Indo Ocean Project Reviews

Ended up 2 month before starting that I was going to join IOP thanks to a miraculous free spot, I realize now I lucky I was. Solid divemaster training, lot of different conservation workshop and training, it is a very complete program for someone that don’t want to do a simple divemaster. Moreover, you are on an amazing island to explorer with plenty of people to meet, including the lovely team and the interns that will become precious friends in your adventure !

It totally met my expectations, and even went far beyond !!

After researching so many different divemaster internships, I knew Indo Ocean Project was the one. I gained a huge amount of diving experience in 3 months as well as contributing to marine conservation efforts through becoming a research/survey diver.
The course is extremely well organised and each day is filled with diving, workshops and other activities. I learnt so much about the amazing species you find in these waters and was then lucky enough to dive with them!
The best thing about the IOP internship is the people. The staff are absolutely incredible, going above and beyond to build your confidence and I felt supported every step of the way. I feel like I’ve grown so much as a person through their guidance. It was also amazing to make friends with the locals on Nusa Penida and immersing into the island community.
And then you have the other interns, a family away from home and best friends for life. I’ve had the best time, feel so grateful, and cannot wait to go out into the world as a divemaster and work in the marine conservation industry. Thank you to everyone at IOP - for everything!

I spent months researching different divemaster and volunteer programs until I came across Indo Ocean Project, and I’m so glad I did! The combination of divemaster training and contributing to marine conservation was exactly what I was looking for and even exceeded my expectations. The dive training you get here is above and beyond any normal divemaster program. The highly trained staff is very professional and a lot of fun. You will leave here as a confident dive professional and ready for your IDC.
And on top of the great learning environment, you get to be in beautiful Nusa Penida! There is no shortage of things to do with your down time and all the locals here are very welcoming. If you are looking for a program where you can give a little but get a whole lot back, and make new friends from around the world, this is the place!

What can i say? This has been the most amazing experience of my life. Passionate people that don't only teach you how to dive dive or about conservation but actually make you fall in love with it.
The program is very complete and detailed, doesn't.matter what is your starting point, they build you up to be a confident and competent diver while enhancing your knowledge about conservation and ecology of several animals and engaging practically in conservation efforts such as coral restoration and data collection.

After studying Marine Biology for 2 years at my University in an online setting, I decided I needed a break and to get some hands-on Marine Conservation experience. I came to the Indo Ocean Project having never dived and I completed the "Zero to Hero" program over a span of 14 weeks. I really enjoyed getting to fully immerse myself in the diving world, allowing me to become a confident diver through diving every day for 3 months. The staff at IOP are the most caring individuals who radiate their passions for both Diving and Marine Conservation.

IOP is like Disney Land for aspiring Marine Biologists as it gives you an overview of a variety of Marine Conservation topics, allowing you to find the topic that resonates with you most. After completing workshops on Sharks, Turtles, Mantas, Molas, Nudis, Coral, and Mangroves, I was able to discover a passion for Coral and Coral Restoration that I never knew I had.

The program is very well structured and I really enjoyed how every day was different and that there was always something new to do. The Divemaster component of the Internship is incredibly planned and incorporates Marine Conservation into the requirements of the course through Leading Survey Dives and BRUVs and getting to map a Coral Restoration Site. IOP brings together like-minded individuals from all around the world, allowing you to create incredible friendships within short periods of time.

This program is a lot of hard work but it can also be the most rewarding experience of your life. I recommend this program to anyone who's passionate about Marine Conservation and wants to take the next step to build a career in the Diving or Marine Conservation Industry

Joining Indo Ocean Project has been such an amazing experience, and I loved every minute of it! The team are so incredible and passionate about marine conservation and diving.

Being able to get my divemaster certificate while also learning about marine conservation and training as a research diver has been such a unique experience. Not only am I now a confident diver, but I've learned so much about marine life.

This program is amazing for anyone with a love of the ocean and who is looking for an adventure!

I came to the Indo Ocean Project after completing my second year of my Marine and Freshwater Biology program in University, wanting to discover if I loved doing marine biology as much as I loved learning about it. I had never dived before coming to Penida so I completed the “Zero to Hero” over a span of 14 weeks. I was greeted with open arms from all the IOP staff who radiate their passions for both Marine Conservation and diving. This program is truly incredible in the way that it brings individuals from all over the world who share the same passion for marine conservation, allowing you to create strong friendships within short periods of time. IOP is the perfect place for aspiring Marine Biologists as it gives you an overview on a variety of Marine Conservation topics, allowing you to find the area that you’re most passionate about. Doing my Divemaster with IOP in Nusa Penida has been the best decision that I have ever made and I recommend this program to anyone who wants to grow as a diver, conservationist and person.

Be a part of Indo Ocean Project was one of the best decisions i've ever made!
I was looking for an internship with both Diving training and conservation program, and Indo Ocean Project was perfect.
Once I arrived in Nusa penida, I realized that the environment was fabulous, the island was amazing and the people I met became my family during the months of the program and even after!
The program is amazing, with a lot of day by day organization with a perfect balance between dive master training and scientific research.
I came in Nusa Penida also to develope my Master degree thesis project, and every person of the staff has been and still is always available for any doubt or help, with their huge knowledge about the marine environment!

As a team of top quality dive professionals and scientists, Indo Ocean Project have developed an incredible divemaster and scientific research internship that has provided me with skills and knowledge way beyond that of a typical divemaster training programme along with incredible memories and friendships. An internship with Indo Ocean Project will not only be one of the most amazing times of your life but it will do wonders on your CV.

The structure of the program splits efforts on providing in depth training in both the divemaster and scientific aspects, with all practical elements supplemented by specific classroom workshops which allowed me to complete tasks with great knowledge, understanding and confidence. The manner in which aspects of the divemaster program are combined with research applications such as search & recovery, mapping and leading dives, provides interns with experience not only leading a team of fun divers but leading a team of scientists. By the time you finish your internship with IOP you will be performing tasks that seemed a big feat before like they are second nature, and your confidence in and out of the water will be enhanced massively.

Whether you plan to pursue marine conservation, or just want to become a good quality dive professional, I can’t recommend Indo Ocean Project enough. I’m addition to the skills gained as a dive professional, the knowledge gained of the marine ecosystem through multiple speciality courses and workshops sets you up to follow the path of marine conservation, but also allows you to be an incredibly insightful divemaster, being able to share your knowledge of species you see with customers.

Nusa Penida is also incredible! The diving is amazing, you will experience beautiful reefs and amazing biodiversity as well as varied conditions making it the perfect place for fun diving as well as training. The island itself is paradise and the local people are so nice.

I am sad that my internship has ended as I miss spending every day with my IOP family in and out of the water, but I am excited for the opportunities of the future now that I have the experience and training of IOP behind me.

Where do I even start? This internship was such an awesome experience! Not only did I became a well-rounded diver, but I also had the opportunity to get involved with some fantastic conservation and research projects. The team at Indo Ocean Project have become like family. They’re an amazing bunch of down-to-earth people, passionate about diving and ocean conservation. The internship program expected my expectations! And about the location, Nusa Penida is truly one of the most beautiful places I’ve been to…a true paradise island. The diving was incredible and I got to swim with Mola-Mola, sharks, turtles and some of the coolest Nudibranch I’ve ever seen. I wish I could do it all over again! If you’re wondering if this internship is the right one for you, stop hesitating and book your spot NOW!