Experience two of the world’s top diving destinations while earning your PADI Divemaster. Learn how to dive while living rural village of Silana located in the Dawasamu District in Fiji, and contribute to long-term locally-led ocean conservation projects. Afterwards, hone your dive leadership skills at a dive centre situated on Mexico’s famously idyllic Riviera Maya coastline.
This six month apprenticeship is designed to give apprentices a headstart in the exciting career of professional diving. It is specifically catered to those who are interested in the field of marine conservation.
For the first 12 weeks, apprentices will train in the warm, tropical waters of the South Pacific. They will live, learn, and work in the rural village of Silana, located in the Dawasamu District, with an international team of experienced GVI staff and enthusiastic participants from all around the world. Here they will complete the prerequisite qualifications of their PADI Divemaster program. Receive the Coral Reef Research Diver Distinctive Speciality segment of the PADI Divemaster course. This unique offering by GVI & PADI teaches you about best practices when conducting underwater coral reef surveys. This is offered to participants staying for 2 weeks or longer. Apprentices will also earn their EFR certifications while completing this first part of their PADI Divemaster apprenticeship in Fiji.
After successfully completing their training, apprentices will make their way to Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula to work at a world-class dive centre. Here apprentices will learn to lead recreational dives, honing their skills so that they can excel in their final Divemaster exam.
Please note that flights between Fiji and Mexico are not included and that you will require a PADI Open Water qualification, or equivalent, before joining other apprentices in Fiji.
Gain diving skills while conducting underwater marine conservation surveys in dives sites across Fiji and Thailand.
Experience the warm waters and vibrant cultures of two of the world’s most beautiful countries – Fiji and Thailand.
Participate in three months of intensive fieldwork training to ensure you’re ready to launch directly into your conservation career.
Work for a conservation partner for three months to get real practical experience and build a network of industry contacts.
Join a targeted career-readiness program that’s based on two decades of experience to grow your leadership and career skills.
Our comprehensive apprenticeships guarantee a job offer within 18 months upon completion of all program components and meeting eligibility criteria.
Gain international experience, receive four recognised qualifications and get a LinkedIn reference to boost your CV.
We know what it takes to work in conservation – that’s why our apprenticeships qualify for preferential recruitment when applying for GVI vacancies.
Participate in three months of intensive fieldwork training to ensure you’re ready to launch directly into your conservation career.
Work for a conservation partner for three months to get real practical experience and build a network of industry contacts.
Join a targeted career-readiness program that’s based on two decades of experience to grow your leadership and career skills.
Our comprehensive apprenticeships guarantee a job offer within 18 months upon completion of all program components and meeting eligibility criteria.
Gain international experience, receive four recognised qualifications and get a LinkedIn reference to boost your CV.
We know what it takes to work in conservation – that’s why our apprenticeships qualify for preferential recruitment when applying for GVI vacancies.
This internship is specifically useful for someone who has or is actively studying the below subject areas at school, university or college, or has an interest in these subject areas.
Some of the example typical activities you could participate in on this program.
Learn how to identify species and conduct surveys so that you can contribute to data collection efforts and help build an inventory of marine species in Dawasamu.
Assist with benthic (coral), fish target species, and other marine species surveys. The data you collect in the field will either be for your individual research project or for GVI’s ongoing flagship research initiative.
Deliver lessons focused on environmental awareness in local communities in Fiji and Thailand, and participate in community-based work, such as improving water security and sustainable fishing practices.
Get additional training in Impact and Ethics, Intro to Project Management, Effective Communication, Leading Teams for Impact, Off-Site Safety Management, Participant Management, Self Leadership & Wellbeing, and GVI Policies and Procedures.
Take on additional responsibilities such as entering data, writing reports and summaries, and updating species lists and fieldwork checklists.
Work on an individual project that aligns with your personal interests.
Meet weekly in a small group with other interns and an experienced mentor to receive project guidance and feedback on your leadership style.
Complete a work placement in Mexico, where you will work directly with customers, gain practical experience with equipment, and lead and guide dives.
Gain more diving experience and sample different types of diving with 5 adventure dives: deep water, underwater navigator, peak performance buoyancy, underwater naturalist, and AWARE fish identification.
