Marine Conservation with Whales, Sharks and Penguins in South Africa
Highlights
- Assist the onboard marine biologist in collecting data on Southern Right and Humpback whales during their annual migration from June to December,
- Assist in the rehabilitation of injured, oiled, and sick African Penguins
- Participate in data collection and research on various shark species both on the boat and during cage diving.
- Engage in lectures covering a range of topics
- The area offers plenty of fun activities for days off including visits to a wild cat sanctuary, shopping, wine farms, beach horse rides, beer tasting, and hiking.
Overview
This comprehensive Marine Conservation project offers ocean enthusiasts the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in whale, shark, penguin and other marine species research and monitoring. Participants will also engage in community education, tackle environmental challenges, and explore ecology and ecotourism. Guided by a skilled team of experts, including marine biologists, volunteers will work both on land and at sea to make a meaningful impact.
You will need to arrive in Cape Town on a Sunday, where we will put you up at a local hostel for the night before an early morning start to the project base further up the coast. Your departure from the project will be on Mondays.
- 2 meals a day (breakfast and lunch) while on the project base or boat, shared accommodation, arrival Sunday overnight stay at a designated hostel in Cape Town, Cape Town International airport collection and drop-off, branded clothing, donation to the project, pre-departure support, in-country staff, 24- emergency help and more. Volunteers that stay 4 weeks and longer also have an artificial penguin nest sponsored on their behalf.
- Flights, visas, travel insurance, dinner while on the project, meals while in Cape Town and spending money
Important Information
This dynamic Marine Big 5 Conservation project offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in marine conservation, both on land and at sea. You'll engage in ecotourism, research, and community development activities, with tasks varying based on the time of year and whale migration season.
The Marine Big 5:
- Shark – Great White, Bronze Whaler, Blue, Seven Gill, and Mako
- Whale – Southern Right, Humpback, and Bryde’s
- Penguin – African Penguin
- Seal – Cape Fur Seal
- Dolphin – Bottlenose, Common, and Humpback
Additionally, you may encounter Skates, Rays, and even the remarkable Sun Fish (Mola Mola).
Your volunteer duties may include:
- Assisting guests and providing operational support on whale watching (seasonal) and shark cage diving boats
- Cleaning, preparing fish, and helping during feeding times at the penguin rehabilitation facility
- Assembling, cleaning, and monitoring fishing line bins
- Collecting shark eggs
- Capturing data on boats, focusing on various shark and ray species, and documenting whale species during migration season, alongside other research activities. Notably, this project is the only one in the area where a marine biologist is authorized to tag Great White sharks.
- Providing environmental education to local students
- Participating in community educational shows
- Conducting beach clean-ups and collecting data afterward
- Attending lectures on shark biology and research, African Penguins, marine mammal species, rocky shores ecology, boat safety, and more. To attend all lectures, a full 4-week stay is recommended.
A Typical Day:
Please note that the daily schedule can vary depending on the season and weather conditions. If the weather isn't suitable for boating, there are still plenty of activities and duties to keep you engaged.
- 5:00 am to 8:00 am – Start your day by waking up, getting washed, and enjoying breakfast. Since you'll be interacting with the public, it's important to present yourself well. Afterward, head to the meeting point for the boat trips, which typically run 2 to 3 times a day.
- 8:00 am to 12:00 pm – Assist with boat preparation and logistics. Welcome guests and help them with their life jackets. Once on board, support guests as needed, assist the marine biologists with data entry, photography, or environmental monitoring, and take the opportunity to learn from these highly qualified professionals. If circumstances allow—which they often do—you might even get to enjoy a shark cage dive. Alternatively, you may be assisting on a whale watching or eco boat tour, helping with guest needs and data collection.
- 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm – Break for lunch.
- 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm – Participate in presentations on marine species, boat safety, conservation work, and more. This is also when other conservation activities are scheduled.
- 4:30 pm – Return to the volunteer accommodation to prepare for dinner. You might enjoy a traditional South African braai, a pizza night in, or, if you have the energy after an early start, head out to a local restaurant—there are plenty of great seafood options near the sea.
Additionally, two volunteers are assigned each morning and afternoon to assist with penguin feeding times at 8:00 am and 3:00 pm.
Volunteer Accommodation
Volunteers are housed at the volunteer center. There is a newly built lodge with twin-shared bedrooms. The lodge features kitchenettes, lounges with smart TVs (for those with Netflix or other streaming accounts), and shared bathrooms.
There is a central kitchen in the main house where dinners are prepared. The main house includes a lecture room, workspace, and a garden with a pool and a braai (South African BBQ). For recreation, there’s an activity hall equipped with cardio machines, weights, and table tennis, as well as a pool table, foosball, and a selection of board games. Wi-Fi and satellite TV are available throughout the property. There is a fire pit where volunteers can relax on summer evenings or cozy up on winter nights.
Food
The main house features a fully equipped communal kitchen, in addition to the kitchenettes in the lodge. Breakfast is a self-served affair, with eggs, bacon or vegetarian sausages, cereal, bread, milk, coffee, and tea provided. Lunch is typically served on the boat—cheese and tomato rolls, fruit, and crisps. On days when the sea conditions aren't favorable, the same lunch is available onshore, though many volunteers choose to cook for themselves or dine out. Dinner is self-catered (so be sure to budget accordingly). Some volunteers enjoy cooking together, while others prefer to prepare their meals individually. Dining out is also an option, with plenty of local restaurants.