Volunteer Marine Conservation Program in Bali

Overview

Tianyar is a small fishing village in the northern part of Bali, approximately 3 - 4 hours drive from Denpasar. What once was a highly bio-diverse and healthy 3 km coral reef, Tianyar’s reef is currently in poor condition due to many years of unsustainable fishing practices with no regard for protecting the marine environment.

After several visits from scientists, conservationists and divers, an urgent need to protect the reef were identified. With the aim of restoring and conserving Tianyar’s coral reef, this project was started not only to protect its amazing and fragile ecosystems but also to provide a sustainable future for the livelihood of folks residing in this underprivileged village.

Volunteering Solutions partners with a local Balinese organization and here's a brief about the ongoing work in this region:

Special focus is given on setting up a marine conservation (no fishing) zone along the reef. Fishing on the reef is problematic because of discarded fishing equipment, damage from the fishing hooks and anchoring of the boats. Without the stress caused by constant disruption, the coral and ecosystems can restore back to a healthy sustainable level.
Several alternative livelihood programs have been designed for fishermen, training them to become diving instructors and other income generating activities are taken care of, so that doesn't rely only on extracting resources from the sea.
Marine conservation education is provided in two local schools. Educating the local school children, villagers and fishermen about sustainability, marine life, and pollution caused by plastic/ non-biodegradable waste. Plastic pollution is a problem in Tianyar and the project is working to tackle this by educating the people.
Organizing weekly beach cleaning campaigns with local children.

Working with LINI (The Indonesian Nature Foundation) to build artificial reef structures such as fish domes. These are deployed along the reef on sampled sand bottom areas. These structures benefit the marine environment because they act as habitats marine sphere to provide shelter as well as a surface for corals to grow on.

Working with fishermen, local community and central government to expand, create local jobs and further improve the coral restoration process.

What Will Be the Program Schedule?

As a volunteer for the Marine Conservation Program in Bali, your general schedule would be:

Day 1 (Sunday) – Arrival and Pick up day
You should aim to arrive at least 1 day before your program start (Sunday). Please ensure you arrive into Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar, Bali (DPS). A member of our team will be waiting for you when you get through customs. Please go and wait at the
flight information display board after you have exited the last of the duty free shops. Our driver will take you directly to Tianyar.
*You are able to arrive few days earlier however, your pick up day will be still on Sunday. You should find your own accommodation until Sunday by yourself at your own expenses.

Dinner will be provided in Tianyar. Your program orientation will be on either the Sunday afternoon or Monday morning after you arrive in Tianyar.

Day 2-5 (Monday – Thursday) – Volunteering
You will start your volunteering program on this day. Our local staffs are available for your support.

Day 6-8 (Friday – Sunday) – Weekend
Whether you are looking for a relaxing weekend on the beach at the accommodation, or looking to explore everything Bali has to offer – this is your time to do as you please.

The following weeks will follow the same kind of pattern, with volunteering between Monday and Thursday and exploring Bali and the surrounding islands at the weekends. You will find that time will really start to fly by, so it’s important to make the most of your time! Don’t forget, our local teams are there to support you and to answer any questions you may have.

Last day (Saturday)
On your last week, Saturday is your official last day in the program. You will check out from the accommodation and continue your travels in Bali or take flight back home. The coordinators can help you in arranging taxi back to the airport at extra charges.

What's my role and responsibilities as a volunteer?

The project needs the support from international volunteers to help with its current projects. Volunteers will have to help with constructing artificial reef structures, marine conservation education and helping to organize beach and reef cleaning.
Each volunteer will be responsible for building a personalized fish dome / Roti Buoya structure, which will be deployed directly onto the reef.
Volunteers have the option to do clean up diving on the reef to remove plastic wrapping that causes damage to the corals.
Volunteers also play an important role in educating the local community and creating awareness about environmental issues.

Note: Volunteers also have an opportunity to learn to dive and become a qualified PADI diver at an additional cost.

Project Requirement

Participants should be of at least 17 years old at the time of beginning their program. Participants should have no criminal convictions and should provide a clean criminal background check. A keen interest in marine life and conservation is desirable. You should be physically fit and able to swim to take part in Marine and Coral Reef Conservation Program. A parental consent form shall be required for Under 18 participants joining the program.

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Living

Airport Transfer
All volunteers will have to reach Ngurah Rai International Airport, Denpasar (DPS), on Sunday. The local team will arrange your transfer from the airport and a designated driver shall be there to pick you up. We provide pick-up each Sunday for volunteers until 5pm. It is strongly advised that you arrange a flight which allows you to arrive at the airport before 5pm on Sunday.

If you wish to arrive in Bali a few days earlier, we can pick you up from your hotel on Sunday instead. If you do this, we recommend that you book your hotel in ‘Kuta’ or ‘Sanur’, both comfortable touristic areas for you to spend your first few days in Bali which are not too far from the airport.

