Program Reviews

This 10 weeks was extremely intense and rich since day one.
Both professionally and humanly the program give me a huge amount of knowledges and emotions.
I learned a lot about the marine life ecosystem, with theoretical and practical aspect (corals, sharks, rays, turtles, mangroves...). All the member of IOP are very passionate by everything that they teach us, that give me the desire to learn more !
The dive in Penida is so wonderful, marine life is everywhere, full of life and fish (and manta :D). The most surprising for me was the reef because it is so heathy and colourful.
Finally, everyone here is welcoming, helpful for all kind of situation, funny and endearing. I met not only interns and staff but a big family with a lot of crazy, hilarious and intense moments that create this unique experience in Penida !

I joined IOP in April 2021, arriving with only 9 logged dives I did during my Advanced Open Water course, and after 2 months and a half I spent in Nusa Penida, I graduated as a Divemaster with 96 dives!

Not only I gained so much knowledge about marine science and conservation, but also diving theories and skills, as we dive almost every day on this island. This course helped me built confidence above and underwater, as a person and diver, with the help of the ever-so-friendly staff and fellow interns. Furthermore, I felt very useful and fulfilled because during the internship, I helped with the data gathering and felt that I contributed to the organization as well as to nature.

It literally is an experience of a lifetime because through this program, I was able to meet like-minded people from around the world, hear their stories, share our experiences, grow together, and build connections that very likely to last for a long time.

I came here after I quit my old job, thinking of a career change following my passions. Now I have zero regrets and have a job in marine conservation, all thanks to IOP!

Indo Ocean Project is an absolutely unique and wonderful experience for anyone passionate about diving and marine conservation. It is a good introduction to marine science and methods letting you get a taste of marine conservation work.
The IOP staff are your family, very inspirering people and there to make sure you have the best possible time. The dive master is an adventure, not just to get you certified but to make you a great dive professional!
I will recommend this internship to anyone with the least interest in diving and the marine world.

This program was absolutely amazing. Indo Ocean Project takes the time and patience to train you as dive professional, but above and beyond the traditional standards that are set. They take into account your previous experience, your background, your interests, and your comfort and tailor your experience to your specific needs. Safety is always emphasized as well as having fun. You can come to train as a dive master and research diver as well as undertake a personal project of your choosing that they are more than willing to help you get started in the right direction with. The amazing staff along with the wonderful diving make for a truly unforgettable experience.

Joining this journey with Indo Ocean Project is unforgettable.
I did my Dive Master along with the research program in one of IOP's locations (Nusa Penida, Bali) and this was a great experience - both in terms of knowledge and fun!
What I learned over 2 months is just incredible - by joining this program you are diving regularly while working on science stuff.
Both aspects (dive/science) are handled by professionals always keen to share their knowledge.
The time I spent with IOP was incredible - so much fun over a couple of months. I can't believe it's already over.
I highly recommend this program - the persons who put it in place are some of the best living people I know.
As a plus - living in Nusa Penida (small island below Bali) is incredible.

Thank you Lauren, Serena, Michaela, Pascal and Arya for the past months.
And thank you to Harry, Roman and all other Reeflex people for the great experience!

Deciding to do my dive master with Indo Ocean Project was hands down one of the best decisions of my life. The past few months I have learnt a huge amount about conservation, marine biology, diving and much more. Everything you are taught in the workshops you back up with real life experiences - planting mangrove nurseries, studying the bellies of manta rays etc.

The staff from IOP have all played a huge role in my experience, and they make sure that in every way you are always looked after. They all care so much about the interns and go above and beyond for each person. Serena, Michaela, Pascale, Arya, Lauren all will make you feel like you have a family here! I hope to never lose touch with them now :)

The other interns are now some of my best friends - everyone I’ve met is so interesting and positive and brings so much to the group. I’ve had crazy amounts of fun with them and I’m even travelling onwards with a few after.

The diving is insane - best I’ve ever seen, couldn’t think of a better place to do your divemaster. You’re living a dream diving on these sites every day.
The island is perfect, I never want to leave (I might not). Penida is so beautiful and relaxed, and Bali is just on your doorstep so it’s the best combination.

I don’t recognise the diver or the person I was when I came here it’s truly been life changing and wonderful. I honestly have nothing bad I could say about IOP. Thank you so much for starting me off in my diving career and for everything these past few months!

This is undoubtedly one of the best experiences I have had! I had been waiting for more than a year for this internship, but it was definitely worth it and I can only recommend it. I went to Nusa Penida having only a few logged dives dating from years ago, and I chose the package "zero to hero", which means I completed all the courses consecutively until I reached the end of the dive master training. After a few months of diving under the supervision of brilliant instructors, I feel much more comfortable underwater and I am excited to dive in other parts of the world. I felt useful contributing to the conservation world by gathering data that will be used as part of an ongoing research project. The team is amazing; I had a lot of fun with the other interns as well as the staff.

I am very thankful for the wonderful months that I have spent here in Indonesia :)

One of the best projects I had the pleasure to be a part of! Spending 3 months with Indo Ocean Project gave me a new found love of diving and gave me valuable experience in marine conservation. I started off as a very inexperienced open water diver and through the project came out as a confident dive master. The project taught me all about being a good diver not just in but out of the water as well. The dive sites at the Bira project in South Sulawesi were some of the best I have seen and with little tourist activity. The conservation programs are aimed to help preserve these marine ecosystems and get a better understanding of just what is going on in the waters around Bira. This project gave me the skills to be able to work in the dive industry and marine conservation and would highly recommend!

This project is perfect for anyone with a passion for marine life. Personally it was my first step into the conservation world and I couldn’t have imagined it better. You get to work with badass professionals on a daily basis. I’ve learned so many skills and acquired so much knowledge that it’s hard to believe I’ve only spent 10 weeks there. You’re part of a big family of about 10 interns from all backgrounds and countries. A typical day consists of 1 or 2 dives (during which you will do heaps of research and and assisting tourists), combined with a workshop. After a busy day you get plenty of time to relax, explore the island or try the local delicacy “Joss”... Only one way to find out what it is ;) Whether you’re a marine biologist looking for an amazing place to do your research or an inexperienced ocean lover like me, the Indo Ocean Project’s got it all!

I joined IOP as a complete newbie (no knowledge in marine conservation and only 2 or 3 dives) and I must say it was the best experience of my life.

Thanks to the wonderful people that are working hard everyday to make it possible , this experience will teach you all the tricks to become a good dive professional by :
- Allowing you to work in a busy dive shop with a very fun and accessible staff
- Allowing you to dive in some of the best dive sites on the planet where you'll learn how to deal with currents
- Getting access to a various amount of workshops and knowledge taught by highly skilled people
- Being involved in scientific research
- Working with people who are making a difference

Serena Stean, the program director, has a wealth of knowledge (I am still looking for the question she can't answer) thanks to the amazing life she's been living and the hardwork and investment she puts in the dive master program. You can be sure her passion for the ocean will be passed on to you.

The only bad thing I can think of is that time flies too fast when you're in there and you're always leaving (if you ever leave one day) with the desire to come back ASAP.

Big thank you to everyone implied in this project. You're doing amazing things and I hope you'll keep doing this for many years.