The time of my life!

Diving twice a day in the beautiful waters of Seychelles, becoming family with people from all over the world, learning about the reefs, becoming part of the culture, beautiful hikes and some fun evenings out ;) can sum up the amazing adventure I had in Seychelles.

The accommodation is something to get used to but this becomes part of the experience. Everyday you will get a duty to complete with a time between your dives which help you grow in team work, leadership and make you appreciative of the privileges we have at home. You will definitely grow within yourself while on this adventure!

I found my passion for marine life which changed the direction of my life and with this I got qualifications there to help with my CV for the future. Definitely recommend for those thinking of going into the marine industry as well as those looking for an amazing diving experience!

This experience was truly life changing and something I will hold close to my heart forever. If you ever get the chance to go on a trip abroad, this would be the one. Living in rural conditions right on the beach really put me out of my comfort zone and forced me to adapt to this new way of living. The interaction with the locals was awesome, getting to see how the island natives live and what they enjoy around the Seychelles. I stayed on the lovely Cureiuse Island (a completely uninhabited island with just GVI, the Seychelles National Parks Authority; no roads, no infrastructure) for two months. I worked with Hawksbill and Green Sea Turtles, studying their growth and nesting habits. I also got to perform the catch and release of juvenile Blacktip and Lemon sharks as well as working with other volunteers on the giant tortise census, analyzing of the growth of the endemic Coco De Mer trees, and beach profiling. Traveling to the Seychelles was an extremely spontaneous choice, however I wouldn't change a thing. Meeting people from around the world that share the same interest as you and becoming family with the other volunteers and staff is something I can't explain, you just have to experience it.

Living on Curieuse for three months was the most amazing experience, I got to work with baby sharks and see nesting turtles and even hold some baby tortoises that they take care of on the island. It's an unique experience that I don't think would be available anywhere else. The work that is done on the project is relevant and any task that is given will have a purpose for either the natural habitat of the indigenous species in the Seychelles or the environment as a whole. There is also time for activities outside the project, such as exploring the neighboring island Praslin and the amazing beaches there. I did my Open water course on Praslin during several weekends when we had time of.
Living the island life on Curieuse is sometimes hard work but is so rewarding and so worth it! And getting the chance to see the Seychelles is a huge bonus!

This experience was amazing I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for an adventure and who loves the underwater world and conservation. I learnt how to become a better diver and also how to protect the environment. I met the most amazing people from all over the world who are now my closest friends, the staff are there to ensure you get the best out of your time in the Seychelles and are absolutely full of knowledge. I fell in love with this country and it’s beautiful beaches and the incredible reefs it has to offer! This program is full of adventure, knowledge and fun!! I cannot recommend it enough. Over three months I managed to achieve 75 dives, encounter more than 50 turtles, hike in the most beautiful terrain, swim in beautiful beaches and make life long friends!

This is a great opportunity to engage with marine conservation work within a pristine Nature Reserve on the island of Curieuse, Seychelles. I can honestly say that joining the GVI Giant Tortoise and Biodiversity Conservation Project was the best thing I have ever done, an experience I will value for the rest of my life. Right from the very beginning with the contact from the staff, I knew this trip was going to be amazing but nothing can prepare you for how picturesque it is. The best experience for me was when I was lucky enough to see a Hawksbill Turtle basking on the surface of the ocean, whilst being watched by a school of five bull sharks. The staff were so knowledgeable and were always happy to help. I have learnt to cook food for 17 people with very limited cooking equipment and ingredients, loved every Friday BBQ night and made friends for life.

I spent 4 weeks volunteering with GVI's Marine Conservation project on Mahé Island in the Seychelles and absolutely loved my experience! While on the program, I learned so much about and helped to collect valuable data on the flora and fauna of the Seychellois marine ecosystems, advanced my scuba diving skills, further developed my own environmental ethic, and formed great friendships with people from all over the world. I felt like I had great access to information while planning my trip, and I have still felt a large pull to remain connected to my experience in the Seychelles through GVI's extensive alumni programs. I would highly recommend GVI for anyone who is interested in international volunteering and meeting people from around the world. Additionally, GVI's marine conservation programs are especially well suited for science-minded folks with a love for experiencing the natural world!

After booking my trip for only 1 month, I tried desperately to change my flights in order for me to stay for another month... with no luck though.
I learned so many new skills, both social, and scientific, that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
I’ve always thought about going into marine biology in university, however never had a concrete plan, so part of the reason I went to the Seychelles was to give myself a sense of ‘work experience’ to determine my studies, and boy was I blown away with what I got. The hands on activities, and the friends you make, will stay with you for a lifetime.
Writing a small review on this page cannot compare at all to what experiences you will get in Curieuse Island. JUST GO!! I promise you, if you love warm weather, biology (marine and general), and making new friends... this is the trio for you!

I can honestly say that joining the GVI Turtle and Lemon Shark Conservation Project was the best thing I have ever done. It is an experience I will value for the rest of my life. Right from the very beginning with the field manual I knew this trip was going to be amazing but nothing can prepare you for how stunning it is. I remember one day, I was chilling in the hammock before dinner when I saw a juvenile Lemon Shark and a ray. I called everyone and we watched the shark almost beach itself on a few occasions. However the best experience for me was when I was lucky enough to see not 1 or 2 but 3 Hawksbill Turtles lay their eggs all in one day. It was magical. The staff were so knowledgeable and were always happy to help. I have learnt to cook food for 25 people with very limited cooking equipment and ingredients, loved every Friday BBQ night and made friends for life.