Marine Conservation Volunteer Program in Croatia - Omiš
Ready to put on your wetsuit and jump into Marine Conservation volunteering in Croatia? International Volunteer HQ’s Marine Conservation project allows volunteers to gain scuba diving experience and certifications while protecting underwater sea life on the sparkling Mediterranean coast. Volunteers will be placed with local dive schools that undertake a range of conservation activities to help keep the ocean environment clean and reduce marine pollution.
Highlights:
- Programs start every Monday
- Affordable fees from $1075 for 1 week
- Includes accommodation, meals, airport pick up, orientation and 24/7 support
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Protect and preserve underwater wildlife
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Explore the sunny Croatian coast
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Stay in a fun, modern hostel
Key information
This program is ideal for:
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
When you think of the Croatian coast, chances are you’ll picture clear Mediterranean waters, beaches full of swimmers and an abundance of beautiful sea life. While this is often the reality, it requires plenty of work from dedicated marine conservationists and volunteers to keep the water clean and reduce sea pollution.
As a Marine Conservation volunteer, you’ll be helping a local diving school to restore and maintain the natural state of the marine ecosystem around the Croatian coast. In this program, you will first learn how to scuba dive and then use your scuba diving skills to collect marine debris from the bottom of the seabed that piles up due to high human activity and winds. You will work within a team on collecting waste, sorting it out and handing it to the recycling center.
When you’re qualified to dive you can take part in a range of conservation activities including:
- Collecting marine debris from the sea
- Logging information about items collected
- Learning about the marine environment and how to protect it
- Observing and identifying fish and other marine life
Depending on the time of the year, and after you earn your certification, you can also join a local scuba diving center on underwater clean-up weekends in more remote areas around Omiš.
Please note in your application if you have any existing dive certifications. If you do, you will need to send a copy of these along with your diving log book through to the local team in Croatia prior to your program starting. All volunteers are also required to provide a medical certificate which clears them for diving. You can choose to support this project for 1-4 weeks between the months of May to November.
Why do Marine Conservation volunteering in Omiš with IVHQ?
While volunteering on the Marine Conservation project in Croatia you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
- Repairing and maintaining marine ecosystems
- Protecting marine biodiversity and reducing pollution
- Gaining scuba experience and certification
- Developing your communication skills
- Immersing yourself fully in the Croatian culture
- Discovering the incredible natural beauty of Omiš
Volunteer requirements
All volunteers on the Marine Conservation project in Croatia are required to provide a medical certificate which clears them for diving.
Volunteers need to be 16 years or over to participate on this project, unless volunteering with a parent or guardian, in which case the minimum age is 10.
All volunteers must speak fluent English, have adequate volunteer travel insurance and provide a recent criminal background check.
Are you eligible to volunteer?
Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.
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Scuba diving certifications
On the Marine Conservation project in Croatia all volunteers complete the internationally-recognized Scuba Schools International (SSI) diving certifications. Your Program Fee covers the cost of the required online and in-person training, full scuba equipment hire and volunteer supervision from an experienced dive instructor. The specific certification you complete will depend on your diving experience and the length of your stay. Courses range from Scuba Diver through to Open Water Diver, and can include specialty courses such as Marine Ecology and Fish Identification. These are suitable for complete beginners to experienced divers.
Academic course credit
Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!
Learn about course credit”Go for it! It seems scary before you do it but it’s amazing, my trip was the best 2 weeks of my life!”
Megan, British, 16
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Location
IVHQ’s Marine Conservation project in Croatia is based in Omiš. It’s the first larger town you arrive to as you travel south along the coast from Split, where our other Croatia volutneer projects are based, and is located at the mouth of the Cetina River where it meets the Adriatic Sea. Only 25km away from Split, it’s a quick and easy journey down and a very popular destination to visit when in Croatia.
Arrival and orientation
The Croatia volunteer program begins every Monday, and you need to arrive in Split on the Sunday before your chosen start date.
After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at Split International Airport (SPU). The cost of your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee. When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and taken to the volunteer accommodation, approximately 40 minutes away. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night before your program orientation.
If you are traveling in Croatia prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up from a meeting point in Split on the Sunday before your program start date. You are also free to make your own way to the volunteer accommodation.
