Project Overview
Overview
Will you help preserve this piece of paradise?
This project offers a unique opportunity for keen conservationists to live and work on one of Thailand's most stunning and famous islands - Koh Tao. Situated just off the southern cost of Thailand, Koh Tao is regarded as one of Thailand's best kept secrets boasting spectacular sites, miles of white sandy beaches, lush jungle and world class diving opportunities. Working on the island, willing helpers are needed to preserve their stunning surroundings whilst educating future generations to do the same. Volunteer on Koh Tao and you will not only have the opportunity to support a vast range of conservation activities, but you will also play a part in helping to conserve this slice of paradise for years to come.
Trip Highlights:
Getting to live on, and be part of preserving, one of Thailand's most beautiful islands
Chilling out and relaxing into the island way of life
Learning to dive or snorkel and exploring the sea - Koh Tao is a world famous dive spot
Itinerary & Details
The conservation project is located on the stunning tropical island of Koh Tao, the last of a chain of islands after the more well known Koh Samui and Koh Pha Ngan. The project is an environmental and educational program run by the Save Koh Tao Community group in cooperation with the local government to help preserve the island for future generations. The group was created over the last few years by local residents wishing to address the environmental and social problems faced by the island and who have a strong desire to preserve the local culture, coral reefs and land resources while also ensuring the long term sustainability of the island economy. The group believe that through education, conservation and careful planning, the beauty and health of the island can be preserved for future generations to enjoy.
The project needs volunteers to support the conservation efforts on the island and help educate the future generations on the importance of protecting the island's ecosystem. Much of the work at this project is dependent on having the necessary labour and without volunteers, the battle against irresponsible tourism may be lost to the detriment of the island's future.
You do not require any specific skills or knowledge, but you will need to be ready to take on a number of tasks that may be required of you, and to get dirty in the process! You must be prepared to get involved with hands on approach. General fitness and lots of enthusiasm will definitely enhance your experience. Don`t forget to bring walking shoes, long trousers and T shirts for outside work!
You will be involved in a number of activities such as environmental research and surveys, beach cleaning, tree and seed planting as well as helping educate the future generation on the island. You could also get involved in swimming activities at the weekends with the local children.
You will meet up daily with the project coordinator to discuss the assigned project, whether personal or team projects, as well as updating the conservation journal on a daily basis and keeping a weekly diary of your experience to pass on.
The project is based in Mae Haad, on the beautiful tropical island of Koh Tao. You will have you orientation in Bangkok before making your way by bus to the coast before taking a boat to the island for your project. If you would like to learn more about 'Save Koh Tao' community project, please click here.You can also find further information at www.savekohtao.com and www.marineconservationkohtao.com.
The following is a typical timetable of the first two weeks, after this the timetable can be adapted to the volunteer.
Monday 1st day at the project:
Today you will have a welcome briefing and orientation about living on Koh Tao followed by a Reef Ecology lecture. A snorkel trip will follow in the afternoon and then updating the Conservation Journal and uploading photographs.
Tuesday:
A briefing in the morning about the plan for the days activities followed by a morning of beach cleaning. The afternoon will be spent on the recycle bin survey and maintenance and battery collection, updating the conservation journal will follow.
Wednesday:
After the breifing meeting you will be involved in water testing and waste water mapping to find out where the areas are that are most affected followed by entering your data onto the database and updating the conservation journal.
Thursday:
This morning you will be getting your hands dirty when you plant Tanote trees and grass followed by an afternoon of helping with the visitor surveys. Data entry and updating the journal will follow before you finish for the day.
Friday:
Working on a photodocumentation project for the island in the morning will then be followed in the afternoon with work on organic farming, again expect to get your hands dirty!
Saturday and Sunday:
You can get involved in the mornings by helping the local children with their swimming programme or you can decide to have a leisurely day, the choice is yours! Once a month volunteers can also assist the Save Koh Tao Land / Underwater clean ups.
Monday:
A morning of beach cleaning and then helping with the survey of the Green Fins Reef, updating the journal will follow before finishing for tea!
Tuesday:
Beach cleaning and recycling bin survey and maintenance will fill your day today, remember to get plenty of photographs to add to the journal!
Wednesday:
Water testing and waste water mapping followed by your results entry on to the database will be your fill of the day!
Thursday:
Lanote tree and grass planting will ensure that you get your hands dirty today followed by work on an individually selected project.
Friday:
Today you will be involved in the photodocumentation project and data entry and if you feel like becoming a journalist you could write an article for the newsletter!
For volunteers staying longer than two weeks then the timetable can be adapted accordingly.
Your accommodation will be in a shared room in a guesthouse on the island, meals are not included and you will be responsible for your own food.
Please book your flight to arrive into Bangkok (airport code BKK) on the advertised arrival date to ensure your airport pickup. Please note that we can normally arrange for an airport pick up at an additional fee if you are arriving early, please contact the office to arrange.
Stories
Roisin Graham gives this project 10/10
Here is what Roisin had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip?
