Be A Clean Water Courier

Waves for Water (W4W) provides clean water solutions worldwide through projects funded by the “Clean Water Courier” program. Operating across dozens of countries, W4W’s mission is to provide access to clean water to every single person who needs it.  The nonprofit’s philosophy is to empower people to take initiative, step outside their comfort zones and create unique personal experiences. W4W was born out of a love for discovery, travel and adventure and the group wants its volunteer model to similarly encourage and empower individuals during their trips.

For prospective travelers, Waves for Water has teamed up with surf company Hurley to develop an independent volunteer program called Clean Water Couriers. It is not a traditional volunteer model, but more of a do-it-yourself method meant to be utilized by travelers who want to make a positive contribution to local communities. Each person creates their own travel experience and then crowdfunds on the site to buy water filters to distribute while on their trip. W4W provides the online platform and serves as a resource for information about the filtration systems and how participants may donate them on the ground. Travelers can make a huge difference in the lives of people and communities in distress by packing a few water filters for their trips. The filters are compact and easy to use and can provide up to 100 people with clean water for up to five years. They cost $25 to $50 each.

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Waves for Water

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Sail in Sri Lanka and the Maldives

Explore the wonders off of the southern shore of India, beginning in the scenic Sri Lankan city of Negombo and ending on the sandbars of Malé in the Maldives. The two Indian ocean countries are just over 600 miles apart, and Sri Lanka has significantly impacted  the Maldives’ culture. Travelers can move between the islands in a traditional dhoni boat, a multi-purpose sailing ship used in Sri Lankan and Maldivian cultures for decades.   

These islands provide plenty of opportunities for relaxing on the beach and enjoying scenic views. Still,  they also offer a great deal of unique cultural experiences. Travelers can visit spice plantations in Kandy and visit the AMBA Estate, an organic farm, guest house and social enterprise in the Uva Highlands of Sri Lanka. Adventurous spirits can also embark on a wildlife safari in Udawalawe National Park. Then, snorkel to shipwrecks and coral reefs in the Maldives and enjoy authentic local seafood. All of these adventures and more are included in this 14-day trip which will cost travelers $2,559 per person. 

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Tour New Zealand's Nature

New Zealand is known by travelers all over the world for its natural landscape, where nature enthusiasts can see glaciers, lakes, mountains, forests and beaches all in close proximity to each other. Beginning in Christchurch, travelers are greeted with a chance to immerse themselves with Māori culture, including learning a traditional dance and song of the Māori people. A tour of New Zealand’s natural landscape brings travelers across the country to visit its diverse yet temperate landscape. Travelers can see the Waimakariri River on a scenic train ride, hike by the icy tips of the Franz Josef glacier and explore the crystal blue waters of Wanaka Lake on the country’s South Island. A Trip Leader will accompany travelers and guide them throughout the journey. 

The trip is booked through Under30Experiences, which offers travel experiences for people between the ages of 21 to 35. This package costs $2,695 per person for 10 days of travel, and $2,495 for early booking. 

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Under30Experiences

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Save Sea Turtles Along the Costa Rican Coast

Every year, hundreds of thousands of sea turtles crawl out of the Pacific Ocean and nest their eggs on shore in Costa Rica. This process is known as the “arribadas,” and can lead to the arrival of up to 200,000 threatened olive ridley turtles each month. Though the species’s fate remains fragile at best, there is still hope as volunteers can travel to Costa Rica and aid in conservation efforts. Participants have the opportunity to choose between two project sites: either Ostional Beach along the Pacific, where the arribada occurs, or Barra de Pacuare along the Caribbean Sea. Regardless of where volunteers end up working, they will build up skills and experiences patrolling beaches, relocating sea turtle nests and aiding hatchlings. In their free time, volunteers can explore the local area, or perhaps just relax on the beach.

This opportunity is offered by GoEco and lasts a minimum of one week for $780, with the opportunity to extend volunteering for up to three months. Basic Spanish language skills are recommended, but volunteers can enroll in class for an extra fee. 

