Tropical Research And Conservation Centre TRACC, Malaysia

Great diving and new friends

TRACC is not like anywhere else I have dived. This is a conservation centre run for the environment not run to please tourists. Don't come here if you expect 5 star service. Do come here for some great diving, interesting experiences and to meet lots of new friends. Accomodation was in tents but they were comfortable with electricity and fans. Food was plentiful and varied. The dive experiences were fantastic - We planted corals, made reefs, surveyed for fish and had some fun exploration dives.

Getting marine life back on TRACC

I'm 35, I live in London and travel quite a lot with work. I didn't take a gap year and have never travelled alone before. So it was with some anxiety that I decided to book up this four week trip to TRACC. I love and care about nature and all animal life, so I knew that I'd be going to a place which would attract like minded people, people who care and are compassionate. That's what separated this adventure with one of hosteling around the world to various cities, a common ground before you've even arrived. After 34 hours of travelling I was met in Semporna and taken to a small boat for the last hour of my journey. The boat to Pom Pom Island. As the island came into view I knew I had made the right decision to go. Every hour of my journey was worth every minute on this island. I had the best four weeks I think I've ever had. Importantly it's about conservation. I had never even worn fins before (I wasn't allowed to call them flippers) so diving to me was brand new. In 30 days I totalled 35 dives, this was down to excellent instruction and a get-on-with-it attitude from Steve, TRACC's Director and founder. Such a refreshing attitude because once you can dive you can start to make a real difference in the regeneration of marine life around the island. I was doing fish surveys, planting and collecting corals, marking out mooring sites and much more. I've seen and swam with creatures that I've only ever seen on the wonderful Attenborough programmes. I just can't stress enough how wonderful the whole experience was. The best decision I have made, that's for sure. It is important to go to TRACC for the right reasons. Marine conservation is that reason. If you don't want to help and just want a sunbathing holiday then it's not the place for you. If you'd like to make a difference and throw yourself at the challenges of the island then you'll have the best time ever. Maybe I was lucky with the particular group of volunteers and staff we had there at the time...? I certainly felt lucky, but I think you'd have to try incredibly hard to NOT have a good time on this project. Steve's passion is evident and infectious. The diving leadership and instruction was superb. The food was great (and cooked for you!). The social side was brilliant. I learned so much about so many things and have a real drive to now continue that. Are there any bad parts you may wonder? Well the flies were a bit annoying occasionally. That's it. Will I be making a return to TRACC on Pom Pom Island again? ..... Without a shadow of a doubt!