One weekly price covers your meals, a shared room, full scuba gear rental and your training (including any PADI courses) while you help us survey and protect the reefs of southern Negros. If you stay longer than twelve weeks, each new week costs less and less. New volunteers start every other Monday.
A good fit if your time is limited. You still get two PADI courses and plenty of diving.
Two extra weeks for more diving and our extended training.
Average length of stayRoom for a third PADI course and a lot more time on the reef.
Train to PADI Divemaster with mentoring from very experienced instructors. Same weekly price and discounts as volunteering. Places are limited.
*For each course you only pay the PADI manual and certification fee, usually 65 or 85 USD. The Divemaster course is 240 USD plus PADI's application fee. See our course rates. Dive training is optional, unless you arrive as a non-diver.
Slide to the number of weeks you'd like to stay. Stays run in steps of two weeks, every week after week 12 costs less, and most volunteers stay around 10 weeks.
10weeks
Four-week stays are only for experienced divers. There's no time to fit PADI courses into a stay this short. To join for only four weeks, you need to be at least Advanced Open Water certified (or equivalent), with at least 20 logged dives and recent diving experience.
| 10 weeks × 550 USD | 5,500 USD |
|---|---|
| Total | 5,500 USD |
| Average per week | 550 USD |
Dive numbers are solid estimates. We generally dive six days a week. Night or afternoon dives push the count up, while a community day may mean only one dive or none at all. Around 12-13 dives a week is realistic.
A private room in a neighbour's guest house or one of the smaller bungalows on base may be available at cost. We charge per room, not per person, so if you come as a couple, you share the cost. Mention it when you apply and we'll do our best to arrange it.
Fill in the application form with your dates and diving experience.
Your place is confirmed once you've paid a non-refundable 10% deposit.
The remaining 90% is due 60 days before you arrive. Booking later than that? Then the full amount is due straight away.
Land at Dumaguete airport by 10am on your start day and we'll pick you up. See getting here.
Need to cancel or change dates? Our FAQ explains the booking and refund policy.
Research and thesis interns and media interns pay 275 USD a week. Places are very limited and come with strict requirements. See all internships.
Studying? Your time with MCP can count towards UK or US college credit. How academic credit works.
MCP is a non-profit NGO with no investors or shareholders. Apart from small donations and project grants, volunteer payments fund nearly all of our work: the reef surveys, marine protected areas and community projects you'll be part of.
“I spent ten weeks at MCP, completing the divemaster course and doing some science training and surveying as well. The instruction on the course was exceptional, they take enough time to improve your skills and turn out skillful divers. The food on base was delicious, and the staff were warm, welcoming, and made you feel at home. I cannot recommend volunteering here enough. A special place that I was not ready to leave. Thank you, MCP.”
Tell us when you'd like to come and for how long, and we'll take it from there.
Apply to volunteer Questions first? Read our FAQ