Conservation through research and education

Indo Ocean Project

Why choose Indo Ocean Project?

Dive Master and Research Diver internship with multiple locations in Indonesia, the heart of the coral triangle. Complete your PADI dive master course along with 5 ecology specialties written and designed by our team of marine biologists and dive professionals and approved by PADI and SSI. Marine megafauna, coral and mangrove restoration, marine park management and much more. You don't need to be a scientist to get involved!

Reviews

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Max
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Life Changing Experience

This internship was the best experience of my life. The practical training, theoretical learning and social development was invaluable throughout my journey and we had such good fun along the way. If it wasn't for this internship I never would have landed my biggest career breakthrough as a marine biologist for a team leader position in Cyprus. This is due to the staffs high standards, work ethic and sheer determination to get the best out of you. Shout out to Sel, Marina, Michaela, Tova, Arya, and Rinaldi! I was genuinely sad to leave this amazing place.

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Line
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

12 weeks, 101 dives and friends for a lifetime later

I started this program as an open water diver with 8 dives who only did some dives in cold, unclear water in Belgium. Little did I know that I would end the program with 109 dives and a group of friends that will last for a lifetime. IOP thought me to become a good, responsible diver but also thought me so much about the wonders of the underwater world. Theoretical and practical workshops in the dive center but also education days in the local schools, were part of the program and this is why it was such a fun and divers internship. I only have words of love for this traineeship and I would 100% recommend it to people that love diving (or are curious about it) and want to contribute to marine science and be meaningful in this changing world.

What was your funniest moment?
I had a lot if laughs with my fellow interns, but if I had to choose 1 moment it would be on the boat during our surface interval. One of the staff members was grabbing the life ring and we were all wondering what for. When he jumped of the boat and the boat drove away, we all figured ot out: he was pooping while chilling in that life ring.
Pros
  • Being able to dive evey day
  • Living in a tropical paradise
  • Learning so much about fish and other underwater sorcies
Cons
  • None
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Sophie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Nusa Penida DM

I was so worried about traveling to a new place alone and staying for so long but Indo Ocean made it super easy and fun. I met so many amazing people (both interns and staff), felt safe and learned so much during my internship. The research aspect was incredible, as we got to do real research on coral reefs and collect the data ourselves which meant scuba diving almost every day. The staff were so helpful when I was having issues or concerns about my diving development and I left feeling so confident in the water. The memories I made during my 10 week internship are incredible and I wish I could do it again.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
I had never heard of Jackfruit before and I ate it regularly in the food they provide during boat trips. It is surprisingly good and has the texture of pulled pork.
Pros
  • Friends made
  • World class diving
  • Skill improvement
Cons
  • Share accommodation (but you can get private)
  • Expensive VISA
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Jaime
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Just incredible

I chose Indo Ocean project due to how complete their program seemed and due to their location in Raja Ampat, and it definitely was the right choice. From the beginning, staff were amazing, our instructors Anne and Ricky taught us diving skills effectively and safely while also teaching ecology courses supported by Maxs and Lois. They all ran the project amazingly in difficult conditions.

The location was absolutely amazing, with access to several key dive sites and in the middle of the jungle. Collaboration with the dive centre was not always smooth but having such amazing staff and such an amazing group made the whole experience truly unforgettable. After 10 weeks in Raja, I spent 6 more in Bira as a research intern. Bira is a location with more amenities so the change was appreciated, and from the beginning the instructors, Ben and Jess, made Bira feel great. Later on, Greg and Vale and then Quinthan brought their own styles to the table all the while being awesome people and instructors. Yuli and Sudar, the staff members, were also amazing people and were always around to help with ecology, diving skills, etc.

In a nutshell, I would recommend this if you want to improve your diving skills while seeing some cool stuff in beautiful locations and surrounded by some of the best people I've ever met. My only hope is that I can one day go back to IOP!

What was your funniest moment?
It would have to be my stress test and equipment exchange with Soren and Anne. We decided to try to do it with only one regulator for the both of us and managed to exchange mask and fins relatively well, but we quickly got stuck at our BCDs, got nervous, started rising up to the surface and breathing much more quickly until we just couldn't take it any more and we tried again, that time with two regulators. Soren pass it to me I need air!!!
Pros
  • Passionate and safe professionals
  • Diving in amazing locations
  • Marine conservation and ecology component
Default avatar
Fathur
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Life Changing Experience 🤩

The Bira Project location is absolutely stunning, and the Blue Planet staff were incredibly helpful and welcoming. As someone with no prior background in conservation or biology, I was amazed by the wealth of knowledge I gained. The pre-arrival materials and on-site support from the staff and fellow interns made the learning process smooth and enjoyable. Whether it was conducting surveys, setting up BRUVs, or exploring the vibrant underwater world, every moment was fulfilling. Diving almost every day in Bira’s pristine waters truly changed my perspective, and I found myself becoming more passionate about marine conservation and research.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
I saw three eagle rays gliding gracefully, countless whitetip and blacktip reef sharks, once I saw 12 sea turtles during a single dive—it was absolutely magical!
Pros
  • Supportive and knowledgeable staff
  • Incredible diving and marine research experience
  • Great for personal and professional growth
Cons
  • None!

