Gili Shark Conservation Project

Program Reviews

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Lauren
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

2 Weeks as a Shark Warrior

I have spent two weeks with Gili Shark Conservation and have gone from an inexperienced Open Water Diver to an Advanced, Shark Aware, Scientific Diver! The span of the project (from turtle and shark identification to coral restoration to beach clean ups) means every day is a new challenge and experience. Diving in Indonesia has exceeded my expectations, there are so many dive sites and the great thing about the project is they try and go to different ones every day. Diving twice a day most days allows you to really hone your diving skills. I would definitely recommend this project even if your interest in marine biology is just a hobby and you haven't got a scientific background like me, it doesn't matter! Thanks Gili Shark, I hope I can come back to dive with you again and see the sharks and turtles and everyone on the team! :-)

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
Come for longer! Or maybe do my refresher course before I came as I didn't realise this was not included so took up half a day.
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Gemma
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Gili shark conservation review

Today is my last day at Gili shark conservation and I am sad to be leaving! I have loved being a part of the research team and seeing the amazing underwater life around the islands. I would definitely recommend coming for longer than 2 weeks because the first week was taken up by the advanced padi course and shark aware, and also it took a few days to complete the scientific diver. These are all really great qualifications but it meant I didn't have much time to get really involved in the practical work, however, I would love to come back and do some more! It has been a great insight for me as I'm starting a marine biology masters degree this year and has built up my confidence with diving. The island is really nice with loads of yummy food (lots of pancakes) and everyone here is so friendly. I would recommend this volunteer programme to anyone :)

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
I felt nervous to start diving again as it had been just over a year since I had learnt but the staff at oceans 5 were really great and gave me lots of support. By the end I felt confident setting up all my gear, getting ready for the dives and felt really comfortable in the water!
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Kathryn
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Gili Shark Conservation Review

I loved every second of my time with the Gili Shark Conservation project. I spent 3 weeks with the team. The first week I did my PADI advanced open water certification and the second week my scientific diver and Shark aware certifications. All the instructors were so thorough and made sure I understood all the requirements and skills needed. I learned how to do a variety of surveys including roving, DRUV, photo ID, reef check, and coral reef index. I also was familiarized with identifying indicator species in the area. I can guarantee you I had never known there were so many species of snappers, groupers, emperors, and the list just goes on. It’s so cool to be able to know all this information and have learned it through first hand experience. We dive at least 9 times a week at a variety of dive sites around the Gili islands and we always saw really interesting things. In the office time in the afternoon, we inputted our data from the morning dives along with several other forms of research. I learned so much in my time here and just really enjoyed myself. Perfect weather, good food, super friendly and supportive staff. I felt safe and comfortable through the entirety of my stay and definitely recommend this project to people who love diving, the environment, and overall having a great time.

What would you improve about this program?
Maybe less focus on the Shark Conservation part and maybe more marine life as a whole
Leïla
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A new way of diving

My experience with Gili Shark Conservation opened my eyes not only on marine conservation but also on how, as divers, we can really make a change. I expected a program much more focused on sharks which is what really attracted me. However, the variety of activities in which I got engaged is actually the greatest added value of the program. I got a great insight in technics for fish and coral surveying, learned a lot about marine conservation advocacy, species of fish, threats and measure to protect sharks etc... and all of this in only a few weeks.
I wish I would have stayed much longer and plan to go back. The island really has a wonderful vibe and is a wonderful place to disconnect from "modern life" and reconnect with the nature and a simple life style.
The team is very young and passionate and is truly inspiring.

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Hayley
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Awesome experience

If you're looking for a holiday in paradise whilst also giving back to the environment then this is the project for you! The whole shark team is super friendly which makes it really easy to settle in, and you can tell each of the staff members really has their heart in the cause which radiates positivity.

The island itself is absolutely beautiful, with everything within walking distance, and the dive shop they have paired up with is right on the harbour which makes the gear drop in the morning as easy as possible. From day one you feel like you are really getting involved and helping out with the project, whether it's doing roving surveys or reef checks - your contribution counts! Not only have I come out a more confident diver with a much wider knowledge of marine life and impacts of everyday life on the underwater ecosystems, but I am now officially AWARE, which I hold with great honour.

All in all a great experience and I can't wait to go back!

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Ines
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Epic experience!

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What would you improve about this program?
It would be great to see more collaboration with other regional stakeholders to create a more resilient ecosystems around marine protection. These could be companies and representatives of the sea tourism and fishing industries, investors interested in these sectors, local authorities, universities and other regional conservation projects, among others.
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Wolfgang
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

fantastic program - great experience

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Cecilie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Now I understand how to make real change!

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What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Try to learn a little bit of Indonesian when you are here. It is so rewarding!
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Enqi
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best volunteer experience!

Having done volunteer works in some places, I think the experience here is one of the best I ever had! First of all the staffs here really treated me as a friend, we hanged out together often and that's really a lovely memory. And they are super friendly and patient. The researchers here answered all my dumb marine biology rookie questions friendly and patient. I think what makes this program special is that in here I did feel like I am being helpful and doing something meaningful. Unlike you only be given some basic thing to do somewhere else, in the program the staffs are willing to teach me everything and let me participate in all I had to do is ask. Plus Gili Air is a nice place to visit! There are nice locals, delicious restaurants with food all around the world, and of course significant view below and above the sea.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Learn how to ride a bike if you can't yet lol... On Gili Air all the transportation using gas is banned, so your traffic will be rely on bike.
Emily
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

AMAZING!!

The team are incredible and made me feel so welcome. Everything they are doing is amazing and I was so proud to be a part of it. I learnt so much about conservation, sharks, rays and turtles, fish identification and so much more! I have become a far more confident diver and enjoyed every single dive we went on. This is a must do for anyone who cares about the ocean and what lies within it, has completely changed the way I view the world.

The accommodation within Oceans 5 was great, really clean and comfortable and perfectly located for the dives. I would also extremely recommend Oceans 5 as a dive resort for doing any courses or fun dives, the instructors are really professional.

Thank you to the team for making an unforgettable experience - I will 100% be coming back!

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
I photographed and identified a new pregnant white tip reef shark individual!