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  • Overview
  • Objectives
  • Skills you gain
  • Costs to Consider
  • Site Conditions

2025 Dates

2 weeks: 2 weeks marine only – 19 June2 July 2025
2 weeks: 2 weeks marine only – 31 July – 13 August 2025
3 weeks: 3 weeks marine only – 10 July – 30 July 2025
4 weeks: 4 weeks marine only – 19 June – 16 July 2025

You will be based on the beautiful and peaceful Silba Island. You will start with some training, beginning with the opportunity to complete a PADI Open Water dive training course if you would like to learn and are not already qualified, followed by a compulsory Mediterranean ecology and survey techniques course, with two lectures and two practicals each day (either by diving or snorkelling). Those of you not completing dive training will spend their second week assisting with some of the research surveys on Mediterranean fish communities, the recovery of the Noble Pen (Pinna nobilis) mollusc populations, the impact of sea urchin populations and the role of seagrass meadows in supporting fish and invertebrate biodiversity.

Croatia Marine Research Objectives

Silba Island

Silba Island is in the northern Dalmatian archipelago and is a car and hotel free island. The island markets itself as a haven of tranquillity and much of the island is still covered by Mediterranean black oak and maquis. The objective for our partners on this island is to develop the first marine research centre for northern Dalmatia and they have a series of research projects on seagrass, sea urchins, protected species and fisheries, as well as marine plastics.

  • Attend lectures/workshops on biodiversity and conservation
  • PADI Open water dive qualification
  • Participate in Adriatic ecology course
  • Help in estimating the health of sea grass
  • Help in establishing No-take zones for fishing
  • Learn to estimate population of endemic and endangered Nobel shell
  • Learn to adapt to team work and experience its importance
  • Opwall fee.
  • Cost of international flights into and out of Split or Zadar.
  • Cost of internal travel to and from the start and end point of the expedition, plus any hotels you might require. Standard package costs around £121 or $158.
  • Extra nights’ accommodation in Split or Zadar costs £110 or $143 (breakfast included).
  • Dive equipment rental – £60 or $75 per week for a full dive kit. Or if you are planning on snorkeling, snorkel equipment hire is £35 or $45. Please note that wetsuits cannot be provided – you should bring your own.
  • Park entrance fees – £75 or $98.
  • PADI manual and PIC card (if you are completing your Open Water qualification) – £75 or $98 approx.
  • Vaccinations and prophylactic medicines – cost can vary depending on your healthcare provider.
  • All prices in GBP or USD unless specified.
  • ETIAS – please refer to our travel information for more detail.
  • Standard travel insurance – cost can vary, for 2 weeks it can range anywhere from £40-80 or $40-150.

Most of our volunteers fundraise for their expedition costs. Find out more.

Climate
Croatia is hot during this time of the year! In Silba the daytime temperature rarely drops below 30 degrees and can reach 40 degrees.

Fitness level required
Moderate. Whilst there is not hiking like in the forest, diving can be tiring with heavy kit and exercise in the water and the temperature can contribute to this.

Creature comforts
In Silba it will be in dormitories with shared bathroom facilities and good phone signal.

Locations

  • Croatia
  • Silba

Want to get involved with this project?

Preparation

Want to get involved with this project?

   Latest from our blog

  • Our Third year on Silba Island, Croatia

    Posted on 18th October 2019
    Written by Lisa Böhm Photos courtesy of Kirtan Shah and Lisa Böhm “Dobar dan”, as the locals greet you on this island when they are passing by. We started the 3rd year of the Croatia Opwall (Cropwall) marine site, and this time...
    Read more...
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