2027 Dates
2 weeks: 1 week terrestrial & 1 week marine – 27 June – 10 July
2 weeks: 1 week terrestrial & 1 week marine – 04 July – 17 July
2 weeks: 1 week terrestrial & 1 week marine – 11 July – 24 July
3 weeks: 2 weeks terrestrial & 1 week marine – 27 June – 17 July
3 weeks: 2 weeks terrestrial & 1 week marine – 04 July – 24 July
5 weeks: 1 week terrestrial & 4 weeks marine – 27 June – 31 July
5 weeks: 2 weeks terrestrial & 3 weeks marine – 27 June – 31 July
For those booking onto the 5 week courses beginning on 27 June, please email expeditions@opwall.com to indicate if you would like to do 1 or 2 weeks terrestrial.
North Buton Forest biodiversity experience
The North Buton Nature Reserve (82,000 ha) is a vast area of lowland Wallacean rainforest. The region supports an array of different habitats that remain poorly surveyed by ecologists. Importantly, it is also a stronghold for the endangered Anoa; the worlds smallest wild cattle species. Volunteers will be taught jungle survival skills, ecological survey techniques and navigational skills. Our on-site lecture series also provides detailed information on Wallacean species and local conservation challenges. Volunteers will then assist our expert team in continuing to document the regions’ rich biodiversity. Particular attention will be given to records of endangered Sulawesi endemics, such as the Anoa and the two endemic hornbill species – all important conservation flagships for Buton. There remains a high likelihood that significant range extensions and new species records for Buton Island could be made given the impressive endemism and local diversity seen on Buton. Survey techniques include the use of camera traps, distance and patch occupancy estimates for large mammal species, mist netting for bats, Pollard counts for butterflies, pitfall trapping and night searches for herps and point counts for birds.
Marine part of the expedition
The Hoga Island marine centre is located in the heart of the Wakatobi Marine National Park, widely recognised as a global hotspot of marine biodiversity. It hosts the largest number of marine biologists of all our sites, meaning you have the opportunity to learn a greater range of marine survey techniques. In your first week, you have the opportunity of completing a PADI Open Water dive training course. If already dive trained or snorkelling, you will complete the Indo-Pacific reef ecology course with practicals.
For the second week those who have completed their dive training then do the Indo-Pacific reef ecology course, with two dive based practicals each day. Upon completion of this course you will then move onto learning specific marine biodiversity survey techniques including stereo-video surveys of reef fish, video surveys of benthic transects, 3D mapping of coral reefs, coral regeneration, invertebrate belt transects, photogrammetry for 3D mapping, seagrass surveys, marine plastics surveys, and have a chance to get involved in many other science projects.
The Coral Triangle is a marine region that spans Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, the Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste. This region is recognised for having the highest diversity of marine species anywhere on the planet. At the very heart of the coral triangle, at the epicentre of biodiversity, lies the Wakatobi Marine National Park, the location of Opwall’s marine research base in Indonesia. The Hoga Island Marine Station has been the centre for Opwall’s Indonesian marine research programme for nearly 30 years. During this time, teams of international and Indonesian scientists have worked at this site during the Opwall survey seasons and as a result have produced more than 200 peer-reviewed papers. The research outcomes and discoveries from these studies have had local, national and international significance.
For the last 15 years, Opwall has also been running an extensive monitoring programme around Hoga and eastern Kaledupa for macroinvertebrates, fish communities, coral cover and community structure. In 2027 the long-term monitoring programme will continue, however there will a new research focus introduced. Like many coral reefs globally, the Wakatobi has experienced recent changes in benthic community structure and a reduction in the size and abundance of many reef fish species. Our ultimate goal is to develop an ecosystem model to represent the current dynamics of the marine ecosystems in the Wakatobi to help support future management decisions. To support this goal, work in the regions will focus on understanding the consequences of these changes in benthic community structure to the productivity of coral reefs in the Wakatobi and the resources these reefs provide to local communities. In 2026 research projects will focus on describing the extent of shifts from coral dominated states to reefs dominated by other groups including sponges, ascidians and soft corals, and the potential of deep reefs to provide refugia for sharks, rays and other predatory fish.
