MARINE CONSERVATION INTERNSHIP

Maximum Intake

4 interns

Minimum Age

18 years old

Accommodation

Camping with tents or screened sleeping huts

Nearest Airport

Sultan Mahmud Airport, Kuala Terengganu (TGG)

Meals

Three shared cooked meals per day included

Transportation

Boat transfers to the islands included

Protect wildlife on the shores of a Malaysia

Off the northeastern coast of Malaysia, green sea turtles return each season to nest on the same beaches they were born on and the reefs that surround them are among the most biodiverse in the region. Based at a designated Marine Park in Terengganu, this internship places you at the heart of active sea turtle monitoring and coral reef conservation. As an intern, you’ll be working across both land and sea, collecting the data, maintaining the nests, and engaging the communities that this ecosystem depends on.

Duties & Responsibilities

The work here spans the full cycle of marine conservation — from night patrols on nesting beaches to underwater reef surveys by day. No two shifts are the same, and the combination of fieldwork, research, and community outreach gives you a genuinely holistic view of what it takes to run a conservation project at sea.

Your responsibilities will include:

  • Night beach patrols — monitoring nesting activity, recording biometric and photo-ID data, and relocating or marking nests to ensure their safety
  • Nest excavations — assessing hatching success and contributing data to the long-term sea turtle database
  • Daily snorkelling — spending one to two hours underwater each day exploring and assessing the reef ecosystem
  • Coral rehabilitation — supporting active reef restoration work (certified divers preferred)
  • Underwater clean-ups — removing debris and waste from reef areas to maintain ecosystem health
  • Research station upkeep — maintaining equipment, organising data, and keeping the camp operational
  • Guest talks — delivering informative presentations to resort guests about sea turtle biology and marine conservation
  • Beach clean-ups — coordinating community and volunteer clean-up activities along nesting beaches
  • Social media management — documenting and sharing the project’s work with a wider audience

Dates & Prices

This internship runs from April to October, outside the monsoon season, with a minimum commitment of 3 months.

£900

for the full three-month placement

Includes

  • Camp accommodation in tents or screened sleeping huts
  • Boat transfers to the islands
  • Marine park fees
  • Three cooked communal meals a day
  • On-site mentoring and academic supervision
  • Certificate of completion and professional reference

 

Not included:

  • Flights
  • Personal travel insurance (essential)
  • Visa costs
  • Additional snacks or drinks

Academic Credits & learning Outcomes

This internship offers a rare, end-to-end view of marine conservation — combining sea turtle research, reef work, and community outreach in one of Malaysia’s most protected marine environments. It is a serious, sustained commitment that will set your CV apart.

By the end of your placement you’ll have gained experience in:

  • Sea turtle monitoring — night patrol techniques, nest management, biometric data collection, and hatching assessments
  • Marine field research — daily underwater surveys, species identification, and reef health assessment
  • Coral rehabilitation — hands-on reef restoration in an active marine park setting
  • Data collection and management — recording and processing field data to contribute to long-term conservation monitoring
  • Conservation outreach — delivering public talks, managing social media, and coordinating community beach clean-ups
  • Project management — gaining a holistic understanding of how a conservation project is planned, run, and sustained
  • Professional network building — connecting with local Malaysian conservationists and international peers in the field

On successful completion, you’ll receive a certificate of completion and a professional reference. Academic supervision for university credit is available on site, though publishing research data externally typically requires government approval.

Requirements & Qualifications

This internship is suited to graduates or current students with a background in marine biology, ocean science, or a related field who are ready for three months of immersive fieldwork. You must be at least 18 years old to apply.

You’ll need:

  • A Bachelor’s degree or current enrolment in a marine-related field
  • English fluency — strong written and verbal communication is essential; Malay or Mandarin is an advantage
  • Confidence in the water — you must be a strong, confident swimmer; dive certification is preferred for coral rehabilitation work
  • Data collection and research monitoring skills — accuracy in field recording is central to the role
  • Computer proficiency — comfortable working in Windows OS and Microsoft Office
  • Physical fitness for outdoor living and irregular hours including night shifts
  • Cultural sensitivity and a self-motivated attitude — camp life requires flexibility, initiative, and a collaborative spirit

About This Project

Pulau Lang Tengah lies approximately 40 kilometres northeast of Kuala Terengganu in Malaysia’s Terengganu state — a small island fringed by clear water, coral reef, and the kind of coastal forest that feels genuinely untouched. As a designated Marine Park, it is one of the most protected and ecologically significant stretches of coastline in the region.

Life on the island is active and immersive. Between shifts, you can snorkel the reef, kayak along the coast, or trek through coastal jungle. Local restaurants and bars on the nearby islands offer a chance to unwind, and the marine environment itself is endlessly worth exploring.

Accommodation is in a rustic open-air camp set back from a secluded beach, running on limited solar power. Sleeping is in tents or screened huts fitted with camping cot beds and mosquito nets. Western-style flushing toilets and an outdoor kitchen are on site. Bring your own towel, toiletries, lightweight clothing, and swimwear. Interns contribute to simple daily tasks such as sweeping and meal preparation — this is a collaborative camp, not a resort.

24-hour in-country support is available throughout your placement.

Three communal meals are provided daily, typically centred on rice, pasta, or potatoes with fresh vegetables. Vegetarian, vegan, and Halal diets are all accommodated.

Map

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FAQ

Do I need to be a certified diver to apply?
Dive certification is preferred for coral rehabilitation work but is not required to apply. All interns must be confident, strong swimmers as daily snorkelling is a core part of the role. If you are not yet dive certified, we recommend completing a course before your placement begins.
On-site mentoring and supervision for academic credit is available. Please note that publishing research data externally typically requires government approval. We recommend discussing your university’s specific requirements with us before applying to ensure this placement is the right fit.
Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, and Halal diets can all be accommodated. Please let us know your requirements in advance so the team can make the necessary arrangements.
This is a physically demanding placement. Night patrols mean irregular hours and disrupted sleep are part of the role, and daily snorkelling requires a good level of fitness and water confidence. You should be comfortable with outdoor living in a tropical environment and prepared for long hours in the field.

Price

£900/pers

Deposit

£180/pers

  • Non-profit based pricing
  • Certificate upon completion
  • No registration fee
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