Research Buddy: Philippines Marine Conservation Volunteering
Research Buddy: Philippines Marine Conservation Volunteering
- Philippines
- Dauin
About Program
Reef Buddy Philippines is a 2 to 12 week marine conservation programme in Dauin, Negros Oriental — the macro diving capital of the Philippines and heart of the Coral Triangle. We run reef monitoring to internationally recognized Reef Check methodology, the global standard used in peer-reviewed marine science.
Volunteers contribute to four active research work streams alongside our staff: Reef Check surveys, coral nursery cultivation, BRUVS apex predator monitoring, and invasive species management. PADI Open Water and Advanced Open Water certification included during Training Week — no prior diving experience required.
Reef Buddy Philippines is the Southeast Asian operation of Caribbean Reef Buddy, named Most Dedicated Marine Conservation Organization 2023 by Acquisition International. Accommodation at Sierra Resort with all meals included. Designed for marine science students, early-career conservationists, and divers building credible field experience.
Program Highlights
- PADI Open Water and Advanced Open Water Certification: Both courses included in Training Week, delivered by PADI-certified instructors at The Dive Hub Dauin (PADI 5-Star facility)
- Reef Check Survey Training: Learn the global standard methodology for citizen-science coral reef monitoring, used in peer-reviewed marine research worldwide
- BRUVS Apex Predator Monitoring: Deploy and analyse Baited Remote Underwater Video Systems to track sharks, rays, and apex predators — a rare offering at volunteer level
- 3D Photogrammetry Reef Mapping: Use Agisoft software to build centimetre-accurate 3D models of reef structures, tracking changes in structural complexity over time
- World-Class Macro Diving Included: Dauin's dive sites are home to frogfish, mimic octopus, ghost pipefish, nudibranchs, and pygmy seahorse
Most Dedicated Marine Conservation Organisation of the Year 2023
Video and Photos
Program Impact
Reef Buddy Philippines launched in 2026 as the Southeast Asian expansion of Caribbean Reef Buddy, founded in 2014 in Grenada. In Dauin we are applying the proven Trinity Model — scientific monitoring, habitat restoration, and community engagement — to one of the world's most biodiverse marine ecosystems.
Our Philippines operation is building long-term reef monitoring baselines at sites across Dauin's marine protected areas, contributing data to support local government unit decisions on coastal zone and fisheries management. The coral nursery programme cultivates and transplants resilient species to reef areas affected by climate stress, with regular monitoring tracking recovery over time. Our BRUVS deployments are building baseline data on apex predator presence in Dauin waters, contributing evidence to support continued protection of shark and ray populations in the Coral Triangle.
Across both Caribbean and Philippines operations, Reef Buddy has now engaged 300+ volunteers as citizen scientists from 28 nationalities, with alumni working in marine conservation, research, and education roles worldwide.
