need to protect them.
- If you take the "Diving" option, a Level 3 diving certificate is required. Although you will be supervised by a Divemaster, you must be able to dive independently!
- For the snorkeling option, you need to know how to swim
- Field supervision: the local team of our partner's Indonesian office will be responsible for supervising the missions.
- Language skills: it is preferable for ecovolunteers to have a basic level of English to be able to communicate easily with local teams.
- Mission activities: actions are defined according to the needs of the "Marine & Coastal" project, assessed by the local employees in charge of hosting the ecovolunteers. Scientific protocols and exact missions are prepared one month before departure to best meet needs in the field.
- Remote areas: you'll be immersed in particularly remote and exotic areas, in contact with a new culture and new natural ecosystems. You'll experience a unique adventure, far from your comfort zone and habits, while helping to protect Sulawesi's underwater treasures.
- Unforeseen events and the nature of the mission: missions can be subject to unforeseen events and are not organized ecotourism trips! Ecovolunteering is a new adventure, where your participation will fluctuate but always be of great use.
- Physical condition: you must be in good physical condition, with a medical check-up required.
- Know how to swim
- No scientific qualifications required: no need for a scientific background or special diploma, just motivation, enthusiasm and a great desire to learn!
- Expected attitude: at last, we expect you to be smiling, pleasant to be with and full of energy!
Location
The mission takes place in the south-east of the island of Sulawesi, a unique territory located in the heart of the Coral Triangle. This exceptional site is made up of a mountainous karst massif and a wild archipelago of heavenly islets. Sulawesi is a true sanctuary of biodiversity, home to a wide variety of species with remarkable levels of endemism. The island boasts the highest concentration of butterflies in the world and some of the richest coral reefs on the planet.
Accommodation
Base camps are set up on different beaches, where you'll spend most of your time in the great outdoors, by the water's edge and in the water for diving activities. You'll sleep in a personal tent, lulled by the sound of the waves and under a starry sky. Occasionally, we visit coastal villages to meet with local communities and raise awareness. These moments of sharing will enable you to discover a local way of life while actively contributing to the protection of the environment.
The food
Meals are mainly made up of products purchased in Kendari, supplemented by fresh fish from the local fishery and fruit and vegetables grown on site. For drinking water, we collect fresh water from wells and rivers, which we filter or boil to guarantee its safety. Some meals are taken in local villages, allowing us to discover traditional cuisine while supporting the communities.
Transportation
We meet on Sunday evening at Kendari airport (code KDI) or at our hotel in downtown Kendari, easily accessible by cab (7€ / 100,000rp maximum) if you arrive earlier. A first welcome meal will be shared in Kendari, and Sunday night will be taken care of. You will leave for the field on Monday morning. At the end of the mission, you'll be taken back to Kendari on Friday evening, where a final night's accommodation is also provided, to enable you to catch your return flight on Saturday morning.
Throughout the mission, travel will be by local boat between the beaches and the diving areas. Transportation is included in the mission package.
Laundry
As conditions are rather rudimentary in the field, there is no conventional laundry service. Clothes will be washed by hand with non-polluting natural soap, using locally available water, and we recommend that you bring light, quick-drying clothes.
Wifi
As the terrain is particularly isolated, there is little Wifi connection available on site. This mission is a unique opportunity to disconnect, to live the ecovolunteering experience to the full, and to focus on the environment and conservation actions without digital distractions!