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GoEco

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Dive to Keep Belize’s Marine Habitat Pristine

Off the coast of Belize, volunteers with a passion for marine conservation can remove invasive species of fish and clear out plastic waste to keep the country’s waters healthy. Once travelers arrive in the village of Placencia along Belize’s southern coast, they are taken to a small private island where they can partake in up to three conservation dives. For those who aren’t experienced divers, the program offers PADI Open Water training to become diver-certified. On weekends, travelers can head back to Placencia and from there explore the rest of Belize. In 2019, volunteers were able to remove 7,841 invasive lionfish, carry away 11,645 pounds of waste and hatch 454 baby turtles.

This experience is organized by GoEco and costs $1,150 for one week. Volunteers can extend the program for up to eight weeks. The PADI Open Water course is an additional $150.

Explore the Far Reaches of Norway’s Svalbard Islands

On this Arctic trip, journey to Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago that lies only 500 miles from the North Pole. Experience “midnight sun” and the Northern Lights as you explore the high Arctic by land and sea, spending half of the trip on the private expedition vessel Togo. Visit the remnants of Norway’s previously robust whaling industry, descend into an abandoned coal mine, and marvel at the glaciers, polar bears and colonies of walruses that call Svalbard home. Svalbard’s main settlement of Longyearbyen is the world’s northernmost city, and the surrounding area offers a vast and pristine natural landscape. Because Atlas Obscura prioritizes sustainable travel, this trip also has an environmental focus—travelers will help collect trash and sea debris throughout the trip.

This 11-day trip costs $8,870 and includes all transportation, accommodation, meals and activities.

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Atlas Obscura

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Surf and Volunteer in Peru

The idea for WAVES originated in 2004 on the beaches of northern Peru, when a group of international surfers shared a desire to help local youth with little resources enjoy surfing. Today it is an established nonprofit and international network offering volunteer learning opportunities for surfers beginning the first and third weekend of every month in Lobitos. Based on your skills, you will contribute in one of the program areas: English and Arts, Environmental Responsibility, Life Skills, Swimming or Surfing and Social Entrepreneurship. If you stay three weeks or more, you will do an additional community service project. Costs are $495 volunteer contribution, plus $295/week.

WAVES FOR DEVELOPMENT

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Help Rehabilitate Sea Turtles in Kenya

Join the efforts of this non-profit working to protect and rehabilitate sea turtles. As an Eco-Visitor at Watamu Turtle Watch, you’ll have the chance to go on night patrols, care for sick and injured turtles, perform in turtle x-rays, clean the turtles and their tanks and/or release turtles caught in fishing nets. You may also get involved with other marine conservation projects like restoring nearby mangrove trees and educating the local community about plant propagation. You’ll live at the organization’s beautiful housing compound, which includes en suite bathrooms, a kitchen, a courtyard, mosquito nets, etc. This is a great way to experience Kenya while also giving back to the local environment and assisting in important conservation efforts. You can volunteer for up to 2 weeks or up to 6 months with the price ranging from $1,000 to $2,500.

Local Ocean Trust: WATAMU TURTLE WATCH

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Bring Fresh Water to Fijians

The Yasawa Islands of western Fiji, despite being surrounding by miles of beautiful ocean, often lack fresh drinking water and the shortages are usually pretty severe. Volunteers on this trip work to address each community’s individual needs. Some days are spent installing rainwater catchment systems and others working the land to plant community gardens. Days off can be spent exploring island life, from diving to hiking, or sight-seeing around Fiji’s capital city. A minimum 2 week trip costs $1,945 (£1,145) and a maximum 12 week trip costs $4,915 (£2,895). 

GLOBAL VISIONS INTERNATIONAL

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Surf with Kids in Capetown, South Africa

Work in an adventure club for 12-14 year old children who come from disadvantaged areas of Cape Town. The club is primarily focused on surfing and swim lessons and volunteers will receive free surf lessons (no surfing exp. necessary but must be able to swim!). Local kids will be taught sports, hikes, life lessons (HIV, drugs, etc.). Volunteers will work with children 2-5 days a week and can spend their mornings relaxing on the beach, learning to surf, or helping out in a school. Afternoons are spent doing activities through the adventure club with 5-20 different children! On the trip, volunteers will be have plenty of free time to explore the beautiful city, Cape Town, and explore Table Mountain National Park, see African Penguins and explore beautiful hiking trails throughout the area!  The min length for this trip is 14 days for $990 and the max length is 8 weeks for $2,730.  Upcoming Departures: Every Friday.

GO ECO

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