from 2,350€

Excellent 4.8rating (7)

Dolphin behavior and conservation

location
2 - 2 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Excellent 4.8  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Highlights

  • Giant and remote Rangiroa Atoll is one of the most famous diving destination worldwide.
  • Our fieldwork aims at collecting demographic and behavioral data on a small dolphin community.
  • Our long-term research program focuses on each of the dolphins’ history and personality, and issues related to their conservation.
  • Understand more to care more is an essential axis of our volunteer program.
  • The Tuamotu islands are a perfect location to enjoy the kindness of Polynesian people.

Especially suitable

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Families
Groups

About the program

We look for certified scuba divers to help collecting demographic and behavioral data on a small bottlenose dolphin community impacted by wildlife tourism.

THE TUAMOTU ARCHIPELAGO

The Tuamotu Archipelago - population of 15,000 people -, an area highly threatened by climate change, contains 78 atolls spread across an 800,000-square-kilometer ocean surface. It has 800 square kilometers of land for 20,000 square kilometers of lagoon - 0.1% and 2% of its ...

About the program

THE TUAMOTU ARCHIPELAGO

The Tuamotu Archipelago - population of 15,000 people -, an area highly threatened by climate change, contains 78 atolls spread across an 800,000-square-kilometer ocean surface. It has 800 square kilometers of land for 20,000 square kilometers of lagoon - 0.1% and 2% of its maritime area respectively -, demonstrating how fragile this oasis of aquatic biodiversity is. The Tuamotu atolls are characterized by their height, shape, exposure to the ocean, population, and the activities performed there. There are small, closed lagoons, both hypersaline and brackish, and large lagoons open to the ocean like Fakarava, which features the largest pass in French Polynesia at 1,600 meters, and even a raised coral atoll, Makatea. Coral growth, which allows these small island reefs of only a few meters in altitude to exist, is directly affected by the slow and irreversible acidification of the oceans - a 30% increase over two and a half centuries. Here, as anywhere else, ecosystems are defenseless against commercial, demographic, and climate pressures.

RANGIROA ATOLL

Yet 350 kilometers from Tahiti in the northwest Tuamotu Islands, the giant atoll of Rangiroa - 'Great Sky' in Paumotu -, a true oasis of life in the heart of the tropical Pacific, stretches its 170 kilometers of coral reefs, sands, and coconut trees around a 1,600-square-kilometer area with waters so fish-laden that it has become one of the world's top diving destinations. The atoll's impressive size - 80 kilometers long by 20 kilometers wide on average - and its two large passes, Avatoru and Tiputa, make it home to marine wildlife as exceptional as it is impressive.

THE COMMON BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN

The common bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, is distributed throughout French Polynesia. However, the species is more easily and regularly observed in Rangiroa Atoll than in other Polynesian islands. Here, adults can reach up to 3.3 meters and weigh up to 450 kilos. They are commonly identified by their stocky and grayish body prolongated by a thick rostrum. The line of their mouth, curved upwards, gives them a smiling appearance. Nevertheless, this morphological feature does not reflect the overall species’ behaviors as these dolphins have an extremely complex social life and may display affiliative behaviors such as play and petting behaviors as well as agonistic behaviors - e.g. intimidation, aggression. The numerous scars and notches visible on the adult males’ bodies perfectly illustrate these animals’ strength.

OUR GOALS

For many years, scuba divers have been illegally encouraging physical interactions with Tiputa bottlenose dolphins, especially with young individuals. Some of these dolphins are now extremely familiar with humans, making them particularly vulnerable to anthropogenic activities. Indeed, overconfident animals may easily be injured or even destroyed if they display intrusive or aggressive behavior toward humans.

1. Through our long-term demographic and social monitoring of the Tiputa dolphin community, we aim at spotting any deleterious impact of human activities on the dolphins.

2. Through our long-term ethological monitoring, we want to describe and better understand the impacts of tourism on the dolphins’ behaviors and identify the risks associated with close interactions between dolphins and divers.

3. Through our education program, we want to share our results and recommendations with the general public to help developing sustainable and ethical tourist activities, and to improve our relationship with wildlife.

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE VOLUNTEER?

