Each 6 week expedition starts with a week of orientation and dive training in Rarotonga. For those that are already certified divers a day of bush walks and snorkelling is planned, along with 4 ocean dives. Volunteers will have a first aid refresher and learn basic boat safety as well as get the opportunity to experience some of the sights and sounds of the island before embarking for Aitutaki.

Upon arrival in Aitutaki the team is welcomed and transported by boat to Akaiami Island where everyone is assigned bunks and orientated to the island that will become home. A duty roster is drawn up with everyone taking turns at cooking duty, cleaning and other camp tasks. Sunday is a day off to enjoy some time on the lagoon and relax.

The second week is intensive survey training, ensuring everyone is using the same methods, identifying organisms correctly and conducting practice surveys. In the evenings there is swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding and what ever other activities the group dreams up.

Every Saturday is BBQ night, and Sundays are free time. Occasionally the group will be taken back to the main island of Aitutaki to experience the church, pick up supplies and have a day away from Akaiami.

Weeks 3 to 6 are spent conducting the surveys, entering data and producing the draft report. The routines established in week two will be carried on throughout the expedition.

At the end of week six we finish with a social BBQ inviting local partners and supporters of the project to join us. On Sunday participants fly back to Rarotonga where the expedition officially ends. People either leave to return home, continue their journey, or stay in the Cook Islands a little longer.