With more than 30 years as a specialist in coral reef and forest conservation, Coral Cay Conservation has established itself as an award-winning internationally renowned leader in community-based gap years and ocean voluntourism through marine conservation expeditions.
We have been in the Philippines for over 20 years and we have been at our current site in Napantao, Southern Leyte, since 2008. The building we are in is right on the water and the house reef, about 20 meters from site, is one of the best reefs for diving in S. Leyte.
The Southern Leyte Coral Reef Conservation Project (LRCP) has involved 3 phases. Phase one involved mapping the reefs of S. Leyte to collect data on their ecological status. Phase two then moved on to the establishment of 10 locally managed Marine Protected Areas. We are now in phase 3, a really exciting time, where our teams (composed of staff volunteers and local scholars) collect data on the success of the established MPAs. This is a vital step as establishing an MPA does not necessarily mean that it will be a success, sometime changes are needed. Alongside of this work our team conduct outreach with the local communities in order to increase local capacity and ensure that local people understand the MPA.
Volunteers do not need to have any science or dive training at all as all of the necessary training will be covered on site. If you area ‘Dive trainee’ (Open Water certified or novices) you will join us a week in advance of qualified divers and we will train you up to PADI Advanced Open Water. The next 2 weeks is spent on the Skills Development Program (SDP) where we teach you how to identify the survey species and of course how to survey. Once you have successfully completed this training you are free to join our research teams.
You don't need to have any background in diving or science all that we ask is that you come ready to learn. Our expeditions are not a holiday, they take work and dedication, but they are brilliant fun, you will meet some amazing people, make new friends and leave a more knowledgeable and eco-minded diver.
