MARINE CONSERVATION COURSE
Become a steward for our oceans while learning to restore coral reefs, mangrove and seagrass ecosystems in this 4-week program in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
2025 Courses
20 January – 14 February, 2025
LET’S RESTORE OUR MARINE ECOSYSTEMS
Join our 4-weeks marine restoration course in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia focused on restoring critical marine ecosystems: coral reefs, seagrass gardens, and mangrove forests. This is a hands-on training program for students who wish to be part of marine conservation programs. We pair this entry-level educational journey with underwater photography to help you capture the beauty of the ecosystems you are restoring!
The course incorporates fundamental knowledge on coral biology, coral propagation, substrates, mangrove restoration, seagrass biology, and marine conservation strategies. If after this course you wish to start your own coral restoration project, you can continue your educational journey with our Coral Restoration Course. This second course will prepare you with the appropriate tools to begin restoring the ocean.
Empowered by the Ocean Gardener syllabus and Seagrass Guardians experience, you will immerse yourself in nature while protecting seagrass, learning about mangroves, planting corals, identifying reef threats, and getting ready to become a steward for the ocean!
Location: Kota Kinabalu (KK), Sabah, Malaysia
Course Duration: 4 weeks
Price: USD2750
COURSE STRUCTURE
In these 4 weeks, you will stay at the Mari Mari Lodge in Sepanggar Island and Brahminy Kite Villa in Kota Kinabalu 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!
INTRO CORAL DIVER
Learn how to identify 12 hard corals and 6 soft corals species. Practice your spotting skills while fun diving!
4 Dives
6 Workshops
REEF RESTORATION
Learn about underwater coral gardening and the different techniques used at 3 of our different coral nursery sites.
Gain knowledge about rope, spider, direct planting and coral cookie methods that are used to promote growth and diversity on our reefs.
3 Planting Dives
3 Maintenance Dives
UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY
Learn about equipment, photo capture, lighting, and editing on land and underwater. Includes photography equipment rental.
4 Boat Dives
3 Workshops
NIGHT DIVE SPOTTING
Explore underwater life in the dark, improve your night diving skills, and learn to identify nocturnal species with expert guidance.
1 Dive
SEAGRASS RESTORATION
Learn about seagrass biology, threats, identification, monitoring, and restoration strategies to protect this critical ecosystem.
3 Workshops
MANGROVE RESTORATION
Learn about mangrove biology, threats, identification, monitoring, and restoration strategies to protect this critical ecosystem.
1 Workshop
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
TURTLE ECOLOGY
Learn about turtle 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 Mari Mari Lodge (upgrades available)
- 3 Meals during the Mari Mari stay (2 weeks)
- Daily breakfast at Brahminy Kite Villa (2 weeks)
- 1 Return Airport Transfer
- 10 Adopted Corals
- 1 Mythical Beings NFT (allows access to future courses, internships, retreats at a 15% discount)
- 2 Project t-shirts
- All course materials listed in the Course Structure section
- Course certification by Ocean Gardener
not included
- Flight Tickets
- In country spending money
- Visa Fees (please apply online for ease)
- Lunch and dinner meals while staying at Brahminy Kite Villa
- Travel and Dive Insurance
- Fees for any additional dives not included in the program
- Fees for any additional courses
life at GAIAONE KK
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!
STAY AT MARI MARI LODGE
Mari Mari will be your home away from home for 2 weeks during this hands-on educational journey! Mari Mari is comfortably nestled in Sepanggar Island surrounded by the ocean and a beautiful forest. You can play with the friendly goats, snorkel or kayak during your free time! You will stay in the dorms with upgrades to private rooms available.
BRAHMINY KITE VILLA
Hidden among the trees in Signal Hill, Brahminy feels like a city escape only 5 minutes away from the downtown area. Walk down to the eco-farm for a farm-to-table experience with organic kale, among other vegetables grown onsite. Enjoy the weekend night markets, gorgeous sunsets from the view point, and the jacuzzi to relax your body.
HOW TO GET TO KOTA KINABALU
Kota Kinabalu is the capital city of Sabah, 1 of the 2 Malaysian states in the island of Borneo. Direct flights to the nearest airport (Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport) are available from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Manado and more! Travel from the airport is extremely easy through Grab, Maxim or taxi. It takes ~20 minutes by car to arrive to Brahminy Kite Villa. Car ride price during non-peak hours is around ~RM10-15.
DINING EXPERIENCE
The Mari Mari on-site restaurant is ready to provide you with a delicious local dining experience with a focus on vegetarian meals to reduce our environmental impacts (meat and fish options are also available). All meals are included during your stay.
While at Brahminy, breakfast is included every day to power you through your restoration journey. Lunch and 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. The Mari Mari team cleans our beaches every day but we need to stop the problem at the source. There are filtered water dispensers 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 hands-n activities. Depending on the agenda, you will either dive or go on excursions.
Saturdays and Sundays are “rest” days to sleep in, freedive, fun dive, hike, or see where the wind takes you.
DURING YOUR FREE TIME
Kota Kinabalu is ready to welcome you with its malls, restaurants, gyms, nature reserves and more!
If you want some adventure, you can explore, you can take a short trip to the orangutan and sunbear sanctuary that Sabah is well-known for! Otherwise, stay in the city, catch a movie, exercise, hike, try a cooking class or go for live music at the many venues in the city.