Program Reviews

Wanting to do my Divemaster training but also contribute to environmental conservation, I chose IOP in Nusa Penida. It's the best decision I could've made!

Not only did the Divemaster training in Nusa Penida's often challenging currents equip me with skills to dive anywhere in the world, the ecology component broadened my knowledge and skills to become a research diver, contributing to vital marine conservation work.

In a word, this program is BRILLIANT!!

From their new Dive Hub (with all new dive equipment) and their own research boat, IOP are now able to prioritise conservation and research, with guest divers being a very welcome and important, but secondary focus.

The staff are, without exception, welcoming, supportive, encouraging, highly educated and experienced in diving and marine conservation and research.

I not only learned an enormous amount from the incredible sraff and had the most fun with them and my fellow interns in the 2 months I recently trained with IOP, but my diving improved exponentially! I now feel confident and extremely well equipped to work in the dive industry or in the marine research and conservation field.

My time with IOP in Nusa Penida was absolutely one of the best experiences of my life. I cannot thank the staff and fellow interns enough, nor recommend this program more highly.

Joining the Indo Ocean Project for 10 weeks was truly one of the best decisions of my life. As someone passionate about marine conservation, this program exceeded all my expectations—not just through the diving and lifestyle, but especially through its strong scientific foundation and hands-on experience in real marine research.

From day one, we were introduced to a range of survey methods that gave us a deep understanding of marine ecosystems. The BRUV (Baited Remote Underwater Video) deployments, benthic surveys, and roving fish surveys were not only incredibly informative but also thrilling to be part of. You're not just observing marine life—you’re collecting real data, contributing to long-term conservation efforts, and learning how marine science works behind the scenes. It’s rare to find a program where you’re this involved, and I learned more in 10 weeks than I could have ever imagined.

The Divemaster training is seamlessly integrated into the program, and no matter what your starting level is, you're fully supported by a knowledgeable and encouraging team. The staff are not just instructors—they’re mentors who push you to grow while making sure you feel safe and confident every step of the way.

Beyond diving and science, the workshops on topics like sharks, rays, and coral ecology were fascinating and helped connect the dots between theory and field experience. Every day felt like a new opportunity to learn something meaningful.

But what made it truly special was the sense of community. Between the interns and staff, you become part of a family. We shared laughs, discoveries, and challenges—and built connections that will last far beyond the project.

I can honestly say these 10 weeks were the best time of my life

I had the privilege of visiting all three Indo Ocean Project locations, and I must say, the people and the program are absolutely fantastic. My internship took place in Bira, where I completed my Dive Master training. It was a life-changing experience. The team made every day exciting, and the combination of fun, learning, and incredible marine encounters made this program unforgettable.

One of the most memorable moments was witnessing 12 green sea turtles resting together at one dive site. I also encountered fascinating marine life, including Devil Rays, Cowtail Rays, Eagle Rays, and both White tip and Black tip reefsharks. The biodiversity in the waters around Bira is simply stunning.

My absolute favorite dive site was Coral Garden. The shallow reef, illuminated by sunlight, displayed vibrant colors that felt like diving into a dream. It was even more magical with the occasional appearance of sharks gliding through the water.

Beyond diving, the conservation efforts were equally rewarding. We propagated and planted mangroves to restore coastal ecosystems and participated in beach cleanups to remove trash from the shoreline. These activities reinforced the importance of protecting our oceans and their surrounding habitats, adding a deeper sense of purpose to the experience.

If you're passionate about diving, marine life, conservation, and connecting with amazing people, I can recommend the Indo Ocean Project. Thank you to everyone I met for making this journey so incredible. It’s an experience I will treasure forever!

This internship was the best experience of my life. The practical training, theoretical learning and social development was invaluable throughout my journey and we had such good fun along the way. If it wasn't for this internship I never would have landed my biggest career breakthrough as a marine biologist for a team leader position in Cyprus. This is due to the staffs high standards, work ethic and sheer determination to get the best out of you. Shout out to Sel, Marina, Michaela, Tova, Arya, and Rinaldi! I was genuinely sad to leave this amazing place.

I started this program as an open water diver with 8 dives who only did some dives in cold, unclear water in Belgium. Little did I know that I would end the program with 109 dives and a group of friends that will last for a lifetime. IOP thought me to become a good, responsible diver but also thought me so much about the wonders of the underwater world. Theoretical and practical workshops in the dive center but also education days in the local schools, were part of the program and this is why it was such a fun and divers internship. I only have words of love for this traineeship and I would 100% recommend it to people that love diving (or are curious about it) and want to contribute to marine science and be meaningful in this changing world.

I was so worried about traveling to a new place alone and staying for so long but Indo Ocean made it super easy and fun. I met so many amazing people (both interns and staff), felt safe and learned so much during my internship. The research aspect was incredible, as we got to do real research on coral reefs and collect the data ourselves which meant scuba diving almost every day. The staff were so helpful when I was having issues or concerns about my diving development and I left feeling so confident in the water. The memories I made during my 10 week internship are incredible and I wish I could do it again.

I chose Indo Ocean project due to how complete their program seemed and due to their location in Raja Ampat, and it definitely was the right choice. From the beginning, staff were amazing, our instructors Anne and Ricky taught us diving skills effectively and safely while also teaching ecology courses supported by Maxs and Lois. They all ran the project amazingly in difficult conditions.

The location was absolutely amazing, with access to several key dive sites and in the middle of the jungle. Collaboration with the dive centre was not always smooth but having such amazing staff and such an amazing group made the whole experience truly unforgettable. After 10 weeks in Raja, I spent 6 more in Bira as a research intern. Bira is a location with more amenities so the change was appreciated, and from the beginning the instructors, Ben and Jess, made Bira feel great. Later on, Greg and Vale and then Quinthan brought their own styles to the table all the while being awesome people and instructors. Yuli and Sudar, the staff members, were also amazing people and were always around to help with ecology, diving skills, etc.

In a nutshell, I would recommend this if you want to improve your diving skills while seeing some cool stuff in beautiful locations and surrounded by some of the best people I've ever met. My only hope is that I can one day go back to IOP!

The Bira Project location is absolutely stunning, and the Blue Planet staff were incredibly helpful and welcoming. As someone with no prior background in conservation or biology, I was amazed by the wealth of knowledge I gained. The pre-arrival materials and on-site support from the staff and fellow interns made the learning process smooth and enjoyable. Whether it was conducting surveys, setting up BRUVs, or exploring the vibrant underwater world, every moment was fulfilling. Diving almost every day in Bira’s pristine waters truly changed my perspective, and I found myself becoming more passionate about marine conservation and research.

The country and the location of the Bira IndoOceans Project is incredibly beautiful. I went from having very little to lots of confidence diving thanks to our experienced, supportive project leads and found lots of passion in marine biology thanks to the super knowledgable, hardworking marine biologists on the project Sudar and Yuly. I loved that the project kept us busy contributing to the conservation of the marine ecosystem in Bira, including working with locals, and that we were in the ocean exploring and researching everyday 🌊🐠🐬🐳🪸

The staff were so great and amazing teachers. The programme involved taking part in active marine research by doing BRUVs, benthic and roving fish surveys! I made so much personal growth throughout my internship and also had the best time with a group of strangers. Despite it being 3 months it went by very quickly! I would really recommend to anyone who has an interest in marine biology or diving because it is a great way to learn and train (so you are also gaining valuable skills for the future as well)