Shark specialist
program
Join us for an extraordinary 4-week shark research program focused entirely on our project, ‘Tracking the journey of Juvenile Whitetip Reef Sharks in the Gili Matra Marine Park’. This special program runs only twice a year, offering an immersive experience in shark research. You’ll gain hands-on opportunities and in-depth knowledge from field experts and receive a certification as a PADI Scientific Diver and Conservation Diver Shark Specialist.
Program Dates and Details
Upcoming Dates:
30th August – 24th September 2026
Price: $3,449 USD (includes all courses, dives, fieldtrips, masterclasses and materials)
Limited Spots: We have 8 spots left!
What to Expect from our Shark specialist package
Experts From OUR PREVIOUS SHARK MONTH
With Melissa, we will learn more about a holistic path for shark conservation, where her PhD journey covered this. Gaining an understanding of how environmental factors influence shark communities in coastal habitats, she will be sharing how this data, when combined with the human behavior and communication aspect, can help us better understand elasmobranch conservation success.
During this masterclass, Cristina will introduce us to her work in exploration, education, and conservation, showing us that if we want to protect the single, we need to protect the whole. She will also share how the preservation of sharks brought her to work to protect caves and the deep connection and responsibility we all share in ensuring the survival of our planet.
what can we learn from alor?
This masterclass offers a unique perspective on a local conservation effort in Alor, one of the remote islands in Indonesia. It highlights how Rafid and team work with local thresher shark fishers and their families to empower them in developing sustainable alternative livelihoods, aiming to protect thresher sharks by engaging with the communities who once relied on them, not just focusing on the sharks. You will learn how collaboration between science and local communities can strengthen shark conservation efforts.
Drawing on over 15 years of research on sharks and other marine predators, Dr. Yannis Papastamatiou highlights shark predatory behavior and its role in shaping conservation strategies. The session covers technologies for tracking shark movements, species differences in space use and predatory strategies that influence marine communities, and applications in spatial conservation, including marine protected areas. It also highlights the use of multi-species behavioral data to guide adaptive, ecosystem-based management supporting shark conservation and overall ocean health.
Our exclusive Shark Specialist Program is offered just twice a year, with limited spots available to ensure personalized attention in small groups. To apply, you need a minimum of 15 dives, proficiency in English, a love for the ocean, and comfort in the water. You should also be reasonably fit to manage tropical heat and lift dive tanks. Most importantly, we seek a compelling reason why you should be selected.
This program begins with the PADI Scientific Diver Course and includes comprehensive training, along with the opportunity to attend online masterclasses with field experts. You’ll gain hands-on experience in our specialized shark research methods and learn how to create and deploy your own BRUV (Baited Remote Underwater Video) systems to monitor shark activity. For those not yet certified to dive to 30 meters, we’ll include this certification in your package. If you haven’t been diving for 6 months or longer, we strongly recommend you to do a Refresher course.
Upon completing your training, you’ll have the unique opportunity to work closely with the research team from NGO Gili Matra Bersama. Additionally, you’ll embark on a field trip to Lombok to visit ‘The Dorsal Effect’. The Dorsal Effect aims to shape destinations experience to promote education on marine life and allow for conservation of sharks by engaging them in eco-tourism with ex shark fishermen, thus protecting sharks while supporting local communities.
Ready to dive into this transformative experience and make a real impact? Secure your spot in our Shark Specialist Program today and take the first step towards becoming a leading expert in shark conservation
| Certifications | Research & Diving | Living | Extras |
|---|---|---|---|
| PADI Scientific Diver Course | 8 shark research dives a week | In country transport | Gili Shark T-shirt |
| PADI Deep Adventure Dive | 35 project hours per week | Shared accommodation @ HQ | Gili Shark Tote bag |
| Conservation Diver ‘Shark Ecology & Population Studies Course’ | 4 Shark Masterclasses from experts in the field | Breakfast on project days | Gili Shark Rashguard |
| Field Trip to The Dorsal Effect | Free use of our kitchen @ HQ | 10% discount on SPA treatments | |
| Build and deploy your own BRUV | Free dive gear rental | ||
| Entry to the marine park | |||
| Price for 4 weeks | $ 3,449 USD | ||
| Certifications | PADI Scientific Diver Course | PADI Deep Adventure Dive | Conservation Diver ‘Shark Ecology & Population Studies Course’ | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research & Diving | 8 shark research dives a week | 35 project hours per week | 4 Shark Masterclasses from experts in the field | Field Trip to The Dorsal Effect | Build and deploy your own BRUV | Entry to the marine park |
| Living | In country transport | Shared accommodation @ HQ | Breakfast on project days | Free use of our kitchen @ HQ | ||
| Extras | Gili Shark T-shirt | Gili Shark Rashguard | Gili Shark Tote bag | 10% discount on SPA treatments | Free dive gear rental | |
| Price for 4 weeks: $ 3,449 USD |
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.
Based on our 3 week black tip reef package. For longer stays percentages regarding diving and courses might slight change.
Our Shark Conservation Goals and Research Focus
Tracking Juvenile White Tip Reef Sharks (Triaenodon obesus) – assessing residency duration and seasonal birthing patterns in Gili Matra Marine Reserve
Understanding our research goals and questions is crucial for our project’s success. Clear questions guide our investigations, uncovering key patterns and relationships. This approach is vital for conserving shark populations in the Gili Matra Marine Reserve. Here are our goals and the research questions driving our work.
Shark Locations and Influences:
- Which dive sites are juvenile white tip reef sharks located?
- Which dive sites are adult white tip reef sharks located?
- How is this linked to ecosystem health, marine regulations, human disturbance, and time of year?
- How do ocean currents influence the distribution and behaviour of white tip reef sharks in the Gili Matra Marine Park
Population Dynamics:
- What are the population dynamics of the sharks (gender, size, and health) in the Gili Matra Marine Park?
Human Impact:
- What is the impact of human disturbance on the white tip population at shark point?
Habitat Changes:
- How has the shark habitat changed topographically over time? (3D Map Shark House)
- Does this impact juvenile white tip reef sharks?
Resighting Patterns:
- Where are we resighting sharks, and where are we finding new individuals?
- Are resighted sharks found in the same dive sites, or do they travel between sites?
Shark Diet
- How does the diet of the white tip reef shark align with the available marine life in the Gili Matra Marine Park, and what implications does this have for their habitat sustainability?
Our Shark Research Methods
- BRUV (Baited Remote Underwater Video): Capture footage of shark presence and behavior in their natural habitat.
- Laser Photogrammetry: Accurately measure shark sizes and map their habitats with precision.
- Photo ID: Identify individual sharks based on unique markings and patterns, aiding in tracking movements and resighting patterns.
- Roving Survey Dives: Conduct visual surveys of shark populations and their interactions with the environment.
Additionally, we will focus on creating a detailed map pinpointing the exact locations of juvenile white tip reef sharks at the Gili Matra Marine Reserve. We will also analyze how ocean currents influence the distribution and behavior of these juvenile sharks. This step will enhance our understanding of the spatial distribution of juvenile sharks and the environmental factors affecting them, contributing to targeted conservation efforts and habitat protection measures.
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.
collaborate with the Coral Catch Superwomen
apply here to become a shark specialist
Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of something extraordinary. Apply now and help us protect these magnificent creatures and their habitats while living on a tropical island in Indonesia.
