Research Assistant Program at Gili Shark Conservation in Indonesia

This was the first time for me to volunteer with this kind of project and the first time I ever got involved with marine conservation. And it's been a really fantastic experience that has impacted how I look at many things.

Doing the scientific diver and shark conservation specialties with Zara made me start looking at everything differently. It taught me so much that I use and think of every time I go diving now. Before I was looking for all the cool stuff every other diver looks for - you know, everything that's rare and hard to find. Now I go diving and I am happy to just look at everything ordinary because I understand their role in the eco-system. Instead of looking for species I start looking at the anatomy and habitat of fish. It is literally a whole new world of diving which I am so appreciative of!

Everyone in the team has their role and every little thing we do feel important! Everyone has an attitude like: "You can achieve anything! If you have a crazy idea we'll support you!" It is such a supportive environment. We would clap maybe 5 times during office hour, haha! The whole team is so dedicated to what they do and everyone is so humble about it.
They have truly inspired me to continue on a meaningful journey in life.

Gili Air is also amazing! I felt very free and safe. Maybe because of the fact that I didn't wear shoes and that there's only horse carts and bikes around, which I both love! Indonesia is just an amazing country and this island has definitely been one of my favorites so far. Here all the locals will smile at you from their heart. It's a good mix of everything. It's tiny but it still feels big. You can be in the busy heart of the island aka the harbor and then you can go north and feel like you are completely alone.

Having done volunteer works in some places, I think the experience here is one of the best I ever had! First of all the staffs here really treated me as a friend, we hanged out together often and that's really a lovely memory. And they are super friendly and patient. The researchers here answered all my dumb marine biology rookie questions friendly and patient. I think what makes this program special is that in here I did feel like I am being helpful and doing something meaningful. Unlike you only be given some basic thing to do somewhere else, in the program the staffs are willing to teach me everything and let me participate in all I had to do is ask. Plus Gili Air is a nice place to visit! There are nice locals, delicious restaurants with food all around the world, and of course significant view below and above the sea.

The team are incredible and made me feel so welcome. Everything they are doing is amazing and I was so proud to be a part of it. I learnt so much about conservation, sharks, rays and turtles, fish identification and so much more! I have become a far more confident diver and enjoyed every single dive we went on. This is a must do for anyone who cares about the ocean and what lies within it, has completely changed the way I view the world.

The accommodation within Oceans 5 was great, really clean and comfortable and perfectly located for the dives. I would also extremely recommend Oceans 5 as a dive resort for doing any courses or fun dives, the instructors are really professional.

Thank you to the team for making an unforgettable experience - I will 100% be coming back!

I have always been slightly obsessed with sharks and a keen advocate for their protection so when I heard about Gili Shark Conservation it was a no brainer! From the second I submitted my application I knew I was dealing with consummate professionals and their communication couldn't have been better. Every step of the way leading up to this adventure I felt in the loop and like I already knew the staff leading it.
I joined the programme not so long after the devastating earthquakes in Lombok but I could not have felt safer and the family seemed to be even stronger because of what they had overcome together.
I was welcomed warmly and felt like I was a part of the family from day 1. One thing that had been playing on my mind was the fact that I am a very nervous diver and I worried that this was going to cause massive issues. It didn't. The time and care the staff took to look after me, support me, make me feel safe and above all boost my confidence was exceptional. I never felt like a burden or out of place.
Through this experience I feel like I have grown as a person, I have made friends for life, given back to the planet I love and genuinely made a difference. The staff here are professional but you can also see clearly that this is a labour of love; you cannot help but get caught up in their passion for conservation. I am already planning my next trip back.
I cannot recommend this highly enough. Thank you so much to everyone at Gili Shark conservation for the life-changing experience.

I had the best time with the Shark team. Everyone is kind, welcoming and always smiling. We always had fun, regardless of what we were doing. I got to learn a lot about sharks and coral reefs and gained valuable experience in biological reaserch.

I would recommend this program to all ocean lovers who want help make a difference. It is a perfect mix of diving, scientific research and communitity outreach - all this while enjoying a beautiful island, great food and most importantly: making lifelong friends.

The only downside is you won't ever want to leave ...

It’s hard to put into words my time with The Gili Shark Project. I did my divemaster internship with them and it was definitely the most fun I’ve ever had. All of the staff was so supportive during my divemaster course and there was no stress because I was always surrounded by smiling, happy people who were more than willing to drop whatever they were doing to help me. Beach cleanups and surface intervals were definitely some of my favorite times. Beach cleanups involved interacting with everyone on the island and enjoying time getting to know people from all over the world while cleaning up the beach. The friends I made here are people I will never forget.
Again, I cannot express how much I enjoyed this experience. Gili Air is such a magical place and all the people are what make it so great. I really hope you get the chance to experience it.

For a person having not dived in nearly 20 years this program was a chance to rekindle an underwater love affair while experiencing the passion of incredible individuals working towards a common goal.
Regardless of your previous skills and experience, this program will give you an undeniable appreciation for marine life, an opportunity to up-skill and a chance to aid in effective research, all the while in the company of people with an insatiable appetite to make a difference, both environmentally and socially.
I extended my stay and feel so fortunate to have been able to stay 5 weeks and enjoy the company of so many wonderful individuals. Wonderful people who just by association make you want to be a better person.
Lombok and the Gili Islands may have been shaken by a major earthquake this year, but they are ready for you right now.
What are you waiting for - go experience things unlike you have ever done before.
HUPLA!

Being a part of this program was a really great experience for me. Everyone was really friendly and helpful, and I felt very comfortable with Ocean's 5 (the dive shop) and with the Gili Shark Conservation team. We did two dives a day with the team in incredible dive spots. Another invaluable part of the experience for me was getting to know the team, people from all over the world. Overall, I had a wonderful time and I highly recommend this program.