MARINE CONSERVATION PROJECT
Global Goals Covered
Highlights
Construct our own exclusive artificial reef that is grown on an annual basis
Become an expert in Thai cuisine with a Thai cooking lesson
Support "Coral Watch", a global initiative to track and help prevent bleaching events of the world's reefs
Spend a whole day in the island paradise of Ang Thong National Park
This week-long trip will take you to the pristine and vibrant islands of Koh Samui in Thailand. We will be engaging in the Marine Conservation project, which serves as an opportunity for students to engage in a highly impactful service project that will not only improve our understanding of the multiple environmental threats that are affecting our oceans, but will also allow us to use that knowledge to contribute and help with local efforts to combat these issues by creating an artificial reef along with a trash clean up on the local beaches and ocean.
In addition we will also be integrating with the Thai culture by learning how to cook traditional Thai recipes along with exploring the National Park of Ang Thong, which is a protected area of 42 small islands.
To further support reef conservation, we will be collecting data for Coral Watch, a global organisation that monitors coral health. We will do this both by walking along the beach to monitor coral wash-up, and by snorkeling over reefs to collect data on coral health. After our service project we will spend half a day snorkeling over healthy reefs, to see what our hard work will one day allow on the artificial reef we have built.
An Overview
Koh Tao is a major tourist destination and the small island has around 500,000 visitors annually. Not managed properly, this high volume of tourists can have a detrimental impact on the local eco-systems. However, with innovative policies and a participatory approach, it is possible to have a healthy balance of economic growth while not damaging the environment and related ecosystems.
Students will learn about some of the ways tourism, as well as wider environmental concerns, is damaging the marine ecosystem around the island, as well as actively assisting our local community partner in reversing the damage done. The reef building project will allow for new reef growth around Koh Tao, to help re-establish reefs in areas where they have been previously destroyed.
The artificial reef is a project that can be added to on an annual basis. The growth and progress of the reef can be tracked by students. Also, there is an element of creative design which the students can direct and add their own ideas and ways to improve and grow the reef.
Students will have the opportunity to see stunning healthy reefs on a snorkeling trip at the end of the trip, as well as visit the Ang Thong Marine Reserve off Koh Samui, to see how tourism and conservation can thrive alongside one another.
Pre Trip Activities
In order for the participating students to get as much experience, knowledge and enjoyment from the trip to Thailand as possible, Mountain Quests will prepare the students before the departure in a seminar. The preparatory seminar sessions can be arranged at the school or online. The seminar usually includes topics on cultural sensitivity, specific development challenges facing Thailand and an in-depth explanation of the development output of the marine conservation project.
This Trip Is Best For
Students who are:
Showing an interest in the World's oceans and how to preserve them
Looking for a service project that helps to address the damage being done to coral reefs
Happy to be in and around the water for the majority of their trip
The Itinerary
The flight arrives onto sunny Koh Samui where our team will be waiting to greet you and welcome you to the island! We will load onto our transportation for a quick drive to our hotel where we will check in and get settled. We’ll have a safety orientation to ensure we all stay healthy throughout the trip.
After settling in we will visit the Wat Khao Hua Jook temple, where we will have incredible views over the island. After visiting the temple we'll head out for an evening cooking lesson with a trained chef. Thai food is often considered one of the best cuisines in the World, and what better way to enjoy it, but by cooking it ourselves. After dinner we will head back to our hotel for an early night.
We will start the day with an early breakfast, before heading to the pier to catch our catamaran to Koh Tao. The 2 hour journey will take us into the Gulf of Thailand and will get us to Koh Tao in time for check in to our hotel and anearly lunch on the beach. After lunch we will introduce our community partner, as well as the service project you are here to assist with for the next 3 days.
After an introduction the the project and its importance to the local area, we will start getting to work. We'll make a start on the artificial reef, as well as related tasks, before finishing the day with a buffet dinner and a film about coral health. We'll head to bed to rest for tomorrow's activities.
After an early morning activity and breakfast, we will continue the artificial reef project. We will work together in teams to create various structures that will eventually be placed in the ocean just off the beach, to allow coral to grow.
We will work together as a team to not only build but also design the reef! There is room for creative input for the shape, size, and what features we want to add. We’ll be guided and helped by our local community partner as the reef starts to take shape.
