Program Reviews

I really enjoyed my time volunteering with Gili Air Shark Conservation. Gili Air is a beautiful island with many restaurants, spas, and activities to explore. During the project, it was so special to be in the water twice a day, discovering the underwater world. I learned about all the different species of tropical fish, made friends with many sea turtles, and even saw a couple sharks up close! But more importantly - the facilities and the staff were amazing. Villa Nangka, where volunteers are set to stay, is a short bike ride to Oceans 5 dive shop, where volunteers work. Both were clean, with friendly staff and quality places to be partnered with. As mentioned, I was also truly touched by the staff. They made you feel right at home, comfortable and special, and as if you were part of the family instantly. I caught a bug while there, and the way they took care of me was nothing short of how my own mother would. I’m really lucky I found this project, and would highly recommend! It warmed my heart to be surrounded with likeminded people, making a difference for our planet’s oceans.

My overall experience with Gili Shark Conservation was amazing. I've never done a program quite like this. I was quite nervous to join the team because I didn't know what quite to expect. I definitely didn't think that I would get to work with a group of people that were so fabulous. Not only did all of them make me feel welcome, but I learned so much about conservation and the Indo-Pacific area from them in general. I never expected that I would connect with a group of people so quickly before and I truly miss each one of them so much. Before I came to the program, I thought that I would only be a part of Gili Shark Conservation just this once. After my stay, I know that I definitely want to come back and work with the team again. Thank you so much for all the experience and memories Gili Shark!

Joining the research team at Gili Shark Conservation for 6 weeks is the best decision I’ve made, and I am so grateful I had the privilege to work with Rose, Maisy, Musa, Katon, Cakra, and everyone else on the project. They are incredible mentors, whose love for the ocean and community is contagious. I always dreamed about being a marine biologist, but my experience went above and beyond what I could’ve imagined. I loved every second of it and find it inspiring how easily fun and conservation go hand-in-hand. Thank you for the adventure of a lifetime, and I hope to be back soon!

I had the absolute best time staying on Gili Air and supporting the Gili Shark Conservation in their efforts to save the ocean, one day at a time. Thanks to the program I had the opportunity to live my childhood dream of being a marine biologist and add something meaningful to one of the best leisure activities: diving! The cooperation with Oceans5 dive center also worked seamlessly. All staff, guides/divemasters and instructors there are top notch! On top, everyone I met on the program was always super friendly, helpful and came with a positive mind, but especially Maisy, Musa and Katon made the experience a special one. Thank you and please stay exactly as you are! :)

Honestly the best experience I’ve ever had in my life. I will cherish the memories I’ve made here forever. This programme restored my faith in humanity. Words can’t describe how amazing the people here and this place is. Ive enjoyed my time here so much I’ve already planned to come back next year to further my education and hopefully do my divemaster. All I can say is Thankyou to everyone whose made this experience unforgettable. I would highly recommend this course to anyone with a passion for the ocean. You will love it here.

Doing this internship was the decision I’ve ever made everyone involved including the staff at villa Nangka, Oceans5 dive resort, the staff at Gili shark conservation and of course Rose and Andreas who started this amazing program made it the best experience. I have loved every minute of it, feeling like I am making a good change and having so much fun at the same time. All the staff especially Maisy musa and Katon work so hard to save our ocean and I am great fun I got to be part of that. Thank you to everyone who made this the best trip ever!

I spent the month of June interning as a marine research assistant with Gili Shark Conservation, and it was beyond amazing. I spent my time on Gili Air learning countless marine science skills and gaining experience related to my college degree while surrounded by the kindest, most caring people. I left less than a week ago, and I’m already trying to plan my next trip back!