The whole expereince was amazing. I fell totally in love with the island, the people were fantastic, the weather was fab and it was like a home away from home....only on a tropical island!! The 'Save Koh Tao' festival was very special as we got to work (and party) with the local community while helping to educate people about environmental issues on the island. Summer Camp with the kids was also great fun. Check out the photos on the Secret Garden website!!
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
Seeing people that have so little working together as a community to create a better future for their children. The Thai people are so friendly and generous and always smiling....
Do you have 3 top tips for future travellers?
BE FLEXIBLE.....life on the island is very different to what we are used to at home. Timetables are not always followed and best laid plans can/will change according to what else is happening on the island.
DO SOME RESEARCH ABOUT THE ISLAND AND THE PROJECT BEFORE YOU GO.....know what is expected of you before you go and if you've any concerns or questions about your placement ask before you get there. I was so lucky with my i-to-i contact in Ireland, Rosie was fantastic. Thanks. You can also contact Bee, he's the co-ordinator on the island and is very easy going and approachable.
ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE...you may never get to experience a culture like this again so be open to new experiences. If you make the effort to speak a little Thai and ask questions the people are very friendly and eagerly willing to share information about their culture and traditions.
LASTLY - DO A DIVING COURSE.....its soooo much fun!
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
Experience of a lifetime!
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
Some of the volunteers that came out to join us were not interested in the project and decided not to participate in any activities while on the island. This was upsetting for the rest of us as this project does valuable work and needs dedicated people.... so please make sure this is the right project for you before you get there.
Rebecca Lion gives this project 10/10
Here is what Rebecca had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip?
The island itself was stunning and the people on it even more so. The amount of new people i met and everday life there was amazing.
Bee the co-ordinator was a highlight! Very passionate man that can't do everything by himself unfortunately!
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
When trying to raise awareness to the island (especially tourists), it seemed difficult for them to understand how much they really were affecting the island and its surrounding coral. It was frustrating almost trying to get through to some people.
Do you have 3 top tips for future travellers?
1. Read i-to-i small print. I wish i had more, as none of my money actually went towards the project and it is certainly well needed there.
2. Pack practically.
3. Be open-minded and up for challenges.
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
An unforgettable experience.
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
1. Accomodation. Not what i was expecting but it was sorted out and couldn't complain after that!
2. If i had stayed longer!
3. Maybe if i-to-i gave money to their projects i would have felt like i would have given even more. Unfortunately i realise more now that i-to-i are a business at the end of the day. Although i do see that by supplying the projects with volunteers that is a positive thing; however in the future i wouldn't use i-to-i as i'm giving quite a lot of money to a company when i could have gone to koh tao without paying i-to-i and helped out that way.
jamie gioe gives this project 10/10
Here is what jamie had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip?
Actually seeing the fruits of our labor was great.
rupert elliston gives this project 9/10
Here is what rupert had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip?
getting 10 stiches in my forehead, after the full moon party.
doing padi diving course then cleaning up reefs, corals etc a week later
playing with the primary school children then watching two of them fire juggle that nigt
having so much fun with all the ne people i met
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
reef cleaning showed just what an effect careless littering can have on so many different types of creatures beneath our waters
Do you have 3 top tips for future travellers?
expect a bit of hard work, but you can always say that you wanna do less (if your feeling to tired etc)
try and work hard but remember there are other people who may not want to work at your pace or eagerness so try and be accomadating to them.
have fun, you'll be in koh tao with amazing weather, amazing people having an amazing time!!!!
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
a fun, partying, hard working (sometimes), insightful, time.
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
making information about what was to be done and how hard i was to work more clear.
may be warning some people that it is meant to be a relaxed approach and that you should enjoy it rather than just constantly working, or think about work
Kathryn Smith gives this project 8/10
Here is what Kathryn had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip?
The island is just an amazing place with so much to do and see. It's such a beautiful place it has made this trip even better than I had hoped. I'm just sorry that I have to leave!
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
This island has made such an impact on me that I just hope that other passionate volunteers come and continue the development in conservation on the island.
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
I am genuinely sad to leave here
Daniele Wottle gives this project 8/10
Here is what Daniele had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip?
Seeing an alternative side to a holiday. Normally i am the tourist in the resort. This time i was seeing the affects of such resorts and people's ignorance.
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
refer question 1.
Do you have 3 top tips for future travellers?
Be prepared with open views.
Be in the 18-26 age bracket.
Be patient whilst on tour.
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
Knowing the age group of fellow volunteers.
benjamin wan gives this project 6/10
Here is what benjamin had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip?
i met some very cool people on the island...especially the other i-to-i volunteers
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
the fact that the local people are always smiling, upbeat no matter how little they have or possess. makes me feel how lucky i am and not to take things for granted.
Do you have 3 top tips for future travellers?
choose your placement wisely and actually have an interest in that project.
enjoy yourself, no matter how mundane a task should be...be enthusiastic.
smile
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
try it...you'll like it!
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
more volunteers on my project. i was the only one, but meeting the other volunteers on the island and talking made things much easier.
