project laut logo golden ratio turtle

Project Laut

About

Project Laut is an NGO that focuses on marine conservation, research and education in the Nusa Penida MPA (Marine Protected Area). Together in partnership with Nomads Dive Centre, a top-rated eco-dive resort in Nusa Penida, we offer internships where individuals can complete their divemaster training, while also gaining valuable experience participating in several conservation research initiatives.

We are a group of ocean lovers that are committed to the protection and stewardship of our waters. Many graduates have used their experience here to move on and pursue post-grad opportunities, some even returning for a period and collecting their own data using our scientific infrastructure, while others have continued on to pursue their instructor certification and now work as ocean advocates here and abroad.

Website
projectlaut.org
Founded
2018

Reviews

Default avatar
Yida
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The best experience!

I had an incredible two months with project laut. I came to do my divemaster and felt supported the entire way. Everybody there made you feel so welcomed and really made the whole experience that much better.
It was so much more than just diving. We had ecology classes about turtles, corals, and Manta and rays. All of them run by Joma who was so passionate about what he does. When we did go out on dives, we’d be looking out for hawksbill turtles or helping out with the coral restoration. It was amazing to see the progress from the earlier spiders that had been there for a year and how much it was growing! On dry days we would be updating the turtle database from resent sightings.

Joma and Sita are amazing instructors who made me feel incredibly comfortable in the water. They really looked after every intern and helped us become better divers. At first I was nervous after the drift diving but I left feeling so much more confident in my diving skills and loving drift diving!

I would recommend project laut to anyone wanting to do their DM or even just get some hands on experience with some conservation projects. Not only are you in paradise with incredible dive sights, having that sense of community with everyone made it that much better. I can’t wait to go back!

Pros
  • Huge growth in diving skills
  • Passionate conservationists
  • Overall community
Default avatar
Madyson
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Nomads should be your next stop.

First off, if you haven’t been to Bali before? Then Nomads is a great excuse to go. This little island is home to some of the best beaches and dive locations in Bali. Nomads is a place like no other, a dive shop on the beach? Life doesn’t get much better. The staff are amazing, super helpful and fun. And the program itself was life changing for me. I would highly recommend this experience to just about anyone who has a lot of love for our oceans, and even those who are wanting to learn more!!!!!

Pros
  • Travel
  • Education
  • Beautiful country
Default avatar
Elia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A dream

When you combine an incredible place with incredible people every misunderstanding fade away. If the emotions of diving in such a place aren't already enough, you got to know amazing people from all over the world sharing the same passions. Definetly worth all the troubles encountered during the trip, particularly thanks to the other interns in my period there and to joma who always did his best to make us feel at home and guided us in Bali as well during our trips at the main island (gotta work on his fear for monkeys, but I'm sure he's getting better😉)

Pros
  • Incredible places
  • Amazing people
  • Skill building
Cons
  • Distance
  • You gotta have time
Default avatar
Alba
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Lovely experience with project laut

I spent 3 months in Nusa Penida, diving with Joma and the other members of Project Laut almost every day - we worked together on coral restoration and sea turtles protection, between beautiful corals and tropical fishes. It was a wonderful and productive time. I learned a lot about myself, my limits and strenghts as a diver. Joma teached me how to be confident underwater, giving me the instruments to become an independent divemaster.
I'll never forget the time spent together, he was my best buddy, looking forward to share with him another crazy drift dive.

Default avatar
Emma
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best experience doing the marine conservation internship

My experience with Project Laut was unforgettable. I spent five weeks doing the marine conservation internship (having already done my dive master) and learnt so much from the amazing staff there, as well as made lifelong friends.

Nusa Penida has such a large range of dive sites that you get to do something different every day, and I felt extremely supported in my first times experiencing strong drift, coming to love it afterwards.

Project Laut has inspired me and given me the experience needed to continue my career in marine biotechnology, and the amazing staff there made me want to do my dive instructors.

Programs

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Alumni Interviews

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

Natasha Kelleher

Natasha completed her dive guide training with Nomads and went on to work for a dive shop in Italy. However she hopes she can make her way back to the island and complete her instructor training course.
Natasha Kelleher with a friend on the beach

Why did you choose this program?

In all honesty, it sounded cool. I had completed my degree in ecology the year before, and I wanted to move into more of a practical side of it. Nomads and Project Laut gave me the opportunity to travel, and make moves towards my future goals in conservation. The program allowed me to be in the water, doing what I wanted to do, and interact with all different people from different walks of life.

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

While accommodation, transport and meals were not directly supplied by the program, Sita and Joma were beyond helpful in pointing me in the right direction and put me into contact with the right people. With moving to a new country it was beyond appreciated, they made me feel like I was home. They ran me around on my first day to check places in person, helped negotiate prices, and all in all were just amazing.

