About

In our marine biology internship program, you will first acquire the skills needed to assist in projects that are ongoing at the Banda Islands and will then assist yourself.

You can expect to dive and snorkel a lot while getting to see different sites around the Banda Islands. We will cater for accommodation (shared rooms), most meals and all activities (see what is included below). Activities are 6 days per week (Fridays are off). Below are examples of past and present projects. Besides these projects, we support local students from Banda Naira University in conducting field work for their Bachelor thesis. These are different projects that all have to do with marine biology and diving. They vary every year.

You should also spend one day per week supporting our plastic waste education program. This can be by teaching kids in the plastic-free schools or by helping to collect and sort plastic from the sea and beaches.

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Project Examples

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A. Coral Spawning

Coral spawning has been extensively researched in various regions, particularly in the Great Barrier Reef. However, many small islands remain largely unexplored regarding this topic. Understanding the distribution patterns of coral larvae is essential for making informed recommendations regarding coral reef management.

The unique lava flow at Gunung Api in Banda supports a remarkable hard coral reef that plays a significant role in supplying coral larvae to other locations.

Witnessing coral spawning at night is an unforgettable experience. We gather observations of these spawning events and contribute them to COSMARINDO, our newly established national network and database that Indonesian universities utilize for their research.

Additionally, we conduct workshops focused on reef restoration techniques, specifically seeding coral larvae in areas that require rehabilitation, and we continuously engage in projects aimed at refining these methods.

Our laboratory, LABanda, which we operate in collaboration with Banda Naira University, has become a central hub for sharing knowledge about coral spawning throughout Indonesia.

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B. Noise Pollution

Effects of noise in the sea on marine organisms is a field that is becoming more popular in recent years. Negative effects of boat noise, pile driving or ship sonars are known especially for marine mammals and some also for fish. Marine invertebrates, such as sea squirts, mussels and clams, crustaceans and echinoderms can also perceive noise. It is not known for most species, though, whether they suffer from noise. We investigate this together with students from Banda Naira University.

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C. Invasive Species

We investigate the potential threats posed by invasive marine species. Our citizen science and monitoring initiatives, for instance, have led to the identification of the coral-killing sponge, Terpios hoshinota. This black encrusting sponge has the ability to overgrow and decimate coral populations. In response, we are actively working to prevent the spread of this sponge while also striving to understand the biological mechanisms that drive its rapid growth and lethal impact on corals.

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D. Mandarin Fish Study

There are just a few places in the world where divers can easily observe the beautiful Mandarin fish, Synchiropus splendidus. At Banda Naira this species thrives and gives an excellent opportunity to study its behaviour and ecology. In a long-term project we study the population structure of the fish by identifying individuals based on their color markings. More than 170 individuals have been identified so far and new individuals are added to our catalogue every year. During your internship with us you can contribute to the catalogue by photographing fish and identifying individuals.

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For further details and starting dates, please get in touch with us!

Duration and Price

Duration: 3 to 8 weeks
Price per week: IDR 4,900,000

What's Included?

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• Diving (tanks, weights, regulator, BC, wetsuit)

• Unlimited snorkeling

• All boat trips

• Scientific training

• Study materials

• Accommodation (shared room)

• Free WIFI

• Breakfast, lunch & snacks

• Coffee & tea as much as you want 

• A warm team atmosphere

What to Bring​

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• Mask, snorkel, fins

• Boat towel

• Refillable water bottle

• Small Tupperware

• Rash guard shirt and pants (respect local culture; swimwear should only be worn on the dive boat)

• Hat or cap​​

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