Location
  • Madagascar
    • Nosy Komba
Length
4 to 12 weeks

Program Details

Language
English
Age Min.
17
Age Max
70
Housing
Hostel

Pricing

Starting Price
2250
Price Details
4 weeks: $2250
5 weeks: $2625
6 weeks: $3000
7 weeks: $3375
8 weeks: $3750
9 weeks: $4125
10 weeks: $4500
11 weeks: $4875
12 weeks: $5250

Our fees include all meals and accommodation whilst on camp.
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Meals
What's Not Included
Some Accommodation Some Activities Airfare Domestic Airfare SIM cards Transportation Travel Insurance Visa Wifi
Apr 04, 2023
Mar 13, 2024
7 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Our Marine Conservation Program offers a variety of projects to volunteers. All Marine Conservation program volunteers must have both their Open Water and Advanced Open Water Dive Certifications to participate in this program. PADI diving courses can be completed with us in Madagascar at our MRCI Diving School.

Not only do our projects include reef surveying and regeneration, turtle monitoring, nudibranch research and beach cleanups, but we also educate the local community on environmental issues, conservation and protection of their marine resources.

Our volunteers receive comprehensive training on species identification and surveying techniques.

Our Marine Conservation program requires volunteers to participate in for a minimum of 4 weeks and a maximum of 12 weeks.

Program Reviews

4.88 Rating
based on 8 reviews
  • 5 rating 87.5%
  • 4 rating 12.5%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 4.4
  • Support 4.9
  • Fun 5
  • Value 4.5
  • Safety 5
Showing 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Default avatar
Drake
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Diving with MRCI

I had the pleasure of spending 8 weeks with MRCI last year and it was a wonderful experience. I spent a few weeks in the village of Ampangorina doing some community construction work and then the remainder of my time with the marine conservation program, where I was able to get my PADI DiveMaster and learn about coral conservation, marine population surveys, etc. The location is splendid and the people are friendly. You're not going to change the world by coming here but you'll surely learn a lot. I also ended up with a few opportunities to teach english on Nosy Komba and Nosy Be. Headed back to Nosy Be on my own later this year to pursue some projects locally.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
Although I had a great time with the marine conservation program and I was able to reach some valuable personal goals (earning my DM), I feel that the most impactful program is the teaching program. You really get to connect with students and locals in a much more intimate way than through marine conservation, and your work has a more direct impact.
Pros
  • Beautiful location
  • Wonderful staff
  • Diverse wildlife
Cons
  • Food is a bit bland
  • You may step on a lot of snails at night or run into spiders bigger than your hand
61 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Kathelijn
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Where did the time go??

Read More
129 people found this review helpful.
Bardia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Review of MRCI Camp on Nosy Komba

Read More
132 people found this review helpful.
Erin
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Volunteering in Paradise

Volunteering with the Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute has been a trip of a lifetime. Being able to dive at least one a day during the reef and have a gorgeously healthy reef right out front has been an amazing way to spend 12 weeks. Being a part of the survey team, tracking the health of the reef over the years and working to make sure it stays protected is truly remarkable. The water conditions are gorgeous and the staff is so amazing. Some truly amazing divers who have shared so much knowledge to help improve my diving skills, plus make the environment fun as well as serious. Safety is truly a top priority which isn't something that you always find when it comes to diving. The overall experience here has been life changing in a very positive way.

126 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Nicole
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

BEST EXPERIENCE EVER

Not only is Madagascar an incredible place to volunteer but the camp itself is absolutely beautiful. The MRCI staff is so welcoming and helpful and the local staff does an amazing job with cooking the (meat and vegetarian) meals and the most delicious desserts. I came to Madagascar without any SCUBA certifications but the dive instructor made it so easy to learn and within two weeks I had my advanced certification and was diving in the most beautiful reef. I made the best friends that I plan to visit all over the world and have learned so much during this experience. I spent four weeks there and I can honestly say it was not enough time to take it all in, I was so sad to leave but can't wait to go back some day.

What would you improve about this program?
A larger emphasis on teaching conservation and science related topics
125 people found this review helpful.
Tom
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Life Changing Experience

Read More
What would you improve about this program?
I would try and introduce more variations of the types of meals that are provided on camp.
127 people found this review helpful.
Janine
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Volunteering in Madagascar

After doing forest conservation for 2 months, I did marine conservation for 2 months. I never went scuba diving before coming here, it was the best experience I have ever had. I can't imagine a place more ideal for scuba diving than Madagascar. Madagascar is definitely the most beautiful and unique place I've ever been too. The staff is very helpful and passionate about what they do. For marine, we did a lot of shore dives and some boat dives. The boat dives were at some spots nearby camp, they were always very fun! I loved that no dive was ever the same, we would always see something really interesting and different on every dive. There is an abundance of beautiful coral and marine life everywhere on the reef. I would recommend to stay as long as possible, you won't want to leave. The only thing I regret is not doing marine for longer. Madagascar had a big impact on me and really changed me. I will never forget all the amazing people I met and the memories made.

What would you improve about this program?
NOTHING I LOVED IT
125 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Karl
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My Time at MRCI

If you want to go to Madagascar this is the program to do. I spent roughly five months at MRCI and didn't have a single problem at all. The staff is amazing. They are very friendly and accomadating but also have a strong passion for what there doing! The Cape sits in a perfect location a short boat ride away from the main town and from the front of the camp its about a 30 second swim to "Turtle Towers Reef" where they do many of there surveys! I also highly recommend doing the 10 day Eco Tour! Going around to remote islands, atoms, and reefs for 10 days what one of the many highlights of my trip. Nosy Be and the Surrounding area is an amazing place and theres no where else in the world like it. I recently went back for the second time and had just as much fun.

If you get the chance to do this program believe me you won't regret it

122 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers