Marine Conservation

Dive into an unforgettable adventure with our Marine Conservation program in Lisbon. Perfect for ocean lovers, this program offers scuba diving and environmental protection experience, teaching you about marine ecosystem challenges and how to address them. Help ensure the survival of Portugal’s unique marine environment and its wildlife!

Our Marine Conservation project invites volunteers to participate in various conservation efforts along Portugal’s beautiful coastline. Partnering with a local diving school specialized in environmental protection, this program offers a unique blend of diving and ecological education.

 


 

What to Expect:

  • Week 1: Diving Certification

New Divers: Begin your journey with dive training to earn your diving certificate, essential for safely participating in conservation activities. The diving school is conveniently located at the volunteer accommodation. Commutes to diving sites, ranging from a 5-minute walk to a 1.5-hour drive, will be made together with your instructors.

Certified Divers: If you’re already certified, instructors will assess your skills so you can start diving and studying for specialization right away.

  • Conservation Activities
  • Hands-On Conservation: Once certified, you’ll dive into hands-on conservation work. Activities include cleaning trash from the ocean, learning about the marine ecosystem, observing and identifying marine wildlife, and collecting vital data.

 


 

Daily Tasks:

  • Earn internationally recognized diving certifications.
  • Help remove rubbish from the seafloor.
  • Study the marine ecosystem and learn protection strategies.
  • Observe and identify fish and other marine wildlife.
  • Collect and analyze ecological data.

 


 

Why Volunteer?

  • Gain Valuable Experience: Enhance your resume with scuba diving and marine conservation skills.
  • Make a Real Impact: Contribute to the preservation of Portugal’s marine environment.
  • Cultural Immersion: Experience Lisbon’s vibrant culture and stunning coastal landscapes.

 

Ready to Make a Difference?

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Included

  • Airport pickup on Sundays, straight to your accommodation
  • Stay in a socially or environmentally impactful hostel—female, male, or mixed dorms
  • Access to a common room and free Wi-Fi!
  • Three meals a day—veggie, vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free options available upon request
  • Orientation on arrival: culture, volunteering, program details, and safety
  • We’ll hook you up with an impactful non-profit project and handle the coordination
  • Guided city tour with top tips for exploring
  • Ongoing support throughout your stay
  • 24/7 emergency support, just in case

FAQ

What is the minimum age to participate in this program? 16

The minimum age to participate in this program is 16 years old. However, if you are under 18 years old, you need to have your parents formal consent.

Is prior experience in diving required to take part in the Marine Conservation Program?

No, you do not need to have any prior experience in diving, the professional diving instructor will teach you all the necessary basics and safety essentials right on the spot! In your program is included a certificated diving course adjusted to your diving skills.

Shall I bring any own diving equipment for the Marine Conservation Program?

No, the price includes all the professional diving equipment you'll need for your dive. We do recommend bringing comfortable swimwear, beach slippers, and a towel! 

Which diving tracks are available to me during the volunteer period?

If you are a diving beginner, you will start with the fundamentals and safety procedures. Once you get more autonomous - usually during the second week - you can start helping to collect trash. If you already have some experience, you will get to dive right away and contribute to our mission even quicker. You can start the program at any experience level and obtain the next level of certification accordingly!

If its your first time diving and you have little or no experience, it is highly recommended to apply at least for 2 weeks to be sure you take part of the Marine Conservation Program and you get your diving certification. If you stay only for one week it’s possible that you will not participate in open ocean diving.

Here is the detailed table of what you can do for each week in the program:

Our diving certifications are  internationally recognized SSI (Scuba Schools International). The courses range from Open Water Diver to Scuba Diver. Please provide us with and previous diving certification in advance so that we can arrange the right course level for you.

Do I have to pay money for volunteering?

You are not paying for your volunteer work itself but for your stay with us overall. The costs for your program further include various elements that are part of your stay such as your accommodation, food, transportation from the airport, guided city tour, local coordination and 24/7 support for emergencies. Check the "Included" section of the program you want to choose for complete information!

How and when do I need to pay for my volunteer program with ImpacTrip?

The payment of your volunteer program is done by bank transfer. We will kindly ask you to pay 50% of your bill at the time of your booking to secure your spot! The other 50% will be due at least one month before your arrival!

What is the accommodation like? Could I stay in a private room?

Depending on the program, in most cases, you will stay along with the other volunteers in dormitory-style rooms. Private rooms may be available at your accommodation as well for an extra cost.

Can I cook in the accommodation?

Yes, the hostel has an eqquiped kitchen where you can cook yourself with the only condition of cleaning everything used afterwards.

How much money should I bring to my program?

Once you've booked your program, be sure to reach out to your local coordinator to get the scoop on the cost of living in your destination—it can differ quite a bit! And don't forget to budget for public transportation, emergencies, airport drop-off, snacks, fun activities, and a bit of local shopping. Happy planning!

How many people will be I be volunteering with?

Depending on your program and project, you might be joined by other ImpacTrip volunteers, but usually, you’ll either be on your own or with local volunteers. It's a fantastic opportunity to connect with locals and immerse yourself in the community and its lifestyle!

In case of need, how do I get health care?

All volunteers must arrive with private health insurance that covers the costs of any health service that may arise in their program destination.
With this insurance you can be treated at any private or public medical center. The medical expenses will be paid by you and when you return to your country you will have to present all the invoices to your insurance so don't forget to budget medical emergencies.
In the case of European volunteers, to facilitate the process, it is advisable to come with your European Health Card.

Will I have time for some sight-seeing as well?

Of course! We want you to really get to know your natural and cultural surroundings and will provide you with useful tips and tricks that will help you discover the location of your stay like a local. 

Your shifts will generally last between 3 and 5 hours per day and will take place either in the morning, in the afternoon or in the evening, which will leave you with plenty of free time to go explore, take a stroll around your surroundings, catch the most important sites, interact with the locals or simply go and relax! And of course, you will have your weekends off as well!

Do I need to speak the local language?

No, you don't need to have any previous skills in the local language! All of our programs are run entirely in English and our guides and staff are all comfortable speaking English as well. However, we always encourage our participants to get acquainted with some of the most basic terms and expressions, as even just a simple "Good morning!" in the local language can be a great icebreaker to start interacting with the locals! There are also language lessons available for volunteers that can be booked before or upon arrival.

How and when do I get my volunteer certificate?

You can request your volunteer certificate to ImpacTrip or the local coordinator at the end of your program.