Accommodation
In Tianyar, accommodation is in a volunteer house, which is a cluster of beautiful bamboo cottages. The traditional bamboo-built shelters are located right next to the beach and offer some great views.To make it environment-friendly, each cluster has a separate bathroom and toilet, also made of bamboo and canes. Each cottage has a sit out area and fans are installed. There is Wifi within the accommodation but it can be intermittent.There are common areas where volunteers can have meals or can sit and chat. There is a kitchen where meals are freshly prepared for the volunteers by the cooks. Volunteers need to bring their own towels and toiletries.The accommodation also offers some great facilities for the volunteers such as hammocks and volleyball pitch. At a short distance from the accommodation, amenities such as ATM, department stores are available.

Your accommodations will be simple yet cozy, allowing you to connect with the local environment and bond with fellow volunteers. The spacious communal outdoor dining area is ideal for sharing stories over tasty meals. Nearby, you'll find essential amenities like supermarkets, ATMs, and a laundromat within a short walking distance.

You will share a room with three other volunteers and have access to a shared indoor bathroom equipped with a western-style toilet and cold showers. Each room is fitted with a ceiling fan, and all bed linens are provided.

You'll have easy access to explore the island from Friday to Sunday. Taxis and other transport options are available, allowing you to reach all parts of Bali quickly and affordably. Whether you want to scuba dive at the famous Tulamben sites (20 minutes away), explore the city of Ubud (2 hours away), or party in Kuta on the south coast (3 hours away), our local team can assist with your plans.

Some important points to remember about the accommodations -

Most rooms have mosquito nets; bring your own if you're concerned
All bed linen is provided
Please bring your own towel and toiletries. Nearby laundry service (approximately IDR 7,000 per kilo)
The journey to the airport takes around 3 hours
Nearest shops are just a 5-minute walk. Wi-Fi is available but can be intermittent

Orientation
The in-country team in Tianyar will conduct the Orientation Session for the volunteers.You will be provided with all the details about the project, about the work that you'll have to do, as well as information about the place. If you have any questions regarding safety issues, traveling and project, the local team will be there to assist you always.

Meals
You’ll enjoy three freshly prepared meals each day, cooked on-site from Monday to Friday. While most volunteers explore on weekends, meals are available from Saturday to Sunday for a small additional fee if you choose to stay at the camp.

Most of the meals feature traditional Indonesian cuisine, with rice as a staple accompanied by fish or chicken. Here’s a taste of what you can expect:

Breakfast usually comprises pancakes, toast, fruit, tea, and coffee
Lunch includes Rice, fried noodles, pasta, rendang, gado-gado, soto, chicken, and soup
Dinner usually comprises Rice, chicken, fish, noodles, pasta, rendang, gado-gado, and soto

Vegetarian options are consistently available, and we can accommodate vegan requests upon advance notice. Our team will strive to meet any dietary needs, but please note that there may be times when you’ll need to purchase alternative ingredients at your own expense.

During Free Time
During your time in Bali, you will be based in Tianyar, a small fishing village located in the Northern part of the island. The region is much quieter in comparison to other touristic parts of the island.During your extended weekend from Friday to Sunday, you can travel and explore other parts of Bali such as Ubud or head down south to Seminyak or Kuta. Taxis and other modes of transport are easily available for travelling within the island. The local team would always be available to assist in your weekend plans.

Dates

November

December

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Available

Filling Fast

Booked Out

Costs

Duration	Program Fee	Choose your currency
1 Week	$475
2 Weeks	$745
3 Weeks	$1050
4 Weeks	$1340
5 Weeks	$1530
6 Weeks	$1690
7 Weeks	$1870
8 Weeks	$2040
Extra Week	$275

Please Note: An application fee of is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment.

What are you Paying For?

Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
Airport Pickup
Orientation
Meals from Mon – Fri
Accommodation in Tianyar
24 hrs Assistance and support from Local Staff
Transfer from Airport to Tianyar
Certificate of Participation (On Request)

What's NOT Included?

Airfare
Return Trip to Airport (Can be arranged at extra cost)
Flights
Visa Fees
Vaccinations

FAQ's

Application and Program Details

Will VolSol provide a discount if I choose more than one program or if I am a returning volunteer?: If you are planning to come for multiple programs in your trip, you will have to pay the application fees just once. Your application fee is valid for a year's time (from the date of applying). You will not have to pay the application fees again if you come within the mentioned time frame.

For our returning volunteers, $50 discount is provided for the application fee for their next Vol Sol program.
When should I apply for the volunteer programs in Bali, Indonesia?: As we have limited spots available in our programs and we serve on first come first basis, it is recommended that potential volunteers book their programs well in advance to get confirmed placements. You can book your slot by filling the application form online and pay the application fee. You can pay your program fee later and also, in installments. However, the complete payment should be made 45 days prior to the starting date of the program. If you are volunteering in a group, you can also fill a group application form.
Can I volunteer as part of a group?: We encourage our participants to volunteer in a group. We take special care in providing you a placement and also customize your itinerary to make sure you get exactly what you are looking for. Also, we can design special group programs for groups of 5 or more. Our programs are designed to be safe, affordable and offer a great group volunteering experience to the volunteers.

