Raja Ampat
Project
Dive Master & Research Diver Internships
About the Raja Ampat Project
The Raja Ampat Project is our 4th resident project location and we welcomed our first interns in late 2022.
Join the team as a research assistant and explore the last paradise on earth, Raja Ampat. Complete your divemaster and 5 marine ecology specialty courses while taking an active part as a research assistant.
When choosing the Raja Ampat Project you will get an authentic remote paradise experience working alongside researchers in the most biodiverse marine ecosystem on the planet. Contribute to the monitoring and baseline data collection efforts in the region while graining internationally recognized diving and ecology certifications.
The Raja Ampat Marine Park is one of the most famous MPA success stories in the world. It is a network of marine protect areas that covers 4.6 million hectors of ocean and 411 islands within the region. The area is recognized as the most biodiverse marine ecosystem on the planet with over 1,600 species of fish and 550 species of coral recorded.
Mission & Goals
To contribute to the network of conservation and research efforts within and around the Raja Ampat Marine Protected Area.
To establish Indo Ocean Project and the research we do within the existing scientific community and facilitate international and Indonesian graduate level studies.
Protecting the worlds “Last Paradise” in anticipation for increased tourism activity.
Monitoring an established and well-enforced marine park in comparison to our other locations and gathering knowledge to help create successful marine parks in Indonesia.
HIGHLIGHTS
√ Discover Raja Ampat, the “Last Paradise”, one of the world’s top diving destinations
√ Most biodiverse oceans in the world
√ Dive with reef and oceanic manta rays (seasonal)
√ Regular reef shark sightings
√ Contribute to coral conservation and reef monitoring
√ Experience Papua’s rich culture
√ Marine mammals like dolphins, whales, and dugons
√ Remote beach side living
Dive Master & Research Diver Training Program
Our award winning curriculum is run across all projects, but lifestyle at each locations can be very different. First step is to familiarize yourself with our training program to make sure we are a good fit. After that you can decide which project location is best for you.
Click the link below to learn all about our internship program.
Program Fees & Packages
Projects like ours rely on the generosity of our partners and volunteers to develop and grow. In order for us to create an awesome adventure for you we do require a tuition to cover your expenses while on program. We have various packages depending on your current diving experience.
Below you will see the package options available. All prices are in Indonesian Rupiah (IDR).
ALL CONSERVATION DIVEMASTER AND RESEARCH INTERNSHIP PACKAGES INCLUDE: FULL ROOM AND BOARD IN SHARED ACCOMMODATION WITH 3 FRESHLY COOKED MEALS PER DAY, ONE-WAY AIRPORT PICK UP AND TRANSFER, TWO PROGRAM SHIRTS, VISA ASSISTANCE, PRE-ARRIVAL TRAINING MATERIALS, PRE-ARRIVAL SUPPORT, AND FIVE CONSERVATION AND RESEARCH SPECIALTY COURSES
*Minimum age requirement for all programs is 20 years old*
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DIVEMASTER
Description: For experienced divers who have completed all of their recreational diver courses before the program start date.
Minimum Time Commitment: 8 weeks
PREREQUISITES
For candidates who have completed their Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver, Rescue Diver, CPR/First Air & O2 Provider courses prior to their program start date. Have a minimum of 40 logged dives and have been cleared for diving by a doctor.
COURSES INCLUDED
- 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
PROGRAM FEES: 56,500,000 IDR
RESCUER
Description: For advanced divers who need to complete their rescue skills during their program.
Minimum Time Commitment: 10 weeks
PREREQUISITES
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.
COURSES INCLUDED
- 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
PROGRAM FEES: 74,500,000 IDR
ADVANCED
Description: For divers with beginner knowledge and experience who have completed their first diving course with a few extra dives.
Minimum Time Commitment: 12 weeks
PREREQUISITES
For candidates who have completed their Open Water Diver training prior to their program start date and have been cleared for diving by a doctor.
