At SORCE, we believe the ocean is not just a place to study – it’s a place to live, protect, and connect with.
Experience the ocean up close
We are a marine research and conservation field school and adventure centre based in Lombok, Indonesia, bringing together scientists, students, divers, and conservationists from around the world. Our mission is simple: to protect and restore tropical marine ecosystems while empowering the next generation of ocean leaders.
By combining rigorous science, hands-on fieldwork, and immersive education, SORCE
creates opportunities for people of all backgrounds to experience the ocean up close, contribute to real-world conservation, and develop skills that last a lifetime.
Whether you join us for an expedition, enrol on our A-Level course, or join one of our short courses and workshops, you become part of an international community working for healthier seas and a brighter future.
What We Do
As an environmental charity and research organisation, SORCE has four main roles. These come together to make us a positive force in the community where we are based and in the worldwide drive to protect coral reefs and ocean habits.
Our four pillars of action
- Marine Research – conducting long-term studies of coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves, and megafauna using cutting-edge scientific methods.
- Conservation Projects – restoring habitats, working with local communities, and creating solutions that balance people and planet.
- Education & Training – from high school students to PhD researchers, we provide pathways to learn, explore, and develop professional skills.
- Public Engagement – through workshops, outreach, and partnerships, we share knowledge and inspire ocean conservation.
Mission, Vision & Values
At SORCE our mission is to protect and restore marine environments through scientific action, field research, and global education. We foster understanding and inspire change for a sustainable future.
Our vision is to restore marine ecosystems to robust health and productivity that can be maintained and improved for generations to come, using sustainable, community-backed methods.
SORCE core values
- Conservation First – Conservation is only sustainable when local communities are at the heart of the process.
- Accessibility – marine science should not be a privilege; we open doors for students and aspiring researchers worldwide.
- Adventure & Discovery – learning is best when it’s exciting, challenging, and connected to the natural world.
- Honesty – Transparency and accountability underpin all our work.
- Inspiration – We motivate and empower people, communities, business and government to act for the ocean.
- Relevance – Our actions are grounded in scientific research and academic knowledge – every dive, survey, and dataset contributes to meaningful conservation outcomes.
- Responsibility – We act with integrity, respecting the environment and the local communities which host.
Where We Are
Lombok is situated within the Coral Triangle and the Wallacea biodiversity hotspot – regions of exceptional marine diversity and widely recognised as a global conservation priority.
The Sekotong Peninsula, where we are based, is home to the Secret Gilis, 13 relatively untouched islands with abundant marine life, making it ideal for research and conservation.
This region has been designated as the Gita Nada Marine Park and is rich in biodiversity – home to everything from tiny pygmy seahorses that live among sea fans, to passing sharks, and the rare, majestic, white-spotted eagle rays.
While the park is officially protected, offering many pristine reef areas, enforcement is limited, and the area faces threats from unsustainable fishing practices, climate change, and unregulated tourism. Historic dynamite fishing and coral bleaching have also left parts of the ecosystem in need of restoration.
Why Indonesia?
To create meaningful impact, we focus where the need is greatest. Indonesia is the world’s largest island nation, made up of more than 17,000 islands. Its coral reefs cover 5.1 million hectares and make up 18% of the world’s total. It is home to extraordinary marine biodiversity and extensive coastal ecosystems, including:
- beaches
- mangroves
- coral reefs
- seagrass beds.
Coral Triangle
Indonesia lies within the Coral Triangle – one of the most biodiverse marine regions on Earth. It has the Coral Triangle contains more than 600 reef-building coral species, out of 845 species worldwide. In eastern Indonesia alone, there are more than 1,650 reef fish species. This region:
- supports over 100 million people
- is worth more than US$3 billion annually in marine resources
- contains three biodiversity hotspots
- has 76% of the world’s coral species.
Field School & Adventure Centre
Our Field School and Adventure Centre is set right on the beach on Lombok’s south-western spit, in a relatively undiscovered area known as the Secret Gilis. These islands remain largely unspoiled, meaning that when we conduct research and conservation activities, it’s rare to encounter other dive boats or tourists on the reefs. This beautiful environment offers an unparalleled setting for fieldwork and exploration.
Guest rooms
You will have your own comfortable room in an eco-conscious, Lombok-style hut. Built using sustainably sourced bamboo and “alang-alang” thatching, the huts are either side of a shady avenue. Rooms have:
- A large single bed
- Electric fan
- Power points
- Shelves and clothes rail
- Bedside table with lamp
- Mosquito netting.
The Den
The heart of the centre is The Den. It’s where we have meals and hang out in the evenings. It’s also the place for dive briefings, practical training sessions, and evening entertainment, such as movie nights, games nights, and more.
There are bean bags, books, games, yoga mats and sports equipment – and even a darts board.
Learning spaces
Next to The Den, our bamboo classroom provides a dedicated space for lectures, workshops, and course materials, combining sustainable design with functionality. With educational posters lining the walls and science shelves filled with books, papers, and ID guides, there is always something to learn.
At the back of the site we have our conservation work shed, where many of our artificial reef structures are made.
The dive store
Our dive store houses all our scuba gear and project equipment and is where you will kit up each day.
It is near the beach in easy reach of our dive boats, and allows you to get straight into the water for shore dives on two of our House Reef nurseries. Like the rest of our centre, the store is constructed from locally sourced, sustainable materials.
Rest & relaxation
For relaxation, we have a hammock area beside the beach and a fire pit for evening gatherings. Wooden benches and bamboo “barugas” offer beach seating, while our hangout platform is perfect to pull up a beanbag or do ocean-view yoga.
From volleyball net and basketball court to table tennis and badminton set, we have a broad range of sporting options. Or head to our recycled gym and get a pump with our home-made equipment.
Kitchens, showers & loos
Behind The Den you’ll find our kitchen where our wonderful catering team prepares all meals.
There are also Sunday Funday Pizza Nights when meals are prepared out in front of the Den in our own turtle-inspired Pizza Oven.
Unlike many centres we have a modern, dedicated toilet and shower block for our guests.
This has individual shower cubicles and separate washing and toilet facilities. All kept clean to immaculate standards.