Dominican Republic

Diving and marine conservation in the Caribbean

Directly at the sea
High recreational value
Spanish course included

With this diving project you will have life changing experiences! You learn to dive and protect the underwater environment. Marine flora and fauna has a major impact on the entire environment and ultimately on humans. Learn all about it in this project and take action for nature in the Caribbean. You will come home with professional diving certifications and exciting experiences!

Las Terrenas

from 16 years

2 - 48 weeks / from €2.250

Wednesday

Volunteering in the Dominican Republic in a diving project

life under water

Conserve and sustainably use oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

Project ID : FA-DO386

As a volunteer
Dominican Republic

2 - 48 weeks / from €2.250
to the cost overview

Volunteering in the diving project in the Caribbean

What's the matter?

Samaná Bay is a significant breeding and rearing area for humpback whales from throughout the North Atlantic and is the most important biodiverse fisheries area in the Dominican Republic. While tourism is important to the economy, its impact on fragile coastal and marine ecosystems is worrying. Large-scale hotel projects and unregulated tourist activities account for a large part of the environmental destruction. This endangers the breeding grounds of whales and turtles.

Las Terrenas is a coastal village and the region is important for various ecosystems: mangroves, seagrass beds and coral reefs. Unfortunately, the area is subject to many anthropogenic pressures from deforestation and pollution, which are damaging these ecosystems, which in turn reduces their resilience and increases their vulnerability to tropical storms.

Your diving education

Your diving training starts from scratch and takes you through the first level "Open Water Diver" and through the special training "Coral Reef Conservation" with the PADI diving school. If you have already completed an "Open Water Diver" (OWD) or equivalent training, you will receive a discount of 200 euros or you can do the "Advanced Open Water Diver" (AOWD). Upgrades are also offered, such as the "Rescue Diver" or "Dive Master".

With the Open Water Diver International Diploma and Coral Reef Conservation specialty training, you will be able to dive to a depth of 18 meters and help with marine conservation at the underwater sites along the Las Terrenas coast . This is a great opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to protecting the marine environment while becoming a passionate and top qualified diver!

Your tasks as a volunteer

As soon as you have completed the necessary training and acquired the necessary skills, you will start taking part in the marine protection activities from the second week. These are projects for the conservation of coral stocks in the water and the scientific monitoring of mangroves, seagrass beds and coral reefs. The population should also be made aware of the issue of environmental protection.

Diving activities are highly dependent on weather and sea conditions. The work can be very demanding but is very rewarding and varied. In addition to diving activities, volunteers are expected to use working hours for non-diving conservation and educational activities such as promoting environmental awareness.

The project offers you:

You will learn all important diving skills and receive certifications as part of a marine conservation project
Regular theoretical and practical lessons as well as studies and research on marine protection issues
Explanation of the conservation project and ecology of the species Acropora cervicornis (staghorn coral)
Training in monitoring and preparing the basics for the mangrove and seagrass project
Demonstration of cleaning and routine maintenance techniques for coral sticks in the water
Active assistance in monitoring coral reefs, mangroves and seaweeds
Assistance in raising awareness for nature conservation through workshops, films, etc.
Support in the maintenance, protection and restoration of coral nurseries in the water
Assistance with the creation of beach profiles and the elaboration of basic data on the beaches
Underwater beach cleaning, regular cleaning of beaches and rivers

This project typically includes five flexible working days per week, typically not Monday through Friday.

Volunteering or internship

You can take part in this program as a volunteer or as an intern!

As a volunteer, you can choose how many hours a day you want to work. As an intern, you must have received the relevant requirements from your university, which you must comply with. In this case, inform the team in advance about your school internship requirements so that a personal work plan can be worked out together with you. You are also welcome to address your personal goals and expectations here so that this is taken into account when allocating your tasks. At the end of your internship, you will receive an internship certificate that records your learning outcomes and achievements and that you can show to your university if necessary.

Learn Spanish for free in the Caribbean!

Volunteers and interns receive free language classes in Spanish for the entire duration of their stay abroad. Classes focus on developing the four basic communication skills: listening, understanding, speaking, reading and writing. Students are encouraged to speak Spanish from day one and to use it in typical situations of daily life as soon as they leave the classroom.

Accommodation Catering

Your accommodation during your volunteer work in the Dominican Republic

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Volunteer Apartments in the Dominican Republic

As a rule, the volunteers share shared rooms with a maximum of four beds. A single room can also be booked for an additional charge. Free WiFi and use of the washing machine are included. The rooms are fully furnished.

The advantage of sharing accommodation is that you will definitely make friends for life here. The cultural exchange with volunteers from all over the world is enriching and a valuable experience! Mutual respect and consideration is a given and household tasks are shared.

Located in the center of the coastal towns of Las Terrenas and Samaná, the accommodations are scenic, relaxed and peaceful locations. The deployment sites are only a 10 to 20 minute walk away. The city center and the beautiful seafront promenade are also close by, where there are many restaurants, bars and shops. The area is safe, there is a "tourist police" on the streets.

