Coral Reefs of Thailand

Fast Facts

Dates:

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2009

Nov
, Dec

Duration:

10 days

Rendezvous:

Phuket or Chumpon, Thailand

Activity Level:

Help for 'Moderate'Moderate

Minimum Contribution:

Help for 'Minimum Contribution:'$2750

Briefing:

Download Briefing

Essential information for the expedition - daily schedule, research area details, project conditions etc.

Amenities:

  • Couples Accommodations
  • Electricity
  • Flush Toilets
  • Hotel or B&B
  • Single accommodations available

What's it like to volunteer on this expedition?

Wanderlust Magazine Article

Science Magazine: A World Without Corals

International Year of the Reef 2008

OnEarth magazine article

Teleconference Q&A

More Information:

On the Expedition

Snorkel or dive among Thailand's amazing coral reefs to conserve biodiversity.

Equipped with an underwater slate, you will snorkel or scuba dive along transects over coral reefs, and surprise yourself with how quickly you learn to tell a butterflyfish from a bumphead parrotfish and a sponge from a soft coral. Using the same survey sheets that Reef Check uses around the world, you will record the percent and kind of coral cover on the reef, as well as the numbers of indicator species of fish and invertebrates you see. While underwater, you’ll spot colorful reef fish, giant clams, reef lobsters, sea urchins, and sea cucumbers, and you may be lucky enough to bump into dugongs, sea turtles, or gentle whale sharks. On your recreational day, you may choose to visit local Buddhist temples or trek on foot or by elephant into the rainforest.

Meals and Accommodations

Volunteers will share simple but comfortable beach bungalows that cater to adventure travelers and eco-tourists. The bungalows usually have private bathrooms, with refreshingly cool showers and conventional plumbing. Team members will eat together at the beach restaurant associated with the bungalows. The food is delicious and varied; you will enjoy typical Thai dishes of fish and seafood, beef, chicken, and vegetables with exotic tropical spices, as well as a daily treat of fresh mangos, papayas, and pineapples.

During the 2009 season, most teams will stay in bungalows at the Koh Ra Ecolodge, a remote, sustainable eco-resort located on the amazing island and National Park of Koh Ra in the Andaman Sea. In addition to green buildings, an organic garden, a lush bird-filled jungle and private beach, volunteers can enjoy sea-kayaking and village tours during recreational time. Private rooms are available at an additional cost. The lodge serves spectacular Thai and fusion cuisine using fresh and healthy ingredients.

About the Research Area

The research takes place around the coastal mainland and islands of central and southern Thailand. During the 2009 season the main research site will be Koh Ra island in the Andaman Sea. All of the research sites are mountainous, covered with tropical evergreen forest, and fringed by coral reefs. Each is protected at least in part by National Park status, resulting in high biodiversity and lush vegetation. Parts of the research area contain the most ancient rainforest on Earth, even older than the Amazon or Congo rainforests. Koh Ra boasts the largest area of protected coastline in Thailand with extensive mangrove forests.

All Earthwatch teams will work around fringing coral reefs, some of which may have high coral, fish and invertebrate diversity. Thailand hosts over 200 species of hard corals and hundreds of species of marine fish. While your every dive may not be crystal-clear and on a pristine reef, you will see many interesting species, such as colorful giant clams, cuttlefish, anemones, sea cucumbers, and sea urchins, plus lots of different species of reef fish, including clown fish.