DIVE INTO CONSERVATION COURSE
Start your diving and conservation journey simultaneously by getting your Open Water * and Advanced Diving Certifications while learning to restore coral reefs.
2024 Availability
Start any day before diving season ends in December!
BECOME A DIVER WHILE RESTORING CORAL REEFS!
Join our 4-week Dive into Conservation course in Bira, Indonesia to get your Open Water and Advanced Diving Certifications while learning how to restore coral reefs. If you are already an OW diver, you can get your Advanced and Deep Dive certification instead!
Our hands-on coral restoration program focuses on coral identification, coral planting techniques, and reef restoration paired with daily dives to put theory to practice!
Empowered by the Ocean Gardener syllabus, based on 20 over years of experience in restoring and growing corals, you will immerse yourself in nature while planting corals, identifying reef threats, and getting ready to become a steward for the ocean!
Location: Bira, South Sulawesi, Indonesia
Course Duration: 4 weeks
Included Dives: 30
Diving Certification: PADI and SSI available
Price: USD2750
COURSE STRUCTURE
In these 4 weeks, you will stay at Tevana House Reef, our own eco-lodge, while rebuilding existing damaged reefs. As one of our fundamental pillars, it is imperative to understand that we cannot create new reefs where they were not previously found. Each module is therefore specifically designed to provide you with conservation theory and techniques while immersing you in hands-on activities at our local reefs.
But it is not enough to learn in a vacuum focused only on our own actions. We aim to tackle the root of the problem by involving local communities, fishermen, boat captains and local schools in the solution. During this program, you will get to meet the growing supportive community of locals that are becoming protectors of their own homes.
Workshops are generally held early in the morning followed by water activities such as scuba diving or freediving, depending on weather conditions. Weekends and evenings are free to rest or find your own adventure! By the end of the course, you will receive a certification of completion that will unlock new exciting opportunities!
OPEN WATER & ADVANCED DIVER
Become a certified open water and Advanced certified diver. If you already have your Open Water certificate, you can get your Advanced and Deep Dive Certification.
10 Dives
INTRO CORAL DIVER
Learn how to identify 12 hard corals and 6 soft corals species. Practice your spotting skills while fun diving!
2 Dives
REEF RESTORATION
Learn about underwater coral gardening and the different techniques used at 3 of our different coral nursery sites to promote growth and diversity on our reefs.
4 Dives
TURTLE ECOLOGY
Learn about turtle biology, habitats, behavior and their critical importance for coral reefs.
2 Boat Dives
1 SSI Specialty Certification
MONITORING & MAINTENANCE
Learn how to clean, protect, monitor and maintain nurseries using multiple planting techniques.
6 Dives
FUN DIVES
Learn how spot critters by studying their habitats and identifying key markers while enjoying the beautiful deep sea!
7 Fun Dives
1 Night Dive
CULTURE & COMMUNITY
Interact with the community and have a sneak peak into the lives of the fishing village famous for their boat building and carpentry work.
Visit to Apparalang
Visit Phinisi Boat Building
Beach Clean Ups
additional courses
Eager to learn even more and stay with us for longer? Check out additional courses you can add to your stay.
1 Day
SHARK ECOLOGY
Learn about shark biology, habitats, behavior and their critical importance for coral reefs
USD135
2 Boat Dives
1 SSI Specialty Certification
1 Day
SSI MARINE BIOLOGY
Learn about marine life in coral reefs. Understand biology, habitats, behavior and critical dependence among species for a healthy reef.