Building on nearly three decades of research at the heart of the Coral Triangle, reef conservation efforts at Hoga Island now include active restoration work to support long-term reef resilience. Since 2019, the Mars Assisted Reef Restoration System (MARRS) has been implemented at selected sites, using steel “reef stars” to stabilise rubble and encourage coral growth. Ongoing monitoring has provided valuable insights into how restoration structures influence coral survival, habitat complexity, and overall reef health. In 2026, students will contribute to research examining how these restoration efforts can enhance biodiversity and ecosystem function, complementing the long-term ecological monitoring already in place. These conservation initiatives are vital to protecting the rich marine life of the Wakatobi and ensuring the continued ecological value of one of the most biodiverse marine regions on the planet.
The Wallacea region within the Indonesian archipelago has been isolated from continental land masses for millennia. Deep ocean trenches have prevented land-bridge connections during periods of lowered sea levels. The resulting long periods of isolation have lead to the evolution of high levels of endemism across the Wallacea region such that today it is recognised as a global hotspot for biodiversity.
Throughout the tropical regions of the world, the clearing of rainforests for agriculture and illegal logging practices have led to the degradation of the most biodiverse regions on the Earth. The North Buton Nature Reserve is a critically important protected area for the conservation of biodiversity within the Wallacea region. Despite this, the reserve remains under constant threat from local farming communities seeking to convert rainforest into farmland as well as logging of trees within the reserve for high value commercial timber.
Operation Wallacea’s terrestrial research project in Indonesia seeks to understand the impact of human-induced disturbance upon highly unique and threatened rainforest communities found within the Wallacea region. Biodiversity surveys will be undertaken within primary forest habitats found deep within the North Buton Nature Reserve as well as disturbed forest sites located on the periphery of the reserve and on adjacent farmland. Such research provides important insight into understanding how different rainforest species are impacted by human activity, enabling the identification of endemic species most vulnerable to disturbance and as such a priority for conservation.
Most of our volunteers fundraise for their expedition costs. Find out more.
Climate
In the tropical rainforests of Indonesia is is generally warm during the day (around 25 degrees Celsius), and humid, with up to 80% humidity. At night the temperatures drop lower, but not usually lower than around 15 degrees Celsius. It rains very frequently, and very heavily at times, but for short periods.
At the marine sites during the day, the weather is normally sunny and warm (around 30 degrees Celsius), and the night temperatures drop to around 20-25 degrees Celsius. Being on the coast means there is often a pleasant breeze so it does not always feel this hot. It rains rarely, but when it does it tends to be very heavy for short periods of time.
Fitness level required
High for the forest sites. You will need to hike for long periods, over steep and muddy terrain, at times with your large rucksack. At the marine sites some fitness is required for in water activities, but conditions are relatively easy.
Creature comforts
The North Buton Forest Camp is set up with camp beds and mosquito nets inside large communal tents, and a hammock sleeping area. There is a communal eating area and a forest lecture theatre. The camp has a basic field toilet and shower system, or bathing can also be done in the nearby river (recommended!). There is no phone signal at the forest camp.
In Central Camp all accommodation here is in hammocks with mosquito nets, and there are basic washing facilities built into the river, and trench style toilets. There is a covered eating area and all meals are cooked in camp by local staff. Lectures are also held in camp.
The Hoga Island Marine Station is an established facility that lies within the Wakatobi Marine Park of eastern Indonesia. The station was rebuilt in 2016 and supports a dive centre, lecture theatre, class room spaces, data analysis labs, as well as a large dining room and kitchen facility. Simple huts owned by members of the local fishing community surround the station and serve as guest accommodation. The island supports reliable phone signal that allows limited internet access if you get an Indonesian sim card at the airport when you land in Indonesia.
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