COURSES INCLUDED
- 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
- SSI Sea Turtle Ecology
- Ocean Gardener’s Coral Restoration & Identification
- SSI Try Freediving
PROGRAM FEES: 89,500,000 IDR
BEGINNER (ZERO TO HERO)
Description: For applicants who have no previous diving experience and need to complete all the required prerequisites to complete your Dive Master certification.
Minimum Time Commitment: 14 weeks
PREREQUISITES
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.
COURSES INCLUDED
- 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
PROGRAM FEES: 105,500,000 IDR
RESEARCH DIVER
Description: For divers who do not want to complete the divemaster course and just focus on conservation and research activities and courses.
Minimum Time Commitment: 6 weeks
PREREQUISITES
Candidates must be minimum Rescue diver with 100+ dives or dive profesional rating.
Have been cleared for diving by a doctor.
You must be a competent diver before entering this program.
COURSES INCLUDED
- SSI Marine Ecology
- SSI Shark Ecology
- SSI Manta & Ray Ecology
- SSI Sea Turtle Ecology
- Ocean Gardener’s Coral Restoration & Identification
- SSI Try Freediving
PROGRAM FEES: 43,000,000 IDR
Additional weeks: 6,750,000 IDR/week
NOT INCLUDED IN PROGRAM FEES
- Flights, Travel & Visa Costs
- Travel & Dive Insurance
- In Country Spending Money
- Additional snacks outside of provided meals
- Divemaster Crew Pack and Training Manuals (3,975,000 SSI / 5,700,000 IDR PADI**)
- Divemaster Processing Fees (Agency Dependant)
- Equipment Rental (1,500,000 IDR / 4 weeks**)
**Prices are subject to change depending on project changes and requirements**
Diving in Raja Ampat
Raja Ampat is world famous for its exceptional diving. The project headquarters are located in the central part of Raja Ampat which is protected from the seasonal southern winds with great diving year round. Temperature is constant in the high 20°C range but visibility can vary throughout the year. During the peak manta season (November – March) water is warmer and visibility can drop, in the “windy season” visibility is relatively constant at 25m+.
It has several manta ray cleaning stations that hosts a large population of seasonal reef mantas (Mobula alfredi) and the occasional oceanic manta ray (Mobula birostris). It has some of the healthiest shark populations in South East Asia with regular sightings of reef sharks like white tip (Triaenodon odesus), black tip (Carcharhinus melanopterrus), and grey reefs (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos). Occasional sightings of migrating whale sharks and marine mammals are also spotted. Raja Ampat is also the birthplace of macro diving and is filled with incredible endemic critters.
What to expect…
It is important for all potential interns to know exactly what you are getting yourself into by joining Indo Ocean Project. Please read the following information carefully to help you compare the different lifestyles at each project to find the right fit for you.
Keep in mind this is a remote location! Electricity is available but expect rolling black outs and limited internet connection. The closest town is around 20-minute drive away and has a population of around 5,000 people. Majority of your time will be spent at the resort or in the water alongside your fellow research interns and Indo Ocean Project team.
ABOUT RAJA AMPAT
Waigeo island is the larger of the four brother islands that make up Raja Ampat and lies north of the famous diving of the Dampier Strait. The island is around 3,150 square kilometers and measures around 110 km from it’s west to east points.
The Raja Ampat Marine Park is one of the most famous MPA success stories in the world. It is a network of marine protect areas that covers 4.6 million hectors of ocean and 411 islands within the region. The area is recognized as the most biodiverse marine ecosystem on the planet with over 1,600 species of fish and 550 species of coral recorded.
LIFE AT THE RAJA AMPAT PROJECT
Days at the Raja Ampat Project start around 7:30/8am when breakfast is served in the main common area. After breakfast the team either jumps on board the boat for a day of diving, takes part in one of the many workshops, or dives in for a shore dive at the house reef. On boat days you wil be back between 12-2pm (depending on the schedule) and lunch is served between 12:30 and when the boat returns. Afternoons are spent in workshops, training dives off the jetty, or taking part in the land based activities like data input or independent study. Sunset is around 6:30 on the jetty every night before heading for dinner around 7pm.