Location

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Las Terrenas

Las Terrenas is a coastal village on the Samaná Peninsula, located in the northeast of the Dominican Republic. The region is important for various ecosystems: mangroves, seagrass beds and coral reefs.

The popular holiday destination is known for the Playa Las Terrenas beach. There is also the Pueblo de los Pescadores promenade, which runs directly along the sea and is lined with many bars and restaurants. In addition to the Caribbean beaches decorated with palm trees, you will find the highest mountain in the Caribbean, the Pico Duarte, and the historic colonial city of Santo Domingo on the peninsula. The towns and villages surrounding the site are very peaceful and have a strong sense of community.

Are you ready for your adventure in the Caribbean paradise? Then on to Las Terrenas! This location is also perfect to improve your Spanish. So order your next cocktail here in the local language!

Your free time in Las Terrenas

In Las Terrenas you will find a wealth of opportunities and activities for your free time. Various restaurants, bars and shops invite you to stroll, shop and taste the delicious Caribbean cuisine. As you explore your place of residence, you can listen to the rhythms of salsa, bachata or merengue, which echo through the city thanks to the numerous street musicians.

Of course, in Las Terrenas and the surrounding area there is also what most tourists travel all the way to the Dominican Republic for: Dreamlike, white sandy beaches as far as the eye can see. Here you can dive, (kite) surf or just relax and enjoy the Caribbean sun in your free time. From January to March, Las Terrenas also offers the best conditions for successful whale watching tours.

But there is also a lot for you to discover around the city. Popular destinations are, for example, the accessible waterfall "El Limón" or the paradise island "Cayo Levantado". Both can be reached in just under half an hour by bus or boat. A little further away, but no less worth seeing is the "Los Haitises National Park". With its mangrove forests, picturesque sandstone caves and pristine beaches, it is one of the absolute highlights of the country. Of course there are dozens of other sights just waiting to be discovered by you.

On-site procedure

Arrive in Santo Domingo

The project team will do everything possible to ensure the safety of the volunteers during their arrival and stay in the Dominican Republic. So you are in good hands here and in safe hands.

Airport pick up

Upon arrival at Las Americas Airport, a member of the team will meet you and escort you to the bus terminal. The driver buys the bus ticket for you to Las Terrenas, your location. The journey takes about two hours. At your destination, you will be greeted by other volunteers and staff and taken to your accommodation. If your arrival at the airport is after 16 p.m., you have to stay one more night in Santo Domingo. Because at this time there are no more buses going to Las Terrenas.

Overnight in Santo Domingo

In the case of an overnight stay in Santo Domingo, our service includes the trip from the airport to the hotel and the next morning the trip to the bus station as well as the bus ticket to Las Terrenas. You would have to pay for the overnight stay in the hotel yourself.

Departure

You organize your return journey yourself. The team on site will be happy to help you with the bookings. You might also want to explore the country a bit before heading back to the airport - just ask the team for tips! All return tickets are not included in the services.

Orientation program in the Dominican Republic

On your first day, there will be an orientation program that will make it easier for you to get started with the project and to arrive in a country that may be foreign to you. Work is discussed, as well as housing, health, safety, food, leisure, social behavior and cultural sensitivity. Our team will show you what you have to consider so that you can find your way around the area and inform you about your activities and tasks in the project.

Your first day in the project

As soon as you have familiarized yourself with everything, you can start with your project work. On the first day of work, you will drive to the deployment site together with one of our team members. You get to know your contacts there and become familiar with the area. Depending on how much previous knowledge you have and depending on your assessment and needs, you will be slowly introduced to the work or you will soon be assigned your own tasks.

Pricing

base fee

€ 2.250, -

2 weeks of participation
extension week

€ 260, - / week

up to 46 weeks respectively

included
Services

Before departure

Individual advice and support from our trained RGV team in Munich
Organization including placement in the project and coordination of your stay on site
Assistance with preparation: visa, health care, travel insurance, etc.
Non-binding flight advice
Travel ABC with packing list for your travel preparation
RGV t-shirt

On site

Orientation program with the team on site
Support and guidance from the on-site team
RGV 24h emergency number
Project t-shirt to wear during on-site activities

Airport transfer on the agreed day of arrival
Accommodation in Volunteer Apartment

Spanish language course

Diving course for all levels

After return

Participation confirmation of your voluntary commitment
Reflection course on your experiences abroad
Evaluation sheet and optional feedback discussion

useful additional services

not included
Services

Round trip
Private expenses on site
Excursions with microlight flights
Travel and cancellation insurance
Visa and Vaccinations
All nights outside your agreed accommodation
Public transport and extra transfers

Airport transfer on departure day

Food and drinks

Individual Recommended additional offers
& must-haves

Would you prefer to stay in a single room? Are you vegan or do you have special requests for food? Or do you want to do some cool trips with other volunteers in your free time and explore the country?

