About the Maldives Volunteer Project
The volunteer project is based on Naifaru, an Island in the Northern part of the Maldives. With a population of just over 6,000, Naifaru is the fifth most populated island in the Maldives. Naifaru is a bustling little community but is not without problems, and this programme aims to bring together various community and environmental projects, to improve life for the local inhabitants and wildlife.
We are offering 5 different types of programmes:
- Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Volunteering
- Coral Reef Restoration Diving
- Medical Volunteering
- Vet Student Programme
- Family Sea Turtle Programme
- Teens Only Programme
Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Volunteering Programme
Help to protect and rehabilitate endangered sea turtle populations, conduct marine life surveys & support community awareness programmes. Volunteer with Sea Turtles and work on the projects that conserve these wonderful creatures.
For further information on the Sea Turtle Rehabilitation programme, please click here.
Coral Reef Restoration Diving
This programme offers an exciting opportunity to get hands experience maintaining and expanding the artificial reef with the aim to rebuild coral populations. The reef restoration and coral propagation project is located right next our house reef.
Volunteers will work alongside coral ecologists and divemasters to collect broken pieces of coral from nearby reefs and attach them to metal frames, with the ultimate goal creating a sustainable and healthy reef system. As part of your programme, you will fulfil the Reef Guru Conservation Diver and Restoration courses (note the e-learning course is £50 and should be completed prior to arrival online). Activities you will be involved in include:
- Learn how to restore corals with hands-on experience, helping us expand and care for our shallow coral garden at our beloved house reef.
- Work on both a coral nursery and artificial reef structures, allowing you to experience more types of coral restoration.
- Participate in Coral Identification workshops above & below water.
- Practice coral data collection and monitoring skills.
- Join other conservation activities including our weekly Dive Against Debris.
- Option to be certified in PADI Fish ID, Dive Against Debris and Coral Watch specialties.
To join, you will need to have a minimum PADI Open water qualification (but if you don’t have it, you can get qualified here before the project starts at an extra cost – please enquire: info@workingabroad.com
Medical Volunteering Programme
Work in a local hospital alongside expert staff, treating patients and contributing to healthcare on the island. Improve and develop your own healthcare skills and experience.
This project is ideal for those pursuing a career in medicine or healthcare. For further information on the Medical programme, please click here.
Vet Student Programme
Work alongside the resident vet on the island and developing surgical skills in the spray and neuter clinic, monitoring anaesthesia, getting involved in sea turtle rehabilitation with wound care and assisting with surgical procedures, and being part of new programmes such as the development of prosthetic flippers, faecal analysis and more.
This project is ideal for any Vet students, as long as you are enrolled in a Vet Uni degree. For further information on the Vet student programme, please email victoria.mcneil@workingabroad.com
Family Sea Turtle Programme
We are offering a special sea turtle volunteer programme for families. This includes 2 days of volunteering at the sea turtle rehabilitation centre, with the other time doing beach cleanup, snorkelling, visiting an uninhabited island, swimming in lagoons, BBQs and other fun ecotourism type activities, living in a lovely guest house, private for families.
It is a combined programme of marine conservation volunteering whilst also exploring a beautiful traditional Maldivian island away from resort-experience. This is suitable for families with younger children as well.
Lodging is in a lovely family run guest house for family privacy. Opportunities available year round for 6 night/7 day periods upwards. If you and your family are interested, please email victoria.mcneil@workingabroad.com for detailed itineraries and costs or visit the Maldives families page.
Teens Only Programme
Volunteer in the Maldives – Make Waves for Marine Conservation! Calling all ocean-loving adventurers aged 15–18. This is your chance to travel to the stunning Maldives and be part of a hands-on marine conservation experience specifically tailored for teens, and supervised and run by DBS checked and qualified staff throughout. Please email victoria.mcneil@workingabroad.com for a detailed itinerary and more information on this exciting opportunity. Special dates for 2026 and 2027 are April and August for 13 nights/14 days.
“For over 20 years, we have worked with the local people here in the Maldives to promote community development and marine conservation. No other volunteer placement in the Maldives has such close involvement with the local community. We aim to show volunteers the beauty of this country and its incredible oceans, as well as the warmth and hospitality of the Maldivian people, and in return volunteers help us to protect the beautiful creatures found here.” – Quote from the Project Coordinator
