from 1,975€

Brilliant 4.7rating (44)

Shark Conservation & Research Assistant

location
1,444€ per week  ·  1 - 4 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate

Especially suitable

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Groups
50+

About the program

Come now and be a part of this unique and awesome Project! Help educate local and international visitors about the conservation plight of the great white sharks!

Ever dreamed of diving with Sharks? Come make this dream a reality by becoming a volunteer and participating at our Shark Diving & Conservation! The project is based in South Africa's Western cape about 1 hour from Cape town! The ‘Great White Shark Capital of the World’.

The project is a founding ...

About the program

Ever dreamed of diving with Sharks? Come make this dream a reality by becoming a volunteer and participating at our Shark Diving & Conservation! The project is based in South Africa's Western cape about 1 hour from Cape town! The ‘Great White Shark Capital of the World’.

The project is a founding member of the Great White Protection Foundation and has been a leading voice in the call for operators to collaborate in protecting the declining number of sharks and other marine species off the coastline of South Africa. One key role of the project is to educate local and international visitors about the conservation plight of the great white shark since quite a lot of people worldwide lack the knowledge and have the wrong impressions of these amazing creatures. The project runs daily trips to educate guests/visitors about great white sharks and their current conservation initiatives. The cage diving trips give visitors the opportunity to see great white sharks in their natural environment, where their grace and beauty is most evident.

Offering a duration of 1 to 4 weeks, come now and be a part of this amazing experience! 

This project is in the western cape of South Africa in a small town near Capetown. It is a small fishing town and popular tourist destination. It is known for its dense population of great white sharks and as a whale-watching location! You will volunteer alongside other international and local volunteers as well as local experienced staff who will make this a enjoyable and safe experience.

There are no special experience, equipment or requirement needed but we do expect you to be comfortable in the water.


Typical day

Volunteers are the backbone of the research of Great White Shark and marine conservation along the coast of South Africa's Western Cape! As a volunteer at the project, you will expand your knowledge on marine life and the ocean itself and share what you learn with the locals and international ...

Typical day

Volunteers are the backbone of the research of Great White Shark and marine conservation along the coast of South Africa's Western Cape! As a volunteer at the project, you will expand your knowledge on marine life and the ocean itself and share what you learn with the locals and international visitors. Some of your responsibilities include but is not limited to:

  • Assisting with gathering important data on white sharks on board the shark cage diving tourist vessel and on board the research boat.
  • Volunteers will also learn ethical handling and angling techniques of smaller sharks.
  • Learn how to tag and take genetic samples, all of which is contributing to our baseline study on elasmobranchs.
  • Other activities include participation in community events, such as workshops and presentations for local schools and beach clean-ups.
Every day will be a great adventure and while some day will be spend on shore other days will be spend on the water researching these amazing creatures in their native habitat!

Free-time activities

Volunteers have the oppotuntiy to participate in a wide range of leisure time activites however, it is important to keep in mind that this will all be at the volunteer's own expense.

Free-time activities

Volunteers have the oppotuntiy to participate in a wide range of leisure time activites however, it is important to keep in mind that this will all be at the volunteer's own expense.


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 English (intermediate level)

Required Documents

CV, Resume, Letter of Motivation, Two pics and Signed Policies and Liability form (provided during application process)

Nationality Restrictions

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

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 08:00 - 15:00

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Fronteering Travel

The Fee includes:


  • Airport Pickup - Volunteers should arrange flights to Cape Town International Airport, South Africa. The project provides transfers from Cape Town International airport to accommodation in Cape Town where volunteers spend one night, following which they provide a transfer to Gansbaai the next morning. At the end of the stay they will then transport volunteers directly to Cape Town International Airport or to Cape Town if volunteers are continuing their travels elsewhere.
  • Accommodation - You will stay at the Volunteer accommodation provided by the project. The house is in Kleinbaai which is about a two minutes’ drive away from the Harbour. The accommodation consists of shared rooms holding up to 8 volunteers at a time, fully furnished, well equipped kitchen, TV & DSTV provided and Wifi included. Laundry Services is also provided.
  • Meals - Breakfast and lunches are provided, dinners will be prepared by the volunteers.
  • Ongoing service and 24/7 Emergency Contact

Airport Pickup at Cape Town International Airport

You will arrive in beautiful Cape Town. There someone will be there to pick you up and you’ll then be transferred to your accommodation in Johannesburg where you will spend the night. Someone will then be there to pick you up and transfer your directly to the project.

Accommodation

You will stay at the Volunteer accommodation provided by the project. The house is in Kleinbaai which is about a two minutes’ drive away from the Harbour. The accommodation consists of shared rooms holding up to 8 volunteers at a time, fully furnished, well equipped kitchen, TV & DSTV provided and Wifi included. Laundry Services is also provided. 

Food & Beverages

Please let us know in advance if you have any food allergies or specific dietary requirements. We will try to accommodate you but may ask you some things if what you need is not locally available.  Breakfast and lunches are provided, dinners will be prepared by the volunteers. There are also nearby restaurants and diners however, this will be at the volunteer’s own expense

Internet Access

Good access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town. We assist you to find cheap flights to South Africa. 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 South Africa provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

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. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

There are no specific start dates for this project. The project is opened and available to all volunteers all year round!

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

Program fees

1 week (min. stay) 1,975€
2 weeks 2,569€
3 weeks 2,965€
4 weeks (max. stay) 3,658€
Average fees 1,444€/week

Program fees

1,444€ per week 1 - 4 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

1 - 4 weeks

Deposit (15%)

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 (85%)

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.


Meet your host

Fronteering Travel

Brilliant 4.7 rating (44 reviews)

Non-profit - founded in 2010

Verified by Volunteer World

  Very high response rate

Coordinated by

Patrick

Spoken languages: Dutch, English, German

About the project

Fronteering arranges volunteering programs related to wildlife and indigenous people in less visited places of this world as well as more unique destinations.