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

Run into it with open arms and an a open mind. The program and the people are amazing, and I would not trade the experience for anything. Another thing I would say is do everything, learn a bit of Bahasa, try all the food, go see all the places, because the whole experience is life changing. Making that little bit of effort to immerse yourself makes all the difference.

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

With 2 days off a week its an amazing opportunity to explore the island and the culture, as well as to just enjoy your down time. Working days vary between being on the boat with the other interns, or learning how to work with customers, building and deploying coral spiders, and completing the various workshops. Sometimes we would have family dinners and game nights, the interactions between everyone went beyond just the shop.

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

I knew I was going to be joined with a big group of people who already knew each other, and I was worried about feeling isolated, alone and lost. But right away Sita and Joma made me feel like I was part of a family. I was also scared that this was going to be some sort of pipe dream and that I wouldn't be able to do it, but they were open to any and all questions I had, and trust me there were a lot, and helped me accept that being a dive professional just clicked for me.

Write and answer your own question.

Is there anything you would have done different?

I would've saved more for small weekend trip and/or invested in an underwater video camera. I love my normal camera but sometimes you just need a quick easy shot for memories, and for the turtle conservation work too. Also try to get a couple of specialties too, like your deep spec or underwater photography.

Staff Interviews

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

Intan Stefhanie

Job Title
Admissions Outreach
I'm from Pekanbaru, Indonesia and i studied taxation economy at Riau University. I am a person who thrives on working as part of a team or independently. I take initiative, I am hardworking and eager to learn with core values of honesty, carefulness, and tenacity. With my knowledge and experience, I would be able to fulfill the requirement you request and become an asset to your team. I worked at Bank Negara Indonesia in Pekanbaru and also worked as a Doctor Secretary who opened his clinic in South Jakarta for 1 month and, I have experience working with one artist from Australia, Bruce Kirby as a Social Media Specialist. I used to work as a Virtual Assistant with Aaron Israel ( Israel & CO LP Germany) but before that I was his Personal assistant in Bali from 2018 until November 2021, and also a Freelance Personal Assistant with Anita Ramsak (Founder of ARSIC Social Impact Consulting Bali & Human Rights Specialist in United Nations).
INTAN STEFHANIE wearing a black jumpsuit with long dark hair and smiling

What is your favorite travel memory?

The sheer adrenaline rush and giddiness I felt as I looked down at a vivid blue sea in Bali, with a sunset to boot, felt like I was hanging by threads, which I was.

That unadulterated feeling of thrill and joy, the satisfaction of doing something out of the ordinary is my travel memory and what my mind travels to, too.

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

I began as an admin on social media with Joma. I consistently try to make going above and beyond my bare minimum. I took on any additional responsibilities I could, such as handling the customers about diving and marine conservation via social media like email, Facebook comments, or DM facebook and emergency responder teams, for one example. I’d do this carefully to not sacrifice the quality of my work, or take on more than I could handle. I worked hard to make my comfort zone that of stepping outside of my comfort zone. Early on, I learned some hard lessons, but I took those in stride and powered on learning everything I could. I am motivated to be the best person I can be. I am not that person yet, but I am driven to become that person. I think that attitude is partly what I contribute to my success.

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

Unfortunately, I never heard of or have experience from a returning student yet. I studied in a city called Pekanbaru that is super freaking hot and humid like 40 degrees every day and sometimes you don't know how to breathe because there are no trees left and oil on the ground. I feel like if people in my hometown have the option, they willl not go to live there and even for a student who has absence for 2 weeks, they will not gonna came back to my city and choose to live in a small village.

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

Project Laut. Project Laut is run by a passionate and knowledgeable team like Joma who do everything they can to make your stay as enjoyable and worthwhile as possible. This is a genuine conservation experience coupled with some amazing diving and the chance to develop new skills. The course has given people the most up-to-date methods and knowledge in the fields of marine conservation and research so people can go forward more confidently and able.

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

I'm not sure that unique (i.e., "being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else") is important. This company exists because someone has a vision (perhaps an overused, but nevertheless useful, word) and achievement of the vision is paramount. Becoming unique may be a critical success factor, but something else, say excellence in execution may be more important. To be unique is to DISCOVER it. Trial and error until you find it and that's how Nomads Diving Penida does.

An achievement that I’m proud of is being chosen to work on this project with Joma's team. His dedication is imperative for the growth of the company. Joma and the team's recent accomplishments, creativity, and open-mindedness contribute immensely to the team’s success.

Working on projects such as Project Laut was eye-opening because I’d never worked on such diving and marine conservation before. It taught me valuable skills in communication and collaboration that I bring to every new project I work on today.

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

I read articles from Jhon Spence's blog. He wrote what he believes are the five most important factors for building a successful company are a clear vision, a measurable plan, a culture of urgency, the best people, and superior customer service. That's the biggest factor that I believe is how to become a successful company.