Program Reviews

IOP (Nusa Penida) was a life changing experience. Daily dives and workshops provide the perfect environment to become an experienced Dive Master with a strong understanding of marine environments/marine ecology. The IOP staff work hard to ensure interns get the most from their time. While the program is rigorous, there is a fair amount of down time, with 4-5 days off a month. I came with my Rescue Cert so the program was 2 months but it flew by, and I wish it would have been longer. The locals on Nusa Penida are very kind and make the day-day quite pleasant. There are tons of amazing cheap food options all over the island. It’s easy to fall in love with island life. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of IOP it’s once in a lifetime!

I spent 14 weeks at the Bira project location, arriving with 0 dives and leaving with a divemaster certification, this was an incredible experience and definitely one of my favourite things ive ever done! My time was filled with assisting and leading dives, workshops, species ID, roving surveys, BRUV deployments and analysis, benthic surveys, coral restoration and mangrove care and replanting. I have learnt to much at my time in IOP and would highly recommend this program to all (especially at the Bira location there are so many sharks and even a few molas!!!!).
Couldn't have asked for a more perfect experience with the most perfect people to experience this with, special thanks to the blue planet team Phoebe and Sylvain and Jess, Ben and Qinthan, the most inspiring people to do scientific diving with :)

I can’t possibly believe I had the most beautiful and productive 2 months in Raja Ampat - divers’ paradise learning from some of the most compassionate, well informed, and driven team of dive professionals. The amount of exposure and growth I’ve had is incredible! I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. The training along with the scientific research and conservation efforts that make up the program is so wholesome. I feel so much more confident as not just a dive professional but as someone who’s going to lead more people into diving! Along with all that, living with the Papuans was a blessing in itself. They are the loveliest staff and so helpful.

Arrived as an open water diver in Raja Ampat, not really knowing what to expect living this experience far away from home. The first day, I discover the camp, surrounded by the jungle and straigh away I feel in peace knowing that something good was about to happen. I got to stay for 12 weeks to become a dive master before extending for 4 more. I feel like if you really want to understand how amazing this adventure is you have to see it by yourself, words wouldn't describe it. Believe me you won't be dissapointed. To say, I tried to extend as much as I could ;) I won't spoil you but just expect to fall in love with diving, the people and Raja Ampat as a whole.
Also, I want to express my truthful gratitude to Mette Rosenberge Carlsen and Elise Dixon, amazing people and instructors that gave me back my passion for biology and introduce me to diving which I know is gonna be a big part of my life ! I will forever remember these jungle women as an exemple in my life and cannot express my gratitude for how much they impacted a part of my life!

I have spent the last year taking part in various marine conservation internships, I can honestly say my time with Indo Ocean was unlike anything else- in the best possible way! Arriving as an Advanced Open Water diver with only around 10 dives under my weight belt, I worried if travelling half way around the world was too big of a step but I am so pleased I did. Completely surrounding myself in the diving environment was definitely the best way to learn. I can now say I am a confident diver and enjoy every second underwater. I am not from a scientific background and I did struggle with some aspects of the learning, mainly the fish identification (there are just so many in Raja!), however after working with the tutors and fellow dive master trainees I was extremely pleased to pass my tests and take part in surveys. I know some say the accommodation is basic but my bed was comfortable and I was always very happy with the food provided- who doesn't like crepes for breakfast?! It takes a little while for everything to settle in a new location, but I am thrilled to say I was one of the first Divemasters to be trained by Indo Ocean in such an incredible location.

Having started my Divemaster in Bira with zero experience, I really couldn't have asked for a more welcoming, informative, safety-conscious and downright fun program to have joined.

My 14 week course was packed with informative workshops, marine ecology learning, extra curricular activities and most importantly, plenty of hands on diving experience. The Bira experience cannot be understated enough, it's an ecological goldmine underneath those waves. Regularly seeing a variety of species of sharks, rays, turtles and all manner of other marine megafauna (which particularly interest me) was amazing.

The experience above water was also great, courtesy of the people working for both IOP and Blue Planet. Huge thanks to Ben, Jess and Qinthan for making the experience what it was, couldn't have imagined the place without you guys!

