Marine Conservation in Barcelona

This nine-week trip was an incredible opportunity to discover the flora and fauna of the Mediterranean Sea. We had amazing instructors who, over the course of the weeks, trained us at different levels and in different activities (deep diving, night diving, etc.). The ImpactTrip team was also incredibly kind and supportive, whether it was helping us upon arrival, giving us advice, assisting us, or organizing games during our weekly meetings. The atmosphere in Barcelona is exceptional, with many beautiful monuments and activities to enjoy. In short, it was an incredible program that I highly recommend.

This was a wonderful experience. Our scuba instructors were very knowledgeable&funny. Learning about the efforts to clean the Mediterranean and then being able to help was life changing. The underwater world was both magical and challenging. I saw lots of fish, an octopus, and sea urchins. Learning to scuba dive was hard but worth it! I needed a couple of days to adjust to city living but by the 3rd or 4th day I was a pro at using public transportation and finding new places in the city. Discovering local cafes, meeting new people, and exploring the city filled my free time. Getting to know the other volunteers and learning about other cultures opened my eyes to the bigger world around me. I will definitely do this again!

It was only two weeks (definitely could have stayed longer); after finishing SSI coursework and closed water dives for skills, I was able to complete eight open water dives and do the job of removing garbage from the ocean. The instructors were clear, encouraging, and kind making learning a breeze.

Photos

What an incredible 2 weeks in Barcelona living like a local and getting to dive 5 days a week. The best parts of this trip were the people I got to meet from my program to other volunteers and more. Having previous experience scuba diving (PADI AOW 34 dives) allowed me to fine tune my skills. Regardless of the impact I had there locally being able to document my work and share with friends and family I feel made the greatest impact. Wish I could’ve been there longer.

Photos

At first I was nervous to be in a new country with new people. The first week was stressful but I grew a lot as a person. As I met more people, I had a really great time. We were always going out for drinks, getting lunch/dinner, seeing different sights, etc. My instructors in marine conservation were some of the nicest and most helpful people I’ve ever met. They were very patient whenever I would mess something up and they would show me the correct way to handle it. They always made sure your safety was a priority. I went into this program thinking I’d never be able to understand all the gear and how to use it, but within just 2 days I was able to set up my gear on my own!

From the moment I arrived at Barcelona, it was evident that the organization had meticulously planned and coordinated every aspect of our volunteering trip. The warm welcome and orientation provided a comprehensive understanding of the local culture, community needs, and the projects we would be involved in. This level of preparation gave me confidence and reassurance, setting the stage for an unforgettable adventure. Clara was very helpful and took care of every need immediately. She was available to answer questions anytime and made sure all the volunteers are well taken care of. This volunteering trip was an incredible and transformative experience. It allowed me to connect with remarkable individuals, and witness the profound impact of collective action. I wholeheartedly recommend embarking on a volunteering trip to anyone seeking personal growth, cultural immersion, and the opportunity to create positive change. It is a journey that will forever inspire and empower you. Cheers!

I stayed 12 weeks in Barcelona, it was overall a very enriching experience, I met a lot of new people from different parts of the world and different walks of life both on the programme and in the hostel, I never dived before arriving, and left with several qualifications, I met a lot of people on the programme, the people at Saita Diving, Axel and Isaac were brilliant, the marine Jan the marine biologist is very knowledgeeable and very nice A number of volunteers came and went in my time here and my advice is ultimately if you laready have an open water diving qualification stay for at least 4 weeks as that is the minimum to complete a second star training The hostel was very basic, three meals a day, a bed in a shared room with a single drawer, the bed was comfortable enough and the drawer was very secure, I did find it difficult to fit my suitcase in it but other than that I can't complain. The staff were also generally friendly to me and very helpful with a good knowledge of where the best places were to see things in the city The Coordinator Clara was also very knowledgeable and friendly and helpful with anything that arose Overall I found it to be an enjoyeable experience where I learnt a lot about living on my own and living abroad in a country with a different language and culture

I was part of the marine conservation project in Barcelona for 5 weeks. While I felt that the volunteer project itself at times wasn’t as impactful as I was hoping (workload was variable & changed often), I made lifelong friends and learned so much. I gained independence through becoming proficient in Google maps & using public transportation, earning more advanced diving certifications and increasing my comfort underwater, and learning to adapt to different group environments, languages, and weather/living conditions. I had great program leaders, made lifelong friends, and completely fell in love with Barcelona. I can’t wait to (hopefully) move there someday and reconnect with people I met.

I had the most amazing 2 weeks on this programme. From Clara and Joanna being so kind and welcoming, to the volunteering being incredible and the staff being so fun! I met the most amazing people from all parts of the world. I would do it all again in a heartbeat, and would recommend it to anyone! I will be back!

Definitely one of the best 4 weeks of my life! Not only was the program itself amazing but the ImpacTrip co-ordinators Joana and Clara were excellent and offered support whenever needed! The diving itself was unbelievable and the instructors were both patient and helpful- (I had no previous diving experience and did not struggle at all to complete my qualifications. I would definitely recommend to anyone who is considering and would 100% come again!!

I had a wonderful time with this program, the two coordinators Clara and Joana were amazing and really made the trip! The minute I touched down in Barcelona Clara was there to pick me up and show me around and I knew I was in good hands. The program itself was very rewarding and special being able to help clean up the ocean! The instructors at Saita Diving club were extremely welcoming and fun to hangout with. My only regret is that I didn’t stay in the program longer

Photos