Program Reviews

I have always been slightly obsessed with sharks and a keen advocate for their protection so when I heard about Gili Shark Conservation it was a no brainer! From the second I submitted my application I knew I was dealing with consummate professionals and their communication couldn't have been better. Every step of the way leading up to this adventure I felt in the loop and like I already knew the staff leading it.
I joined the programme not so long after the devastating earthquakes in Lombok but I could not have felt safer and the family seemed to be even stronger because of what they had overcome together.
I was welcomed warmly and felt like I was a part of the family from day 1. One thing that had been playing on my mind was the fact that I am a very nervous diver and I worried that this was going to cause massive issues. It didn't. The time and care the staff took to look after me, support me, make me feel safe and above all boost my confidence was exceptional. I never felt like a burden or out of place.
Through this experience I feel like I have grown as a person, I have made friends for life, given back to the planet I love and genuinely made a difference. The staff here are professional but you can also see clearly that this is a labour of love; you cannot help but get caught up in their passion for conservation. I am already planning my next trip back.
I cannot recommend this highly enough. Thank you so much to everyone at Gili Shark conservation for the life-changing experience.

I had the best time with the Shark team. Everyone is kind, welcoming and always smiling. We always had fun, regardless of what we were doing. I got to learn a lot about sharks and coral reefs and gained valuable experience in biological reaserch.

I would recommend this program to all ocean lovers who want help make a difference. It is a perfect mix of diving, scientific research and communitity outreach - all this while enjoying a beautiful island, great food and most importantly: making lifelong friends.

The only downside is you won't ever want to leave ...

It’s hard to put into words my time with The Gili Shark Project. I did my divemaster internship with them and it was definitely the most fun I’ve ever had. All of the staff was so supportive during my divemaster course and there was no stress because I was always surrounded by smiling, happy people who were more than willing to drop whatever they were doing to help me. Beach cleanups and surface intervals were definitely some of my favorite times. Beach cleanups involved interacting with everyone on the island and enjoying time getting to know people from all over the world while cleaning up the beach. The friends I made here are people I will never forget.
Again, I cannot express how much I enjoyed this experience. Gili Air is such a magical place and all the people are what make it so great. I really hope you get the chance to experience it.

For a person having not dived in nearly 20 years this program was a chance to rekindle an underwater love affair while experiencing the passion of incredible individuals working towards a common goal.
Regardless of your previous skills and experience, this program will give you an undeniable appreciation for marine life, an opportunity to up-skill and a chance to aid in effective research, all the while in the company of people with an insatiable appetite to make a difference, both environmentally and socially.
I extended my stay and feel so fortunate to have been able to stay 5 weeks and enjoy the company of so many wonderful individuals. Wonderful people who just by association make you want to be a better person.
Lombok and the Gili Islands may have been shaken by a major earthquake this year, but they are ready for you right now.
What are you waiting for - go experience things unlike you have ever done before.
HUPLA!

Being a part of this program was a really great experience for me. Everyone was really friendly and helpful, and I felt very comfortable with Ocean's 5 (the dive shop) and with the Gili Shark Conservation team. We did two dives a day with the team in incredible dive spots. Another invaluable part of the experience for me was getting to know the team, people from all over the world. Overall, I had a wonderful time and I highly recommend this program.

If you are a diver and want something more than a dive holiday Gili Shark Conservation is the way to go. Giving a helping hand to a focused conservation project alongside an excellent and enthusiastic team in a gorgeous setting was the perfect balance for me. Rose, Zara and Andreas are there to make sure you have all you need and to help you integrate with the super-chilled local scene. The project involves full-days of commitments but it is impossible to get stressed on Gili Air. If you can stay longer than two weeks you will manage to contribute more to the project since much of your first week will focus on upgrading your Padi qualifications. If you are looking to volunteer for his project my advice is: Go for it!

I was a volunteer in Gili Shark conservation 2 years ago. The program was the foundation of my diving experience, which allowed me to dive all around Southeast Asia and the
south pacific. The project is great for anybody (experienced diver or entry level) who wants to to make a difference and become involved with the underwater world and its protection. The facilities where the volunteers stay are outstanding as are their owners and the staff that will introduce you to the project's dynamic. After two years and two visits they feel like family to me. The project also involves all corners of the island in it's conservation efforts by doing community events. These are also good to meet all the people that work together to better the island and the sea around it. Volunteering in Gili Shark conservation was a great experience and I would definitely recommend it.

I stayed for two weeks with the Gili Shark Conservation Project and I can only recommend to join the program. I learned very much about marine biology and conservation and although I was already a rescue diver with a certain number of dives, I improved my diving a lot. Before I joined the program I had no experience in marine biology. Still, from the beginning of my stay I was given the feeling that what I did was helpful as for the program as for the community. I met many interesting people and everyone was very nice and helpful. The stay at Villa Nangka was great. Besides, Gili Air has a lot to offer. I enjoyed every minute of this great experience!

Indonesia was my first country I have ever travelled to by myself, and the people at the Gili Shark Conservation Program were some of the kindest souls I have ever met. I have wanted to work with sharks since I was 5, and GSC showed me not just the research side of sharks but also how important it is to have the community involved. I wish I stayed longer than 2 weeks so that I could have made a bigger impact on the data collection. 2 weeks is a little too short to get the full experience this program can offer.
Rose was very helpful with anything. I left my phone in a taxi in Bali, got my cards frozen, and ended up getting "Bali belly," and she did everything she could to help me by getting my phone back, helping me with funds until I got my cards unfrozen, and giving me medicines to help with my belly. Truly, everyone who is a part of the program does everything to help others on the team and people on the island.
I highly recommend the Gili Shark Conservation Program. You'll meet amazing, kind people from around the world. You'll gain helpful experience in Elasmobranch research, and you'll feel like you're doing something to help the community of the Gili islands.

My only regret is that I didn’t spend a longer period of time with the gili shark conservation program. With all the certifications you get the value for your money is high, but in two weeks I barely got to collect any data for the program as it was pretty much all certification training, fun dives, and dives against debris. I highly recommend going for at least 3 weeks if you want any real experience with survey dives.