When booking your flights, aim to arrive at the closest major airport to your project location—we’ll provide the exact arrival point in your welcome pack. Many volunteers choose to arrive a day early to adjust to the time zone and settle in. Airport transfer details and local transport options are also included in your project information guide.
Depending on your destination country, you may need to apply for a tourist visa or visa on arrival. Check the official government travel site for your nationality well in advance, as processing times vary. We’ll provide country-specific advice in your confirmation email to help you prepare.
Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory for all O2E volunteers. Your policy should cover overseas medical care, trip cancellation, lost baggage, and participation in volunteer or adventure activities. Keep both digital and printed copies of your policy and emergency numbers with you while travelling.
Make an appointment with a travel health clinic at least 6–8 weeks before departure to check vaccination requirements for your project country. Common recommendations include Hepatitis A and B, tetanus, and in some areas, typhoid or rabies. Be sure to discuss any personal health concerns with your doctor.
International travel has a carbon cost—but you can take action. Oceans 2 Earth Volunteers partners with Forever Wild through our Landscape Trust initiative, purchasing and protecting wilderness areas that store carbon and preserve biodiversity. When you tick the $5 carbon offset option during booking, you’re directly contributing to meaningful climate action—learn more about Carbon Reduction Program.
Pack light but smart—bring essentials like a reusable water bottle, reef-safe sunscreen, insect repellent, travel towel, power adapter, and headlamp. A small first aid kit, notebook, and quick-dry clothing go a long way in remote areas. Avoid single-use plastics and unnecessary gadgets. Your gear should support both simplicity and sustainability.
Our projects run year-round in a mix of tropical, subtropical, and temperate climates, so packing for the season and location is essential.
For Marine Conservation (Tropical/Coastal): Expect warm to hot temperatures, high humidity, and intense sun. Bring long-sleeved rashies, quick-dry shirts and shorts, a wide-brimmed hat, lightweight rain gear, and reef-safe sunscreen. Avoid cotton and opt for breathable synthetics that dry quickly.
For Wildlife Projects (Temperate/Seasonal): In Australia, winter (June–August) can bring cold mornings and evenings, especially inland. Pack warm layers such as thermals, fleece, beanies, and a windproof jacket. Summer months (December–February) are hot so bring light, breathable long sleeves for sun and insect protection.
Year-Round Must-Haves: Enclosed shoes or boots, socks that breathe, and clothing that can get dirty. Always check your Information Guide for location-specific recommendations and temperature ranges.
Some programs may require extras like waterproof notebooks, gloves, fins, or field slates—check your Information Guide for project-specific gear. Volunteers working in animal care should pack closed shoes, clothes that can get dirty, and reusable gloves if preferred. If you’re unsure, pack versatile basics and wait to purchase non-essentials locally to reduce luggage and support small businesses.
While most programs include daily meals, having a few of your favourite snacks from home can make a big difference—especially during long travel days, fieldwork, or quiet evenings. Pack non-perishable treats like protein bars, trail mix, or local favourites you might crave or want to share. Food is a great way to bond with new friends from around the world, so consider bringing something that represents your culture—it’s a simple, joyful way to connect across borders.
Many of our project partners work with limited resources, and some accept practical donations to support their ongoing work. If you’d like to bring items such as medical supplies, animal care gear, or school materials, check with us first—we’ll let you know what’s genuinely needed and what can’t be accepted. We ask that donations be thoughtful, useful, and aligned with the ethical standards of the program you’re joining.
Charlotte: “Sunscreen and an extra towel”
Isabelle: “Electrolytes and shower shoes”
Tiare: “Definitely an extra towel, like one for the beach and one for showering”
Gauri: “Water shoes! Shelly beach was harsh on flip flops”
Rosmarie: “Wet bag to put the stinger suit into at the end of the day”
Bernice: “My own GoPro to take photos and videos. I didn’t think it was worth the trouble of packing it turned out I would have used it a lot.”
Darc: “A diary/notebook – to write down all the things I’d done that day and keep it for memories”
Check the latest travel advice for your proposed destination. The Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade issues up to date travel advice at The Smart Traveller. The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office issues up to date travel advice on their travel page.Â
Organise comprehensive travel insurance and ensure it covers you for the destinations you plan to visit and the activities you plan to undertake.