First, the volunteers will discover the dolphins' habitat and our dolphin monitoring program. Then, they will be trained to identify the dolphins individually, to spot basic affiliative and agonistic behaviors, and to help collecting underwater and land-based photo and video data. They will be asked not to attract or otherwise disturb the animals and other marine wildlife but to adopt a passive attitude underwater. After the dives and land-based sightings, the volunteers will enter the data collected into our databases.

Our 14-day missions need certified scuba divers with a minimum level 1 or Open Water training course and an experience of at least 15-20 dives at sea. They will show their credential and logbook before starting the dives. Divers must be in good physical condition and demonstrate good team spirit. They should not be too sensitive to seasickness.

In order to enjoy the lagoon during free time, we advise every participant to bring his / her own fins, mask and snorkel.

WHAT ARE THE VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES?

1. Underwater sightings

All the dives will be supervised by professional diving instructors. Before each dive, a briefing will focus on the dive spot, safety procedures, and marine life. The dive spot is located at about 5 minutes by boat from the dive center. The volunteers must remain with their instructor throughout the dive which will generally last between 45 and 70 minutes. The divers will be asked to take video footage of the dolphins in a passive way. The divers without camera will have to record environmental parameters. After the dives, a debriefing will focus on the environmental conditions and underwater sightings.

We strongly recommend you to bring your own underwater camera. 

2. Land-based sightings

All the land-based sightings will be supervised by DDR's research director. Long breaking waves - locally called 'mascaret' - resulting from the meeting of a tidal current coming out of the lagoon with ocean water run through Tiputa pass two times a day. This exceptional setting constitutes a privileged socialization ground for the bottlenose dolphins which regularly come to surf and leap into the waves. This is a perfect location to spot and take pictures of the dolphins without influencing their behaviors. This is also a perfect location to record information on the boats and divers that frequent the dolphins' core habitat. This activity will be strongly dependent on the currents.

3. Part of the day will be dedicated to data processing, training courses, comments, and debates. Depending on the time of the year, the volunteers may also participate in school presentations.

WITH WHOM WILL THE VOLUNTEERS BE WORKING WITH?

The volunteers will be supervised by DDR's research director, diving instructors and captains.

WHAT DO WE EXPECT FROM THE VOLUNTEERS?

Our mission is a participative tool for the demographic and ethological monitoring of a small bottlenose dolphin community impacted by wildlife tourism. It will allow you to observe and better understand these animals' routine, all the issues related to their conservation, and the complexity of relationships between humans and wildlife. We expect volunteers to get involved in our fieldwork to help the NGO sustaining its long-term dolphin monitoring program.

WHAT CAN THE VOLUNTEERS EXPECT FROM US?

DDR's research director has been working on this small dolphin community for about 15 years. She will share her experience and knowledge objectively and with passion. Volunteers usually leave the mission with a new perception of the dolphins and their environment. Our captains and diving instructors know the location very well and will also share their knowledge with pleasure and spontaneity.

DO THE VOLUNTEERS HAVE TO BRING SPECIAL EQUIPMENT?

We strongly recommend volunteers to bring their own fins, mask and snorkel, a lycra or wetsuit, and their own underwater camera. It may be useful to bring a laptop and a hard drive. We also advise everyone to bring a hat or cap, polarized sunglasses, a seasickness remedy, a raincoat, a mosquito repellent, and a tube of antibiotic ointment.

RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Volunteers must be in good physical and mental condition, with no heart disease or treatment requiring immediate proximity to hospitals.
  • We strongly advise people who did not dive for more than six months to do a security visit to an ENT and a refresh dive.
  • Volunteers must be able to live in community and share with other people.
  • Adaptability, patience, thoroughness and good humor are welcome.

