Marine
Volunteering Project

1 WEEK FROM R13 448 PP SHARING*

Work alongside an international team of qualified Marine Biologists. As a Marine Volunteer you will have the opportunity to:

work hands-on on the research boats and learn more about conservation and marine wildlife;
see the Marine Big Five (Great White shark, Bottlenose dolphin, Southern Right whale, Cape fur seal and African penguin);
visit and contribute to the rehabilitation of endangered African penguins;
have a shark cage diving experience.

ENQUIRE NOW

An Adventure of a Lifetime

2024 Rates

R13 448 pp/pn sharing

Where does your money go?

There are many costs associated with running a Marine Conservation Programme and conserving a wildlife area. From maintaining boats and vehicles to conducting wildlife rescues and research, you can rest assured the funds you pay will be used to make a difference and assist with conserving our marine species.

Additionally, the fees help to cover the costs incurred with having you at the centre; food, electricity for lights / Wi-Fi and water for you to drink and shower.

ENQUIRE NOW

Details

Includes:

Accommodation (including bedding);
Prepared breakfast (no surcharge for special dietary requirements);
Lunch ingredients;
Organisation of transfers.

Excludes:

Cost of transfers;
All alcoholic beverages;
Any excursions (dinner out, trips to the spa, tour of Cape Agulhas, etc.);
Travel insurance and visas.

Payment policy

A 50% deposit is required on booking. The remaining 50% balance must be paid 4 weeks prior to arrival.

18 years and older. Applicants younger than 18 years of age will require consent to participate from a parent or guardian.

All participants are required to sign an indemnity form on arrival at the project.

Age & Indemnity

Participation in this volunteer project is limited to a minimum of 1 week. The longer your stay, the higher your chance of having the full experience as the weather is unpredictable and can hamper sea-based activities.

Minimum Duration

Vaccinations

No vaccinations are required to participate in this project. It is advisable to have sea sickness medication for rougher sea days.

Working in a sea environment can be unpredictable which means there isn’t a typical day or routine. Everything depends on the weather conditions.

A unique aspect of this programme is that you are able to experience all aspects and, if you have a preference for a specific activity, the team can adjust your schedule to arrange that.

The day begins around 7:00am, when make your way to the main house for breakfast. Afterwards you could start your day with a shift at the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary. You will learn more about the conservation of penguins and have an opportunity for hands-on experience. Staff members guide you on how you can assist -typically starting with cleaning the enclosures and blankets, preparing fish, etc. Your level of frequency visiting the Sanctuary determines when you are able to assist in the process of feeding rehabilitated penguins and seabirds.

After lunch (and weather permitting) you will join a boat trip. If there is sufficient space, you will have the choice of which boat trip to join - whale or shark. Each boat trip heads out with a specific objective to monitor wildlife, conduct 'game counts' or seasonally offer tourists cage diving experiences. You will assist with capturing data as well as assisting the boat skippers with taking caring of guests.

From time to time, Volunteers will assist with beach clean-up days, wildlife rescues and releases.

ENQUIRE NOW

A typical day doesn't exist...

Four cottages accommodate up to 6 people per cottage. Depending on availability, you may share accommodation with a same sex volunteer. Each cottage has a bathroom, kitchenette and living area as well as daily living essentials.

The main building has a beautiful kitchen, equipped with induction plates, a microwave and oven for cooking and a fully functional recycling system in place.

There is a cosy living room with a TV screen, pool table, and foosball table plus 2 bathrooms. There is a fitness room combined with a lecture area. During hot summer days you can cool down in and around the pool.

Breakfasts are prepared for you. Lunch ingredients are provided and are prepared by you on a "help yourself" basis. In the evenings volunteers cook together in the main building. You will have opportunities to go to town to do shopping.

Once a week there is a braai (barbecue) night with the whole team and on the weekends some go out to the pub close-by.

ENQUIRE NOW

Comfortable Cottages

Two hours' drive south of Cape Town, you'll find Gansbaai – known as the home of the Great White Shark. Situated between the towns of Hermanus and Pearly Beach, Gansbaai lies in Walker Bay at the foot of the Dynefontein Mountains with a magnificent coastline rich in fynbos vegetation.

Dyer Island, located just off Gansbaai, is the breeding ground of the African penguin, cormorants and other sea birds and a second island in the vicinity of the village is Geyser Island, home to some 60 000 Cape fur seals. It is the passage between these islands that, for obvious reasons, attracts Great White Sharks and has become known as ‘shark alley’.

The waters around Gansbaai have become a feeding ground for endangered species. Fortunately, the area around Dyer Island has been declared a nature reserve and only boats with permits granted by the Department of Nature Conservation may enter the vicinity.

Two Hours from Cape Town

ENQUIRE NOW

Getting There

Transfers can be arranged from anywhere in Cape Town including the Cape Town International Airport.

Alternatively, you are able to self-drive and park your vehicle at the International Marine Volunteer Centre.

Why We Love This Project

Established Facility

The Marine Volunteer Project is part of a larger entity which has been operating in the area for over fifteen years, utilising ecotourism to further marine research and conservation goals.

The Team

Work alongside a friendly, experienced and passionate team of Marine Biologists. The team allow for a flexible schedule of activities depending on what you enjoy most.

Adventure!

Shark cage diving to SCUBA diving and everything between! Work hands-on on the research boats, learn more about conservation and marine wildlife and share your knowledge and passion with guests.