Diver conducting a reef health survey on the Great Barrier Reef

Great Barrier Reef Marine Conservation

Reef-based citizen science and marine conservation on the Great Barrier Reef, with dive training or a liveaboard reef experience.
Duration
2 or 3 weeks
From
A$4,165
Deposit
A$495
Dates
Via calendar

See yourself there

Real moments from the project, the surroundings and where you’ll stay.

Why it matters

Based in Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, this placement combines reef-based citizen science, marine conservation activities and dive training or a liveaboard reef experience.

Volunteers contribute to reef health monitoring on one of the world's great reef systems, with the dive course or liveaboard they choose.

What you’ll do

  • Snorkelling-based reef surveys
  • Coral health monitoring
  • Fish and turtle identification
  • Benthos transects
  • Marine debris clean-ups and debris sorting
  • Reef education

Shape your placement

2 weeks, 14 days

14 days, 13 nights. A$4,165 to A$4,569 depending on the package, deposit A$495.

3 weeks, 21 days

21 days, 20 nights. A$6,305 to A$6,729 depending on the package, deposit A$495.

Each package includes your selected dive certification or SCUBA liveaboard component and a snorkelling-based conservation and research component. Choose one: Open Water Dive Certificate, Advanced Open Water Dive Certificate, Rescue Diver Course, Certified Diver Liveaboard, or Liveaboard for Snorkellers.

  • Registered Australian charity
  • No-touch welfare policy
  • Vetted project partners

“I don’t want to be a typical tourist. I wanted to leave a mark and help do something good and important. We have to do something to protect the ocean and the sea animals. It was an honor to work with such a lovely team. There are so many amazing moments that I can talk about.”

Jana A, Germany

Practical detail

What’s included

  • Project info booklet, training and orientation
  • Field equipment
  • Hostel accommodation in Cairns (dorm)
  • Lunch on research days; all meals are included while you are on board
  • One dive course or one liveaboard, as chosen in your package
  • Day trip to a tropical island
  • O2E t-shirt, 24-hour support, participation certificate

What’s not included

  • Flights
  • Visas and vaccinations
  • Travel insurance
  • Fins and snorkel sets
  • Snacks and spending money
  • Local transport and return airport transfers
  • Other meals on research days

Book your place

Live fees and dates come straight from our booking system. Choose your dates in the calendar, or and our team will come back to you.

Book 2 weeks

14 days · from A$4,165 · deposit A$495

Book 3 weeks

21 days · from A$6,305 · deposit A$495

Related programs

Rainforest meeting the reef coastline in Far North Queensland

Marine Conservation

Reef & Rainforest Adventure

Far North Queensland (Cairns · Great Barrier Reef · Daintree · Cape Tribulation · Kuranda)

Three weeks combining reef research, marine conservation and rainforest exploration in tropical Far North Queensland.

Explore Reef & Rainforest Adventure →
Family snorkelling on a reef conservation expedition

Marine Conservation

Eco-Expedition for Families & Groups

Far North Queensland, Australia

A 5-day expedition for families and small groups: reef, rainforest and wildlife, with real marine conservation alongside the O2E team.

Explore Eco-Expedition for Families & Groups →

See every Marine life & turtles and Marine Conservation placement →

Get the 5-day ethical volunteering course

One short email a day. How to spot a genuine project, what fees really pay for, and how to prepare.