Marine Conservation
Island Reef Research and Conservation
Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Real citizen science on the Great Barrier Reef, no experience needed. Two islands, 45 minutes from Cairns.
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Volunteer programs
All volunteer programs
Every placement below is vetted for animal welfare, community benefit and transparent fees before we list it.
12 programs match your filters
Marine Conservation
Great Barrier Reef Marine Conservation
Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Reef-based citizen science and marine conservation on the Great Barrier Reef, with dive training or a liveaboard reef experience.
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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.
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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.
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Marine Conservation
Marine Conservationist for a Day
Fitzroy Island or Green Island, near Cairns, Australia
Spend a day on a Great Barrier Reef island learning reef science and contributing to real citizen-science surveys.
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Animal Welfare & Conservation
Orangutan & Sun Bear Conservation
Samboja Lestari, East Kalimantan, Indonesia
Support a Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation conservation centre, contributing to the care of rescued orangutans and sun bears.
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Animal Welfare & Conservation
Northern Thailand Elephant Sanctuary
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Support a sanctuary caring for elephants displaced, abused or removed from unsuitable working conditions.
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Animal Welfare & Conservation
Thai Elephant Sanctuary
Phetchaburi, Thailand
Support a southern-Thailand refuge for domesticated elephants rescued from street work, logging and exploitation.
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Animal Welfare & Conservation
Thai Island Dog & Cat Shelter
Koh Lanta Yai, Thailand
Care for rescued island dogs and cats affected by overpopulation, abandonment, injury and limited veterinary access.
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Animal Welfare & Conservation
Thai Wildlife Rehabilitation & Care
Phetchaburi, Thailand
Support a strictly hands-off wildlife rescue centre caring for animals saved from neglect, the illegal wildlife trade and exploitative entertainment.
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Marine Conservation
Diploma of Marine Conservation Volunteering
Cairns, Queensland (fieldwork) + online study
A study-and-fieldwork pathway combining an online diploma with hands-on reef fieldwork on the Great Barrier Reef.
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Marine Conservation
Family Education Day
Fitzroy Island or Green Island, near Cairns, Australia
A family day on the Great Barrier Reef: reef learning and hands-on citizen science in a beautiful island setting.
Explore Family Education Day →How we vet a project before it appears here
Welfare first
No riding, no bathing, no breeding for interaction.
Local leadership
Local staff run the work; volunteers support it.
Open books
You can see what your fee pays for before you book.
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.