GOOD TO KNOW

  • A biometric passport and an ESTA form are required for stopovers in the USA.
  • The voltage used in French Polynesia is 220V.
  • All field activities are dependent on the weather and currents.
  • It is prohibited to dive less than 12:00 before a domestic flight and 24:00 before an international flight.
  • Water is always at perfect temperature - between 25 and 29°C. However, you should beware of currents, especially along channels.
  • Avoid swimming at night or wearing shiny jewelry while swimming or diving near the reefs - moray eels, barracudas. We do not recommended swimming in areas where fish have recently been cleaned. Beware of stonefish and do not touch the coral or other animals. Never collect live coral or shells.
  • We recommend wearing a Neoprene suit. You should generally avoid walking barefoot in the water.
  • Be careful of the sun and dehydration. We strongly recommend you to bring sunscreen, antibiotic ointment, and antihistamine cream.
  • Beware of mosquitoes.
  • Fresh water is a rare and precious commodity in the Tuamotu Islands.
  • Be careful not to feed stray dogs and cats to avoid familiarizing them near the bungalows or kitchen.
  • The local currency is the French Pacific franc, which is indexed to the euro. €1=XPF 119.33. Cash is handy when you want to buy yourself a sandwich or a drink, or take a taxi. ATMs are found at Rangiroa airport and Tiputa village. A meal at a snack bar costs about XPF 1,700 - €14. Expect to pay XPF 3,000 / person in a small restaurant and XPF 6,000 in a large restaurant. 1.5-liter soft drink > about XPF 600. A box of inexpensive cakes > XPF 250. Taxi ride > XPF 1,000 / 12 kilometers in Tahiti; XPF 500–1,000 / person on the islands. Land-based Wi-Fi internet connection > XPF 500 / hour – XPF 12,000 / 50 hours. Phone card > XPF 1,000. If you want to use your cell phone in Polynesia, please contact your carrier before the trip.
  • Rangiroa has a dispensary, doctors and a pharmacy.
  • Baggage from overseas cannot exceed 30 kilograms.
  • Drugs are strictly forbidden.



Typical day

WHAT DOES THE VOLUNTEER DO ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS?

We will first meet on Monday at 10:00 am at the 'Teina and Marie' guesthouse in Rangiroa to introduce the team, location and safety tips. The mission will then take place over 14 days (13 nights): one dive will be scheduled every day and part of the ...

Typical day

WHAT DOES THE VOLUNTEER DO ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS?

We will first meet on Monday at 10:00 am at the 'Teina and Marie' guesthouse in Rangiroa to introduce the team, location and safety tips. The mission will then take place over 14 days (13 nights): one dive will be scheduled every day and part of the day will be dedicated to debriefings and training courses. When the conditions will be good, land-based sightings will be organized.

The first Sunday and second Monday of the mission will be free.

The mission will end on the last Sunday morning. A general debriefing and sharing of photos and videos collected during the mission will be done.

ARE THERE SPECIAL WORKING HOURS?

Field sessions typically last about three hours. Training courses and data analysis typically last about three hours every day. These activities will usually take place somewhere between 7:30 and 11:30 am and 13:30 and 16:00 pm.


Free-time activities

SWIMMING

In French Polynesia, water is always at perfect temperature. However, you should be careful of currents, especially along channels. We also recommend swimmers to wear a wet suit and avoid walking barefoot in the water.

SCUBA DIVING

It is possible to book exploration dives.

HIKING

Volunte

Free-time activities

SWIMMING

In French Polynesia, water is always at perfect temperature. However, you should be careful of currents, especially along channels. We also recommend swimmers to wear a wet suit and avoid walking barefoot in the water.

SCUBA DIVING

It is possible to book exploration dives.

HIKING

Volunteers can visit Avatoru and Tiputa villages. They can also book local tours.


Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

Language Skills

You need to speak French (basic level) or English (basic level)

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Other Skills

Scuba divers must have minimum an Open Water or Level 1 certification, an experience of at least 15-20 dives at sea, and must have dived less than 6 months before the mission starts​.They should not be too sensitive to sea sickness​.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 08:00 - 16:00

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Dauphins de Rangiroa (DDR)


- Pick-up and drop-off between Rangiroa airport and the guesthouse

- Accommodation in a dorm room (13 nights) at the Teina & Marie guesthouse (you can book a private single bungalow at the guesthouse or a room at another guesthouse but the fees will be higher)

- Breakfast and dinner

- Per diem for lunches

- 10 dives at the 'Rangiroa Diving Center'

- Training courses, presentations and supervision

The fees do not include international and domestic flights to Rangiroa and extra expenses - e.g. restaurants, extra dives, excursions.

Airport Pickup at Rangiroa Airport


Volunteers are expected at Rangiroa airport by the guesthouse. The taxi may take some time to come.

We will meet at the guesthouse on the first Monday at 10:00 am.

