Reef Protection Volunteer Trip to Orpheus Island, Australia

Get into the spirit of a volunteer training camp at Orpheus Island where you will experience four days of diving and training With Reef Check. Get accreditation to dive as coral reef surveyor with Reef Check. Earn PADI specialization as coral reef survey diver.

Reef Check Australia has a rare exemption allowing its survey trainees to stay and dive off Orpheus Island Research Station, a marine research facility run by James Cook University in a marine sanctuary park on the Great Barrier Reef. After accreditation, you can join any Reef Check International survey around the world.

Reef Check Australia is an award-winning marine conservation organization responding to the severe threats facing Australia's beautiful coral reefs. The information that Reef Check Australia’s volunteer divers collect is used by community groups, governments, universities and businesses to design and implement ecologically sound and economically sustainable coral reef management. In addition, Reef Check Australia’s projects stimulate local action to protect and rehabilitate remaining reefs.

This trip can be done back to back with the Reef Protection Volunteer Trip to Great Barrier Reef.

Pre-trip
You will get a course manual to read beforehand. Trip organizers will also be in touch on your food preferences and recipes for meals.

Day 1/ Saturday:
Morning pick up from Townsville to be met by a marine research vessel at Taylor’s Beach. Enjoy a scenic ride to Orpheus Island through the Great Barrier Reef Marine National Park and its pristine islands. Afternoon orientation of the marine research station and an introductory session on coral with Reef Check Australia. If tides permit, you will conduct your check out dive and practice reef-friendly diving technique. In the evening, enjoy a community-cooked meal under the stars as each volunteer team gets to serve up their favorite meal.

Day 2/ Sunday:
Morning theory and practical sessions on coral substrate identification and reef health indicators. In the afternoon put your training to a test...no worries! It’s all about mentor-buddy camaraderie at its best.

Day 3/ Monday:
Spend the day learning about invertebrates - sea stars, shells, sea cucumbers - and why Reef Check is monitoring this. Earn your stripes with a final quiz and practical, and get Reef Check accreditation as well as a PADI Coral Reef Survey Diver Specialty under your belt.

Day 4/ Tuesday:
In the morning take a practice survey dive before graduation as a Reef Check Australia qualified surveyor. At noon you will be transferred back to Taylor’s Beach and then onward to Townsville.