Food, Lodging and Travel
Lodging is primarily situated around the area of Pointe D’Esny. The nearest town, Mahebourg, is 20 minutes away by public transport. A welcome tour will be given upon arrival, in order to give you general knowledge of the area.
Volunteers stay in a volunteer house about a 5 minute walk from the Blue Bay lagoon. The office is located in the building next door. Each volunteer will be provided with a room, equipped with a bathroom, but you may have to share it. But in most cases, we can offer a private room. All rooms have Air-con.
Volunteers will have access to a shared living area, and a shared kitchen equipped with a hob, a microwave, a toaster, an oven, a fridge-freezer, as well as several cupboards and utensils. There is also a swimming pool available and a terrace in the garden, which will allow you to chill out after your volunteering. Bedding and sheets are provided. You should bring your own beach towel. Internet is also available.
We would advise you to bring your own phone, and a sim card can be obtained at a cost of around 4GBP (Rs200). You will be able to purchase local tasty Mauritian food from local food stalls in Blue Bay, or take the bus to the supermarket in Mahebourg for all your supplies once a week. Did you know, seafood is a staple of Mauritian cuisine, which has Asian, Indian, French and British influences?
Volunteer requirements
- 18 years upwards and maximum 55 years old.
- No previous experience is required
- Must be enthusiastic about the marine environment and marine conservation.
- Be friendly, communicative and be able to work in groups.
- A good and strong swimming ability is essential.
A health and safety briefing will be given by one of our staff prior to undergoing any activities.
We do accept families with children over 12 yrs old. Parents or legal guardians will have to sign a waiver or take full responsibility for their child.
How to get there
You need to fly to the Aeroport de Plaisance in Mauritius (airport code MRU). Volunteers are collected from the airport on arrival and dropped off on departure.
From the UK, there are direct flights with Air Mauritius and British Airways. A flight with Emirates is also possible, with one stop in Dubai. The flying time is approximately 11 hours with a direct flight, around 16 hours (depending on the flight) with Emirates.
Passport and visa
A valid passport with at least 6 months after the date of return is required. A return ticket is necessary. Many countries, including those of the European Union, do not need a visa for a tourist stay of up to 90 days. However, since visa requirements vary from country to country, please check with your local embassy your potential visa requirements.
Health Requirements
Hepatitis A, B and Tetanus/Diptheria vaccinations are recommended. It is a good idea to pack shoes that can be worn in the sea to protect against sharp coral, sea urchins and stonefish.
There are free public medical facilities, but private clinics are expensive and therefore it is mandatory for all volunteers to take out medical/accident insurance to cover the duration of the programme.
