Divemaster Conservation Program
Dive into the Ultimate PADI Divemaster Conservation Program!
Would you like to become a PADI Divemaster while you join the Gili Shark Conservation Project? We have the ultimate package for you! Take your first step towards becoming a Dive Professional, working alongside experienced marine biologists and dive instructors from around the world.
The goal of your Divemaster Conservation Program is to become a PADI Divemaster, as well as a guide for research dives. You will help the research team of NGO Gili Matra Bersama to execute underwater roving video surveillance, roving survey dives, photographic identification, coral health index surveys, coral restoration, manta tow surveys, land & marine based time-lapse projects, how to analyze and input data, and much more!
By the end of your Divemaster Conservation Program you might even be guiding your own research dives around the Gili Islands Lombok!
Explore our program
How it works
We are proud partner of Blue Marlin Dive, the largest dive operator in Indonesia, who has been awarded by PADI with numerous awards including, “Outstanding Contribution to Diving Education”, “Outstanding Contribution to Continuing Education”, “Outstanding Contribution to the Dive Industry”. On top of your Divemaster training, they teach you how to use knots, lift bags, and SMBs, as well as how to check the current and plan your dives.
During your Divemaster Conservation Program, you will have two mentors. The first is your mentor from Blue Marlin Dive who will train you to complete all the PADI qualifications of the PADI Divemaster Program. The second is our team of marine biologists and instructors who will prepare you for guiding your own research dives while showing you the ins and outs of running a conservation program.
Your time will be split between project / scientific duties of the Gili Shark Conservation Project, confined sessions and training dives at Blue Marlin. During your Divemaster internship, you get unlimited diving: up to three dives a day!
What makes our Divemaster Conservation Program truly special?
Well, you get the best of both worlds! During your time with us, you’ll not only learn and participate in all our conservation-focused research methods but also engage in standard Divemaster internship activities. It’s a comprehensive experience that goes beyond diving.
Moreover, we provide you with an opportunity to understand the inner workings of running a conservation project and offer you a leadership role in our research projects, #plasticfreeparadise campaign, and community outreach programs. Your dreams and career development are essential to us, and we do our best to support you in achieving your goals. Our team ensures that you have a professional CV, prepares you for interviews, teaches you to write scientific reports, and provides weekly coaching sessions with our lead scientist.
By the end of the Divemaster program, you’ll be well-versed in our research methods, which include exciting techniques like remote underwater video (RUV), roving survey dives, photographic identification of sharks and turtles, Reef Check surveys, Coral Health Index surveys, Coral Watch surveys, photogrammetry, fish belt transects, invertebrate belt transects, coral restoration, and Dive Against Debris. Additionally, we conduct weekly beach cleanups that not only contribute to our mission but also uplift your soul.
In a nutshell, joining our program doesn’t just make you a Divemaster; it transforms you into an epic citizen scientist and eco-warrior! We’re open all year round, and you can kickstart your journey with us every Sunday. Embrace this remarkable opportunity to make a real impact on marine conservation while developing your skills and passion for the ocean.