In our experience of more than 15+ years we have enabled and facilitated volunteer program placements for college groups, university groups, high school groups, group of families, group of couples as well as groups of colleagues.

We welcome student, corporate and family groups to take part in Bali programs.
How long will it take to process my application? Will my application be accepted?: After you complete your application, your personalized ‘My Account’ will be activated.You will need to upload your CV/Resume along with your photo in the same. Our back-end team and the placement site takes around 10-12 days to review your application. After we review your CV and documents,your booking is confirmed and booking confirmation is updated in your ‘My Account’. Some projects need mandatory criminal background check and the same is mentioned in the project info of your program. Approval of your application depends on your qualification and eligibility criteria for each project.
Does VolSol provide with a reference or a certificate after program completion?: Yes, we will provide you with the Certificate after successful completion of your program. The certificate is provided on request.
When do I need to arrive in Bali for my program? What will happen once I arrive here?: Volunteers are provided with the airport pick up from the Ngurah Rai International Airport, Denpasar (DPS), between 6 AM to 10 PM on the date of arrival (Sunday, as chosen) by the coordinator or representative. You will then be transported to your project location depending on your project choice.
For how many hours will I volunteer every day?: VolSol volunteers usually work for 5 to 6 hours a day depending on their program type. You will have weekends off so you can go for traveling on weekends. Volunteers in Tianyar work from Monday – Thursday and have an extended weekend off which can be used for travelling and sightseeing.

Flights and Visa

Does Volunteering Solutions help with visa?: All volunteers need to get C6B Volunteer work visa for Indonesia which is required for volunteering and social work purposes. The visa can be arranged through a visa agency and Volunteering Solutions team will help you in coordinating the visa arrangements with the agency and let you know of the fees and the documents required for the visa.
What are the recommended inexpensive airline options to reach Bali?: Almost all major airlines have flights to Bali. Garuda Indonesia, Air Asia, Thai Airways, Malaysian Airlines, QANTAS, Etihad, Emirates, Lion Air, Scoot, Singapore Airlines, Malindo Air are the major airlines have flight operating to Bali.

Many airlines like KLM, Lufthansa, British Airways, ANA and more, have code-sharing arrangements with other airlines and offer seamless connections to Bali from all over the world.
Where can I exchange currency?: Participants can get money exchanged on arrival at the airport in Denpasar.You can change your money at any of the authorized money changing outlets or in a bank.

Accommodation and Living

How do I get to the program location?: Your program coordinator will take you to your placement and will introduce you to local staff there. School and Kindergarten Program in Tianyar is at a walking distance, just 5 minutes away from the accommodation. For the program in Pemuteran and Serengan, volunteers will be taken to the project location and introduced to the local staff by the coordinator.
Can I know more about accommodation and food arrangements?: In Tianyar, accommodation is in a volunteer house, which is a cluster of beautiful bamboo cottages. To make it environment friendly, each cluster has a separate bathroom and toilet, also made of bamboo and canes. Each cottage has a sit out area and fans are installed. There are common areas where volunteers can have meals or can sit and chat. There is a kitchen where meals are prepared. Volunteers need to bring their own towel, toiletries, toilet roll etc. Wifi Internet is available.

In the North Bali coral reef restoration program, volunteers are accommodated in Balinese owned local homestay. You will stay in accommodations owned by the team members of the coral reef organization. The traditional Balinese house homestays are located walking distance to the beach and to the coral reef center site. Each room has a sit out area and fans are installed. There is Wifi within the accommodation but it can be intermittent.There are common areas where volunteers can have meals or can sit and chat. Towels are provided. At a short distance from the accommodation, amenities such as ATM, minimart are available. Only breakfast is provided and other meals are taken at nearby restaurants.

In Serengan, volunteers are accommodated at a local homestay near the project as well and meals are taken at local restaurants.
Will there be any additional expenses during my stay in Bali?: In Tianyar, one can expect expenses of USD 20 to USD 30 for snacks or water bottles etc. This amount may vary in actual. For weekend trips, expenses will be additional.

While in Pemuteran and Serangan, volunteers would need to spend money on meals. If you would like to hire a personal scooter for local commute, that would also involve extra costs.

Health and Safety

How safe is Bali for the volunteers?: Being a popular zone among tourists, Bali is overall a very safe destination. However volunteers are advised to follow guidelines and suggestions given by coordinator. Program coordinators will give you necessary information regarding the safety as well as the Do's and Don'ts. The locals are friendly and helpful as well; however, it is recommended to consult your in-country coordinators before you step out alone or go to any other place apart from Ubud or Tianyar. Also, it is recommended to be with your group whenever you venture out or stay out late in the night.
What immunizations/vaccinations will I need?: Carry general medicines with you, and consult your doctor before setting out for your volunteering trip to Bali. There is no mandatory vaccination to stay in Bali. However one can discuss with the doctor and may take vaccination for Rabies, Dengue, Malaria, Hepatitis and Tetanus.Participants should also be vaccinated against Covid 19.