Sometimes, all you need is some sun, a sandy beach, and swimwear. But what if you could have all that while learning new skills and developing your CV?
Well, luckily for you, you can. Join a volunteer project or internship on a tropical island and get the best of both worlds.
Read on to find out the where, the what, and the why about responsible travel to tropical islands so you can soak up the sun!
Why should you volunteer on a tropical island?
Volunteering abroad is all about building your skills and supporting international communities. However, where you go and what you do will have an impact on the skills you learn and the experience you have.
When volunteering on a tropical island, you’ll gain exposure to a country and a culture that has existed for hundreds, or possibly thousands of years in relative isolation (this includes flora and fauna too!). This gives you a unique view into a way of life and natural ecosystems while expanding your perspective at the same time.
Many tropical islands are ideal for marine conservation, surrounded by clear waters and endangered wildlife. The weather is an obvious advantage too, with no “winter” to speak of, you’ll find warm weather and sunshine all year round.
Discover the skills you could develop and how these can help you with your education and career in the blog below.
Read more: How to frame volunteering abroad for university applications
Where you can go and what you can do on a tropical island
Projects Abroad offer international volunteering and internship opportunities all over the world. In terms of tropical island destinations, you have the choice of the following:
Fiji
Located east of Australia in the south of the Pacific Ocean, Fiji is a fascinating island nation with more than 3,000 years of culture and history. Famous for mouth-watering seafood, its incredibly strong international rugby team, and beautiful beaches (like most of this list).
Here, you can join our unique shark conservation project to help protect one of the most endangered marine animals on the planet and gain a PADI diving certificate.
You could also join our childcare project or immerse yourself in island culture with community development work.
The Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Made famous by Charles Darwin when he developed his theory of evolution, the Galapagos Islands are a treasure trove of biodiversity. A bucket list location for every biologist, here you can see the finches he discussed at length and relax alongside sea lions on the beach!
Get inside the Galapagos National Park and support the park rangers on our conversation volunteer project, living on-site and working closely with the majestic Galapagos Giant Tortoise.
Alternatively, take the chance to see the national park while experiencing authentic local life on the Ecuadorian islands. Join one of our many community focused projects in San Cristobal, including childcare, teaching, and sports coaching.
Koh Tao, Thailand
Part of a popular archipelago in the picturesque Gulf of Thailand, Koh Tao is world-famous for its stunning coral reefs and diving schools. As one of the smaller islands in this chain, it's easy to explore with white sand beaches, and a welcoming tourist-friendly atmosphere.
Here, we operate one of our most impactful conservation volunteer projects, where you can support the monitoring and maintenance of the delicate coral ecosystem. You will even be able to plant your own coral in the hopes of expanding this ecosystem, earning an SSI Diving Certificate and learning from experienced professionals.
Jamaica
The home of reggae music, jerk cuisine, and elite athletes like Usain Bolt, Jamaica has a relaxing rhythm to it that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. Located in the Caribbean, you’ll find peace everywhere you look, from the lush rainforests to the Blue Mountains, sandy beaches, and laid-back town centres.
Many of our tropical island volunteering projects are centred around conservation, but Jamaica is unique. Our projects are entirely based around the community and professional development.
You can support the education and care of local children in a variety of ways, or join a specialist medical or psychology internship to boost your university application or career.
The Maldives
The Maldives are a unique string of about 1,200 tropical, coral islands in the Indian Ocean. Since the structure of the islands are made almost entirely of coral, they have a very low elevation and benefit from smooth, soft, stunning white sand beaches.
This low elevation means that the country is one of the most climate conscious in the world. This also means that conservation initiatives are prioritised, to support the delicate ecosystem and life that these islands are surrounded by.
We have one project in the Maldives aimed specifically at teenagers aged 14 to 18. You’ll live on the island of Naifaru, away from the tourist locations and in the heart of Maldivian culture. From there, you will snorkel to survey and protect coral and work at a marine centre to rehabilitate sea turtles.
Sri Lanka
By far the largest island on this list, Sri Lanka is located off the southeast coast of India and is one of our most popular and diverse volunteering locations. It is incredibly biodiverse with large elephant populations, has some of the nicest tea in the world, and a very competitive international cricket team.
You can choose from a variety of community-focused volunteer projects and internships in Sri Lanka. These include opportunities to work with children, specialist medical and business internships in a range of fields, and a unique opportunity to teach local Buddhist monks.
Our most popular project in Sri Lanka, however, is our sea turtle conservation project. You’ll support experienced conservationists to find, protect, and release baby turtles to give them the best chance of survival while also conducting outreach within local communities.
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