Indo Ocean Project Reviews

I found a family abroad with members from every part of the world. Life in Bira is paradise, and it feels like home now. From the movie night to family dinner, playing beach volleyball or board games, I will really miss those moments of community.

The staff is amazing and super helpful; they made me a confident dive master. The training is much more complete than a typical diver master program; you will finish this as a buoyancy pro.

If you like diving and you are interested in learning more about the ocean and its conservation, do not hesitate to sign up!

Could not have asked for a better experience! From the people, to the location in Bira, to the diving, and skills and knowledge I gained from my time here, it was all incredible. I applied for this internship because I am in the process of changing careers from nursing, and my time here has absolutely solidified that I have made the right decision. I learned so much, not only about diving but also ecology, and being able to directly apply all the skills and knowledge in real life was an amazing learning experience. I could not recommend it enough.

I came to Indo Ocean Project having never dived before and completed 14 weeks of training, now finishing with 133 dives as a Divemaster. The internship was everything I had imagined and more. I met some of the most admirable people who have inspired me in many ways, not just diving.

I completed my internship in Bira, and I can easily say I have found a second home and family here. Every aspect of the experience, from the science, conservation, and dives to the people (and the dogs!) has all been amazing, I can’t recommend it enough!

I had a great time in IOP learning from incredibly professional and competent staff. This internship has helped me to gain a better understanding on marine conservation in regards with field work, scientific analysis as well as the advocacy and governance side of marine conservation.

The standards given by the staff during the internship was high however they will always be there to help and I believe this has made me a very competent diver especially for marine research however after completing this internship it has also filled me with more curiosity and motivation to pursue a career relating to marine conservation and to continue to be curious and hone my skills.

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.