Days off are spent exploring the areas natural attractions and visiting the local village of Saprokren. Early morning hikes to see the birds of paradise or exploring the incredible blue river are a must do.
PROJECT FACILITIES
The Raja Ampat Project is our most remote location, 20 minutes from the nearest village of Waisai. This project differs from the others as it provides full room and board with 3 meals per day and every activity organized through the project headquarters at Base Camp Raja Ampat.
Accommodation
The rooms provided are 6-bed shared accommodation with fans, bug nets, and shared bathrooms with fresh water. These are large traditional wooden rooms are steps away from the ocean. Each room has a common porch area where interns spend most of their time studying, playing cards, or relaxing after the full day. There is also a shared outdoor seating area under a shaded tree in fron of the Indo Ocean Project Office. This area of the resort has been dubbed the “IOP Village” and allows for some space from Scuba Republics regular guests.
Scuba Republic Raja Ampat Base Camp
Our dive partners at the Raja Ampat Project is Scuba Republic’s Raja Ampat Basecamp. This beachside resort is surrounded by rainforrest and spectacular nature.
On site facilities include an open, round roofed common area, a loung deck under the shady trees by the beach, private jetty, and newly build overwater bar to enjoy the amazing sunsets with a cold beer.
The protected house reef is perfect for conducting skills and snorkeling with almost no current. It is also the home of our coral restoration project.
Although the resort has recently been hooked up to electricity on the main island, expect to have some rolling black outs. There is a generator at the resort which can be turned on during the evenings. WiFi is not available. For internet connection we suggest purchasing a local SIM card on arrival at the airport to provide hotspot to your electronics.
The resort areas are shared with Scuba Republic’s ever changing guests which you will get to meet and dive with during your internship.
GETTING THERE
All packages include pick up from the Domine Eduard Osok Airport in the main port of Sorong (SOQ). There are regular flights to Sorong from Makasar and Jakarta. Once you arrive in Indonesia you will need to continue your domestic travel to reach your final destination.
Upon arrival in Sorong one of our drivers will meet you at the airport and bring you to the harbor. The only public transport in Raja Ampat is with the ferry. There are 2 ferries per day departing at 9am and 2pm. If your flight into Sorong arrives after 12pm you will need to book an accommodation for one night and we will arrange for your pick up and transfer to the project the following day.
What grads are saying…
Diving in breathtaking sites surrounded by an amazing team of instructors, interns and locals, who you end up being friends with, having no idea of which day of the week is it, living the jungle life and waking up every morning with the sounds of waves and parrots. This was pure happiness. This was the best experience of my life.
If you are fond of scuba diving and marine life AND if you are confortable living in a remote island and all that entails, then the Raja Ampat location might be for you! I can’t recommend more Indo Ocean Project!
The expectation is really high when you go to one of the best diving places in the world… but the organisation and the knowledge available exceeded my expectations. Everybody must try this experience to learn more about marine biology, how to help the environment and to raise awareness about this topic.
There is nothing better than doing great dives, explore, travel surrounded by the nature, make friendships and collaborate with professionals. I highly recommend this experience. Hope to be back next year and help you again!
My experience with Indo Ocean Project in Raja Ampat was life-changing. While Raja Ampat is remote, it is the best of jungle life and the most incredible diving in the world. I started IOP as an Open Water Diver and was sculpted into a professional diver in 12 weeks by very experienced instructors and peers. It was fantastic and so much fun. This program was everything I hoped for and more. I am forever grateful for this experience and would do it all over again in a heartbeat.
I highly highly recommend doing any of the IOP programs, it will change your life!
Raja Ampat Project Gallery
Ready to Apply?
Join the team and applying online today to start your marine research application.
You can apply online or contact us for more information.
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