Learn primary and secondary care theory and then practise applying 8 skills in role playing scenarios designed to improve your first aid skills and prepare you for an emergency.
The Coral Reef Researcher Diver Specialty is unique to GVI and focused on advancing your conservation diving skills and teaching you how to conduct coral reef surveys.
Increase your awareness of diver safety, manage more complex situations and apply direct intervention techniques via role playing rescue scenarios. Only applies to programs longer than 8 weeks.
Organise and direct a variety of scuba diving activities, including classroom presentations, pool sessions, ocean training sessions, and assisting on courses and guided dives.
Some of the partners we work with on base.
General | |
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Food | |
Safe and basic accommodation (usually shared) | |
Airport pick up (unless stated) | |
All project equipment | |
24-hour in-country support from local staff | |
24-hour emergency desk | |
GVI Experiences |
Activities | |
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Sustainable project work | |
Data collection and research | |
Leadership responsibilities | |
Personal project |
Placement | |
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12-week placement |
Mentorship | |
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Weekly group sessions | |
Internship supervisor guidance |
Pre-program training | |
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Pre-departure webinar | |
Pre-departure training (online) | |
University of Richmond endorsed specialisation course | |
University of Richmond endorsed leadership course |
Welcome training | |
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GVI welcome presentation | |
Health & safety | |
Local culture & environment | |
UN SDGs | |
Impact & ethics | |
Child protection |
Advanced leadership training | |
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Personal development record | |
Project planning and management |
Fast track training | |
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Self-leadership and well-being | |
Project management | |
Ethical engagement | |
Measuring impact | |
Developing intercultural competence | |
Effective communication (storytelling and social media) | |
Team management | |
Participant journey | |
Off-site safety management | |
Safety management in practice (OSSM part 2) | |
Standards, policies and procedures | |
Emergency first response (select hubs) |
Career services | |
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University of Richmond careers course | |
Career coaching sessions (x2) | |
Career guarantee | |
LinkedIn reference – upon request | |
Job portal | |
Preferential recruitment on GVI positions |
Certificates | |
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Program certificate | |
University certificate – specialisation (University of Richmond) | |
University certificate – leadership (University of Richmond) | |
University certificate – careers (University of Richmond) | |
Fast track training certificate |
Not included |
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Flights |
International and domestic airport taxes |
Medical and travel insurance |
Visa costs |
Police or background check |
Personal items and toiletries |
Additional drinks and gratuities |
Boasting magnificent sunset views and swaying palm trees, our base is located on the edge of a traditional rural village, in the district of Dawasamu. We have Tova Peak on one side (the third highest mountain on Viti Levu) and the beach on the other. From your bed you can listen to the sounds of the crashing waves. A short boat ride away, you will find the famous Moon Reef with its resident pod of spinner dolphins.
Participating in a GVI program offers a unique opportunity to gain insight into Fiji’s culture of hospitality and warmth, and to experience what it’s like to be part of the community. On arrival, you’ll get to experience a “Sevusevu ceremony” – as a sign of respect you present yourself to the community to ask “permission” to stay. The ceremony is an age-old tradition that marks the formalisation of the community accepting and welcoming you, and celebrates your arrival.
Accommodation during your stay includes basic mixed-gender dormitory style rooms in a Fijian bure with wooden walls and a tin roof. There is a co...
Transfers to and from the Nausori Airport in Suva take about 90 minutes and can be arranged with GVI in advance for the day before your program s...
You will have limited access to long-distance communications while on the program, so make sure friends and family know how often they can expect...
Food on base is mostly vegetarian, consisting of locally-sourced seasonal produce which participants take turns in preparing for the group. Break...
With a warm tropical climate, Dawasamu temperatures remain fairly constant throughout the year, at roughly...
We want you to make the most of the chance to live in – and contribute towards – the most diverse and unique wildernesses and communities on earth. Introducing GVI Experiences – immersive adventure, cultural and wellness activities exclusive to GVI that have been specially designed in collaboration with our local partners to support and stimulate sustainable economic development.
Enhance your impact. Expand your adventure. Explore your world.
By joining a GVI program, you not only contribute to preserving unique ecosystems but also get the chance to explore the surrounding area or venture further to see what else the region has to offer on weekends.
