TRACC borneo - tracc-borneo.org

I have been back for a total of three weeks and the buzz and memories from being on the small island of Pom Pom has yet to fade. It was the most amazing experience of my life and one that I would love to make an annual occurrence. As the lifestyle and experiences gained out there were truly magnificent, from saying goodbye to internet, tv, stairs, cars and real life on the island to swimming with some of the most amazing creatures in the sea.. Green sea turtles and Hawksbill its truly magical.

I went to Pom Pom for four weeks and it was in no way long enough, I could have easily stayed for double the length of time and if money was no issue... indefinitely.

I went as a snorkeler but you could visit Pom Pom as a diver also, with amazing dive sites around the island and other dive sites and islands in the surrounding area with so much to see. From the ever-growing biodiversity that TRACC is working so hard to bring back after unsustainable and illegal fishing methods previously devastated the vast coral reefs and fish, sharks and mammals in the surrounding area. The organisation not only offers a brilliant experience for volunteers but also providing a future for the ocean and its inhabitants.

Although the conditions are not ideal for everyone, I believe that any keen conservationists or students looking for a future in marine biology, ecology or conservation would look past the camping style accommodation and enjoy their trip for the amazing work they would be doing and the wonders they would see in the waters. But the accommodation is always improving and the TRACC organisation would love to provide more suitable living arrangements for volunteers of all ages and traveling abilities.

This was my first ever solo travel/stay abroad and I was a little shocked at first at the toilet, shower and washing facilities but 3 days in I just didn't care. You had what you needed.... running water to shower in, a western toilet to sit on, a tent to call your own with a working fan and food available whenever you wanted it. Albeit a little samey and lacking of vegetarian options but you would never starve. With weekly trips to the mainland for shopping and drinking water, additions could be made to the regular shopping list and if there was enough space on the boat a trip to Semporna could usually be arranged.

And if you wanted to spend a night or two in a hotel or a room with a proper bed, there are cheap alternatives to your tent if a little bit of civilisation is craved in Semporna.

I would say a good mosquito repellent, an open mind and the love for the ocean is definitely required with all volunteers. If you have that you will love every second! It opened my eyes to the big wild sea and living without home comforts and I love it! Already plan to return next year and carry out my PADI open and advanced water and I can't wait!

This was a great volunteer experience during our gap year travels. We had a great time visiting TRACC borneo – we were lucky enough to visit both the Kudat project and the Pom Pom Island Project so we saw the best of both locations. The weather was pefect in Kudat and we dove and planted reefs in the proposed location of the Tun Mustapha park. Pom Pom Island is just superb and while we were there the camp was being rebuilt. White sand, turtles, clear water and amazing diving. The artificial reefs that TRACC has built have made a huge difference to fish numbers and diversity. We dove lobster wall where there are no TRACC reefs and there is nothing but rubble shallower than 20m. In comparison the TRACC house reef has fantastic fish life. What a great experience – working and diving with keen passionate people on one of the most beautiful islands. How do we give this 10 stars out of 5? Seriously recommended if you care about the ocean, coral reefs or turtles. There were things that weren't perfect but TRACC had just moved. Dino and the team were building every day so the camp facilities will definitely be better now than then.

Taking the A-level Marine Science course with TRACC is one of the most rewarding experience I ever get in my academic life history. Learning the right thing at the right place and the right time is crucial to make learning more fun and memorable. TRACC is definitely the right place to learn marine science because being able to see the real things after what we have learn from the book make this course much more easy to understandable as the practical field (sea) is just within 5 min walking distance from where I sleep. For example, observing the different moon phase and tide level changes allow me to remember the factors controlling the tide level.

Friendly staff member that involved in teaching the course is another reason why I love learning this course in TRACC. Since everyone is staying together in a camp, they are available most of the time to answer my doubt and question regarding the course when I am doing my revision.

Learning from a marine conservation organisation makes me appreciate what I had learned and the effort TRACC try to put in.

Overall, I highly recommend TRACC to any people who interested in doing an A-level marine science, as the age and academic background is not a limit in doing so.

Taking the A-level Marine Science course with TRACC is one of the most rewarding experience I ever get in my academic life history. Learning the right thing at the right place and the right time is crucial to make learning more fun and memorable. TRACC is definitely the right place to learn marine science because being able to see the real things after what we have learn from the book make this course much more easy to understandable as the practical field (sea) is just within 5 min walking distance from where I sleep. For example, observing the different moon phase and tide level changes allow me to remember the factors controlling the tide level.

Friendly staff member that involved in teaching the course is another reason why I love learning this course in TRACC. Since everyone is staying together in a camp, they are available most of the time to answer my doubt and question regarding the course when I am doing my revision.

Learning from a marine conservation organisation makes me appreciate what I had learned and the effort TRACC try to put in.

Overall, I highly recommend TRACC to any people who interested in doing an A-level marine science, as the age and academic background is not a limit in doing so.

If I died and go to heaven, this is what I want it to be like. Tropical Research and Conservation centre (TRACC Borneo) project is a great Gap Year experience, Pom Pom Island is offshore from Semporna in Sabah at the North of Borneo. The famous island of Sipadan i only 70km away and Pom Pom is just what you dream of for a romantic or getaway holiday . It is a white sand beautiful offshore island with blue blue sea and lots of turtles and colourfull fishes. I saw barracuda, bumphead parrotfish and lots of Nemo.

The instructors taught me to dive and I had lots of fun doing it.

Recommended for anyone who wants to go underwater. Especially if you are into conservation. Thats what TRACC does - we planted lots of reef. Great fun.

Accommodation is in tents -comfortable rainproof tents with a real bed, a fan and electricity.

I stayed for 6 weeks which was great but not enough. The staff were teaching the marine science A level course when I was there and I would like to go back and do that. A real A level the same as at school except on a fantastic beach.

If I died and go to heaven, this is what I want it to be like.

All the elements you would expect without the cost. The sea was blue and warm, the beach was white sand, the sunsets awesome, coral reefs just offshore and the company fantastic. I had a great time at tracc, I learnt a lot and i helped to replant coral reefs. creating Igloo reefs was the most fun, a real challenge to move and assemble them underwater.

I seriously recommend this to anyone who wants to get underwater, I learnt to dive with TRACC and they had excellent instructors.

This is diving without the cost, help with a marine science conservation project for a lot less than it costs at any resort. I learnt to dive, planted coral, counted corals and cuttlefish and learnt a lot about marine science. The accommodation was not shared in comfortable tents, with fans and electricity. Good camp beds which gave space underneath to store stuff.

The other project for advanced divers is on awesome pom pom island off Semporna where resorts cost many $$$. I plan to travel back via Malaysia so I can visit TRACC again. See you then :-)

From Jan to April you need a wetsuit. pretty well everything else is provided