Marine Volunteer Program
Highlights
- Gain hands-on experience in marine data collection on boats to deepen your understanding of the ocean.
- Explore the Marine Big 5 and get close to sharks like bronze whalers, broadnose, sevengill, and great whites.
- Join the team, assist on marine vessels, and benefit from talks by marine biologists.
- Participate in beach cleanups, snorkeling, and environmental education.
- Contribute to conservation with initiatives like shark egg collection, fishing line bins, and supporting the African Penguin Sanctuary.
Overview
Welcome to everyone who loves the sea! Our goal is to motivate volunteers to have a positive impact on the world. We do this by offering them life-changing chances and experiences. We also want to spread awareness that activities like eco-tourism, conservation, community work, research, and education can all work together in a way that benefits everyone and the environment.
- ● Monday transfer from Cape Town City centre at the beginning of your programme
- ● Monday transfer to airport/back to City centre at the end of your programme (make sure to book flight after 9PM, if on the Monday)
- ● Accommodation at International Marine Volunteer Centre
- ● Trips aboard commercial operations as an Assistant Biologist – option to go in the cage if time and space permits
- ● Bedding, Bed linen washed weekly
- ● All trips on vessels
- ● Training, presentations and conservation activities
- ● Two T-shirts and cap/beanie
- ● Flight tickets
- ● Medical and travel insurance
- ● Excess baggage
- ● Lodging in Cape Town
- ● Transfer from airport to Cape Town
- ● Private transfers
- ● Towels
- ● Personal laundry costs
- ● Food –Breakfast & Lunch ingredients will be supplied for self-help; Dinners will be on your own cost
- ● Personal and social/entertainment costs, including when on no-sea day excursions (entrance fees, food & beverage costs)
Important Information
Marine Dynamics Academy is in Gansbaai, South Africa, and is part of the award-winning Marine Dynamics group. We use ecotourism to support marine research and conservation. Our main goal is to give people who love the ocean a chance to be a part of it, learning skills and gaining experiences for their careers and life goals.
We have different programs based on feedback from our alumni, academic partners, and commercial collaborators. No matter who you are or where you're from, our goal is to help you turn your passion for the marine environment into practical skills and knowledge.
Our programs are designed to be inclusive, ensuring everyone can benefit. Marine Dynamics Tours and Dyer Island Cruises, our sister company, lead in responsible shark cage diving and whale watching. Certified by Fair Trade Tourism since 2008, we're known worldwide for sustainable tourism, winning awards for Responsible Tourism and the best marine experience. We educate 35,000 visitors each year, helping change misconceptions about the white shark.