Our field staff are a great source of advice on local travel options. Many participants choose to travel before or after their experience, solidifying friendships made on the program.
Engaging with a new context teaches global awareness, adaptability and critical thinking – skills highly valued in today’s world. Cultural immersion is encouraged, and there are many activities to enjoy during your free time or before and after your program. Please note, these suggestions aren’t included in the program fee and are at your own expense.
Fijians are some of the friendliest people in the world, provided you respect their traditions and customs. The local community is typically warm and eager to welcome visitors. Doing so provides you with fascinating insight into traditional Fijian lifestyle and will add another layer of depth to your time on a GVI program.
Fiji has three official languages: English, Fijian and Fiji Hindi. Fijian is spoken as the first language by most indigenous Fijians while Indo-Fijians mainly speak the local variant of Hindi, known as Fiji Hindi. English is widely spoken and used in government, business and education. A small number of other indigenous West Fijian and East Fijian regional languages are spoken on the islands.
Christianity is the dominant religion practiced in Fiji, followed by Hinduism and Islam. Prior to the nineteenth century, indigenous Fjians practiced various traditional religions such as animism and shamanism. While Christianity gained widespread popularity after the colonisation of Fiji, so did the popularity of other religions like Hinduism, Sikhism, and Islam, with the arrival of workers from India. Fiji acknowledges the holy days celebrated by people from a range of religions, including Easter, Christmas, Diwali and Eid al-Adha.
Fiji has a thriving souvenir industry. Local artists produce various intricately carved wooden items.
The national dish of Fiji is Kokoda, which is a combination of fresh fish, pickled in lemon juice. Coconut milk is then added, along with tomatoes and chillies. The dish is seasoned with salt and served as a starter. A large part of Fijian cuisine features fish and seafood, along with the staples of taro root, cassava, kumala sweet potato and breadfruit.
There are festivals throughout the year, the most notable being Fiji Day, celebrating Fiji’s independence. This is celebrated in October with a week of religious and cultural ceremonies.
There are many day activities to choose from, such as ziplining and forest walks, as well as a variety of backpackers, resorts and beautiful beaches to visit. It’s a three-hour journey by taxi, and not easy to reach by bus. Participants usually travel as a group to reduce transport costs.
Leleuvia is a coral island with beautiful white sands which can be reached by boat in 1.5 hours. This is a popular, although costly, destination along the Moturiki passage. Local fishermen in the community can provide transfers if you would like to visit for the day, or spend the weekend there.
Go for a hike into the nearby forests, swim in the hidden freshwater waterfalls, or visit some of the black volcanic sand beaches. If you feel like a more luxurious weekend, and a place where you can do some shopping, there are hotels in Suva (the capital) that offer fully inclusive stays. Suva is roughly 3.5 hours away by bus, or 2 hours by taxi.
This is the old colonial capital of Fiji and a World Heritage Site – which makes for an interesting day trip. Levuka is located on the nearby Ovalau Island which is accessible by ferry and small boat.
Explore the history of this island nation by visiting the Fiji Museum in Suva, where you’ll find ancient tribal artefacts, and one of the best exhibitions on tribal art in the Pacific.
The colourful capital city of Suva is known for its relaxed atmosphere, nightlife and farmers market. The busy port town is about 3.5 hours away by bus or 2 hours by taxi (which is more expensive). Suva has all of the modern conveniences and amenities such as bars, restaurants and cinemas, and a variety of activities to suit all interests. Take a trip to the Colo-i-Suva Forest Park which is dedicated to the preservation of Fiji’s native flora and fauna, and is a haven for local birdlife. Alternatively, you can visit Tiko’s floating restaurant, the Mariamma temple or the Sacred Heart Cathedral.
If you have diver’s training, you can enjoy scuba-diving at the various resorts and dive sites in the region. This region is home to abundant marine life, colourful corals and steep drop offs. If you’re lucky with your dive, visibility can exceed 40 metres.
Take a short boat ride with a local fisherman to visit the famous pod of spinner dolphins that reside on Moon Reef all year round. This is a great way to meet the local community members and support their community.
Dive with bull sharks in Beqa Lagoon, one of the world’s most famous shark diving destinations.
