Trustpilot
Trustpilot
Oyster volunteers contribute to vital marine conservation efforts in Omiš, Croatia, helping to preserve the town’s breathtaking coastline and rich marine biodiversity. By engaging in beach clean-ups and underwater debris removal, volunteers play a key role in maintaining the area’s natural beauty and protecting marine ecosystems. These impactful activities support sustainable tourism, enhance Omiš’s appeal as a travel destination, and promote environmental awareness within the local community, making a positive difference for both nature and the local economy.
Volunteers play a vital role in Rome, Italy, by supporting sustainable farming projects that protect biodiversity, promote social inclusion, and strengthen community resilience in the city’s green spaces. As a volunteer, you’ll work with local NGOs to care for vegetable gardens, urban farms, and Mediterranean plant nurseries while engaging with marginalized groups such as migrants, refugees, and people with disabilities. Your tasks may include planting, harvesting, composting, watering, organizing eco-workshops, and even taking part in multicultural cooking or artisanal design events. This project offers a powerful blend of environmental and social impact — reducing pollution, promoting circular economy practices, and fostering human connection through agriculture. By joining this program, you’ll gain hands-on experience in sustainable farming, contribute to inclusive community initiatives, and explore a side of Rome far beyond the typical tourist path.

Get off the beaten track to live on a beautiful Costa Rican beach, protecting the turtles that nest and hatch on the golden sands. Live like a local as you make a genuine contribution to marine conservation.

Join an international team of volunteers caring for rescued elephants at an ethical sanctuary in Thailand. Here, elephants rescued from tourist camps and city begging are given the chance to live a life much closer to the wild. As a volunteer you will support the daily care of the elephants alongside the sanctuary team and mahouts, helping maintain their environment and wellbeing. Highlights include walking with the elephants as they forage naturally, supporting feeding and enrichment, and spending meaningful time around these gentle giants.

Bears, tigers, chimpanzees, birds, orangutans, monkeys, gibbons, deer, otters and much more are cared for by volunteers like you at this inspiring wildlife sanctuary on the outskirts of Thailand’s largest national park. Help support the care of over 950 animals that have been rescued from the illegal wildlife trade and exploitative tourist attractions, and brought here to recover in a safe and protected environment. If that isn’t enough of a draw, there is even a dedicated elephant sanctuary on site, where volunteers may also have the opportunity to support the team caring for these rescued elephants.

Live on the wild side and get stuck in to the life of an assistant game ranger on a stunning game reserve, home to Africa’s Big 5. Enjoy the thrills of taking a safari, all whilst helping to promote the survival of African flora and fauna. Experience the lions roaring, elephants trumpeting and antelope running as you work out and about on the reserve each day.

Volunteers play a vital role in Rome, Italy, by supporting local animal shelters that care for stray, abandoned, and special-needs cats. As a volunteer, you’ll assist shelter staff with daily tasks such as feeding, cleaning, and maintaining safe, stimulating environments for over 260 cats—many of whom have experienced trauma or neglect. You’ll also help socialise the animals, providing much-needed human interaction to rebuild their trust and improve their chances of adoption. This project is a powerful opportunity to promote animal welfare, support overwhelmed shelters, and raise awareness about responsible pet ownership and the impact of abandonment. By joining this program, you’ll gain hands-on experience in animal care, contribute to ethical and compassionate treatment of animals, and explore Rome through a purpose-driven lens that goes far beyond the tourist experience.

Volunteers play a vital role in supporting animal shelters in Croatia that care for abandoned, rescued, and mistreated cats and farm animals. These shelters provide essential care and safety for animals in need, and they rely heavily on volunteers to help with daily tasks and emotional rehabilitation.

As a volunteer, you’ll assist with feeding, grooming, and socialising animals – many of whom may have experienced trauma or neglect. You’ll also help maintain clean, secure spaces and enrich their lives with companionship and positive interaction to increase their chances of adoption.

This is a hands-on opportunity for animal lovers who want to make a meaningful impact. Experience the beauty of Croatia while helping build trust and wellbeing in animals that deserve a second chance.

South Africa is home to the amazing Marine Big 5 – sharks, whales, dolphin, penguins and seals – and their existence is under threat. Spend your days out on the water observing marine life, all whilst contributing to innovative shark conservation and eco-tourism measures. Help out at a penguin rescue centre and with beach clean ups to improve the damaged marine world. And if that’s not enough, why not tick something off the bucket list and go cage diving with sharks too?

This unique surf and conservation camp in Lisbon, Portugal, combines adventure with impact. Volunteers ride the waves on beautiful Atlantic beaches while supporting coastal clean ups, recycling efforts, and environmental awareness campaigns that protect marine life and promote sustainable habits.

As a volunteer, you’ll take part in daily surf lessons led by experienced instructors, and contribute to preserving Portugal’s shoreline through hands-on environmental action. Tasks include cleaning beaches and forests, collecting and sorting waste, and engaging the public in eco-conscious initiatives.

Whether you’re a beginner or experienced surfer, this is your chance to connect with the ocean, help reduce pollution, and live purposefully while immersed in Portugal’s beach culture.

Become a research diver on an exciting volunteer marine conservation project in Thailand. Get involved in daily dives to explore the health of the marine environment just off the stunning island of Koh Phangan. Suitable for new and experienced divers alike, this Thailand Coral Reef Restoration Project allows participants to play in active role in tackling marine decline, all whilst enjoying the wonders of life under the sea.

 

SUITABLE FOR:

Immerse yourself and your family in traditional Costa Rica, living in a remote village community alongside one of the most stunning stretches of beach that the country has to offer. Join a conservation team working to protect both nesting and hatching turtles off the Pacific Coast, working together to protect this endangered species.
Dates: Early July to mid-December
Suitability: Suggested minimum age of 5

Explore one of the most beautiful and untouched destinations on earth – New Zealand! Help local conservationists with their efforts to preserve some of New Zealand’s most beautiful locations. Chose from three gateway cities across the North and South Islands

Oyster Worldwide has been a trusted volunteer travel provider since 2006.

We run programmes in many of the same countries and areas that GVI was known for – wildlife conservation, marine conservation, and community projects – across destinations including South Africa, Costa Rica, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Borneo and Namibia. We also have a great many project in Europe which are reachable in just a few hours flight!

Every trip is ATOL protected, and you’ll speak directly to a dedicated member of our team who will talk through your dates, your destination preferences, and make recommendations based on your age and preferences. We also have many options which are available at short notice if your flights are already booked.

Don’t hesitate to get in touch – and we will be happy to help!

FAQ’s

Can Oyster Worldwide help if I already have flights booked?
Yes – just tell us your dates and destination and we’ll do our best to match you with a programme nearby, so you don’t need to change your travel plans.

Is Oyster Worldwide ATOL protected?
Yes, all our flight-inclusive trips are ATOL protected, so you’re booking with an accountable, established organisation. Our ATOL number is 9598 and you can check our status on the ATOL website.

What if my GVI placement was due to take place in the next few months?

Many of our projects often have last minute availability, so just reach out if there is a particular project you would like to join and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.

What if my GVI placement was booked for later in 2026 or 2027?
That’s no problem – we take bookings well in advance and can talk through options for later dates too.

Do you offer the same types of projects GVI did?
We offer volunteering across the same locations and areas – wildlife conservation, marine conservation, and community-focused projects – though our itineraries and partnerships are our own.

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