Accommodation


DDR works with the local guesthouse ‘Teina & Marie’ located close to the lagoon, Tiputa pass, the diving center, and our dolphin observatories on shore. Accommodation is in a dorm room with shared bathroom fitted with a toilet, cold shower and access to electricity. It is possible to request a private bungalow with hot shower but the fee will be higher. This guesthouse is typical from the Tuamotu Islands and may appear too 'roots' for participants accustomed to higher standardsIt is possible for participants to choose a higher standard accommodation located close to our study area (Les Relais de Joséphine, Vaa i te Moana, Coconut Lodge, etc.). However, it is important to book well before the mission starts to ensure they will still have availability.

Our NGO works in partnership with the ‘Rangiroa Diving Center‘, an ethical dive shop located next to the guesthouse.

Food & Beverages


Breakfast and dinner are prepared and served at the guesthouse. Local meals are often based on fish but may be adapted for vegetarian diets. Lunches may be organized collectively and cooked in the guesthouse’s kitchen or taken at a local snack or restaurant.

Two food stores, three snacks and a small pizzeria are located a few minute-walk from the guesthouse. The shops are relatively well stocked but fruits and vegetables are scarce in the atolls. A meal at the snack will cost about 2,000 XPF (USD20 or 18€). Alcoholic drinks are not included in the fees.

Internet Access

Limited access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Rangiroa Airport (RGI) in Rangiroa. We assist you to find cheap flights to French Polynesia. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for French Polynesia provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in French Polynesia you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for French Polynesia. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

International flights to Tahiti will often arrive at night. You can book a night at a guesthouse in Tahiti. From Tahiti international airport participants will have to take a Tahiti-Rangiroa domestic flight - 1:00 for a flight without stopovers.

At Rangiroa airport you will meet a taxi provided by the guesthouse. The taxi may take some time to come. The six-kilometer taxi ride between Rangiroa airport and the guesthouse will last about five minutes.

Between 3 and 5 participants are required on each of our 14 day- / 13-night missions.

2024 PROGRAM

  • August 12 to 25 (mission in English)
  • September 16 to 29 (mission in French)

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

2 weeks 2,350€
Average fees 1,175€/week

Program fees

1,175€ per week 2 - 2 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

2 - 2 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with Dauphins de Rangiroa (DDR) during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

Dauphins de Rangiroa (DDR)

Excellent 4.8 rating (7 reviews)

Non-profit - founded in 2019

Verified by Volunteer World

  Excellent response rate

Coordinated by

Pamela

Spoken languages: English, French, Spanish

About the project

The French Polynesian NGO 'Dauphins de Rangiroa' carries out research, education, and conservation programs on Rangiroa bottlenose dolphins.

Meet your organization

WHO ARE WE?

The NGO 'Dauphins de Rangiroa - DDR' carries out research, education, and conservation programs on Rangiroa common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Tuamotu Islands, French Polynesia.

We have been monitoring these dolphins for 15 years. From 2012,  ecovolunteers from all over the world began to join us every year to help the NGO complete its fieldwork.


WHAT DO WE DO?

Our work focuses on:

1. A demographic and social monitoring of the small dolphin community inhabiting Tiputa waters, on the northern coast of Rangiroa Atoll.

2. A better understanding of the behaviors observed in these animals as part of their interactions with diving tourism.

3. The implementation of ethical and sustainable dolphin watching activities on the Tiputa area.


WHERE DO WE WORK?

French Polynesia is located at the center of the South Tropical Pacific Ocean, between 5° and 30°S, and 130° and 155°W. It is composed of five archipelagoes and 121 islands spread over a 5 million-square-kilometer area. The French Polynesian EEZ is one of the most remote worldwide and stands for almost 50% of the French EEZ. About 20 species of cetaceans may be observed in French Polynesian waters.

Yet 350 kilometers from Tahiti in the northwest Tuamotu Islands, the giant atoll of Rangiroa - 'Great Sky' in Paumotu -, a true oasis of life in the heart of the tropical Pacific, stretches its 170 kilometers of coral reefs, sands, and coconut trees around a 1,600-square-kilometer area with waters so fish-laden that it has become one of the world's top diving destinations. The atoll's impressive size - 80 kilometers long by 20 kilometers wide on average - and its two large passes, Avatoru and Tiputa, make it home to marine wildlife as exceptional as it is impressive.

French Polynesia enjoys a very mild tropical climate and is equipped with modern infrastructures.

No vaccinations are required to come and stay there.