Consider a trip to the Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park, where you’ll find a miniature desert of rolling sand dunes, or for a more relaxing option you can visit the Coral Coast and the Kula Eco Park – Fiji’s only wildlife park.
From Pacific Harbour, you can join a jetski safari, or go white-water rafting on Navua River.
Located midway between Lautoka and Nadi on the main island of Viti Levu, you can indulge in a day of luxury and pampering. The hot springs are believed to have healing properties, making it a great way to unwind.
Explore the town of Nadi, which is about five hours away. Here you will find markets, the Garden of the Sleeping Giant, beautiful beaches, resorts, nightclubs and watersports (like paddle-boarding and surfing). There are many fantastic package deals on offer. You can even go skydiving or soak up the electric atmosphere at a rugby match.
If you’d like to find out what the experience of joining a GVI project is really like, simply contact us and we’ll put you in touch with one of our many Alumni.
We’ll try to match you to an Alum based on your location, nationality, age, stage of academic career, gender, and program interests. This allows you to gain insights into the experience that is most relevant to you.
Depending on your location you might be able to speak to an Alum over the phone or online, or meet up with them face-to-face at a coffee shop nearby. We also run a series of small events around the world where you can speak to GVI Alumni, Ambassadors and staff members.
Program Manager
Meet Michele, our brilliant Program Manager in Fiji. She has travelled widely in the US,
Marine Science Coordinator
Meet Reynold (aka Rey) who is our Marine Science Coordinator in Fiji. He is passionate about marine conservation and Octopuses, the most intelligent animals underwater. He can ...
Marine Dive Officer
Meet Taione, our Marine Dive Officer in Fiji. He is passionate about all things conservation, working with communities, and especially our diverse volunteers and experts in this ...
Marine Boat Captain
Meet Lino, our Marine Boat Captain on our diving programs at GVI in Fiji. Born and bred in Silana, a village in Haryana, India. He has a son and can’t wait to have you on ...
Marine Science Officer
Meet Ana, our friendly Marine Science Officer in Fiji. She delivers our ethical and impactful marine coastal programs through data collection and impact reporting. She is passio ...
Marine Boat Captain
Meet Samuela, our Marine Boat Captain on our diving programs at GVI Fiji. He was born in Silana, a village in Haryana, India where grew up and lived before joining us in Fiji.
‘If only every student could do this. It changes your life in all the right ways,’ says Chris Heritage, parent of Luke Heritage, one of our teen volunteers who has participated on two GVI programs, one in Costa Rica and another in South Africa.
We are a parent-run organisation that is incredibly serious about health and safety, and increasing the impact, as well as the long-term career benefits of our programs. Our programs help young people develop the skills to select a career path that is personally fulfilling, and live a life aligned to the well-being of our planet and the global community.
GVI is a proud member of the Gap Year Association.
Ken and Linda Jeffrey, whose son Sam volunteered with GVI in Thailand, talk about how the experience affected Sam. He also went on to volunteer with GVI again in South Africa. ‘I know it sounds like a cliche but in a sense, he did go away as a boy and he came back as a young man. Both of us could recommend GVI without any hesitation to any other parent thinking about exploring an opportunity for their children to explore the world and to see different parts of it.’
Download the Parent Pack and learn more about:
Our staff: All our projects are run by staff, selected, vetted, trained, and managed by our central office.
Health and safety: Our safety practices include a child and vulnerable adult protection policy and high participant ratios.
Staying in touch: See what’s happening on base, by following a hub’s dedicated Facebook page.
Free parent consultations: We would love to talk to you about exciting opportunities available for your child.
When it comes to support, we ensure that each participant is provided with unparalleled, 360 degree support, from your initial contact with the GVI Family, all the way through your program, and even after, as you become part of the GVI Alumni Team.
As part of this promise, we will ensure, whenever possible, that one of our dedicated staff will be available to meet you at the airport. In most locations, we also set up a Whatsapp group to help with managing airport arrivals.
We will arrange with you prior to your departure that, should you arrive in the agreed upon pick up window, a member of our staff will be there to welcome you, easily identifiable in a GVI t-shirt or holding a GVI sign and wearing a friendly smile.
