The internship program at Innoceana Tenerife is one of the best ways to participate in marine conservation, research, protection, and restoration projects.

Interns play an integral role of our program. We have hosted dozens of interns over the last six years, and believe that each person brings something valuable to our team.

Throughout this program, you will not only receive training and plenty of hands-on practice in diving and conservation techniques, but you will also play an active role in supporting and inspiring others who join our activities.

Marine Conservation Program Intern and Research Assistant.

• Location: Tenerife, Spain.
• Stipend: Unpaid (School credit, thesis assistance, work experience, and other opportunities are available)
• Dates: February– June / July– November
• Time Frame:  5 months
• Internship Hours: 8 am to 4 pm (Monday to Friday)

This internship is open to applicants from diverse academic backgrounds—whether scientific, technological, or social—who share a deep passion for the ocean. We are looking for motivated individuals eager to contribute to marine conservation, by supporting ongoing projects. What matters most to us is your commitment to protecting the ocean and your willingness to learn, collaborate, and make a difference.

• Hold at least an Open Water Diver certification before or at the start of your internship.
• 18 years old minimum.
• Owning your own dive computer and dive knife.
• Personal dive insurance.
• Display proficient written and verbal skills in English. Spanish is a plus.
• Bring your own laptop for work and data entry.

• Onsite mentorship from professionals in marine biology, engineering, marketing, conservation & diving.
• Weekly meetings with your mentor to assess and provide feedback on project direction.
• Training on safe conservation diving practices and monitoring methods.
• Dive equipment.
• 2 guaranteed aquatic activities per week (such as scuba diving, snorkeling, etc.)
•  Accommodations including kitchen facilities and high speed wifi.
• Basic food (vegetarian)
• 1 Innoceana t-shirt.
• An inspiring and fun working environment of local and international conservationists, volunteers and scientists.
• Letter of recommendation, reference for CV, etc. at the end of the internship.
• Certificate of completion issued by Innoceana at the end of the internship.

• The monthly fee for our internship program is 750 €.
• This cost does not include flights and insurance.

• For the first time this year, we are excited to announce that Innoceana will grant full scholarships to candidates from the Macaronesia region (Canary Islands, Azores, Madeira, Cape Verde) and from our HOPE Project partner countries in Africa, such as Santo Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, and Ghana, covering all internship program fees.

  This scholarship is aimed to support regional candidates who are highly motivated to contribute to ocean conservation but would otherwise face financial difficulties to participate in our internship program.

  Our goal is to ensure equal opportunities for aspiring conservationists in the region, enabling them to gain hands-on experience in marine conservation directly within Macaronesia — and equip them with the skills to continue protecting this vital marine corridor as local stewards of the ocean.

• What is the internship schedule like?

Participants will take part in all the projects that Innoceana conducts in Tenerife, gaining valuable experience in the marine conservation sector.

Interns can expect to be challenged, mentored, and inspired while working with a dynamic team committed to helping them develop their skills and identify their professional focus.

Innoceana provides interns with a structured learning environment and the opportunity to make meaningful contributions to a thriving, world-class non-profit organization.

• What project can I expect to work on?

We highly recommend browsing our website here to familiarize yourself with our ongoing research. Project priorities and needs can shift quickly, so the assigned tasks will largely depend on Innoceana’s current focus and, of course, your specific skills.

Some of the projects you might have the opportunity to participate in include:

• Seagrass restoration
• Citizen science initiatives
• Storytelling 
• Educational workshops
• Turtle Identification
• Underwater cleanups, and more

•  Are we required to stay at Innoceana’s facility?

Interns are required to stay at the facility for logistical reasons. Additionally, the center is located in a highly touristy area where apartment availability is very limited.

• Where the conservation center is located?

The center is located in Piedra Hincada, a 30-minute walk from the nearest coastal town, Playa San Juan.

• What is transportation like around the Marine Center?

Innoceana provides a van for all activities related to our projects. For personal activities, public transportation is readily available.

• How do I pay for my internship?

You will be required to pay the first month in advance in order to reserve your space in the team. For the second, you will be able to pay once you are here. 

• Can I change the program dates or fees?

The program dates are fixed and can only vary by a maximum of two weeks, depending on availability. Additionally, the program fees are fixed and cannot be modified. We kindly ask applicants to take this into consideration, as we will not be able to respond to inquiries about date changes outside this two-week flexibility or requests for fee adjustments.