Volunteer in Australia - Great Barrier Reef Marine Conservation

Known to be the world’s largest coral reef system, The Great Barrier Reef is home to many endangered animals, including over thirty types of whales, dolphins, 1,500 fish species, and much more. Join GoEco to restore and preserve the reef while protecting its species in the marine ecosystem.

Program Highlights:

A GoEco Best 10 Volunteer Abroad Program for 2025
Become PADI Open Water certified or Advanced Open Water certified
Dive into and explore the world’s largest coral reef system, composed of over 3000 individual reefs and 900 islands
Work alongside a professional team of marine experts and Master Reef Guides
Participate in monitoring and coral watch surveys to collect vital data
Visit and volunteer at a turtle rehabilitation center
Receive an esteemed certificate for your marine conservation contribution
Suitable for beginners and fully certified divers

Program Schedule – 12 day set itinerary:

Arrival Day/ Day 1 (Sun): Arrive at Cairns Airport (CNS) and transfer to your hostel. You can explore the city and then join an afternoon introductory meeting.
Days 2-3 (Mon-Tue): For those doing the Open Water PADI Diver Course, you will spend these days in the classroom and pool in order to improve your diving skills and knowledge. For those doing the Advanced Open Water certification or for those skipping a certification course, these days include your accommodations in the hostel and will have free time to explore all the city of Cairns has to offer before you start the ocean dives in the Great Barrier Reef on day 4.
Days 4-6 (Wed-Fri): Depart early on day 4 for your Great Barrier Reef Live a Board dive adventure. Over the next 3 days (2 nights), you will live on a boat on the Great Barrier Reef! Open Water Diver course participants will complete their certification on the first day, and will complete a total of 9 dives on board. Advanced Open Water course participants will start and complete their course on board, and will complete a total of 11 dives. Fully certified participants will spend their days enjoying the opportunity for 11 recreational dives on board exploring stunning Reef Sites. In the late afternoon of day 6, the group departs back to Cairns to check back into the hostel.
Days 7-8 (Sat-Sun): Ferry transfer to Fitzroy Island to visit the Turtle Rehabilitation Center. You will meet the local team, learn about the turtle rehab efforts, and possibly lend a helping hand. Tasks may include preparing food for the sea turtles, cleaning tanks and beach cleans up. Note: this visit will take place either on day 7 or 8, with the other day free. A free day after all diving on the live-a-baord will be the perfect rest day before embarking on the next stage of conservation dives on the following days.
Days 9-11 (Mon-Wed): Over the next 3 days, you will join a renown sustainable eco cruise and sail to outer locations in the Great Barrier Reef. You will do 2 dives a day for the first two days and conduct conservation activities under the supervision of a designated eco-guide. This may include Rapid Monitoring surveys and/or a marine species count (weather dependent). Day 3 you’ll carry out Coral Watch surveys while snorkelling.
Day 12 (Thu): End of tour, farewells and onward travel.

- Note for fully certified divers: Those who are already Open Water and Advanced Open Water certified can join the full 12 day program at a reduced fee as certification is not required. Contact a GoEco representative during your application process to apply as a certified diver. All dive equipment is included.

Location of the Project: Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Project length: 12 days/ 11 nights

Arrival Airport: Cairns Airport (CNS)

Volunteer Work: Diving, research, marine rehabilitation. All equipment included (Mask, snorkel, fins, BCD, Regulator, Weights, Tanks, Wet suits/ Stinger suits)

Age: 18-80

Number of Volunteers: Up to 8 volunteers (minimum participants to run each start date is 3)

Important Note: According to PADI Dive regulations, people with asthma, diabetes and serious respiratory conditions will not be medically cleared to dive. For most nationalities, a tourist visa is required to get into Australia; it is recommended to apply at least 6 weeks in advance.

What’s Included

Accommodations: Shared rooms in a hostel and a boat with 4-6 participants per room.

Food: During the program, participants get 3 x breakfast, 5 x lunch and, 2 x dinner.

Support: Comprehensive and professional pre-departure travel guidance, 24/7 GoEco emergency hotline, experienced local field team.

What’s not Included

Flights
Airport transfers
Travel health insurance
Reef taxes and levies (approx AUD$85)
Personal expenses
Some meals, some transfers according to itinerary
Visa (if required)

Location

Cairns is a tropical location in North Queensland, Australia. On a coastal strip between the Coral Sea and the Great Dividing Range, it offers great access to diving at the Great Barrier Reef. From Cairns, it is easy to travel to the nearby islands, Green and Fitzroy. While diving is the major attraction, there are many other exciting attractions nearby, such as the Atherton Tableland and Cape Tribulation.

Volunteer Work

The first 3 days are dedicated to completing diving certifications for all participants. From day 4 onwards, the itinerary provides several types of conservation initiatives in the following categories: underwater, with turtles, and on land.

Some of your tasks underwater while diving may include:

Survey dives to collect data on the coral reef (volunteers may choose to snorkel for data collection as well, although diving is recommended)
Species monitoring and counting
360-degree survey of sea bed to identify macro-algae, live coral, live coral rock, coral rubble and sand
Recording any damage to coral
Data collected from the survey dives will be entered into a national database

Volunteers also have one day in the itinerary dedicated to a local turtle rehabilitation center. Tasks will vary depending on the needs of the turtles in their care, and could include: General cleaning and maintenance, food prep and cleaning tanks, engaging in educational lectures, or other if advised by the staff.

Important note: All dives and activities are weather dependant and may change with short notice. Despite the possibility of changes or cancellations due to weather, the team strives wherever possible to provide alternative activities or reschedule dives while on the program.

Living Arrangements

Internet icon Internet: Wi-Fi is not available on the boats. Wi-Fi is commonly available at various hotels and hostels in cairns.

Laundry icon Laundry: There are no laundry facilities on the boat. While you’re staying in Cairns in a hostel or hotel, laundry will depend on the local providers.

Accommodations icon Accommodations: Volunteers will stay at a local and lively youth hostel in shared mix-gender rooms housing 4-6 people per room during most of the program. Participants will also spend two nights on the live-a-board boat on the Great Barrier Reef in shared facilities to access reefs further off the coast. For participants who would like a quiet or private housing option, we partner with a local boutique hotel to offer private room upgrades. Pricing and availability is subject to the time of booking, general pricing listed below.

Food icon Food: During the program, participants get 3 x breakfast, 5 x lunch and 2 x dinner according to the outlined itinerary.

Requirements

Project’s minimum requirements:

Minimum age is 18 years old
Good level of physical fitness
Those seeking a quieter or more private stay are required to upgrade to a hotel option, as our standard accommodation is in a lively youth backpackers’ hostel.
Completed PADI medical form. NOTE: if medical conditions are mentioned, getting a doctor’s approval is mandatory.
We must have at least 3 participants registered 30 days before the project start date, in order to run the program.

Travel Highlights

Recommended Add-On – Welcome to Sydney Tour & Culture Week

Begin your Australia journey with a 6-day guided tour through Sydney and the South Coast. Explore iconic landmarks, beaches, and wildlife while experiencing authentic local culture before flying north to Cairns to join the Great Barrier Reef Conservation program. To add this tour, please apply to both programs, and our team will handle all travel logistics to ensure a seamless experience that fits perfectly with your volunteer dates.

To gain the complete in-and-out-of-water Australian volunteer experience, add on our Wild Animal Sanctuary!