🌊 Lombok: Coral Reef Volunteer Journey 🐠

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The experience

Start with 1 week in Lombok to explore its culture and natural beauty, then continue to the crystal-clear waters of Gili Nanggu, where you’ll help restore coral reefs. As a volunteer, you’ll take part in coral planting, cleaning, and monitoring efforts to support marine biodiversity and fight coral degradation. This hands-on program allows you to work with local marine experts and the community.

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What you offer

18 hours of help per week

Social Work: Help with volunteer work in local projects and communities.

Additional fee required

Amount: US$ 75 Per day

Fee pays for: Benefits for travelers, Materials for volunteer activities, and Donation to project

Description: The average living cost in Lombok is about $100/day for budget travelers and $150/day for premium (you may verify this). I only ask $75/day to cover accommodation and meals, reducing your costs by 25% vs. budget and 50% vs. premium, while offering an authentic Indonesian lifestyle. Other expenses like personal needs, entrance tickets, tours, or packages remain your responsibility.

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What you get

3 days off per week

Shared Dorm: You will have a bed in a shared room, which means you will share the same room with other travelers.

Breakfast: You are entitled to a free breakfast, every day of your stay.

Lunch: You are entitled to a free lunch, every day of your stay.

Dinner: You are entitled to a free dinner, every day of your stay.

Use our equipped kitchen: Feel free to use our kitchen and make your own delicious food.

Basic Internet Access: Basic speed internet for you to work remotely

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Requirements

Intermediate English or Intermediate French

Between 18 and 35 years old

Only hosts solo volunteers (doesn’t accept couples or partners)

Be from outside Indonesia

Travel insurance

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What's not included

Flights, Travel Insurance, Internal Transportation and Visa

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Program Details

The Coral Reef Restoration Volunteer Program starts with a 1-day orientation and cultural exploration in Bali, then continues in Gili Nanggu, West Lombok, where you’ll directly support coral conservation and restoration. Located in the heart of Indonesia’s Coral Triangle, Gili Nanggu hosts diverse marine life and coral species vital to ocean health.

As a volunteer, you will participate in coral restoration through coral planting, reef monitoring, and underwater cleaning. The program is designed to provide you with a deep understanding of coral ecosystems, their importance for ocean health, and the threats they face from climate change and human activity.

How the Program Works:

Coral Planting: You’ll help place coral fragments to rehabilitate damaged reefs, fostering growth and biodiversity.

Reef Monitoring: Volunteers conduct surveys to assess reef health, track regeneration, and document marine life dependent on the ecosystem.

Underwater Cleaning: Support efforts to remove debris and pollutants from coral areas, improving water quality and reef health.

Education and Training: Throughout the program, you’ll train with marine biologists and conservation experts on reef biology, ecosystem health, and sustainable protection practices.

The program follows morning and afternoon shifts, alternating between practical field activities and educational sessions. Experienced instructors will ensure your safety while underwater and provide valuable insights into the ecological role of coral reefs.

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Activities & Shift

Activities & Shifts

Bali (Day 1 – Exploration & Orientation):
🌺 Cultural Immersion – Explore Bali’s traditions, temples, and local communities.
🌴 Nature Discovery – Visit beaches, waterfalls, and rice terraces to experience Bali’s landscapes.
🤝 Orientation – Light introductions to the program, team bonding, and preparing for Lombok fieldwork.

Lombok (Weeks 2–8 – Coral Reef Restoration in Gili Nanggu):
🌿 Coral Planting – Assist in placing coral fragments to restore damaged reefs and boost biodiversity.
🔎 Reef Monitoring – Help survey reef health, track coral growth, and document marine life.
🧹 Underwater Cleaning – Support efforts to remove debris and pollutants from coral habitats.
📚 Marine Education – Learn directly from marine biologists about coral ecosystems and ocean health.

Shifts in Lombok:
☀️ Morning Shift – 7:30 AM – 12:00 PM (Coral Planting & Reef Monitoring)
🌊 Afternoon Shift – 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM (Cleaning & Community Engagement)

Shifts include breaks, with all underwater activities guided by trained marine biologists to ensure safety.

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Rules

🕌 Cultural Guidelines for Volunteers in Lombok

Your volunteer journey begins with one day in Bali for orientation and campaign design, followed by seven weeks in Lombok to supervise projects. While both islands share many traditions, Lombok is more conservative due to its predominantly Muslim culture. Please follow these guidelines to ensure safety, respect, and a positive experience.

✅ DOs

Dress appropriately: In Bali, casual modest clothing is acceptable. In Lombok, cover shoulders and knees; loose-fitting clothes are best.

Respect attire rules in schools, mosques, and local homes. In Lombok, women should avoid revealing outfits.

Cover tattoos and limit visible piercings, especially in Lombok.

Remove shoes before entering homes, temples, or prayer areas.

Mind prayer times in Lombok; avoid loud noise near mosques. In Bali, be mindful of temple ceremonies.

Use your right hand for eating, giving, or receiving.

Ask permission before taking photos.

Greet locals respectfully, try basic local greetings, and enjoy traditional food.

Disclose your background truthfully; individuals with a criminal record cannot participate.

Note: To align with Lombok’s cultural norms, the program follows a “no public LGBTQ expression” policy.

❌ DON’Ts

Do not wear short, tight, transparent, or revealing clothes (especially in Lombok).

Avoid offensive symbols, gestures, or slogans on clothing.

No alcohol, drugs, or public displays of affection in Lombok villages. In Bali, alcohol is more available but still respect local norms.

Do not mock or criticize local customs or religion.

No pork in Muslim homes in Lombok.

Do not interrupt religious practices or enter mosques/temples without proper dress.

No bikinis on non-touristy Lombok beaches; in Bali, wear them only on tou