Environmental Volunteer Programs Abroad

Diverse projects: From reforestation to marine conservation, volunteers can engage in various impactful activities, such as planting trees, conducting surveys, and educating local communities.
Career skills: Gain hands-on skills in environmental monitoring, data collection, and sustainable practices, which are useful if you're pursuing a career in environmental science or conservation.
Humanitarian impact: Your work supports ecosystems and also the local communities that depend on them for their livelihoods.

Things to Know

Here are a few key considerations to prepare for your volunteer experience abroad:

Program intensity - Some programs are physically and mentally demanding; adaptability is essential.
Safety protocols - Natural environments can be unpredictable, so always follow safety guidelines and respect wildlife.
Visa requirements - Check with your host country’s embassy to ensure you meet all visa and entry requirements.
Cultural sensitivity - Knowing basic phrases in the local language and respecting local customs helps create connections and shows respect.

Popular Providers

Frequently Asked Questions

The most common environmental causes include marine protection, reforestation, and education. You may work with NGOs or look for organizations that offer environmental volunteering programs.

Environmental volunteering entails conservation efforts in some of the world's endangered areas, threatened by factors like climate change, deforestation, pollution, biodiversity loss, overpopulation, and more.

7 Things to Know Before Environmental Volunteering Abroad

South African countries, Ecuador, and Costa Rica are some of the best destinations for environmental volunteering, as these countries have been adversely affected by deforestation, animal extinction, and other comparable factors.

16 Best Places to Volunteer Abroad in 2023

Latest Program Reviews

Trip of a lifetime!

December 03, 2025by: Catherine Christmas - New ZealandProgram: Gili Shark Conservation Project in Indonesia

10

Absolutely loved the six weeks I had at gili shark conservation, I was kind of worried because six weeks is a decent length of time but I couldn't have been happier, in fact take me back!!! The accommodation was amazing, the hospitality and welcoming attitude from everyone really made it feel like a home away from home. Not only that but the conservation work itself was so fun!!! I really enjoyed cleaning the hex domes and turtle ID dives. 100/10 experience :)

Possibly the best six weeks of my life...

December 03, 2025by: Tommy Dowse - United KingdomProgram: Gili Shark Conservation Project in Indonesia

9

I arrived at Gili Shark as a kinda shy, mildly awkward human, about to follow a deep love of mine and have a go at a Divemaster Internship. There were a few marine conservation organisations around the world, but none took my interest and faith as much as Gili Shark - and I definitely made the right choice. From day one when I got there, I was greeted with the most welcoming people who give off immaculate vibes to get me settled. The accommodation was amazing, and given that it was my first time sharing a room, I was very lucky to call such a clean and thoughtful environment home. Throughout my programme I learned about more fish than I knew existed, about the ecosystem of the ocean and all that goes into it and how to look after our terrifying but beloved oceans. The instructors, staff and mentors were nothing but encouraging and inspiring (even watching their buoyancy was admiration enough), and helped me boost my confidence. By the end, I was leading dives, briefings and helping to teach new diving students too... If you'd have told me that 6 weeks prior, I'd have laughed at you! Take my word for it if you're considering Gili Shark, you won't regret it.

Trip of a lifetime!

December 03, 2025by: Catherine Christmas - New ZealandProgram: Gili Shark Conservation Project in Indonesia

10

Absolutely loved the six weeks I had at gili shark conservation, I was kind of worried because six weeks is a decent length of time but I couldn't have been happier, in fact take me back!!! The accommodation was amazing, the hospitality and welcoming attitude from everyone really made it feel like a home away from home. Not only that but the conservation work itself was so fun!!! I really enjoyed cleaning the hex domes and turtle ID dives. 100/10 experience :)

Possibly the best six weeks of my life...

December 03, 2025by: Tommy Dowse - United KingdomProgram: Gili Shark Conservation Project in Indonesia

9

I arrived at Gili Shark as a kinda shy, mildly awkward human, about to follow a deep love of mine and have a go at a Divemaster Internship. There were a few marine conservation organisations around the world, but none took my interest and faith as much as Gili Shark - and I definitely made the right choice. From day one when I got there, I was greeted with the most welcoming people who give off immaculate vibes to get me settled. The accommodation was amazing, and given that it was my first time sharing a room, I was very lucky to call such a clean and thoughtful environment home. Throughout my programme I learned about more fish than I knew existed, about the ecosystem of the ocean and all that goes into it and how to look after our terrifying but beloved oceans. The instructors, staff and mentors were nothing but encouraging and inspiring (even watching their buoyancy was admiration enough), and helped me boost my confidence. By the end, I was leading dives, briefings and helping to teach new diving students too... If you'd have told me that 6 weeks prior, I'd have laughed at you! Take my word for it if you're considering Gili Shark, you won't regret it.