Community Choice Award Winner

Volunteer

GVI, Ethical Impact: Volunteer in Seychelles

Name: GVI, Ethical Impact: Volunteer in Seychelles
Brand: GVI
SKU: 21745
Rating: 4.62 (50 reviews)

Hosted by

GVI

4.62 (50 reviews)

Good for

Adventure travelers

Solo Travelers

Students

GVI, Ethical Impact: Volunteer in Seychelles

GVI

4.62 · 50 reviews

Community Choice Award Winner

Location

Seychelles

Length

1 to 12 weeks

Project Types

Climate Change Conservation Marine Conservation Sea Turtle Conservation Environmental Conservation Wildlife Conservation

General grants/scholarships

View Other Details

Program Details

Timeframe

Year Round

Housing

Guesthouse

Groups

Small Group (1-15) Medium Group (16-30)

Travel Type

Solo Women

Pricing

What's Included

Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Equipment Transportation

What's Not Included

Airfare Travel Insurance Visa Wifi

Last Updated: Nov 02, 2023

Last Reviewed: May 08, 2026

Wish List

93 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Seychelles is a paradise of ecological diversity. You'll discover rare marine and land ecosystems here, and surprisingly, more than a quarter of this land is safeguarded. It's a unique opportunity for you to join hands with us in supporting sustainable projects focused on marine life, animals, and environmental conservation.

Get involved in researching coral reef recovery and climate change, work closely with marine life to pick up a range of cool conservation skills, and help gather vital data for local and government sustainability projects. And guess what? You can take your pick between our snorkelling and diving marine conservation programs!

Connect with the local community and international volunteers alike, learning about different cultures. Make new friends, get to know the interesting marine creatures that call this part of the deep blue home by snorkelling or diving, and explore the nearby islands.

Visit Site

Apply Now

COMMUNITY REVIEWS SUMMARY

This program offers hands-on marine conservation work with daily dives, wildlife surveys, and community engagement in a stunning island setting.

AI-generated summary from verified community reviews Read reviews →

Program Highlights

Live and volunteer on an archipelago of 115 islands, connecting with local communities and international volunteers.
Learn about ethical volunteering and actively contribute towards long-term UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Increase your conservation skill-set, and gain your PADI divers and PADI Coral Reef Research qualifications.
Travel to UNESCO world heritage sites, swim in supreme tropical waters identifying native aquatic sea-life.
Experience a different way of life immersed in local communities, learning about the culture and customs.

GVI Foundation Grants now available – cover up to 80% of your program fees!

Eligible participants can now receive up to 80% coverage of program fees for volunteering, internships, apprenticeships and research fellowships abroad. With a goal of providing £2 million in grants annually, this initiative helps passionate individuals join GVI's conservation and community development programs.

Learn More

GVI Foundation Grants now available – cover up to 80% of your program fees!

Learn More

Video and Photos

View All Photos

Popular Programs

Marine Conservation Expedition

Dive into the Indian Ocean on our Seychelles marine conservation expedition. Earn your PADI Advanced Open Water and PADI Reef Ecosystem Diver (RESD) Specialty certifications while contributing to vital research. Experience thrilling dive sites, support marine conservation and make new friends.

Island Conservation Expedition

Explore vibrant coral reefs and swim alongside turtles, eagle rays and reef sharks. Immerse yourself in seagrass meadows and trek through mangrove forests. Contribute meaningfully, develop critical skills and form genuine connections with people from across the globe. Get set for an epic adventure!

Interns swimming during the sunset in the Seychelles

Climate Change and Coral Bleaching

Earn your PADI Advanced Open Water and PADI Reef Ecosystem Diver Specialty certifications while studying coral recovery and rehabilitation. Explore stunning dive sites, assist in monitoring coral recovery and contribute to marine conservation in Seychelles.

