![Marine biology internships Maldives [Callum] (11) coral maintenance Marine biology internships Maldives [Callum] (11) coral maintenance](https://marinesavers.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Marine-biology-internships-Maldives-Callum-11-coral-maintenance-1080.jpg)
Photographing the coral growth on our Reefscapers coral frames
It was only when the plane touched down in Malé that I allowed myself to become excited. Up until this point, it had seemed almost too good to be true that I would be lucky enough to secure a 3-month internship in the Maldives, with the opportunity to work with such a large and unique coral restoration organisation. The Maldives had always seemed out of reach for me, a mythical place where manta rays and whale sharks gathered in huge numbers. But when I boarded the Four Seasons boat and saw the brilliant blue ocean (not to mention a few flying fish!) I really did feel like a small child again.
I received an unexpectedly warm welcome from the team when I arrived at Kudu Huraa, and after a full Resort tour, I dropped off my luggage at the staff accommodation on the neighbouring local island of Budu Huraa. After enjoying my first full meal in over 17 hours, I headed out for my first snorkel in the Maldives! After spotting three blacktip reef sharks and two hawksbill turtles swimming on the reef, all within the first few minutes of being underwater, I was well and truly hooked.
![Marine biology internships Maldives [Callum] (5) beachside Marine biology internships Maldives [Callum] (5) beachside](https://marinesavers.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Marine-biology-internships-Maldives-Callum-5-beachside-800.jpg)
The Resort beaches are amazing
![Marine biology internships Maldives [Callum] (3) Hawksbill turtle reef Marine biology internships Maldives [Callum] (3) Hawksbill turtle reef](https://marinesavers.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Marine-biology-internships-Maldives-Callum-3-Hawksbill-turtle-reef-800.jpg)
Hawksbill turtle on the reef
![Marine biology internships Maldives [Callum] (4) local islands Marine biology internships Maldives [Callum] (4) local islands](https://marinesavers.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Marine-biology-internships-Maldives-Callum-4-local-islands-800.jpg)
Local island of Bodu Huraa
The following day, I was introduced to my internship duties, which so far, I’ve managed to handle a lot better than I thought I might. One of the most important tasks is the daily monitoring and feeding of Ari, our turtle rehab centre’s resident Olive Ridley patient. She has lost both of her front flippers but has a strong personality and a little bit of an attitude! Ari still manages to swim quite well with her back flippers and is always on target when it comes to feeding time.
Then there is the equally important work in the office, including identifying turtles and dolphins for the scientific databases that are being expanded for a variety of marine species. The coral work is simultaneously one of the most physically demanding and yet exciting tasks that engages the whole team. The work ranges from attaching coral fragments to new frames, to monitoring and photographing the growth of the corals, to relocating at-risk frames to new underwater locations.
![Marine biology internships Maldives [Callum] (1) Spinner dolphins Marine biology internships Maldives [Callum] (1) Spinner dolphins](https://marinesavers.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Marine-biology-internships-Maldives-Callum-1-Spinner-dolphins-1080.jpg)
Playful pod of spinner dolphins following our boat
It is quite a change coming from Cape Town, which has a cold ocean and a highly variable climate (it can be hot one day and freezing the next), to live on a small tropical island where you can walk from one end to the other in barely a few minutes. It is also great to finally dive in warm waters, not having to wear a 7mm wetsuit, and to have the chance to explore the Maldivian coral reefs. Straight away, the diversity and the colours of the fish and marine life completely blew me away. I have already managed to see a few of the animals on my wish-list, including green turtles, eagle rays, whitetip reef sharks and giant moray eels.
Being able to swim regularly amongst sharks and turtles is very special indeed. And the dolphin cruises are always exciting – since my very first encounter with Spinner dolphins, their leaping and aerial acrobatics never fail to exhilarate, all within a few metres of our boat!
![Marine biology internships Maldives [Callum] (8) nurse shark Marine biology internships Maldives [Callum] (8) nurse shark](https://marinesavers.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Marine-biology-internships-Maldives-Callum-8-nurse-shark-1080.jpg)
A nurse shark resting under one of our coral frames
I also feel very lucky to be able to work with such a talented team here at Reefscapers, and even luckier that they are all very kind and genuine people (a rare find these days). Everyone has helped me find my feet and made it easier to slip into the daily work rhythms, although no two days are ever the same. I’m really looking forward to seeing what the next few weeks will bring… maybe I’ll be rewarded with my first ever manta ray? Let’s see!
See you in Chapter #2
Callum 💙
![Marine biology internships Maldives [Callum] (6) marine life Marine biology internships Maldives [Callum] (6) marine life](https://marinesavers.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Marine-biology-internships-Maldives-Callum-6-marine-life-800.jpg)
Our coral frames expand the biodiversity of the reef
![Marine biology internships Maldives [Callum] (2) Spinner dolphins Marine biology internships Maldives [Callum] (2) Spinner dolphins](https://marinesavers.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Marine-biology-internships-Maldives-Callum-2-Spinner-dolphins-800.jpg)
I’m certain they enjoy posing for the camera!
![Marine biology internships Maldives [Callum] (7) reef shark Marine biology internships Maldives [Callum] (7) reef shark](https://marinesavers.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Marine-biology-internships-Maldives-Callum-7-reef-shark-1080.jpg)
The circle of life … a blacktip reef shark hunting for a snack

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here in the Maldives ?
Head over to our Employment page to read about the different ways you can work with us - full time, apprentice or intern.
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