USD135
2 Boat Dives
1 SSI Specialty Certification
included
The base fee of USD2750 includes:
- Dorm rooms at Tevana House Reef (upgrades available)
- Daily vegetarian breakfast
- Lunch on diving days
- 1 Return Airport Transfer
- 10 Adopted Corals
- 1 Mythical Beings NFT (allows access to future courses, internships, retreats at a 15% discount)
- 2 GaiaOne t-shirts
- All course materials listed in the Course Structure section
- PADI/SSI Open Water and Advanced Diving Certifications
not included
- Flight Tickets
- In country spending money
- Visa Fees (please apply online for ease)
- Dinner Meals (can start from IDR30k per meal)
- Travel and Dive Insurance
- Fees for any additional dives outside that is provided in the Programme
- Fees for any additional courses
- Motorbike rental (IDR1.100k a month)
life at GAIAONE BIRA
We are looking forward to welcome you! GaiaOne, more than a conservation project or an eco-resort, is a global community of passionate conservationists in love with nature. We are blessed to continue to meet unique and inspiring people who are learn from every day. One of the most important lessons we have learned is that we are all a work-in-progress and therefore open minds and hearts are at the core of a successful stay with us. With a positive attitude, hunger to learn, mutual respect, and a open communication, you will wake up on your last week of the course wishing you had 4 more weeks with your newly found friends!
Scroll through the carousel to get a glimpse of what your life will look like for the 4 weeks you will be spending with us. We hope to meet you soon!
Additional in-depth information available in our Pre-Arrival Handbook
STAY AT TEVANA HOUSE REEF
Tevana House Reef will be your home away from home during this hands-on educational journey! Tevana is an eco-resort providing all the goodness of Mother Nature – from bath necessities to the healthy, organic and fresh foods. Created by a family who loves scuba diving and cares for the environment, Tevana House Reef is a space to experience the gardens and incredible sea views. Our minimalist rooms incorporate unique elements of traditional Phinisi wood building technique – the Heritage of Tanjung Bira.
DORM ACCOMODATIONS
You will stay at our 2-person dorm rooms which share 1 bathroom. Given we have 2 dorms, only 4 people share the bathroom. Upgrades to private rooms are available.
We have electricity and 5G WIFI 24 hours a day allowing you to charge your devices and stay connected to your loved ones at all times. But don’t forget to disconnect from time to time to enjoy our beautiful island!
HOW TO GET TO BIRA
Bira is located in South Sulawesi – a province on the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia. Direct flights to the nearest airport (Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport) are available from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, and Manado. Duration of these flights ranges from 2-3 hours depending on the departure city. Once you arrive, our driver will pick you up and take you to our beautiful paradise. Car ride ranges from 4-5 hours.
DINING EXPERIENCE
Tevana Vida, our on-site restaurant, is open 7am – 9pm to provide you with a vegan-first dinning experience to reduce our environmental impacts (meat and fish options are also available).
Breakfast is included every day to power you through your restoration journey. Lunch is also included on diving days and is generally during the surface interval after the first dive. Dinners are not included to encourage you to explore other nearby restaurants and local cuisine.
NO SINGLE-USE PLASTIC
Please avoid bringing single-use plastic to our eco-resort. Our team cleans our beaches every day but we need to stop the problem at the source. There are filtered water dispensers at multiple locations in the resort to fill up your reusable water bottles. If you’d like fun drinks, our restaurant has fresh juices, beers, milk, and more!
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Every day is FUNDAY with GaiaOne! Course workshops and dives are scheduled Monday to Friday. Our days start at 8-9am with theoretical workshops followed by 2 dives. Lunch aligns with surface intervals between dives.
Saturdays and Sundays are “rest” days to sleep in, freedive, fun dive, cave explore or see where the wind takes you.
DURING YOUR FREE TIME
While Bira is a small town, there is plenty to do!
If the week’s conservation work is not enough, you can always help us with bleach clean ups to get a lemonade and a cleaner ocean!
If you want some adventure, you can explore our local dry and wet caves. You can also spend more time in ocean freediving, paddleboarding, kayaking, or snorkeling!
For dry days, you can play with our collection of board games, go to the local gym, read a book from our library, visit the local food market, explore Bira, or watch a movie!
Frequently asked questions
What is the nearest airport?
The closest airport to Bira is Makassar
How long does it take to get there?
There are direct flights from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur to Makassar. From there, it takes 4-5 hours by private car.