Divemaster & Marine Conservation Internship in Nusa Penida

Before even arriving to Indonesia, Joma (lead instructor) helped me with everything I would possibly need for the internship. He was transparent, organised and available throughout the whole process and super professional when delivering the course. The program was really well structured and delivered at a comfortable pace, our individual needs and struggles were always addressed with care and attention and the projects were varied and engaging keeping everything interesting and fresh. I learned so much invaluable information about the economical side of diving, wildlife and how to care for the ocean which was a really big aim of mine. The program frequently addresses the importance of consciousness for the ocean and gives a brilliant understanding of all her inhabitants and how to care for them. For me all of this resulted in real personal growth and I couldn't be happier with the program.

Joma is an amazing diver and above all he made me feel so so comfortable. I knew Nusa Penida could be challenging but every moment of panic or doubt I had was instantly calmed with his professional and understanding approach. There was never a moment I didn't feel safe with him and I think that's so important. He really knows his diving and has such a creatively scientific mind it made the course so much more enjoyable & interesting. You can really see his passion in the course and the way he teaches it. His love for diving is as infectious as his personality and above all he has become a treasured friend.

I finished the internship as a much stronger and responsible diver, prepared for any situation and far more knowledgable than I hoped to be! I'm lucky enough to have dived in a lot of places with a lot of schools but here was by far my favourite and most memorable. My time spent and the friends I made at Nomads were truly unforgettable! Can't recommend the internship enough

Thank you Nomads!

I came into this program with a rescue diver qualification and was really interested in learning and completing reef conservation. As well as doing some sick diving of course :)
This program was perfect for me. The team at nomads is laid back/fun but still serious when it comes to dive safety.
Joma (dive instructor) is passionate about the environment and thinks with a scientific mind. His conservation efforts in reef conservation and hawksbill turtle mapping are based on solid known science and solid progress can be seen.
It is hands down the best reef/drift/deep dives I have ever done and would go back to this shop in a heartbeat.

As a long-time journalist and university professor nearing 60, I'm fairly certain I was Project Laut's oldest intern, but also an example of their open and welcoming nature. Project Laut accepted me and put me to work for the month of June in 2022. As a PADI certified Divemaster, I was less interested in gaining credentials and more concerned about helping out with conservation projects. That happened almost immediately as the amazing Joma Dix, Project Laut founder, and Nomads Diving manager put me and fellow teammates to work, teaching us how to build metal "spiders" for coral restoration and videotaping hawkbill turtles to help map the health and movent of local populations. Joma is that rare combination of a passionate and patient teacher who is also an exemplary diver, instructor, and ocean advocate. In addition to the conservation tasks we completed (unfortunately abbreviated by a work project I had to return to), I also had some of the greatest dives of my life with manta, octopus, and giant frogfish encounters. The scope of Project Laut is small and very focused, but it is that clear vision and intensity that makes it so worthwhile -- and in the long run such an excellent opportunity for all who love the ocean.
One more thing: I helped Joma conduct the rescue diver course and can honestly say, I've never seen a more flawless demonstration of scuba skills and effective dive instruction in all my years diving. (https://www.facebook.com/kevinsites/)
Here's a short blurb I did on Joma for my FB page, which also included seven videos of our various dives.
As a dive instructor, Canadian-born Joma Dix wanted to do more to protect and rejuvenate the marine ecosystem where he now lives and works, the Indonesian island of Nusa Penida.
He began researching coral restoration on the Internet and adopted an approach which used readily accessible materials like metal rebar for construction and began cutting, bending and welding them into "spiders" that can be interlocked in honeycomb like structure on the seabed in which broken coral is re-attached and given a second chance to flourish.
The point here is that Joma didn't just complain about climate change and the substantive problems in his environment. He took initiative and acted, using the digital and tangible resources around him to make his patch of the world a little bit better.
When we grow cynical about the existential threats we face let's be more like Joma (and Elvis) a little less conversation a little more action.

When I was researching for marine conservation internships during my gap year, I found Project Laut and decided to join. As I joined, the staff there have been helpful and made the experience more exciting and educational. I got to learn more about marine conservation and participated in various activities, such as building coral spiders, and diving. Project Laut also helped me get out of my shell and socialize with people. Without Project Laut, I wouldn't be able to understand marine conservation for my future university.

I recently completed my dive master certification with Joma, and I can’t recommend the program more! Project Laut not only made getting my divemaster certification one of the best times in my life, Joma creates an amazing atmosphere for learning and person growth, both professionally and socially. With his help I managed to get a solid month of working solo with customers, as well as getting from 4 dives when I arrived to 104 by the time I left. Will 100% be back some day in whatever capacity I can!

I did my divemaster internship at nomads from October til December last year and I absolutely loved it! Joma is such a patient teacher and really cares about his students. Thanks to him I'm now a confident diver and even enjoy diving in the currents (which I hated in the beginning)! The course itself was well structured and you learn a lot about the ocean, the environment and the fish of course. My favourite part was the turtle conservation and identification, you learn so much about them and get to identify and name every single turtle.
Joma is a funny, responsible guy who became a good friend of mine and I hope we can still have many dives together in the future!

I had a great time with Nomads & Project Laut! The diving here is beautiful and Joma is a great & responsible instructor.

The atmosphere in the shop is fun, educational & professional. Sometimes they organize BBQs, movie nights or tours around the island.

The facilities are great! They have a huge pool that is great for training (and tanning!), the gear room is beautiful & well-kept, and the air-conditioned classrooms are great for all the indoor conservation work!

I would definitely recommend anyone wanting to do their divemasters to look no further than Nomads & Project Laut!!

I had one of the greatest life experiences at Nomads. The crew are so friendly, they started to feel like family after a very short period of time. The head instructor, Joma, is so full of knowledge about the ocean and diving, I felt so safe and confident with him as my instructor. The gear was always up to scratch and the dive shop itself had such a great atmosphere. The dives were guided super well and the sites were absolutely breath-taking! Thank you, Nomads for such a rewarding experience.