IVHQ’s Marine Conservation placement is based at a well-established non-profit dive club in Barcelona. Volunteers have the chance to use and improve their scuba diving skills while being actively involved in efforts to preserve the ocean and protect the marine environment.
Marine Conservation volunteering in Barcelona with IVHQ
Want to explore life below water, learn how to dive and make a positive impact during your vacation in Spain? Help preserve endangered marine life and protect our oceans on International Volunteer HQ’s Marine Conservation program in Barcelona!
Environmental forecasts paint a bleak picture for the long-term health of the ocean and predict that by 2025, there could be more plastic than fish in the sea.
This is an exciting opportunity to support ocean clean-up efforts that help protect marine ecosystems. Volunteers gain scuba diving and conservation experience while being actively involved in restoring the natural state of Catalonia’s marine life and the wider Mediterranean, ensuring that it can survive and thrive for many years to come.
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Where is Marine Conservation volunteering with IVHQ based?
Where is Marine Conservation volunteering with IVHQ based?
What tasks will I be doing as a Marine Conservation volunteer?
What tasks will I be doing as a Marine Conservation volunteer?
As a Marine Conservation volunteer, you’ll help to:
- Clean-up of the seabed to reduce marine debris
- Participate in scientific research to monitor the local ecosystems
- Learn more about important marine conservation initiatives
- Observe and identify fish and other marine life
- If you’re volunteering in summer, you can also help children from disadvantaged backgrounds learn to dive and protect the ocean
You’ll be volunteering for up to 6 hours per day. With plenty of cultural sites and beautiful beaches around Barcelona, there is plenty of swimming, snorkeling, diving, sightseeing and relaxing to be done in your free time.
Why do Marine Conservation volunteering in Barcelona?
Why do Marine Conservation volunteering in Barcelona?
- Support local efforts to clean up the ocean
- Learn about marine conservation and ecosystems
- Contribute towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal: Life Below Water
- Practice your Spanish language skills
- Gain scuba diving and conservation experience
- Immerse yourself in the Catalan culture
- Explore Spain’s stunning Mediterranean coastline
Who can volunteer on this program?
Who can volunteer on this program?
IVHQ programs attract a wide-range of volunteers of all ages and backgrounds, including retirees, families, solo travelers and more. Volunteers need to be 18 years and over to participate in this program, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.
This program is well suited to volunteers who are passionate about conservation and enjoy spending time beside the ocean. You’ll be working with experienced staff at the scuba diving center so you don’t need to have any prior experience.
All volunteers complete internationally-recognized CMAS diving certifications. The diving certification you complete will depend on your current diving experience and the length of your stay. The courses are suitable for all levels, including beginners, and range from Open Water Diver through to Advanced Open Water Diver, and specialties such as Marine Ecology and Fish Identification.
How much does it cost and what’s included?
How much does it cost and what’s included?
The Marine Conservation project costs $US625 for 1 week. New volunteers join on the second and fourth Monday of every month and you can volunteer from 1 to 12 weeks.
This is a fully-hosted experience, meaning that everything is organized for you and includes pick-up from the airport or your Hyatt hotel, orientation, accommodation, meals and 24/7 in-country support. Volunteers are served three meals a day, consisting of authentic Spanish cuisine.
This fee also covers the cost of the online and in-person scuba training, the use of full scuba equipment and volunteer supervision from an experienced dive instructor.
How do I secure my place on the program?
How do I secure my place on the program?
Apply for the Marine Conservation program on the IVHQ website, so they can check availability for your chosen dates. It’s free, only takes five minutes and there’s no commitment needed at this stage.
In your application, please note any current dive certifications you have. If you do have certifications already, you will need to send a copy of these along with your diving log book through to the local team in Barcelona prior to your program starting. All volunteers are also required to provide a medical certificate which clears you for diving.