Related Programs

Program Reviews

4.62 Rating

based on 50 reviews

Leave a Review

Rating Spread Volunteer

5 rating 80%
4 rating 14%
3 rating 0%
2 rating 0%
1 rating 6%

Impact 4.55
Support 4.65
Fun 4.65
Value 4.45
Safety 4.6

Good for Adventure travelers, Solo Travelers, Students

Showing 49 - 50 of 50 reviews

I was a volunteer on the GVI Seychelles Terrestrial Project for five weeks. It was the best experience of my life! I loved every minute and every activity. Part of the project was recording turtle nesting activity and this meant we had the oppoutunity to see turtles lay eggs. It was an amazing sight. We also had did nest relocations twice. This is because the turtle did not lay her eggs far enough above the hightide line. The eggs we moved have since hatched and knowing we played a major role in their survival is something I will tresure forever. The work the volunteers did was important and had a large impact to the overall scientific research being conducted. The project was very physical and involved a lot of walking in the sun but every day was different. There were three different scientific surveys we were collecting data for so I never felt that the program was boring. I highly recomend this program if you are looking for a great volunteering oppourtunity in a beautify setting.

Response from GVI

Hey, thanks for your review! I'm thrilled to hear you had such a positive experience with us and enjoyed your time on base as much as you did. We'd love to have you back on base sometime soon!

By GVI on July 28, 2021

I spent five weeks in the Seychelles with GVI. I started off at the base on Curieuse and then moved to the base at Cap Ternay. The living conditions are very basic yet comfortable enough to feel at home. The base on Curiese is more basic than the Cap Ternay one as it did not have electricity or running water. That being said, the accommodations were still decent. The hardest part for me was adjusting to the lack of running water and therefore bucket-flush toilets.
The days usually start off fairly early, between 6 and 7am. Volunteers are put into duty groups for the day and perform these duties before breakfast. Throughout the day there are different lectures or base projects to keep you busy and everyone dives at least once a day providing that they are fit to dive. For the first few weeks, the dives were mostly skill dives for those who did not already have their advanced open water and spot dives to begin learning the different species to be surveyed. As we got more comfortable with the species, practice surveys were conducted with a member of staff. I was there during the month of August and the water was a little chilly so I would definitely recommend purchasing a wetsuit, I had a 3mm one and was fine, but that varies from person to person.
Like I mentioned previously, life on base is very basic. Meals mostly consist of fruits, vegetables, and lots of rice and pasta. We did have barbeques every week which was a nice change for those of us who ate meat.
Overall, I thought the program was fantastic, the staff are all really friendly and helpful, the volunteers were really nice and like-minded which was a good change from a lot of the people I know at home, and the diving was amazing. I had only dived two other sites before arriving in the Seychelles but I can honestly say that it was just breathtaking.
I would definitely recommend this program to anyone who enjoys diving and is passionate about conservation!

Response from GVI

Hey, thanks for your review! I'm thrilled to hear you had such a positive experience with us and enjoyed your time on base as much as you did. We'd love to have you back on base sometime soon!

By GVI on July 28, 2021

Questions & Answers

What skills are required for this program?

For the Marine Conservation Expedition on Mahé, all volunteers require a current PADI Open Water. No additional skills are required, but it certainly helps if you’re already familiar with diving safety protocol and marine / boating experience. You will study either fish, coral or invertebrates and be taught survey methodology. Writing on a slate underwater would be a good activity to practice...

By Nipper on February 14, 2018

See all 2 answers

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

I chose this program because I had a friend who became a staff member. He recommended it but I have been to 2 other GVI projects before this, so I had considered it before. My friend was so insistent that this project was different and I needed to experience it, so he convinced me, and he was right.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

I booked directly through GVI so I had a couple of phone calls to give me information and then a pre-departure pack that was emailed to me with kit list and info on the program. All you need to organize before you go are flights and accommodation before the Saturday of your program start. Luckily, Chiang Mai is so easy to get around it was fairly simple.

You can also get in touch with other volunteers and meet up before the start date.

View Entire Interview

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

My main piece of advice is don’t worry about the homestay. I was concerned as I’d only been on programs with dorms and wasn’t sure how it would be living with a family. It was one of the highlights!

The thing to remember is it’s unusual for you but not for the family, they do it all the time. They’ll welcome you into their house and if you want to spend time with them they love it, but they’ll also understand if you’re quiet and want some space.

I miss the Old Chief's little bedroom already!!

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

An average day begins with breakfast from 6:30 at the base. Elephant hikes begin at 7:30 and you’re picked up by the mahouts and taken to the elephants. A survey lasts about 2/3 hours and then you’re brought back to base for a packed lunch made by your homestay.