This means there will be someone there to greet you as you land, and from there you will be transported to your GVI base to start your adventure and meet the rest of your team.
All of our programs have short-, mid- and long-term objectives that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). This enables us to report on our collaborative impact across the world in a streamlined manner, measuring which UN SDGs we are making a substantial contribution to. Furthermore, this will help our local partners and communities measure and visualise their contribution to the UN SDGs.
Prior to your arrival on base, you will be educated about the UN SDGs. Then once you arrive on base, you’ll learn about the specific goals we have in this particular location, our various objectives, and also clarification of how your personal, shorter-term involvement contributes to these.
Our aim is to educate you on local and global issues, so that you continue to be an active global citizen after your program, helping to fulfil our mission of building a global network of people united by their passion to make a difference.
While on a GVI program, you will make an impact by assisting with the conservation of a staggering 1,500 marine species through underwater surveys and data collection, all of which are endemic to this region.
The communities we work with in Dawasamu often do not have access to sufficient resources to carry out regular data collection in their fishing grounds. Access to data provides greater insight into how to address coral reef and fish stock-related problems, which can be hampered by natural disasters and unsustainable fishing practices.
The data collected on our programs is provided to the local community and our local partners along with alternative livelihood methods and management strategies to help stakeholders make informed decisions with regards to their existing marine resources and long-term food security.
Research is shared with local communities to support decision making regarding the management of their marine assets.
The data is also shared with our in-country partner – the Fiji Locally Managed Marine Area (FLMMA) network.
GVI Dawasamu Long-term Objectives:
1. Protection and monitoring: Collect long-term data on the reefs around Dawasamu. Share this data with the communities of Dawasamu and support them in developing a sustainable resource management strategy.
2. Education: Provide the communities of Dawasamu With information about their natural resources – including the threats and means of protection. Support the best-informed decisions when looking after their resources.
3. Livelihood: Support alternative methods of generating income, reducing dependence on damaged fish stocks for income.
4. Dawasamu Environmental Movement (DEM) supports the continued development and training of the DEM and their natural resource management strategy.
5. Waste Management: Conduct regular cleanups of the sea and beaches on and around the Dawasamu district.
Below is a list of core ethics and best practices we believe are essential to the operation of high quality, ethical volunteer and sustainable development programs. We believe that all responsible volunteer and sustainable development operations should focus upon these principles. If you are considering volunteering, these are some of the key considerations you should question, to ensure that your time and money contributes towards positive change.
We want to constantly develop our own understanding of ethical best practice. In so doing, we aim to provide an exemplary industry standard for other education institutions, international development organisations, and social enterprises. Our Badge of Ethics stands for the drive to always do good, better. Find out more, click on the Badge below.
We aim to design all our projects in collaboration with local organizations and communities and ensure that they are locally driven.
We aim to clearly define short-, mid-, and long-term objectives with sustainable outcomes for all our projects.
We aim to track, record, and publish the impact of each of our projects.
We aim to build in-country capacity by assisting local organizations in becoming self-sustaining.
For each local organization we work with, we aim to have a plan in place for withdrawing support responsibly.
We aim to ensure that every participant is assigned a clear role and that they are fully trained and supported to carry out their work by specialized staff.
In all our actions we aim to respect the skills and efforts of all and seek to protect the rights, culture and dignity of everyone who engages with GVI.
We work to ensure that credit for the results of any project, along with any data collected, research conducted, or Intellectual Property developed, remains the property of local organizations.
We do not condone and aim to withdraw support of orphanages and residential care centers.
We will live by our Child Protection and Vulnerable Adult policies.
As an organization, GVI is committed to striving toward best practice, and to educating both our potential participants, our partners, and the world at large about them. Both the volunteering and sustainable development sectors are increasingly, and rightly, under scrutiny. Many recent local and global articles highlight poor practices and questionable ethics. GVI is widely recognized for striving to apply global best practice in the volunteering, education and sustainable development sectors throughout our operations by reputable organizations such as ChildSafe.
