Hawai’i Scuba Conservation Add-On
Learn to scuba dive and help protect critical reef ecosystems in Hawaii!Hawai’i Scuba Conservation Add-On
7 Days
After joining GIVE’s Hawaii Volunteer Excursion, spend an extra week on the Big Island getting your PADI Open Water Certification, volunteering on marine debris removal, learning about coral reef conservation, and getting the chance to dive with sea turtles, manta rays, and dolphins along the Kohala Coast! Discover the incredible beauty, biodiversity, and cultural significance of Hawaii’s coral reefs, while gaining the skills, certifications, and inspiration to protect these critical ecosystems around the world.
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Highlights of Hawai’i Scuba Add-On
Dive amongst Hawai'i's incredible marine life
Become PADI Open Water Certified for life
Volunteer and earn your PADI Dive Against Debris specialty
Get your PADI Coral Reef Conservation specialty
Hike into the stunning Pololu Valley
Hawai’i Scuba Conservation Itinerary
Get the chance to dive with turtles, dolphins, and manta rays I Become PADI Open Water Certified I Volunteer to clean marine debris I Earn your PADI CoralWatch & Dive Against Debris Specialties
Day 1:
Trip Commencement. Say goodbye to your GIVE fam that’s heading back to the mainland, and then dive into the next phase of the adventure with your fellow scuba volunteers! Check into your new accommodations, enjoy a welcome dinner, and learn about the journey ahead during an opening orientation.
Day 2-4:
PADI Open Water Certification. Begin your PADI Open Water Course learning fundamental skills and how to use your equipment under the direct supervision of a PADI Instructor. Spend the next two days honing your skills and knowledge while diving with your instructor and fellow students off the Kohala Coast. After four dives you will officially be certified as a PADI Open Water Diver for life! Note: you will also be required to complete the Open Water Theory portion of your course via the PADI eLearning portal prior to your trip. We will send you those details prior to your trip.
Day 5:
Volunteer Ocean Clean-up & PADI Dive Against Debris Speciality. Fresh off your Open Water Certification, you will get to pay the ocean forward by helping clean it up on your next dive (or snorkel depending on location and weather conditions). You will also get to learn about the problems of marine debris, how to conduct marine debris surveys, and how to be a part of the solution of keeping our oceans clean while earning your PADI Dive Against Debris Specialty!
“At least 14 million tons of plastic end up in the ocean every year, and plastic makes up 80% of all marine debris found from surface waters to deep-sea sediments.” – IUCN
Day 6:
Open Water Dive & PADI CoralWatch Specialty. Everyone likes to dive and snorkel on a vibrant coral reef, but very few people really understand what they’re seeing or the critical importance of reef ecosystems. While completing the PADI CoralWatch Specialty, you will learn to appreciate the complexity of these habitats and how you can help conserve these vital systems. As an added bonus, you’ll get the chance to dive with sea turtles, manta rays, dolphins, and a myriad of other marine life that thrive in these environments!
Day 7:
Trip end. All good things must come to an end, but your new friends, memories, skills, and scuba certifications will be with you forever. Say your goodbyes and begin the journey back to the mainland or on to your next adventure.
**THIS IS A SAMPLE ITINERARY WHICH IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
Why volunteer scuba diving in Hawai’i?
Protect Moana and Ko’a:
As the indigenous people of an island chain in the middle of the Pacific surrounded by coral reefs, Native Hawaiians have profound ancestral and spiritual connections to the ko’a (coral) and moana (ocean). In fact, Native Hawaiians believe that ko’a is the origin of all life on their sacred islands (Source: Ethnobiology of Corals & Coral Reefs).
The Reefs are Disappearing
Occupying less than 1% of the marine environment, coral reefs are home to more than 25% of all known marine fish species. With more than 27% of coral reefs already destroyed, we must act now to protect and regenerate these critically important ecosystems. And with over 80% of US coral reefs in Hawai’i, this is the perfect place to start.
Dive into a Whole New World
Experience the incredible marine life, lava tubes and vibrant reefs of the Kohala coast, while earning your PADI Open Water Certification to dive anywhere in the world for the rest of your life. You will also develop skills to dive deeper into ocean conservation while earning your PADI Dive Against Debris & Reef Conservation Specialties.
Dates & Fees
What's Included
When you travel with GIVE, you won't be surprised by hidden fees upon arrival. Dive into all that's included in our all-in-one trip prices.
- All accommodations
- Transportation (not including flights)
- 3 meals per day & clean drinking water
- 24/7 guide support
- All adventures and cultural experiences
- Funding for volunteer projects & sustainability initiatives
- Pre-trip & in-transit support from GIVE's Travel Specialists
- Access to your personalized GIVE Profile
- Access to GIVE's preferred insurance & flight partners
- Trip preparation tools, guides and checklists
- Access to GIVE's Ambassador Community post-trip
Simply put: we care. GIVE goes above and beyond for our travelers before, during and after your trip. See all that's included in your GIVE trip here!
What's Not Included
Once you arrive at your destination, everything is organized and included, so you can fully immerse yourself in the experience without having to worry about your wallet GIVE helps you organize all your travel logistics to make your trip preparations and travel smooth.
- Flights and Travelers Insurance (mandatory)
- Passport, visa (if required), and vaccinations (if required)
- Immigration entry/exit fees (depending on location)
- Personal souvenirs, snacks and refreshments (drinking water is included 24/7)
- See all that's included in your GIVE trip here!
* GIVE reserves the right to change program dates
* Winter trips are slightly shorter due to school/holiday breaks