Indo Ocean Project

I spent 8 weeks at the Indo Ocean Project (January/February 2019) in Nusa Penida to do my dive master training. I was welcomed very warmly by the staff and the interns and felt at ease from day one. The staff is very helpful and knowledgeable, but they are also just lovely people! The daily schedule is tailored to the needs and the level of the interns. I had a great time under and above the sea level, learned a lot about marine conservation, keystone species and the threats these ecosystems are facing. Moreover, I did not just gather a lot of knowledge, I also improved my dive skills tremendously facing the currents around Penida. When my 8 weeks ended and I became a dive master, I was happy, but also sad, because all I wanted to do is to start this internship again! The people became a second family and I will always remember this time!

Bira, a small fishing village on the southern coast of Sulawesi, and my home for the last three months. A once-in-a-lifetime experience, we started as a group of strangers but that quickly turned into a family. It's special to bond over a shared love for the ocean and the incredible underwater world. We did movie nights in our bungalow, enjoyed drinking beers in the sea at sunset and had unforgettable nights dancing on tables (and in the rain). My main goal to visit Bira was to become a dive master. The diving itself was unforgettable, with amazing dive sites and an abundance of diverse marine life. Swimming alongside some of the ocean's fascinating creatures. Among them were impressive sharks, graceful rays, and friendly turtles. But it wasn't just about having fun - we also participated in marine conservation efforts. We took part in clean-up dives, learned about coral restoration, conducted fish surveys and visited the local school to teach the kids about the ocean. It was an eye-opening experience to see the impact humans have on the ocean and it was great to know we were making a small difference in preserving its beauty and helping to hopefully make the area of Bira an MPA. I feel grateful for the friendships and memories I made during my time in Bira, and I know I'll return to this magical place someday

Indo Ocean Project has created a very special programme providing equally brilliant experiences in both ocean conservation and dive qualifications. It's comprehensive, organised, well delivered and makes sense as you further your journey into the diving industry. I gained a huge amount from the 12 weeks - both becoming a better diver but also learning a phenomenal amount about the ocean and its challenges.