However, global best practice is always evolving and we dedicate both time and resources to engage with internationally respected experts and learn from the latest research to ensure our programs both fulfil their potential to create maximum positive impact, and minimise their potential to create unintentional negative impact. Along with and as part of the sustainable development and volunteering community, we are constantly learning and applying this learning to practice. We do not always get everything right, but we seek feedback from our community members, partners, participants and our staff, and react accordingly. We know are already doing a great job, and feedback we have received confirms this, but we aim to do even better and are continuously refining our operations to improve upon our already excellent reputation.
We don’t support or allow participants to work in institutional residential care facilities, also known as orphanages. We partner with ReThink Orphanages and Freedom United.
Our Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy requires all our staff and participants to complete a criminal background check and to learn why you shouldn’t reveal a child’s identifying factors in photographs. We support the ChildSafe Movement.
We don’t offer any programs where our participants engage in medical treatment. This is because our participants aren’t typically qualified to do this work and would therefore not be able to do this work in their home country. Our participants only assist with public health programs.
We don’t offer any programs where our participants work directly with people with disabilities. This is because our participants aren’t typically qualified to do this work and would therefore not be able to do this work in their home country.
Each one of our initiatives is aligned to objectives set by a local organisation or professional. Our staff and participants work to support these local actors in achieving their specific goals.
Our participants don’t replace the staff employed by local organisations. Rather, they support currently employed staff with achieving their objectives. Our goal is always to increase local capacity to address local problems.
Participants require training and support to ensure that they carry out tasks correctly. Our staff provide this training and support so that local staff can focus on what is truly important to their organisation at the time.
We don’t support the use of wild animals for entertainment purposes. This includes riding animals, having them perform tricks, feeding or bathing them or getting close to them to take photos
We don’t encourage, support or allow the rearing of “orphaned” wild baby animals kept at a “sanctuary”. The conservation value of these types of programs is negligent and would only ethically be used in extremely rare cases
When wild animals are restricted for conservation purposes we follow the guidelines of Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA), approved by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.
We ensure that the Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare are followed. These include the freedom to express normal behaviour and freedom from distress, discomfort, hunger, thirst, fear, pain, injury or disease.
We ensure that conservation efforts are also always locally led, that community needs are front-and centre of any conservation effort and that our participants, projects and partners work to increase local community engagement in local conservation efforts.
We don’t offer any veterinary programs or animal rescue and rehabilitation programs. We don’t allow participants to do any work they would not be able to do in their home country.
A GVI program is an investment in your career. No matter which you choose, you will be working toward improving your employability by mastering new social skills, gaining further technical expertise and earning qualifications in many cases. Most of our staff are, in fact, GVI Alumni, and we have helped many of our Alumni discover, move toward, and earn their own personal dream jobs. Each program includes introductory workshops, ongoing presentations, as well as on-the-ground professional support provided by our very own trained staff members. In addition, our training programs are critical for helping us to ensure the long-term impact of our sustainable development projects around the world.
Learn about the importance of child and vulnerable adult protection best practices and how to apply them while on project.
Introduction to the history and evolution of sustainable development, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and how these related to your project work.
Learn about our country locations and further opportunities available to you during or after your program.
During your first days on the project, you will participate in several training sessions that emphasise the key teaching skills useful for our education program, including learning through play and lesson planning. You’ll also gain soft skills in communication, collaboration and organisation, and complete an overview of completed project work, items in process, as well as future plans. Lastly, you will learn how our work contributes and longer term sustainable goals, and how they link to the SDGs.
Dawasamu on Education and Community project.
All about the village of Silana, traditions and cultural information.
Overview of GVI and Project work.
Overview of Fiji and its traditions and culture.
During your expedition you will help to enter raw data that you collected into the GVI database where it can be further analysed by our science team. There are 14 sites around Caqalai where we collect data once a year, of which seven will be surveyed for a second time, all at three different depths. Once a year a comprehensive annual report is produced detailing the analysis of the data collected and any conclusions that can be drawn. Data collected on crown of thorn surveys, dives against debris, beach cleans, coral bleaching surveys and The Great Fiji Shark count will be shared with relevant partners.
The baseline method employed by GVI during the underwater surveys was designed to complement existing survey methods used in Fiji by the Department of Fisheries and the Fiji Locally Managed Marine Area (FLMMA) network. GVI uses three separate methods for our marine expedition, Point Intercept Transect (PIT), Invertebrate Belt Transect (IBT) and Underwater Visual Census (UVC), all conducted as a team along one transect.
