Marine Conservationist and Researcher
Coordinator | Patrick
Coordinator | Patrick
Book with Flex Option!
Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs.
Highlights
Help at an amazing Marine Conservation project based in South Africa!
Get a chance to do Marine Research and learn how to Dive like a pro!
Work alongside an amazing team of staff and other volunteers from around the world!
Explore the ocean floor, visit the nature side of South Africa by biking, safaris, enjoy the attractions and entertainment on your leisure time.
Go wildlife viewing and immerse yourself in a new culture and way of life!
Are you in search of an amazing volunteer opportunity? Then take up this offer to work alongside an amazing team of staff all involved in Marine Conservation & Research!
This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Groups
Are you a student who is seeking a career within the field of Marine Conservation? Or are you perhaps an early career scientist? Or maybe just looking for an adventure in South Africa? Then your search is over as we have the perfect program for you!
Wake up in a tropical paradise every morning and be swept away by the sweet sounds of nature. Jump in your costume and grab your beach towel, take a breath-taking drive through a tunnel of trees in a safari truck to the beach, roll back off a boat into the warm Indian Ocean and feel yourself weightless, breathing underwater. Find yourself surrounded by the most amazing creatures and colorful corals. During this incredible dive take photos of manta rays, ragged-tooth sharks, turtles, whales and nudibranchs to contribute to the main objective of the project; it’s international marine conservation research.
The project also offers Marine Lectures so volunteers can learn more about the ocean and marine conservation, these lectures are short and casual. Volunteers also get a certificate at the end of their stay to say they have completed the lecture series, this can be added to their CV. Once database and lectures are done volunteers are free to relax at the camp or go exploring in town. Volunteers can then head out for sundowners at a local viewpoint or have a braai (barbecue) at Triton's fire area. Every night the Triton staff organize a fire, this is great to experience a traditional South African braai, relax and socialize. Come now and be part of this amazing and once in a lifetime opportunity!
Shark Conservation
Activities
Ray Conservation
Marine Conservation
Sea Turtle Conservation
Whale Conservation
Blacktip Reef Shark
Diving
Safari
Manta Ray
Marine Conservation
Green Sea Turtle
Blue Whale
Typical day
Volunteers arrive on the first Friday of the month. The Saturday after arrival, volunteers will receive a camp orientation. The rest of this weekend can be used to settle in and get to know other volunteers and interns.
- Week one will be used to complete the CMAS One Star or PADI Open Water course or the volunteer’s chosen course. The duration of the course will depend on the course chosen and the volunteer’s ability to complete skills. The CMAS One Star and PADI Open Water courses typically take between four and five days to complete. If volunteers do not have the required number of dives, this can be obtained during the first week and the course will begin thereafter.
- Once volunteers are qualified divers, they dive each day during the week, Monday to Friday. One dive a day is included in the price, extra dive packages can be bought so volunteers can dive twice a day. During dives volunteers collect photographic data of manta rays, ragged-tooth sharks, turtles, whales and nudibranchs. This data is entered into international marine conservation databases after dives. Deep Blue offers Marine Lectures to increase knowledge about the ocean, these are short and casual. After their stay volunteers receive a certificate for the lecture that can be added to their CV.
- The rest of the day can be spent relaxing and exploring. There are a lot of activities to keep volunteers busy, read the things to do list below. During weekends there are more trips, we do overnight trips to Kosi Bay or trips to Lake Sibaya for sundowners and a braai
Free-time activities
Some other free time activities that volunteers can do are as follows:
- Chilling on the beach
- Freediving
- African market
- Two bars / restaurants
- Bonfires
- Looking for chameleons
- Whale watching (seasonal)
- Picking up shark teeth at Anton’s dive site
- Sundowners at local view points
- Watching the moonrise on the beach
- Turtle tours (seasonal)
- Surfing
- Lake Sibaya trips
- Game drives
- Plankton on the beach at night
- Trips to Tolla se Gat
- Hikes
- Kosi Bay trips
- Braais (barbecue)
- Quad biking
- Fishing
Water Sports
Swimming
Sightseeing
Diving/
Snorkling
Snorkling
Hiking
Requirements
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.
You need to speak English (basic level)
CV, Letter of motivation, 2 Application Forms (one for us and the other for the project), 2 pictures and Liability Waiver and Volunteer Policy forms
No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.
Your helping hand will be required on
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
from
08:00
- 15:00
What's Included
- CMAS One Star or PADI Open Water course (If you're already a diver you can do your Advanced Open Water or do the 2 week program without a dive course).
- All required dive training manuals.
- Total 10 dives per 2 week stay / 20 dives per 4 week stay.
- Hard gear rental (BCD, regulator, cylinder and weight belt).
- Transport to and from the Richards Bay Airport.
- Transport to and from the Sodwana Bay beach as well as around Sodwana.
- Gate fees into the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (excluding weekends).
- Food (Each week volunteers buy food at the Spar and prepare their own food in the shared kitchen).
- Accommodation at Triton Dive Lodge.
- Marine lectures and certificate.
- Recommendation letter.
- Ongoing Services
- Tours (Inquire on this if interested)
- 24/7 Emergency Contact
Transfers to and from Richards Bay Airport for arrival and departure provided. Transport to and from the Sodwana Bay beach as well as around Sodwana is provided.
Volunteers stay at Triton Dive Lodge which is situated just outside the Simangaliso Wetland Park. It’s a 5 km drive from the town and a 10 km drive to the beach. The volunteers stay in a shared loft or shared wooden cabins. There are shared ablutions, a shared kitchen, fire area, swimming pool and a restaurant / bar.
Each week the project takes the volunteers to the grocery store (Spar) in the neighboring town of Mbazwana to buy groceries for the week within the budget. Thereafter they prepare their own food in the shared kitchen. Each night there is a fire prepared by the Triton staff at the fire area so volunteers can barbecue and socialize.
Good access at the project site
Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations are NOT included in the program fees.
The nearest airport is Richards Bay Airport (RCB) in Richards Bay. We assist you to find cheap flights to South Africa.
Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for South Africa provides security and is a plus to have.
If you are intending to volunteer in South Africa you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for South Africa.
Dates & Fees
NO CREDIT CARD FEES
Details on arrival
The project prefers applicant to arrive on the first and third Friday of each month (excluding December).
This program is paused due to COVID-19 and reopens September 2020. Apply Now!
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
2 - 4 weeks
Program fees
2 weeks
(min. stay)
$2,895
3 weeks
$3,745
4 weeks
(max. stay)
$4,595
Average fees
$1,298
/week
Please note that the above shown program fees are estimated.
Fronteering Travel
will let you know about the final price during your application process.
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.
Your final payment will be agreed with Fronteering Travel during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.
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What are people saying about Volunteer World?
Marine Conservationist and Researcher
Are you in search of an amazing volunteer opportunity? Then take up this offer to work alongside an amazing team of staff all involved in Marine Conservation & Research!
$1298/week
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