With us, you benefit from a variety of optional additional services that you can add individually to your booking, depending on your preferences.

" Round Trip
Cheap flights with our flight partner thanks to volunteer rates.

" Insurance
Benefit from the 4 in 1 ERGO travel insurance.

Einzelzimmer

115 €

Per week
Living with a host family

220 €
Personal development introductory course

Free of charge

Two tools to get you started on your personal development

Las Terrenas Team
site

Loreini is the volunteer coordinator in Samana and is responsible for looking after the volunteers at work and in their accommodation. She holds weekly meetings and is in close contact with the volunteers. She also organizes pick-up and transfer to the place of work. Her original profession was a teacher and administrative clerk.

Dominika is Volunteer Coordinator in Las Terrenas and responsible for looking after the volunteers at work and in their accommodation. She runs weekly meetings and is in close contact with the volunteers. She also organizes pick-up and transfer to the place of work. Her original profession is a psychologist and dance therapist, she speaks three languages and is of Polish origin.

Volunteers talk about their experiences Joint commitment - big impact!

Testimonials

Experience report from the diving project in the Dominican Republic

All in all, my time in Las Terrenas was incredibly nice. I worked in the marine conservation program for about two months.

29.10.2021

Luisa

Dive in the project in the Dominican Republic

Testimonials

My experience in the diving and marine conservation project in the Caribbean

This internship gave me a lot both personally and personally. It showed me what I wanted to do when I grew up.

20.11.2021

Daniel

Testimonials

Experience report in the diving and marine protection project in the Caribbean

I worked at the marine conservation program in Las Terrenas for six weeks and really enjoyed my time here.

08.12.2021

Pia

More testimonials
Browse our magazine

RGV FAQ
to the project

What are the project fees used for?

Although we are a non-profit organization, there are costs associated with volunteering abroad. Find out here, why volunteering requires money and what your project fee is used for.

Which visa do I need for the Dominican Republic?

For the project in the Dominican Republic you need a tourist visa, which you can apply for free upon entry. If you stay longer than 30 days, you must apply for a fee-based extension at the responsible immigration office. Without an extension, you will have to pay a fine when you leave the airport if you stay longer than 30 days, the amount of which depends on the length of time you overstayed your permitted stay.

What vaccinations/ health precautions do I need?

If you are traveling from a yellow fever area, you need a yellow fever vaccination. Otherwise there are no compulsory vaccinations.

We generally recommend a consultation in a practice for travel and tropical medicine.

You can get general information about recommended health care and vaccinations online Center for Travel Medicine as well as on the side of Foreign Office.

What are the requirements for the project?

No previous knowledge is necessary to take part in this project. You should have an interest in environmental protection and diving. You should be fit and healthy and approach the topics proactively and enthusiastically. Flexibility, commitment and perseverance are also important.

What do I have to bring?

If you have your own wetsuit, you are welcome to take it with you, as well as a mask, snorkel and fins. All of this can also be rented for free on site or purchased in the shop. The rest of the diving equipment is provided by the program.

What do I have to consider as an LGBTQ person?

Please be aware that homosexual acts are considered undesirable in many countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America and are even punishable by law in some places. In general, people who are identified as queer are often exposed to hostility.

For example, get information from Foreign Office about the exact regulations in your destination country.

What language skills do I need for this project?

In order to be able to communicate well with the team on site, you should definitely have good English skills.

General FAQ about volunteer work

Ready to volunteer in the Dominican Republic? Start your adventure abroad with Rainbow Garden Village!

Rainbow Garden Village has been offering volunteer work and internships abroad since 1999. What started as a small student initiative in Ghana has now grown into an organization with over 250 projects around the world.

You can be sure that your work as a volunteer will be an unforgettable experience. Bring your commitment and your knowledge to do good locally - and at the same time benefit from the unique experiences that will promote your personal development.

Become part of our RGV community!
We look forward to you.

RGV Your way
to the volunteer

1
Choose your volunteer project and register online.

2
We will review your application and confirm your participation.

3
Prepare for your assignment online or in our preparatory seminar in Munich.

4
Here we go! During your volunteer work, we will support you at any time with our on-site team.

Gallery Impressions &
Impressions

Protect and preserve coral reefs and learn everything about maritime environmental protection

Activities also include workshops on maritime environmental protection in the Caribbean

Underwater worlds in the Dominican Republic

Learn to dive and take part in this exciting volunteer project

Explore underwater worlds in the Caribbean

Creatures worth protecting in the Caribbean Sea

Experience the adventure of your life and take part in this exciting diving project

Volunteering in the diving project in the North Atlantic

Protect coral reefs and learn how to care for them

Your activities in this volunteer project in the Caribbean

Volunteering in the diving project in the Dominican Republic

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