I am currently in the last year of my Marine and Coastal Biology undergraduate degree. I have been dreaming of having a career where I get to live on a tropical island and study the ocean since I was a little kid, so when I say this program was a dream come true, I mean it wholeheartedly. Interning with Gili Shark Conservation taught me a multitude of skills that I will be able to apply to future internships and my career, such as how to do ROVing and CHI surveys underwater and how to use globally-recognized programs like CPCe to study the health of coral reef ecosystems. The experience I had during my time here expanded my already enormous love for the ocean and marine conservation and made me undoubtedly positive that this is exactly what I want to spend my life doing.

My time here was not only educational but also beyond fun and exciting! The days are filled with laughter, dance parties on the boat ride to the dive spots, delicious meals together, and making priceless memories. Every single person that I met on Gili Air was so welcoming and neighborly; it gives the whole island a warm, joyous energy that you can’t forget. The sense of community and family within Gili Shark Conservation and the Oceans5 team is unparalleled. I was surrounded by so much happiness, kindness, and friendship from the second I arrived; it makes you never want to leave. Musa, Maisy, and Katon were the best teachers and mentors I could have asked for - they are brilliant, compassionate, knowledgeable, patient, fun, and hilarious, and the love they have for the ocean and their careers is contagious. Rose, the program founder, and her partner Andreas were absolutely wonderful and treated me like family. I can hardly even put into words how much I loved being here, but I can definitely say that you have to go experience it for yourself!

I guess the scoring says it all… I am not big with words which is why I can’t even describe how much this project gave me after 2 years of Covid. It enabled me to reconnect with why I chose to engage in marine conservation in the first place. In my 10 week divemaster internship on Gili Air (one of the most beautiful and calming places I have ever been to) I regained so much confidence in myself and my abilities, not only when it comes to diving but also in every part of my life. Everyone part of this project contributes to making this trip the experience of a lifetime. Rose and Andreas, founders of GiliSharkConservation and owners of VillaNangka (which will become your home in paradise during this project) are two of the most inspiring people I have ever met and will be there to help you during all times. Just as the whole team of GiliShark, VillaNangka and Oceans5, the local dive center collaborating with GiliShark.

It doesn‘t matter who you are, where you come from, how many dives (if even) you did before or if you already got involved with marine conservation work.
Everyone is welcome and should take the chance of joining, if having some interest in marine conservation and sharing our love for the underwater world.
No regrets guaranteed!

Thanks to everyone that made my time on Gili Air the best of my life! I will come back.

getting involved with the program is the best thing i have ever done. Every single person on the island was so sweet. The Guides and staff were always there if you needed them and had lots to share! I loved learning about all the different fish species, IDing turtles, sharks and coral, taking care of the coral nursery, meeting awesome people i’ll never forget, making long life friends and being a part of a community who shared the same interests and goals :) thank you gili shark for an amazing time i will definitely be coming back for more!!

I had no idea what to expect, I didn't even have time to make up expectations. Safe to say that it still exceeded every expectation I couls have in a positive way.

I found this project online after looking after looking at pages related to conservation. I was interested in the conservation in general, and the project looked like a good start to see if this would be something for me to explore further.

After I send a message everything was basically arranged within a day - the overal communication is superclear, fast and feels 'right' directly from the start. I felt welcome already after the initial mailcontact! I could start right away - which meant hastily looking for the right flight to paradise: Gili Air.

Villa Nangka, where I stayed for 3 weeks (too short!) felt like home, and is an ideal place to stay in comfort for the duration of the project. Rose, Andreas and everyone of the staff are super friendly and accomodating in every way.

The project itself characterizes mainly in a lot of variation - you will do a lot here! From learning about sharks and their role in the ecosystem to do coral nursery maintainance, roving surveys, beach cleanups and dives against debris. Days are packed, but never in such a way that its too much. Quickly a peaceful routine is established - breakfast with pancakes, biking to Oceans5 (great diveshop!) - diving - lunch - studying / preparation for the next day / presentations / cleanups / anything in the afternoon. Aside from that there is more than enough time to have fun with the other Sharkies or to have some alone time

All in all I can only recommend this project - the overal experience has been more than I could hope for, and I still miss it every day. 3 weeks definitely was not enough!