Meet your host

Fronteering arranges volunteering programs in some of the last frontiers of this world as well as more unique locations that other organizations ignore. From Field research programs in the Far north of Canada and Husky ranches in the Canadian Arctic to Amerindian community programs and wildlife conservation in the Amazon Rainforest and everything in between.

Most of our programs Focus on either wildlife rehabilitation and release, wildlife conservation & research or involve local indigenous communities.

Fronteering currently offers programs in Canada, Guyana, USA, Australia, Brazil, Borneo, South Africa, Madagascar and Panama.

True good causes: FRONTEERINGS volunteer abroad projects are either existing local projects or projects that are build from the group up by FRONTEERING. What these projects have in common is that you will be supporting a true good cause! You will have the opportunity to help where the need is the greatest. Our projects focus on helping the local communities, wildlife, indigenous people and the environment in cooperation with the local/indigenous communities. We focus on true volunteer projects where your effort really makes a difference. That’s why through Fronteering you will rehabilitate injured & orphaned wildlife with the goal to release the animal. That is the reason why will not send you to some far southern country to cuddle with tame lions & tigers with any real purpose. If you want to volunteer abroad with a real purpose, contact us!

Safety: At FRONTEERING we do our outmost best to provide the safety measures needed for our Volunteer Abroad projects and Adventure Travel Trips. However due to the fact that many of our projects and trips involve wild animals and/or are in remote locations there is a small element of risk involved. Not all of our projects and trips are for the faint at heart however we do cater to those of all walks of life. If you are not too sure about the suitability of a Volunteer Abroad project or an Adventure Travel trip then feel free to ask as we are always ready to answer any questions or discuss any doubts that come to mind. For more information please check our Safety & In-country Support section before you volunteer abroad.

A real adventure: We do not want our volunteers to end up trying to safe or clean up some small patch of rainforest which in some places they might call a wilderness. Instead you will volunteer in the immense jungle of the Amazon rainforest or venture in to the vast Canadian wilderness! Our volunteer abroad projects are situated in the remote areas of the world and we focus on countries and regions with the lowest population densities. We at FRONTEERING focus on what works; from sleeping in the jungle underneath the stars with nothing more than your own private hammock to back-to-basic cabins in the northern tundra with a cozy smothering fireplace and no electricity! When you volunteer abroad with FRONTEERING you can be sure it will be adventure.

Off the beaten path: With FRONTEERING volunteer abroad projects you will venture to places less visited. We focus on places that are fairly undiscovered where the nature, wildlife and indigenous cultures are still common. You will have the great opportunity to see these amazing places while they are still unspoiled and pure. It is these places where there is the most to lose but even more to gain through successful conservation work and sustainable tourism. 

Community involvement: Foremost when volunteering abroad the well being of the community should come first. For all of our trips we use local guides, local transportation and local communities so that through sustainable tourism we can help to protect the environment, wildlife and sustain the way of life of indigenous cultures & communities. More and more and governments choose the long term benefit of sustainable tourism over the short term gain of mining and logging. A good example is Gabon which in 2002 after recommendations from environmental researchers set up 13 new national parks. The government of Guyana is currently considering protecting its entire rainforest region which still covers 80% of the country. Hopefully through our combined effort this dream will one day become true.

Mission
FRONTEERING specializes in organizing volunteer abroad projects to preserve the environment, wildlife and indigenous people throughout the world while giving the volunteers a real and raw experience in some of the most beautiful and often remote places in the world to make a true difference.

Vision
FRONTEERING strives to provide real off the beaten path volunteer abroad experiences worldwide that satisfy the need for volunteer projects that truly makes a difference for the environment, wildlife and indigenous people.


44 reviews · rating4.7

Peter Journey rating5

2023 at Abandoned Pets Caretaker

Going abroad and in particular volunteering was something I always regretted not doing when I was younger. When a opportunity did come up to take extended leave from work It took me a while to gather the courage to now fulfill my younger self's wish. Was I too old? Would I still fit in at this age? ...
Sebastian Thomasen rating3.6

2023 at Abandoned Pets Caretaker

I had a good stay at the SPCA. With a warm and welcoming staff that made me feel like I was a part of the team. I also had daily transportation from my homestay to the SPCA. But if you were going to the SPCA then I will ask organization if there is transport for you. My homestay was a good ...
Théo SMITH rating4.8

2023 at Scottish Husky Ranch Caretaker

I spent 6 weeks there, it was a great experience. The hosts are super friendly and very welcoming. The dogs are adorable and kind. The landscapes are magnificent and unique If you are looking for a new experience, go ...
Tabea Barnowsky rating4.6

2023 at Island Wildlife Caretaker

I'm really thankful for my experience here on Vancouver Island! We had many different animals at Wild Arc and we could join some of the releases which was always awesome to experience. The volunteers are allowed to take care of birds, squirrels and raccoons but we also have a lot of other tasks ...
Patrik Lützelschwab rating4.8

2023 at Zoo and Animal Caretaker

Hilfe beim Ausmisten der Säugetiere, Vögel sowie Futter zubereiten sowie auch bei Shows mithelfen (Reptilien halten) von morgens bis spät nachmittags (7.30 - 16 ...
SIMON KABANGU KABANGU MUTAMBAY rating4.6

2023 at Island Nature Conservation & Sustainability

I spend a fantastic time in Iceland in Bru. The home's atmosphere was excellent and the camp leaders were fantastic. s for the main activities, beach clean-up and waste sorting, the camp leaders ensure that everyone participates equally, which is perfect. We're very well supervised, but also very ...

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Dutch, English, German

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