Marine Biodiversity Indonesia 2027

For MSc students in Biology and Geo-Ecology. BSc/BEd students accepted if space permits (max. ~ 9 students).

Organisers: Nico Michiels (nico.michiels@uni-tuebingen.de)
Express your interest by filling out this (short) questionnaire to stay informed:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1gfdheR8W1jR-q4nHpVwth7t8xo5hKV7iRFiu2O7Hacw/edit#responses

IMPORTANT
We meet and say goodbye in North-Sulawesi. Everyone takes care of their own flight schedule from Germany to Manado. This allows participants to choose cheaper solutions and stay longer in Asia for a holiday before or after the course. 
Attention: The dates have changed slightly to fit better with the international flight schedules. 

• Departure from Germany on Thursday 25 February 2027 at the latest or earlier (overnight flight!)
  • Meeting in Manado: Friday 26 February at Manado International Airport
  • Goodbye in Manado: Friday 19 March at Manado International Airport
• Arrival back in Germany on  20 March at the earliest (depending on your travel plans).

Our home for 3 weeks is Coral Eye on Bangka Island in North-Sulawesi
^{(not the other Bangka Island near Java)}

Maximum number of student participants: 9

Requirements for participation

1. Genuine interest in field observation, species identification, biodiversity, tropical marine ecology. Candidates have attended some or all of the courses Marine Biology Methods, Marine Biology, Tropical Marine Ecology (Egypt) or other courses that contributed to their marine biological expertise. A willingness to learn about 300 fish species by heart before the trip (Anki deck) is important. Yes, we will test you. Personal experience is also considered.
    
2. Although snorkelers are allowed to attend as well, this course is primarily for experienced divers. Given the remoteness of the site and the challenging diving conditions in Indonesia (current, poor visibility, rapidly changing conditions), your diving qualification should be at least advanced (PADI Advanced Open Water, CMAS two-star or equivalent) with as many dives as possible. You can get a Nitrox certificate on site at an extra price. A recent dive medical and basic dive insurance is required.
    
3. Make sure you have a passport that is valid for 6 months after arrival in Indonesia. A tourist visa for Indonesia can be acquired online.
    
4. Fluency in English.
    
5. This is a Master course. Only if space permits, Bachelor students that fulfil the criteria can be considered.
   (We recommend Bachelor students to take Bio-BEE-210 Tropical Marine Ecology, Red Sea, Egypt. It allows less experienced divers to improve their confidence and skills under less challenging conditions). 

What we offer

Expertise: Twenty years of expertise focused on tropical marine fish identification and diversity (more here).
Why fish and not corals? Many initiatives world-wide focus on corals, but reefs comprise only ~ 15% of tropical coastal marine habitats. Fish use all of these habitats. Bangka Island houses more than > 1000 coastal fish species because of its high habitat diversity: Reefs, mangroves, sand, rubble, rocks and seagrass, with strong gradients in current exposure and human impact.

Equipment: We have 6 sets of dive gear for students (regulator, BCD and dive computer), 10 Olympus tough-6 underwater cameras with an underwater housing for student use, and smaller and larger underwater torches for night diving and snorkelling.

What you get for your money

• Two-way taxi and boat transfer from Manado International Airport to Coral Eye.
• Full board accommodation (incl. standard drinks) in  air-conditioned rooms for 21 nights with 3 students per room.
• Cost estimate per student: 950 € including
  • Full-board accommodation
  • Taxi and boat transfer from and to Airport Manado
  • All meals and snacks, drinking water, coffee and tea, local taxes, WiFi
  • (This already includes a per-student subsidy of 460 € from the department of Biology)
• Additional costs
  • Two-way flight from Europe to Manado (ca. 1000-1400 € - depending on airline and connection)
  • Online tourist visa (ca. 30 €).
  • House reef dives 15 €, boat dives 45 € (air or Nitrox, same price).
    • Nitrox is recommended - we recommend to get the certificate in Germany, but you can also do it on Bangka.
  • Snorkelling is free, but a small fee is charged for guided snorkelling or snorkelling from a boat (to be announced).      
  • Renting dive/snorkel equipment (better bring it if you can).
  • Excursions, e.g. to Tangkoko National Park, equipment rental (if needed), soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, 
    tips for staff, and day trips to remote diving destinations (e.g. Bunaken National Park).