MARINE CONSERVATION PROJECT BARCELONA

On the Marine Conservation project your experience won’t be limited to simply cleaning the ocean bed, you’ll also gain an in-depth - no pun intended! - knowledge of all of the necessary steps involved in this hugely valuable service. You’ll learn how to classify and record data, create reports and awareness campaigns and promote conservation education to local communities. 

You’ll feel both fulfilled by all that you learn and also the many fun moments you’ll enjoy forming lifelong friendships whilst getting to know a new culture and country. There’s a vibrant international community in this area and the rich history and culture of Catalunya is fascinating. Alongside the program, you’ll get to delve into all this through your exploration of beautiful Barcelona, its myriad of museums, galleries and incredible architecture. 

Barcelona National Museum Spain.jpg
Torre d'oro, Seville, Spain.JPG

Once you’ve set down your scuba gear, it’s time for a radical change of scenery and culture. You will head down to Seville in southern Spain, to the heart of all that you might think of as typically Spanish: whitewashed houses, sun-drenched, flower-lined streets, hidden plazas with their tinkling fountains, and the strains of flamenco guitar in the air. Seville is simply sensational - Olé!

* Please note: You’ll need to be a PADI Open Water Certified Diver to partake in this project. You can complete this 3 to 4 day course in the US, or choose to do a ‘referral’ program, whereby you’ll complete the theory & confined water dives Stateside and complete your certification with the four open water dives overseas. 

https://diveaai.com/padi-referral-program

*Please note: We also offer extensions to Granada for the opportunity to visit the world-famous Alhambra Palace and this stunning city, should you choose to extend your stay. 

Day 1: Barcelona

Bienvenido a Barcelona! You’ll be whisked away from the airport to hit the ground running, getting to know this gloriously vibrant city. Your exploration will start with an orientation tour around the city center; it’s surprisingly easy to navigate your way around. You’ll start to become acquainted with the gorgeous Art Nouveau buildings that abound, the most famous of the local architects of course being Gaudi with whose work you’ll become very familiar during your stay. Stroll around the labyrinthine Gothic area and down to the Mediterranean seafront. 

You will of course also have time to relax and recoup from your flight back at the hotel. 

Overnight: Barcelona 

Day 2: Barcelona

Today you’ll explore more of beautiful Barcelona - by bike. It’s such a great way to get to know the captivating Ciutadella park, with its fountains, boating park and even a woolly mammoth! Snap a shot of the impressive ‘Arc de Triomf’ gate, absorb the history of the Gothic born area and cruise along the Mediterranean seafront. A highly entertaining guide will regale you with stories and fascinating facts as you build up an appetite for dinner. 



Overnight: Barcelona


Day 3: PROJECT & GAUDI

This morning, before donning your scuba gear, you will learn about the impact of marine debris on the environment. In Barcelona there is a huge issue involving the millions of non-biodegradable wipes that have been building up in the city’s sanitation system over the decades, causing immense harm to marine life such as the sea turtle. 

You’ll learn why the service you’ll be performing plays such a vital role in helping to secure a future for these sea creatures and the ocean environment. You’ll learn the logistical procedures involved in organizing a highly effective beach clean up and how to remove living organisms from the trash collected, to return them to the sea. 

Equipped with an understanding of the ‘why’, you’ll now get to take your first steps in collecting debris from the ocean floor. Time to get wet! 

After lunch your local guide will give you a fascinating in-depth explanation of the work of Gaudi and you’ll experience in person the extraordinarily unique beauty of his masterpiece, the Sagrada Familia. 

Overnight: Barcelona

Day 4: Project & Flamenco

This morning you’ll dive deeper into how the debris you collected yesterday is sorted and classified. You’ll learn how to effectively document the data collected on the fauna - fish and invertebrate species - as part of a scientific research project. You’ll then head back to the water once more.

This afternoon you’ll get to strut your stuff at a flamenco class, learning to swirl your skirts (where appropriate!) and stamp your feet in time with the languorous, soulful music. You’ll then be blown away by a stunning performance from the professional dancers.