| Certifications | Research & Diving | Career Development | Living | Extras |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PADI Divemaster Course | Minimum 8 dives a week | How to write a scientific report | In country transport | Free t-shirt & tote bag |
| Conservation Diver ‘Marine Ecology & Monitoring Course | Minimum 175+ project hours | How to plan the next step in your career | Shared accommodation @ HQ | Free rashguard |
| Conservation Diver ‘Shark Ecology & Population Studies Course | Minimum 10 workshops | Weekly coaching sessions with lead scientist | Breakfast on project days | PADI Crewpack |
| Conservation Diver ‘Sea Turtle Ecology & Monitoring Course’ | Attach your own coral to our restoration structures | Training and involvement in social media | Free use of our kitchen @ HQ | Free rental of surfer marker buoy + compass |
| Learn how to build coral restoration structures | Gaining a leadership position in one of our research projects / #plasticfreeparadise campaign / community outreach programs | 10% discount on SPA treatments | ||
| Entry to the marine park | ||||
| 5 weeks | $5,149 | |||
| 6 weeks | $5,899 | |||
| 7 weeks | $6,649 | |||
| 8 weeks | $7,399 | |||
| 9 weeks | $8,149 | |||
| 10 weeks | $8,899 | |||
| Certifications | PADI Divemaster Course | PADI Scientific Diver Course | PADI Shark Aware Specialty | PADI Nitrox Course | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research & Diving | Minimum 8 dives a week | Minimum 175+ project hours | Minimum 10 workshops | Attach your own coral to our restoration structures | Learn how to build coral restoration structures | Entry to the marine park |
| Career Development | How to write a scientific report | How to plan the next step in your career | Weekly coaching sessions with lead scientist | Training and involvement in social media | Gaining a leadership position in one of our research projects / #plasticfreeparadise campaign / community outreach programs | |
| Living | In country transport | Shared accommodation @ HQ | Breakfast on project days | Free use of our kitchen @ HQ | ||
| Extras | Free t-shirt & tote bag | PADI Crewpack | Free rental of surfer marker buoy + compass | Free rashguard | ||
| Price for 5 weeks: $5,149 | ||||||
| Price for 6 weeks: $5,899 | ||||||
| Price for 7 weeks: $6,649 | ||||||
| Price for 8 weeks: $7,399 | ||||||
| Price for 9 weeks: $8,149 | ||||||
| Price for 10 weeks: $8,899 | ||||||
What’s not included
1 All dive equipment rentals are included in your package except for a dive computer. We highly recommend that you buy your own dive computer as you need to have a dive computer or underwater timing device to take part in our research dives. You also have the option to rent a dive computer from us for 50.000 IDR per day.
2 If you haven’t been diving for 6 months or longer and you have less than 10 dives, we strongly recommend you to do a Refresher course. The price of a Refresher Course is 900.000 IDR. Experienced divers who have not been diving in over six months are usually their own best judge if they need a formal course to regain their scuba skills. However, every diver who had not dived in two years should seriously consider the course. You can read more about the PADI Refresher Course here.
3 As a PADI Divemaster you will also need your own surface marker buoy and compass
Accommodation
During your program you will be staying at our HQ on Gili Air. We’ve put a lot of hard work and love in creating a place for you that feels like a home away from home. Click here to read more about our HQ and facilities.
Understanding Your Program Fees
You might wonder why you have to pay to participate in our conservation project. Let us explain…
We are only a small organization and are not in a position to cover all the costs involved in your stay. Your program fees are covering a large number of factors, such as food, tanks, rental of scuba gear, accommodation, courses, visa support and transport.
Your hard work and passion are valuable, but unfortunately, motivation alone doesn’t keep our projects alive. As a participant, your fees have just as great an impact as your actions. By contributing to our project, you are helping to support our mission, and ensure that our programs are efficient and beneficial in the long run. You are also investing in your own training and development, so you can continue making changes in the world long after you’ve finished our program.
Where your fees go
Based on our 3 week black tip reef package. For longer stays percentages regarding diving and courses might slight change.
Requirements
The Diver Prerequisites for becoming a Divemaster require you to reach quite a few mile stones first before you can enroll in the course, they are as follows:
- 1) You are certified as a PADI Advanced Open Water and PADI Rescue Diver
- 2) You have logged a minimum of 40 scuba dives
- 3) You completed EFR Primary and Secondary Care training within the last 24 months
Normally the minimum stay for Divemaster training is five weeks however if you have not reached requirements 1, 2 or 3 you would need to arrive earlier to gain the required experience to start our Divemaster Conservation Program. If you are unsure, how much time you need to complete your PADI Divemaster training, don’t hesitate to send us a message (sharks@gilisharkconservation.com). We are more than happy to make a customized plan for you!
Apply here for our divemaster conservation program
Are you ready to embark on a life-changing adventure as a Shark Warrior? Your journey starts here, and we can’t wait to review your application and welcome you to our passionate community of ocean defenders. Apply today for our Divemaster Conservation Program and let’s make a difference together in protecting our precious marine ecosystem!