You will be assigned the responsibility to learn about fish, invertebrates or benthic life forms – based on the length of your stay and depending on the needs of the survey team. The reason for this division of species is to get volunteers into the water collecting data as soon as possible and thereby maximising the effectiveness of the survey team. Short-term interns and volunteers (2-6 weeks) will be trained and allocated the collection of data on Crown of Thorns, coral bleaching and nudibranchs around Caqalai, as well as participating in Dives Against Debris.
The best way for the staff to improve and assess your fish, invertebrate and benthic life form knowledge is to use multiple teaching methods. GVI’s teaching method in Fiji incorporates slideshow presentations, fun workshops (fish bingo anyone?) and most importantly, what we call “point out dives & snorkels.” Once basic dive training is completed at the beginning of the expedition, each diving day you will participate in 1–2 point out dives or snorkels.
Earning a professional diving qualification, such as those offered by The Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), is a necessary step for many aspiring marine biologists. All GVI marine conservation programs include training by certified dive instructors that allows participants to qualify for a range of PADI certifications including PADI Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Divemaster, Instructor, Rescue Diver and Master Scuba Diver Trainer.
This speciality was designed by GVI and can only be gained by joining a GVI marine conservation program. Learn about how to perfect the buoyancy necessary to conduct reef surveys upside down to protect the reef from quick-moving flippers, the different methodologies used for conducting marine research, and the techniques necessary to conduct a range of surveys.
A basic first aid qualification is a requirement for many professions including professional diving, primary school teachers, and occupational therapists. A first aid course certified by Emergency First Response (EFR) is included in several of our programs. The course is one of the most highly reputed first aid training programs available around the world. The medical best practices and teaching methodologies of the organization are backed up by nearly five decades of experience. The course helps participants master skills like cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), how to use an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED), and administer emergency oxygen for infants, children, and adults.
Career paths in social and environmental impact are not as well-established as in other fields. That’s why we’ll provide our interns who have successfully completed their program with our Careers in Sustainable Development course. In this course, you’ll learn about current and emerging opportunities in a range of sectors, allowing you to make the best decision about your future.
This online course, valued at £295, is included in all internships. Full course details can be found here.
Leadership is a critical skill set for anyone looking to make an impact or drive sustainable development. Develop your own leadership style and learn how to set achievable objectives, give effective feedback and manage conflict successfully. After successfully completing the course, which you have the option of doing prior to your in-country program, you’ll receive a certificate from the University of Richmond.
This online course, valued at £295, is included in all volunteering programs. Full course details can be found here.
Learn more about what is contributing to the decline in the health of the world’s ocean and marine species and what can be done to prevent it. You’ll gain a greater understanding of the field of marine conservation, explore how to protect marine ecosystems and discover how you can contribute towards conservation-related initiatives. After successfully completing the course, which you have the option of doing prior to your in-country program, you’ll receive a certificate from the University of Richmond.
This online course, valued at £295, is included in all volunteering programs. Full course details can be found here.
We won’t sugarcoat it — traveling abroad is usually a complex process that carries an element of risk. But this is exactly why we’re passionate about providing extensive support throughout the process as well as the highest safety standards during the in-country phase. We believe that volunteering abroad should not only be impactful, but an enjoyable experience that carries as little risk as possible. This is exactly how we’ve been able to maintain our reputation as the most highly respected volunteering organisations in the sector over the past two decades.
It takes courage to book a GVI program, get on a flight, and head off to somewhere new. Volunteering offers a level of cultural immersion that typical backpacking or holidays ju...
As the saying goes: ‘Expect the best, plan for the worst’. Cliched or not, we take it to heart. This tenet is at the core of how GVI operates when it comes to promoting the heal...
The weather isn’t just a topic for polite small-talk here at GVI. We have emergency action plans in place for all scenarios. So when the weather, or other natural forces, takes ...
Once GVI has matched a participant to a program that suits their passions and goals, our team aims to set the right expectations for them. In the event that false expectations a...
Make the most of our unique programs with these exclusively curated local adventure and wellness experiences.