Overnight: Barcelona

Day 5: Project and Seville

This morning you’ll learn how to take the information collected and present it in schools and the community. You’ll develop your creative skills in designing effective awareness campaigns. Afterwards, you’ll immerse yourself in the waters one last time.

After lunch you’ll take the impressive ‘AVE’ high speed train from Barcelona to Seville. 

Upon arrival,  after checking in at your hotel you’ll be led on an orientation stroll around this gorgeous city. You will be shown such treasures as the Alcazar Palace - the oldest royal palace still in use in Europe (you might recognise it from Game of Thrones). You’ll see the ancient bullring, bullfights being a highly contentious sport still holding an important place in the culture of southern Spain, and the Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions set in a lovely pavilion from the 1929 Spanish-American fair. 

Overnight: Seville

Day 6: Seville

Seville is the perfect place for a bike tour; flat, safe and easy to ride around with its dedicated bike lanes. You’ll get to know the old quarter on the other bank of the river, the neighborhood of Triana - known for its gorgeous pottery - and continue on to the lush shade of the Maria Luisa Park. We’ll stop off for a cafe con leche, then on into the center, past the enormous cathedral. Upon finishing the tour, it’s back to the Triana neighborhood for a tile decorating lesson so that you can take home a memento of your visit!

After a late lunch your local guide will take you inside that vast cathedral, burial place of Christopher Columbus no less! Climb the steps up to the Giralda bell tower for great views out over the city. 

This evening you’ll release your inner chef at a hands-on, entertaining and informative cookery class; the Sevillians live life large and love to eat, drink and make merry. There’ll be a lot of laughter along with the delicious dishes that you will of course get to enjoy for your dinner. 

Overnight: Seville

Day 7: Seville 

Today is all about water. Firstly you’ll have the opportunity to glide along the Guadalquivir, after partaking in a kayaking class. The smooth waters lend themselves perfectly to a relaxing and fun ride. 

Later you’ll get to try out some of your flamenco steps as you float along the river again, this time on board a disco cruise boat! Take in the nighttime panoramic views from up top then head down below to party away your last night in Seville. 

Overnight: Seville

Day 8: Barcelona sunset cruise

This morning take the opportunity to grab a few last minute souvenirs or enjoy one last stroll around this enchanting city, before boarding your high speed train back to Barcelona. Here you’ll continue the water theme on a sunset cruise before enjoying your farewell dinner. 

Overnight: Barcelona

Day 9: DEPARTURE

Sadly, it’s time to bid farewell to Barcelona this morning, forever changed and enriched by your experience in Spain. Hasta luego España - y hasta pronto! 

What is included:

Activities:

  • Tile decorating class in Seville

  • Flamenco class and show Barcelona

  • Cookery class Seville 

  • Kayaking lesson and tour Seville

  • Sunset cruise in Barcelona

  • Bike tours in Barcelona and Seville

Accommodation and services

  • 3 and 4* centrally located hotels when not on project

  • Project accommodation in project center

  • High speed (AVE) train to Seville

  • Medical insurance up to $50,000 and baggage insurance

  • The services of an extremely highly qualified and experienced Tour Manager who will accompany you throughout your trip

  • Extremely knowledgeable, professional and entertaining local tour guides

  • 3 meals a day when on project and 2 meals a day when not

Project:

  • 3 day Marine Conservation Project:

  • You will spend your time diving and cleaning the ocean, investigating and monitoring (Please note, you will require your PADI basic certificate prior to coming on this tour)

Tickets & Tours:

  • Sagrada Familia Barcelona 

  • Seville Cathedral

  • Alcazar

  • City sightseeing Barcelona including inside visit of the Sagrada Familia

  • Guided Bike tours of Seville and Barcelona

  • Guided tour of Seville including visit to the cathedral

NOT INCLUDED IN THIS TRIP:  

  • International flights not included (we can arrange these for you)

  • Visas, where applicable

  • Any vaccination required

  • Cancellation insurance (medical insurance up to $50,000 and baggage insurance are included)