On Monday, orientation is hosted by our local team in Croatia and runs for a full day. Orientation covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Croatia – an introduction to Croatia, Croatian customs, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities in Croatia, and an introduction to your project and placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing.
Volunteer schedule example
Weekdays:
A volunteer day is subject to change depending on your specific project and placement. A typical daily schedule might be as follows:
| 8:00 - 10:00 AM | Breakfast is served at the restaurant next door to volunteer accommodation. |
| 9:00 AM | Volunteers with a morning shift travel to placement to join local placement staff and begin work on your project. |
| 12:00 - 2:30 PM | Lunch is served at the restaurant next door to volunteer accommodation. |
| 2:30 PM | Volunteers with an afternoon or evening shift travel to placement to join local placement staff and begin work on their project. |
| 7:30 - 9.00 PM | Dinner at the restaurant next door to volunteer accommodation. After dinner you will have the remainder of the evening free to relax and use as you wish. |
Weekends:
Volunteers have the weekends free and Split and Croatia are full of interesting things to do, see, visit, eat and learn.
Croatia has a wondrous history and culture, paired with beautiful coastline and nature. You can spend a weekend traveling across the country - visit the popular Klis fortress that is only a short drive from Split, or spend the day in nature surrounded by waterfalls in Krka National Park or Plitvice National Park. If you are looking for an adventurous activity, try rafting down the river in Dalmatian hinterlands, or sea-kayaking the beautiful see-through Adriatic Sea. There is so much to see and explore, and nothing is far away in Croatia!
Volunteers can make travel arrangements further afield once in Croatia, with the advice and guidance of our local staff.
Accommodation and WiFi
Volunteers on the Marine Conservation project will be accommodated in a hostel in the centre of Omis which is a 10 minute walk from the volunteer placement and the restaurant for meals. Volunteers should expect to share a room with up to 7 other volunteers, depending on the availability the volunteers will be separated by gender. The bathrooms are common but are separated by gender. Bedding and towels are provided by the hostel. Local staff do clean the accommodation throughout the week, though volunteers are required to keep their rooms tidy.
Private rooms for Marine Conservation volunteers can also be arranged at an additional cost. Please contact us or your Program Manager for more information and pricing. All accommodation upgrades are subject to availability.
Meals
Volunteers are provided with breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day in a restaurant which is a 10 minute walk from the accommodation.
Breakfast consists of smoothies, breakfast tortillas, omelets, eggs, cereals, breads, spreads, ham, coffee, and juice. Lunch is prepared in the morning and packed into take-away boxes so you can enjoy a meal while you’re out volunteering. Dinner is provided in the same restaurant that breakfast is served and volunteers have the choice between a meat, fish, or vegetarian, option.
Pricing
Duration |
Program FeeDue 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
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|---|---|
| 1 week | $1,075 Equivalent to $154/day |
| 2 weeks | $1,795 Equivalent to $128/day |
| 3 weeks | $2,615 Equivalent to $125/day |
| 4 weeks | $3,435 Equivalent to $123/day |
| 5 weeks | $4,155 Equivalent to $119/day |
| 6 weeks | $4,875 Equivalent to $116/day |
| 8 weeks | $6,315 Equivalent to $113/day |
- Accommodation
- Meals
- 24/7 in-country support
- In-country program orientation
- Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
- Airport pick-up
- Personalized preparation tools, guides and check lists
- Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
- Discounts on language lessons
- Certificate of International Volunteer Service
Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$329 (approximately $329) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
- A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
- Additional things to budget for include: Visa, flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check, public transport to and from your placement each day and return to the airport when your program finishes.
- Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Croatia generally find US$80 to be sufficient for basic weekly expenses.
- Any changes or cancellations within 14 days of your start date are subject to a US$200 late change/cancellation fee.
Check what's required to visit Croatia
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Safety and support
IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.
- All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
- All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
- All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
- All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Essential country information
| Capital | Zagreb |
| Population | 4.7 million |
| Languages | Croatian |
| Currency | Croatian Kuna (HRK) |
| Time zone | UTC+02:00 |
Weather and climate
The Adriatic coast of Croatia, where our volunteer program is based, enjoys a Mediterranean climate of cool, rainy winters and hot, dry summers. Temperatures in Split range from 41°F to 50°F (5°C to 10°C) in winter and 79°F to 86°F (26°C to 30°C) in the summer, which runs from June to August.
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