We will also be gathering data for Coral Watch, to assist scientists from around the world in understanding reef health, trends in bleaching events, and ultimately helping them to reverse these events. You will be monitoring coral both from the beach and in the water and you will be briefed on how to gather data and input it to the Coral Watch database. We'll head back to the hotel for dinner after a job well done.
Today will follow the same plan as yesterday. We will be doing slightly different tasks, including making shopping bags from T-shirts so that local people do not need to use single use plastic shopping bags. Coral Watch will continue as well, but the excitement of the day will be when we complete our artificial reef. A full day's work will be rewarded with a bbq on the beach at sunset, before heading to bed.
We’ll start the day with another mindful activity before getting a big and nutritious breakfast, then we’ll head out for a fun day in the sun! Today will be a 4 hour snorkeling tour!
Joining us for this trip will be our local community partners team of marine conservationists. Throughout the day and the various stops they will explain more in depth about marine life and we’ll get to see first hand the damage being done as well as examples of solutions that are working. It will be a fantastic day of enjoying the sheer beauty of the crystal blue water and marine life as well as gaining a deeper understanding of our surroundings.
The snorkeling trip will take us to various parts of the island. We’ll say our goodbyes to our community partner as we take the ferry back to Koh Samui in the late afternoon. Once at Koh Samui, we’ll check into our hotel, followed by dinner. After a long day in the sun, we’ll have an early evening as we dream about the incredible sights we saw!
Today is the last full day on Koh Samui and we’ll make the most of it by visiting Ang Thong national park! This protected area of 42 small islands is paradise and after a short ferry ride from Koh Samui, we’ll have the day to enjoy all it has to offer. We’ll have the opportunity to hike to the view point to take in all the islands and see Koh Samui, snorkel, swim, and sea kayak. It is a great last day as we enjoy all the natural beauty together.
After returning to Koh Samui we’ll prepare and get ready for our farewell dinner. A special menu will be waiting and we’ll look back on all the adventures and things we have learned throughout the week. One last quick stop at the night markets before returning to our hotel to pack and get ready for the flight tomorrow.
We’ll enjoy our last breakfast together before getting in our transportation and taking the short drive to airport for our departing flight.
Heath And Safety
Access to quality medical care will vary depending on our location. In Kathmandu hospitals are easily accessible and the ones we use are comparable to international, Western, standards.
Along the trek access to medical facilities is extremely limited. For small problems such as blisters, mild sprains and strains, scratches and bruises, our professional trained guides can assist. For more serious issues that required hospital treatment, we would need to call for helicopter evacuation to the CIWEC Clinic in Pokhara. We have excellent links to multiple helicopter companies to arrange efficient evacuation should the need arise. It is important that students are covered with the correct insurance to deal with this, and we can assist with how to apply for this.
All of our guides are first aid trained, and your head guide is trained in wilderness first aid by the American Red Cross. We have with us at all times a full and well-equipped medical kit. The contents of this can be shared with you prior to departure.
Students are required to provide us information on dietary requirements, allergies and their health and travel insurance before departure. All allergies and dietary requirements can be taken into consideration and managed.
FAQs
What’s the accommodation like?
All accommodation during the trip is hotel based to a good standard.
What is the weather like?
February is one of the driest months of the year in Koh Samui. But it will be warm during the day around 25-30C.
Health and safety?
All of our trip leaders are first aid trained to a high standard. We have many years of experience working with students and have strict safety protocols and risk assessments in place.
Is the food and water safe?
Expect a lot of incredible tasting Thai food! Along with a few Western favourites as well. Any allergies will be catered for and we will not be using any single use plastics on this trip. Only drink the water that is provided by Mountain Quests and the hotels.
How fit do I need to be?
You don’t have to be a fit person to join this trip. It is accessible to all fitness levels.
What clothes should I wear?
Mostly light clothes, including t-shirts, shorts, hats and sneakers. There are no special kit requirements, although a full kit list will be provided before the trip.
Do I need to be able to swim?
You don’t need to be an outstanding swimmer but you will need to have the ability to swim comfortably on your own.
What are the ferry journeys like?
We’ll be on a big enclosed catamaran boat but depending on the weather, the water can be choppy so if you are prone to seasickness then we highly suggest that you bring the appropriate medication. When we go to Ang Thong the boat has indoor and outdoor seating and is large, but sea sickness is also a consideration for those who suffer from it.
Inquiries?
If you have questions about this trip, would like to know more or thinking about booking this trip with us, then please contact us at: