For candidates who have completed their Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver courses prior to their program start date. A confident underwater and have been cleared for diving by a doctor.

• Rescue Diver
• EFR CPR/First Air & Oxygen Provider
• PADI/SSI Divemaster
• SSI Marine Ecology
• SSI Shark Ecology
• SSI Manta & Ray Ecology
• SSI Sea Turtle Ecology
• Ocean Gardener’s Coral Restoration & Identification
• SSI Try Freediving

Comfortable in the open water, can complete a timed 400m free swim and tread water for 15 minutes, have been cleared for diving by a doctor.

• Open Water Diver
• Advanced Open Water Diver
• Rescue Diver
• EFR CPR/First Air & Oxygen Provider
• PADI/SSI Divemaster
• SSI Marine Ecology
• SSI Shark Ecology
• SSI Manta & Ray Ecology
• SI Sea Turtle Ecology
• Ocean Gardener’s Coral Restoration & Identification
• SSI Try Freediving

The project headquarters is located on the island of Nusa Penida in the heart of the  Nusa Penida Marine Park at our permanent residence at Reeflex Divers in the village of Sakti. We are 3 minute drive to the iconic Crystal Beach, our house reef and primary area of study.

Penida is a diver, surfer, and yogi paradise only 30-minute boat ride from southeast Bali and conveniently located 2 hours away from the busy Denpasar International Airport (DPS). It is part of the Klungkung Regency district which includes the three islands of Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan, and Nusa Penida.

Nusa Penida is known as “The Golden Egg of Bali” and is around 200 square kilometres with around 45,000 inhabitants. In 2010, Nusa Penida was named an MPA (Marine Protect Area) by the 41 local villages and a strong community effort. One year later it was recognised by the Indonesian government as a national marine park.

As part of the district of Bali, it is rich in Balinese Hindu culture with many temples to visit and ceremonies to attend. The people are among the friendliest in the world and are very welcoming to all visitors. It is off the beaten Bali track, but quickly developing into a tourism hub. It is an adventure seekers dream with world-class diving, cliff jumping, hiking, surfing, and yoga.

Bali is a quick fast boat ride away and filled with shopping, beaches, night life, and plenty to explore on days off.

Nusa Penida is a popular diving destination which attracts tourists from around the world. There are always divers and student divers around the shop at Reeflex Divers, which creates a very professional working environment. As interns with Indo Ocean Project and Dive Masters in Training, you will be part of the Reeflex guest experience, sharing the underwater world and learning from the team of dive professionals at the dive shop.

Days start between 8-10am depending on the schedule and finishing between 3-5pm. Days are packed with diving, workshops, and land based activities. The project runs 6 days per week. Everyone has the same day off and that day may change depending on national holidays and weather conditions. Evenings are spent around the pool, studying for an upcoming test, working on homework, or heading out to taste the local restaurants and night life. 

Accommodation

Shared 4-bed mixed bed dorms are included in all program fees. This is located at Namaste Bungalows, right across the street from Reeflex Divers (Penida Project headquarters). Indo Ocean Project occupies 3 of the large family bungalows in their 12 bungalow complex. Although the bungalows are exclusively for Penida Project interns the other bungalows are rented out at a daily rate by the resorts guests and tourists.

The rooms have air conditioning and 1 shared bathroom with hot water. The amenities include pool, jungle restaurant, and large open garden.

Some interns choose to rent a private bungalow monthly and can be arranged on arrival. Price can start from 3,000,000 IDR/month depending on your needs.

Reeflex Divers & Nusa Va Resort

Our dive partners at the Penida Project are Reeflex Divers, an eco dive school and resort located in the village of Sakti on Nusa Penida. They started building in 2016 with attention to detail at every step. They have gone above and beyond to claim “eco” status with their all natural swimming pool and rain water recycling system. French owned, this community of dive professionals have developed a unique dive shop nestled in the jungle but minutes away from the islands most popular sunset spot, Crystal Bay.

This is also the site for IOP’s Penida office, classrooms, and communal space and our interns office and training facilities.

Reeflex owners are professional scuba technicians and their rental gear is second to none. They also offer regular equipment and compressor workshops for interns on days off. As Harry and Roman if you want to sign up for one of their specialty courses.

Nusa Va is the resort connected to the dive centre and is opening later in 2023. It has several private room available for short term rent, 2 fresh water swimming pools, and French fusion restaurant.

Nusa Penida is our most accessible location located 2 hours from Bali’s busy Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS). There are regular international and domestic flights scheduled at this airport for easy connections.

Once you land in Denpasar (Bali) you will make your way to the harbour in Sanur. Depending on traffic this can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours. Boats depart from Sanur to Nusa Penida from 7am until 5pm daily. If you arrive after 1pm we recommend booking 1 night stay in Sanur with plans to travel to Nusa Penida the following morning.

The fast boat ferry from Sanur to Nusa Penida takes around 30-45 minutes depending on weather conditions. You will arrive in the port of Toya Pakeh where our driver will meet you. It is around 20 minute drive from the harbour in Toya Pakeh to Namaste Bungalow in Sakti.