Check that your passport has at least 6 month’s validity from your planned date of return.
Check out if you are considered a dual national of any of the countries you intend to visit and if so, find out if holding a dual nationality has any implications for your travel. You should contact the embassy, high commission or consulate of the country or countries you plan to visit to obtain this information.
Find out early what the visa requirements are for your destinations by contacting the nearest embassy, high commission or consulate of the countries you plan to visit.
Leave a copy of your travel documents – passport, itinery, tickets, visas and insurance policy with your family or a friend and take a copy with you.
See a travel doctor as soon as your travel is confirmed to discuss travel health issues and to allow time for any recommended vaccinations.Â
Check out any medications you plan to take with you are legal at your destinations by contacting the nearest embassy, high commission or consulate of the countries you plan to visit. If in doubt, you could consider carrying a letter from the doctor detailing what your medicine is, and that it is for personal use.
Organise a variety of ways of accessing money overseas, such as debit and credit cards, travellers’ cheques and cash easily convertible currencies.
Always obey the laws of the countries you are visiting, even if they are different from those in your own country.
Don’t use, carry or get involved with drugs overseas. Consular assistance cannot override local law, and in some countries the death penalty or life imprisonment is imposed for drug offences.
Respect local cultures and customs, dress appropriately and always ask permission before taking photos of people.
Be aware of current quarantine import restrictions so that you avoid bringing back items of quarantine concern. You must declare all food, plant or animal products on your Incoming Passenger Card. For more information, visit the customs and quarantine websites in your own country.
It is important to be prepared for anything and everything when travelling on one of
our projects. Our project information guides feature a packing list of things you need to pack for your time away on that specific project.
If your phone supports eSIMs, they’re a convenient option for staying connected without needing a physical SIM. Apps like Airalo and Holafly make it easy to activate data plans before or upon arrival. Otherwise, local SIM cards are available at most airports or convenience stores and are often the most affordable choice for calls and data. Wi-Fi is generally available at accommodation, but speeds may vary, especially in remote areas, so don’t rely on it for large uploads or constant connectivity.
Cash is still essential in many project locations, especially for small shops, transport, or meals during free time. We recommend bringing a debit card with low international fees and withdrawing local currency from trusted ATMs. Keep some emergency cash separate from your wallet and let your bank know you’ll be travelling abroad.
O2E provides 24/7 emergency support while you’re on project, and you’ll receive all relevant local contact numbers in your Information Guide. We also check in with you via email within the first few days of your arrival to make sure everything’s going smoothly. If you ever need assistance, have questions, or just want to reach out, you can email us at any time. We’re here to support you throughout your experience.
Pack only what you need and prioritise reusables like water bottles, fabric tote bags, and containers help reduce waste on the go. Avoid single-use plastics and bring solid toiletries like shampoo bars and toothpaste tabs when possible. Less stuff = lighter footprint (and easier packing).
O2E projects do not involve animal performances, petting sessions, or selfie-driven interactions. Follow all guidelines for observing animals from a respectful distance, and remember that enrichment and care – not contact, is the goal. Ethical wildlife care means putting the animal’s needs before our own curiosity.
Every excursion, tour, or extra activity you take matters. Support local businesses that align with ethical, environmental, and cultural values. Avoid tourist gimmicks, wildlife exploitation, or businesses with unclear practices. If you’re unsure, ask us for suggestions or look for transparency in pricing and purpose.
If something surprises you or doesn’t make sense – ask. Whether it’s why certain routines exist, how animals are cared for, or how decisions are made on-site, we welcome your curiosity. We’d always rather explain something in real time than read about a concern later in a review. Questions create understanding, and understanding builds trust.
Whether on a beach, in the bush, or around your accommodation, clean up after yourself and leave things better than you found them. Join a beach cleanup, say no to plastic straws, and dispose of waste properly, especially in regions with limited infrastructure. It’s simple, but it matters.
Bring a dry bag for wet gear or muddy shoes
Use a sarong as a towel, blanket, or privacy screen
Download offline maps (e.g. Google Maps or Maps.me) before you travel
Pack cable organisers or clips to manage chargers and gear
Bring a small gift or game from home for your hosts or teammates. It breaks the ice beautifully