Afternoons can be spent teaching at school or doing an intern project. Dinner is at 6 at your homestay and in the evenings there are usually things going on at the base, like a quiz.

This is a typical day Monday to Friday and weekends are yours to do with what you like. You can stay on base or visit places nearby; I went to Pai, back to Chiang Mai and to Doi Inthanon.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

Going into it my biggest fear was the language barrier with the locals and how they would feel about westerners living there.

On the base, we were given pakinyaw lessons, and even though I only knew a few basic words, the villagers appreciate it and wanted to learn more English from me too. They loved having us there, they all enjoyed us visiting the houses at the end of harvest for a party and our weekly football matches.

Once I left, I felt a real part of the community and was really welcomed with open arms.

Do you interact with the elephants? Are the elephants dangerous? Will my home stay be able to cope with my dietary restrictions?

No, we only observe the elephants because we want to get accurate data on elephants in the wild. We do get very close and they will often come and sniff you, especially when you’re new. But as a rule, only the mahouts will interact with the elephants.

And no, the mahouts are very good at keeping the elephants a safe distance away and not in any compromising positions (ie above you on a slope) staff will also help keep you out of their way when they’re in the forest.

And yes! I’m a vegan and my food was great! My homestay didn’t really understand why I didn’t eat eggs, but they were fine to cook for it.

Vanessa Gouldsmith

2018 Alum

Emma Westlake

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

girl at sunset

What is your favorite travel memory?

My favourite travel memory is when I visted GVI's Luang Prabang hub in July 2014. I was invited to participate in a few cultural activities that really made my trip. The first was waking up before sunrise and joining the staff and volunteers on the main road to give alms to the local monks. The second was being invited by a former novice monk to join him for chanting at a local temple with the monks and community elders. It was incredible to have such an intimate experience of Luang Prabang culture and made me want to learn more about Buddhism and the country's rich cultural heritage.

Which destination is most underrated? Conversely, which is most overrated?

Africa is the most underrated destination for sure! A lot of people have misconceptions about all the countries on the continent which stops them from exploring unspoilt coastlines, seeing incredible wildlife, going on amazing adventure activities and meeting some of the friendliest people on this planet. Every place in the world has its bad spots, I really think people need to give Africa more of a chance to prove itself.

The most overrated would have to be Europe. C'mon people, get off the beaten track and go have an adventure somewhere that isn't on everyone's bucket list. You won't be inundated by tourist and your money will go a lot further because prices won't be jacked up for tourists.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

The biggest factor would have to be company culture. If your staff aren't inspired to come to work everyday and put in 110% why should your customers hand over their hard earned cash to people who aren't passionate about what they do?

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

When I joined GVI, I had just moved down from Johannesburg to Cape Town after resigning from my first social media job at an agency. I knew I wanted to be in marketing and I knew I wanted to only focus on one company's social media. Being part of the marketing team in GVI has allowed me to do this and basically, craft my role according to my interests and capabilities. I discovered how much I missed writing and have been fortunate enough to develop this skill once again through the blog posts I write and the text I have written for their website.

What unique qualities does your company possess?

GVI has a very family orientated quality. Whether you are in the field or based in the field, our culture is all about getting to know each other and creating support structures like one big global family.

Describe a time when you felt especially proud to be part of your current team

There have been a few times where I have been proud to be part of the GVI team. From being a part of an organisation that helped with the Nepal earthquake relief efforts to when everyone in the office brings old clothing, books or food for the various community drives we have here in Cape Town.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

Oh wow! Being on social media, I hear so many good ones on a weekly basis. It's great to hear how our interns and volunteers have found paid positions either with GVI or elsewhere after being on our projects and seeing how well they are doing. It's also great to see volunteers encouraging others to join us on social media and it's even better when you hear of people coming back for their second, third and even fourth GVI trip! Those people inspire me to keep on working for GVI because I know I play a small part in helping them do great things for themselves as well as the communities that all their hard work effects.

About GVI

GVI is an award-winning organisation that tackles critical local and global issues through our travel-based volunteer, internship, fellowship and apprenticeship programs as well as online courses, and virtual programs. At GVI, we believe that long-lasting impact is locally-led, which is why our programs are run in partnership with local...