Dive in Seychelles, Indian Ocean, Africa​​​

Marine Conservation in Seychelles​

Last updated: October 26, 2026​

Problem they are trying to solve: Hands-on conservation on a private island in the Seychelles as part of the award-winning Noah's Ark Project — restoring North Island's ecosystems to their natural state. Join a maximum of four volunteers monitoring critically endangered Hawksbill and Green sea turtles, Aldabra giant tortoises, coral reefs and endemic bird species, while living on one of the most remote and beautiful islands in the Indian Ocean.​

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Gallery

Woman with a backpack stands on a rocky hilltop overlooking the ocean, surrounded by green plants and palm trees.

Year-round

Quick Facts

Minimum stay:
4

Price per week:
660

Minimum age
21

Max capacity: 4 volunteers​

Staff to volunteer ratio: N/A​

No airport pickup ✘

Accommodation type: Huts, Private, Shared​​

WiFi available ✔

Diving

Freediving​

Freediving cert required​​

Gear not provided​

Mask, Snorkel, Fins​

Volunteer duties

  • Conduct early-morning beach patrols to monitor Green and Hawksbill turtle nesting and collect biometric data
  • Excavate turtle nests, relocate at-risk nests, and assist hatchlings during hatching season
  • Monitor and feed juvenile Aldabra Giant Tortoises and GPS-track adult tortoises across the island
  • Carry out snorkel-based coral reef surveys and build photo ID records of fish and coral species while tracking reef changes
  • Remove invasive vegetation, plant indigenous trees, and support nursery cultivation
  • Collect beach debris and enter cleanup data into The Ocean Conservancy’s TIDES database

Highlights

  • Maximum four volunteers at a time — genuinely intimate, high-impact fieldwork rather than a group tour experience
  • National Geographic World Legacy Award winner for Conserving the Natural World
  • Extraordinary wildlife: nesting Hawksbill and Green turtles, Aldabra giant tortoises, rare endemic birds and pristine coral reefs
  • Highly professional, science-led Environmental Team described as passionate and exceptionally knowledgeable
  • Air-conditioned beachside cottage, three daily meals in the staff canteen, and access to kayaks, paddleboards and snorkel gear after hours
  • Year-round programme with fortnightly start dates — one of the most flexible scheduling options in marine conservation volunteering

Things to consider

  • One of the most expensive marine volunteer programmes available — aimed at volunteers who can fund a premium conservation experience
  • Strict uniform and conduct requirements at all times on the island — you are operating as staff on a functioning 7-star resort
  • Guest beach and facilities are off-limits when paying guests are present, which can feel restrictive
  • Snorkelling gear (mask, snorkel, fins) must be brought by the volunteer — not provided by the programme
  • A virtual interview screening is required before acceptance — not a guaranteed placement on application
  • Terrestrial work (vegetation clearing, tortoise monitoring) forms a large part of the schedule alongside marine activities

What People Are Saying

Wildlife ACT's North Island program draws glowing reviews from volunteers who describe it as one of the most extraordinary conservation experiences available anywhere in the world. The setting — a remote private island that doubles as one of the world's most exclusive luxury resorts — gives it a quality and atmosphere unlike any other volunteer programme. Reviewers consistently highlight the professionalism and passion of the Environmental Team, the genuine scientific rigour of the work, and the extraordinary wildlife encounters: nesting sea turtles, emerging hatchlings, Aldabra giant tortoises wandering freely, and reef snorkelling in crystal-clear Indian Ocean water. The maximum four-volunteer group size is frequently cited as a standout — it creates an intimate, focused experience where volunteers feel like real contributors rather than tourist additions. The main considerations are the premium price, the strict uniform and conduct requirements that come with being on a functioning luxury resort, and the limited leisure access to guest facilities.​

Sources

Wildlife ACT official programme page [source], Wildlife ACT North Island 2026 brochure (PDF) [source], Wildlife ACT blog — A Conservation Adventure in the Seychelles [source], Volunteer reviews via Natucate [source], Go Abroad volunteer account [source]

Organisation

Wildlife ACT​

NGO / Non-profit​

info@wildlifeact.com​

Visit Program Website​

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