Programs

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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Helen Wu

A city girl from Hong Kong who loves nature and adventures, just do it slowly, cautiously and preferably in small group, because introvert.
Helen Wu diving with a diving buddy

Why did you choose this program?

When I was researching ideas for my career break, I only had two wishes: something to do with diving and something I can give back to the environment.

After stumbling upon Indo Ocean Project (IOP) online and read so many good reviews about them, I knew this is where I want to be. Living on an island, diving everyday, learn about the environment and meet like-minded people are more than what I wish for.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

IOP have all the contacts to help you with the basics. From visa application, transportation from Bali to Nusa Penida to on site accommodation, they have it all sorted for you.

They also have Facebook group for up-coming interns and alumni, as well as WhatsApp group for stand-by interns, the answer to your concerns is just one question away!

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

Be mentally prepared to live on an island. Put your city-life standard and western-norm expectation aside. Embrace the purity of simple living and enjoy the presence of animals and nature.

Be open-minded. The things you deemed as “challenge” would be your accomplishments when you look back to it. No dives are the same and you only train once as divemaster, so make the most of every moment with a smile.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

The program is well organised with good structure. A typical day involves two dives, either from the boat or shore. Followed by afternoon activities like knowledge workshops or skill practices or independent study. Once the work is done comes the hardest part of the day that requires the most brain power - to decide what’s for dinner.

Every five to six days we get a day off, which we usually spend exploring the island, go on fun dives or get a well deserved massage.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

Coming in I had plenty of concerns. Do I have the body strength to take on the intense physicality of daily diving? Am I be able to keep up in learning all the scientific knowledge and training? And my biggest concern of all - will I make friends as a mid-thirty Asian woman amongst the many young gap year-goers?

As it turns out, all of my fears and concerns are just overthinking, as IOP is an accommodating place where you can take your time and do it in your own comfortable pace.

And as cliche as it sounds, age really is just a number, be your true self and you will attract your kind of people wherever you are.

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Mario Casati

Job Title
Co-manager and marine biologist
Mario studied natural science and mastered in marine biology in the university of Milano Bicocca in Italy. after gradauting he took the instructor course in thailand and worked there for an year before moving to raja where he uses his knowledge and passion to form new dive mster and researchers as the co-manager of the program.

Interview

What is your favorite travel memory?

I think that one of my favorite travel memory regards a holiday i spent with my girlfriend, we packed our bags and hit the road on the car, without a specific end point, stopping where we wanted, sleeping in the car, in the tend or in a hotel, deciding day by day. one night we ended up high in the mountains, in a tent, enjoying a gorgeous night sky and roasting marsh mellow on a bon fire made whit wood we found early that day on the sea side. The freedom and happiness felt in those days are a core memory for me.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

Massively, working in this environment changed the way i approach certain aspects of teaching, it also helped me understand exactly what i love about the diving life, how fulfilling it feels to pass the passion for the ocean to others .

How to manage other people, balancing positive attitude, a friendly environment but also a firm hand to be able to instruct correctly was a challenging part of the job but helped me grow.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

Our students leave our program ready to face the diving and conservation world, and we take pride in having them become dive professionals that are able to sustain any difficulty. The best story of a return student would be from a student that had to face a dangerous situation in strong current, for which she had been trained, and while others had trouble and couldn't handle it she instead was able to react correctly and blessed her training, making the best out of an otherwise bad experience.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

Our program offers a dive master preparation and conservation learning, the locations where this happens are 3: Nusa Penida, Bira and Raja Ampat. the first one is where i my self partook in the program as an intern and the last one is the one i am currently co-managing, I would therefore choose Bira.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

I would describe the strongest point of our company in it's well organized Dive master schedule. Our interns are well prepared following a perfectly organized schedule that ensures that they complete not only the minimum requirements but a training of higher standards then the main diving associations. Not only that but they are lead too take increasing responsibilities making sure that the professionals we form are not such only on paper but especially on the practical side. What makes me proud of my team is how we can trust each other to fill in every possible mistake that one might make, creating many layers of control and safety, making the working environment feel safe and supported.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

Organization and communication play a vital role in any company, a proper scheduling system, and organization in handling things ensures that even the smallest detail is not overlooked and has a place in which it can be handled correctly. this avoids piling up of small issues that result in the end in big problems. A correct organization would, although, be useless without proper communication. a healthy not one-sided communication with colleagues of any level helps everyone to understand and avoid mistakes.