I arrived to Raja Ampat with 15 years of diving experience but very little confidence and quality of skill set. The instructors immediately impressed me with their professionalism and academic expertise not only in scuba but in the marine ocean sciences too. As an intern, you hit the ground running, enjoying the fast pace learning environment while reveling in spectacular natural beauty. The setting in Raja is incomparable to any coral reef system I have seen, including the beautiful walls of Grand Cayman and richness of Nusa Penida.
Each day is filled with wonder and excitement as the interns and staff share observations and grow together as divers, researchers, friends and for some, future colleagues. I’ll always look back on this time with a big smile and glowing heart! Life changing experiences beneath and above the surface and I can’t wait to move forward with the newly acquired skills and confidence thanks to the passionate dedication of IOP veterans and founders!
Bravo to the ever growing team of scientists, dive professionals and resort staff - including but not limited to amazing chefs, boat captains and mates, managers and coordinators, carpenters and the locals who provide invaluable traditional ecological knowledge as well as welcome countless visitors to their island community with warmth and kindness.
I highly recommend checking out opportunities to join the IOP clan and contribute to marine conservation that is so dearly needed as we see catastrophic decline in ocean health. Its inspiring to team up and learn from each other, each individual bringing unique experience and love for the planet to the IOP table!

Thanks for this amazing opportunity!

P.S. Be on the lookout for the hammerheads!

I could not recommend this internship enough!!!

I can't even begin to express how good this internship was, I went to the Nusa Penida for the Zero to Hero program (14 weeks), and if I could do it all again I would without question. I have made lifelong friendships with people all across the globe and will always have a little dive family in Penida.

I would like to say a big thanks to the IOP staff Micheala, Serena, Pascal, Rinalidi, Caitlin, and Arya who all taught me so much about marine conservation, coral restoration, and research techniques which will hopefully enrich my career as a future Marine Biologist.

I wanted to give a special shoutout to IOP Penida staff member Arya, not only is he an amazing diver and teacher in the Penida currents, but he is also an amazing person and will be your number one supporter throughout your journey to completing divemaster.

Thank you for everything IndoOcean, I will cherish the memories and connections I made for life!

The program is great and really well conceived: nice balance between diving and workshops, diving skills and conservation skills. It's also nice to have the coral and mangrove restoration projects and the scholl visits on the side.
IOP and Blue Planet's teams were really welcoming and we had an amazing group of interns, we spent some great times together.
Last but not least, the diving was great: lots of sharks, rays and even a Mola, a guitarfish & a whaleshark. Great lifetime memories!
If you're interested in completing your divemaster and curious about conservation, that's exactly what you need!
Thanks IOP and particularly Ben, Jess and Qinthan for the amazing time!

I have travelled extensively over the years and have always found it difficult to find places and experience that provide exactly what you are looking for. The Research Dive Master Internship with IOP based in Raja was a a truly amazing experience; the location, Diving, Standard of Training, Conservation workshops, and the people that make the journey to be part of the Internship are what truly make it such a unique and rewarding life experience.

I have to say a big thank you to both Mette Carlsen and Elise Dixon who are passionate Instructors, possessing great knowledge on specialist subjects whilst having a different approach to taught subjects and influencing students with exemplary practical diving skills. These guys are genuinely inspiring individuals, I can honestly say that I am most fortunate to have been trained by and work along side them both.

There are not many places in the world that over a 10 week period members of the team can experience diving with Whales, Reef Sharks, Whale Sharks, Hammerheads, Mantas, all kinds of Rays, Turtles, and huge schools of Trevally's and Barracuda amongst may other species. The biodiversity of species in Raja and the size of individuals and schools are unrivalled compared to anywhere else on the planet. From the outstanding work that IOP are carrying out in Raja in regards to research and training the next generation of Dive Professionals, there is hope that the word can spread about how a successful Marine Protected Area can work for both species within the Ocean and also by supporting the local community.

I have so many out of this world memories from my time in Raja with IOP, when ever I am reliving them over in my mind and catch myself smiling there are 2 phrases that I hear in my head;
1. This is Raja!
2. Lets go Divinngggg eehhh!

If you are considering enrolling on the Research Dive Master Internship with IOP, stop wasting time man! just do it and it will be one of the best life experiences you will ever have!

James Hood
IOP Research Dive Master