OUR VISION

Since 2009, DDR's research director has been studying the small bottlenose dolphin community inhabiting the northern part of Rangiroa Atoll. Her work mainly focuses on the impacts of tourist activities on the dolphins’ behaviors. Indeed, these animals are targeted daily by commercial 'dolphin watching' tours. Literature and the media have endowed cetaceans with a reputation that predisposes people to expect friendly interactions with free-ranging dolphins. Theme parks and aquaria, where people can touch, feed and swim with captive dolphins, enhance this reputation.

The popularity of marine mammal viewing activities can result in conservation and socioeconomic benefits for the dolphins and local communities alike if they are conducted responsibly and with care, in accordance with existing regulations that protect these iconic species. However, if sighting activities are not conducted appropriately, they can place marine mammals at significant risk of harassment, injury or death.

Some of Rangiroa dolphins have been conditioned on the medium to long term to tolerate or seek out physical contact with scuba divers. Such a situation raises concerns about the risks related to unmanaged interactions between humans and wild dolphins. These risks include:

1. An increasing number of accidents involving dolphins and divers through, for example, 'pushy' behaviours or intimidation attempts from the dolphins and / or divers who forget basic diving safety rules.

2. Disease transmission from dolphins to humans and vice versa.

3. An increased vulnerability to human activities of the dolphins that became too familiar to human presence - loss of vigilance toward human activities -, resulting in collisions with boats, propeller injuries, fishing gear entanglement, etc.

4. Changes in ranging and social patterns.

5. The implementation of an 'open water dolphinarium' situation lacking basic educational components.


OUR GOALS

1. Through our long-term demographic and social monitoring of the Tiputa bottlenose dolphin community, we aim at spotting any deleterious impact of human activities on the dolphins.

2. Through our long-term ethological monitoring, we want to describe and better understand the impacts of tourism on the dolphins’ behaviors, and identify the risks associated with close interactions between dolphins and divers.

3. Through our education program, we want to share our results and recommendations with the general public to help developing sustainable tourist activities and improving our relationships with wildlife.


WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

We are looking for responsible and committed scuba divers who know that there are safety rules to respect with wild animals, whether dolphins, sharks, rays, moray eels and other large or small marine wildlife. In order to preserve the animals' welfare and sea users' safety, please do not touch and / or feed the animals. Understand more to care more is an essential axis of our work. No touching, no feeding, no teasing: respect them, respect us!


WHY CHOOSE US?

Our volunteer mission is a participative tool for the demographic and ethological monitoring of a small and protected bottlenose dolphin community. It will allow you to observe and better understand these animals' routine, the issues related to their conservation and to learn more about the paradoxical relationships that exist between humans and wildlife. Finally, you will help DDR to sustain its long-term dolphin monitoring program.

7 reviews · rating4.8

Béatrice Pujo rating5

2020 at Dolphin behavior and conservation

Google Translator: I loved the experience, everyone involved (Pamela, the people from the boarding house and the dive club) are very caring. A rich training on the dolphins of the pass of Tiputa to Rangiroa, beautiful dives and great stay. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ...
Google Translator: Impact of tourism on bottlenose dolphins in Rangiroa Participation in the study: observation (photos, videos), sampling and understanding Changes in behaviour with divers. Awareness of the socialisation of bottlenose dolphins through slide shows, but also the processing of ...
Céline Kreder rating4.4

2019 at Dolphin behavior and conservation

It was a wonderful experience to share the today's life of the doplhin researcher and member of the GEMM association : They kindly introduce us to their way of life, to the fantastic submarine life by teaching us how to recognize every dolphins on the site, and introduce us to the researcher work of ...
Google Translator: Whether at sea or on land, having the opportunity to observe the dolphins in Tiputa Channel is well deserved. In the middle of the Pacific Ocean, the atoll of Rangiroa is a haven of peace and to participate in the research of Pamela, the marine biologist, is a real chance. Lovers ...
Guillaume Saumier rating5

2019 at Dolphin behavior and conservation

Google Translator: Demographic monitoring of RANGIROA dolphins and awareness raising Learning techniques for monitoring populations of marine species (underwater photo-identification and video recording). Daily observations of individuals in the channel. Participatory tool for demographic, ...
Olivier Claer rating5

2018 at Dolphin behavior and conservation

In order to help the phd student to learn as much as possible about dolphins, we were asked to collect the mime of information of every living species: their faeces. Analyses would be useless without videos to identify the dolphin the data come from. As a result after diving, time to study videos to ...

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