Volunteer Abroad Maldives: Whale Shark Protec­tion

You should be over 18, have sufficient English skills and be a safe swimmer to apply for this project. We need a doctor’s certificate confirming your state of health and physical fitness. Furthermore, you might need a visa for your volunteering work. Depending on the duration of your stay and your destination the requirements might vary. You might check out the foreign department’s website for the visa standards or ask the Natucate team directly.

Prior to your departure we will support you and advise you on arranging a flight to Malé. Besides our support the price includes a risk coverage certificate, your accommodation on a research vessel, three daily meals plus snacks and drinks, as well as transfers during the project as well as working equipment.

A certain kind of attentiveness is always advisable. You will need travel insurance to start your volunteering work with Natucate. We can provide you with all the necessary information. In general you need to talk to your doctor and make sure you are vaccinated against Morbilli, Mumps and Rubella. We advise you to get vaccinated against Hepatitis A and B, Polio and Tetanus. For current information and warnings regarding your destination you should check out the homepage of the foreign department and inform yourself beforehand about possible risks.

For the project you will need some snorkel equipment including a mask (please no full-face mask, though), snorkel and fins. You also need proper swim clothes. Women should also take a long scarf or cloth to cover their skin when on land. Furthermore you need light and comfortable clothes and open shoes like flip flops. Besides you need sun glasses, towels, water bottles, water proof bag and sunscreen. We also advise you to pack a swim shirt with UV protection, a sun hat and insect repellent.

We will support you during the planning process but you will have to book the flight on your own. You need to get a ticket to Malé International Airport (Velana International Airport) first. After your arrival at the airport, a representative of our partner will pick you up and take you to the research vessel – your home and work place for the following two weeks.

After your arrival on the vessel, you will receive a short introductory course. The vessel will then make its way into South Ari atoll where you arrive in the night or the next morning.

The day after your arrival is your first working day on the project. Usually, the project lasts approximately two weeks. Your weekly schedule may vary depending on the current demand – usually your day as a volunteer starts around 07:00 AM and ends around 07:00 PM with a lunch break in between. You will have one off-day per week. At the end of the project, the vessel will sail back to Malé so all of you can catch their return or onward flight.

Six out of seven days will be spent working on the project: together with the other volunteers you will maintain the stock control, take photos of whale sharks and measure their body index. In the evening you will sort and organize collected data.

The group usually consists of up to ten volunteers.

For the duration of the project, volunteers (along with staff) live on the research vessel Akoya Pearl. It was renovated in 2020. The boat has a length of 30 meters.

Two volunteers share a cabin, if possible, separated by sex. Every volunteer has their own bed. Each of the cabins is air-conditioned and has a separate bathroom with a toilet and shower. Furthermore, cabins have a little storage space. On the vessel, you will also find a large deck with sun loungers and a common area for sitting, working and eating.

You will be provided with breakfast, lunch and dinner each day of the project. Afternoon snacks, water, tea and coffee will also be available. Menus include Maldivian and some European dishes, freshly prepared on board by wonderful chefs. Sometimes the food can be spicy, but there will be milder options as well.

Yes, it is possible to follow a vegetarian diet during the project. Please let us know about your diet and possible allergies beforehand. The chefs on board will do their best to cater for most specific dietary requirements.

Once a week (Friday) you will have one day off. In general, your schedule will be determined by the occurring tasks.

Friday is typically our day off. You will have the opportunity to do some diving, go for a snorkel or visit a sandbank or two – definitely worth putting your feet up too. It is important to recharge for the week ahead!

Please note that you will have to pay separately for any activities you do which are outside of your working time, for example diving. A good book, a snorkel and mask, and sun cream are some of the essentials you should always include in your pack on days off.

On site you will be working with a team of volunteers and project leaders. The supervisors will be responsible for you and may help you with any problems. Furthermore, you can always contact the Natucate team in case problems or questions.

In general, you don’t need a lot of money during the project. You might spend money for additional beverages or free time activities. Usually, you can expect to spend around USD 10 per day if you don’t undertake very expensive free time activities. Diving, however, requires spending some more money. ATMs are available on Malé.

After your arrival in Malé, it is possible to get a Maldivian prepaid card to make international phone calls. Please be aware that mobile reception might be quite limited sometimes.

The Maldives have a constant warm and tropical climate with high humidity. Even at night the temperatures don’t drop below 25°C. There are no seasons at the Maldives, except the monsoon season. Between November and April the weather is shaped by the northeast monsoon and between May and October the southwest monsoon affects the weather.

If you get sick, you will have the ability to see a professional doctor and receive basic medication. In case of an emergency, our partner will arrange evacuation to a hospital in Malé. The staff on site are qualified to respond in the face of an emergency and first aid kits are always available.

If you do not feel well at well, please inform your team leader as early as possible so the safety and well-being of everyone on the team can be ensured. Any medical issue is handled with the utmost level of confidentiality.

Yes. Since the Maldives are a Muslim state you have to follow certain rules. It is prohibited to buy or consume alcohol – except at hotel sites. You may not bring or consume pork. Furthermore it is important that you cover yourself up. You may not show too much skin. You should not wear bikinis or tight bathing trunks. Tattoos or pieces of jewelry should not show any other religious symbols but Muslim. If you want to visit a Mosque you have to do so after prayer times and always cover your skin. During Ramadan you should not drink, eat or smoke in public places. Smoking is generally not allowed inside your room.

You should inform yourself about the code of behaviour before travelling to the Maldives. It is a country with very strict anti-drug laws. If any volunteer is caught with drugs they will be expelled and sent to public authorities.