Choosing to join one of our expeditions is a meaningful commitment—one that reflects both personal aspirations and a shared responsibility to protect and preserve the marine environment. We understand your desire to be part of something that is enriching, educational, and genuinely impactful. In return, we are committed to ensuring that your presence on Malapascua contributes positively—both to the community you’ll engage with and the delicate marine ecosystems we strive to protect.
At People and the Sea, we have carefully developed programmes that balances the goals of our volunteers with the needs and priorities of our local partners. Every aspect of our work is guided by a commitment to sustainability: reducing environmental impact, supporting community-led initiatives, and building lasting benefits for the people who call this island home.
You’ll live close to the community, experience everyday island life, and leave with new knowledge, friends, and purpose
Explore two islands (Malapascua and Higatangan), earn your diving certifications, and learn reef survey skills in 1 month!
An immersive conservation experience – spend at least 8 weeks diving into commnnuity driven marine conservation work
Our volunteer program is all about getting involved, learning by doing, and becoming part of the Malapascua community.
You’ll start with a full induction week, meeting the team, understanding our work, and getting trained across all our main projects: marine conservation, fisheries, education, waste, and community economic resilience. After that, you’ll jump into hands-on work. you’ll be free to chose which topic you would like to get more involved with depending also on the needs of the team – short term projects could be training the team on specific IT skills, analysing data, promoting waste reduction initiatives, working with the youth in school or during out of school activities. We also love when people bring their own skills to the table, whether it’s GIS, data analysis, social media, design, or fundraising, there’s always a way to contribute.
This is a program where you’ll live close to the community, experience everyday island life, and walk away with new knowledge, friends, and purpose.
Begin your journey on Malapascua Island, where you’ll get a full introduction to our conservation programs, meet the team, and understand the impact of our work. This first week is about getting familiar with our mission and being trained across all our core programs, from marine protection and sustainable fishing to waste management and eco-livelihoods. It’s the perfect foundation to dive deeper into your experience with purpose and perspective.
Volunteers are encouraged to take initiative and become actively involved in a project of their choice, or even propose a new one! Whether you’re passionate about marine conservation, education, community work, or sustainability, there’s space for creativity and impact.
Here are some ongoing and past examples:
We also highly value any skills you can share with the team:
In 2015, the Inato Homestay Association was created. Volunteers stay with a host family in their house, experiencing the way of life on Malapascua with the family and local community.
Spend one unforgettable month exploring two beautiful islands in the Philippines while earning your diving certifications and getting hands-on with marine conservation. You’ll start in Malapascua with a full introduction to our community-based programs, learning about sustainable fishing, reef protection, waste solutions, conservation education and more.
Then, head to Higatangan Island to complete your PADI Open Water and Advanced Open Water certifications. With over 20 dives included, You’ll dive into vibrant coral reefs and contribute to efforts to understand and protect these vital marine ecosystems.
Begin your journey on Malapascua Island, where you’ll get a full introduction to our conservation programs, meet the team, and understand the impact of our work. This first week is about getting familiar with our mission and being trained across all our core programs, from marine protection and sustainable fishing to waste management and eco-livelihoods. It’s the perfect foundation to dive deeper into your experience with purpose and perspective.
Travel to the island of Higatangan to complete your Open Water and Advanced Open Water certifications while exploring stunning coral reefs.Â
Stay on Higatangan for an intensive reef training class, where you’ll learn to assess and protect coral ecosystems while engaging with the local community.
In 2015, the Inato Homestay Association was created. Volunteers stay with a host family in their house, experiencing the way of life on Malapascua with the family and local community.
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