If you are seeking a little adventure and want to spend a period of time working as a volunteer in one of the most unique and developing countries of the world, then look no further than Mission Maldives!
Mission Maldives has directly-employed staff based in the Maldives who will organise all aspects of your project, and guide you through the entirety of your time here with us. You can volunteer on a variety of projects. Whether you are looking to gain some work experience, help others less fortunate than yourself, or simply experience a new culture, Mission Maldives has many voluntary projects in the Maldives for you.
The small island nation of the Maldives is renowned for its powdery white beaches, crystal blue lagoons and five star tourist resorts. This life of abundance and luxury however, does not reflect the lives of normal hardworking Maldivians. Mission Maldives has a variety of volunteer projects and development programs to benefit local island communities, and inspire individuals. Your participation can make a marked and substantial difference to Maldivians, and in turn you will be able to put your own lives into a broader context, and have fun while you do it!
Our projects are chosen with care and with the advice of various government departments to ensure we offer programs which will direct the help where it is needed most. Have a good browse through our site, and chose the best program suited to your interests and capabilities! The benefits to you as volunteers are excellent! The work itself is not only challenging and satisfying, as you'll be making a real difference to people lives and communities, but there are a few perks for you also - With a chance to visit a 5 star resort here in paradise, swim and snorkel in the clearest of lagoons, or even learn to dive!
Projects
Mission Maldives offer a diverse range of projects plus the opportunity to become part of one of our volunteer communities. Our projects also cover a diverse range of skilled and unskilled projects to ensure we can find the perfect project for each and every volunteer no matter what age, background, nationality or experience.
Take a look through the main project areas to the right and decide which area most covers the type of project you would like to contribute to. Once you have decided drop us a mail or complete the apply now application form and we will get back to you with our current project vacancies in your chosen field.
It is also possible to place couples together on certain projects so if you wish to travel as a couple, with friends or as a group be sure to let us know and we will take care of the details.
Climate Conservation
With no natural land in the Maldives above 2 or 3 meters high, the country lies in a very vulnerable position to climate change and the threat of rising sea levels. The President of this island nation, Mohamed Nasheed aims to make the Maldives the first carbon neutral country in the world - by 2020, and has already made bold moves to enable this to become a reality. The carbon neutral plans include proposals to switch from oil to 100% renewable energy production, and President Nasheed has unveiled plans to build a 75 mega watt wind farm in the North Male Atoll, which would straight away provide 40% of the country's electricity output and cut the Maldives carbon dioxide emissions by a quarter.
A series of events and forums have been organised to highlight the vulnerability of the Maldives (including the first underwater cabinet meeting!), plus the Maldives participation in the Climate Change summit in Copenhagen last year, with lots more to come! Our volunteers can be involved in many initiatives to implement sustainable programs, to conserve the fragile eco system and take part in conservation work that will not only help to ensure the Maldives is still here for generations to come, but also play a big role in cleaning up the global carbon footprint.
Marine Conservation
The Maldives is made up of approximately 1190 small, low-lying coral islands and innumerable reefs - together, these form 26 atolls that stretch across the Indian Ocean in a vertical strip about 850 km wide. Uniquely, the Maldives lies in a position within a great ocean, and due to its geographical position and structural make-up, the country is at acute risk from the threat of Global warming.
The Maldives recognizes the importance of responsible tourism, and has implemented a number of environmental initiatives and projects to conserve and protect the marine life and habitats of the Maldives. The two major industries of tourism and fishing rely heavily on this unique landscape being maintained. The Coral Reefs around each of the islands serve to protect them, but many reefs were damaged and bleached during the El Nino effect in 1998 leaving many islands in a very vulnerable position.
There are various projects you can get involved in to help protect the Maldives, whilst gaining a unique insight into the Marine life and Eco system here - whether it be helping with a program to combat beach erosion, a coral cleaning, regeneration and propagation program, or helping out with some of the fish breeding initiatives. There are also Marine Research Centers in the Maldives, mainly run by the Eco 'Green' resorts, where there are programs in place to study the likes of Manta Rays, Whale sharks, and Sea Turtles, leading to knowledge that will help preserve these near-threatened species.
Other Projects include: Agricultural
Interested in volunteering - Apply Here!
Contact Mission Maldives
There are several was that you can get in touch with us. You can mail us directly through the below e mail addresses or even give us a call on the below numbers although these are Maldivian numbers and may prove a little costly. Alternately drop us an email with your telephone number requesting a call back and we will be happy to give you a ring.
You can also catch regular updates on Facebook, Twitter or check out recent photo uploads on our Mission Maldives flickr group. You will find all these links at the top of the page.
General enquiries:
Booking enquiries: booking@missionmaldives.com
Surfing the Maldives
The best season to surf in the Maldives is the Southwest Monsoon from April to October. Surfers are most likely to enjoy the biggest swells from June to September. The surf generally ranges in size from3-8 feet.
Main Surf Spots in the Maldives
Chickens
Villingilimathi Huraa (Kuda Villingili), Uninhabited island. Eastern reef of North Male' Atoll.
Cokes
Thulusdhoo, Atoll Capital. Eastern reef of North Male' Atoll.
Gurus
Male', the capital. Eastern reef of Male', Southern tip of North Male' Atoll.
Honky's
Thamburudhoo (Uninhabited Island), Eastern Reef of North Male' Atoll.
Kate's
Boduhuraa, Uninhabited Island near the Palm Tree Island Resort. Eastern Reef of South Male' Atoll.
Lohis
Lohifushi Island Resort. Eastern reef of North Male' Atoll.
Male' Island Point
Full Moon Beach Resort, Furana Fushi Island, Eastern Reef of North Male' Atoll.
Natives
Kandooma Resort, Eastern Reef of North Male' Atoll.
Piddlies / Ninjas
Kanifinolhu Resort. Eastern Reef of North Male' Atoll.
Quarters
Gulhigaathuhuraa, uninhabited island attached to Palm Tree Island Resort.
Riptides
Guraidhoo, Inhabited Island. Eastern Reef of South Male' Atoll.
Sultans
Tari Village Resort (Kanu Huraa) . Eastern reef of North Male' Atoll.
Tomb Stones
Thamburudhoo (Uninhabited Island), Adjacent to 'Sultans'. Eastern Reef of North Male' Atoll.
Twin Peaks
Miyaru Faru near the island of Gulhi, inhabited island, Eastern Reef of South Male' Atoll.