from 1,479€

Brilliant 4.7rating (26)
  • Life Below Water

Surf & Help - Marine Wildlife Conservation

location
363€ per week  ·  4 - 50 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate

Highlights

  • Improve your Spanish skills with a FREE 20-hour intensive Spanish course!
  • Help preserve marine wildlife together with local conservation efforts
  • Master the waves in the 1-week surf course included in your program price!
  • Our volunteers can expect 24/7 in-country support.
  • Our programs have year-round start dates on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month.

Especially suitable

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Families
Groups
50+

About the program

We include a FREE 1-week Spanish Course, to allow you to have a greater impact. Surf, preserve nature and protect endangered marine wildlife.

With increased tourism, keeping the ocean intact is getting more and more difficult. That’s why we’ve teamed up, not only to surf together, but also to work collaboratively to help preserve this piece of paradise; its marine ecosystem and its wildlife.  If you share the same mindset, come join ...

About the program

With increased tourism, keeping the ocean intact is getting more and more difficult. That’s why we’ve teamed up, not only to surf together, but also to work collaboratively to help preserve this piece of paradise; its marine ecosystem and its wildlife.  If you share the same mindset, come join us!

We include a 1-week full immersion FREE Spanish course because we believe that it will allow you to have a greater impact on the project, as you will be able to interact with local people and communities and share knowledge and skills. The Spanish course is catered to your project and will teach you specific vocabulary that you will need during the placement. 

Objectives:

  1. Marine wildlife rescue and environment conservation: We work with an official marine rescue and rehabilitation center to rescue animals from the beach and care for them until they can be released into the ocean again (if possible). We also create campaigns to educate the locals and tourists about the precious marine environment they live in.
  2. Addressing the root of the problem: AVOIDING PLASTIC AND POLLUTION! The main objective, however, is to try and regulate the amount of plastic feeding into our oceans. We hope we can soon start with an initiative that convinces local shops, bars, and restaurant owners not to hand out disposable plastic cups and bags but use reusable materials instead.
Come and join us to...
  • rehabilitate marine life that has been affected by pollution so that they can be reintroduced back into their natural habitats and survive.
  • help local residents learn about the impacts of marine plastic pollution and ways they can help to reduce this terrible problem.
  • help the local community improve their economic situation.
  • create a bond between the environment and the community.
  • microfinance initiatives to protect the environment.
  • protect seabirds, sea turtles, sea lions, penguins, and all other marine life from harm so wildlife can continue to flourish and ensure a balanced marine ecosystem.
  • learn about, protect and interact with some of the most wonderful marine life in the world. 
Come and support us and have fun at the same time!

Typical day

On a typical day, you’ll work on the project in the morning. In the afternoon, you’ll practice your Spanish or learn a new trick or two riding the waves from winners of South American surfing competitions. 

In the evening, you might lounge around the barbecue at camp. Afterwards, maybe head out ...

Typical day

On a typical day, you’ll work on the project in the morning. In the afternoon, you’ll practice your Spanish or learn a new trick or two riding the waves from winners of South American surfing competitions. 

In the evening, you might lounge around the barbecue at camp. Afterwards, maybe head out to the campfire on the beach where you’ll gaze in wonder at the sunset’s ever dazzling, ever changing play of color, directly over the sea. Feast your eyes on it! 

A fellow Surf and Volunteer team member’s comment sums it up:

 “We live and love surfing. We make a living, above all, doing the things we love, and the ocean is an integral part of it". 

That’s why we say: 
‘El surf con objeto!’
(surfing with a purpose)

Free-time activities

The Pacific Coast of Ecuador offers a wide range of things to do during your free time:

  • Surfing
  • Diving
  • Mountain biking
  • Horse riding
  • Beach volleyball 

Compared to neighboring countries, Ecuador, geographically speaking, is relatively small. Therefore, after you’ve completed your camp work, excursions to ...

Free-time activities

The Pacific Coast of Ecuador offers a wide range of things to do during your free time:

  • Surfing
  • Diving
  • Mountain biking
  • Horse riding
  • Beach volleyball 

Compared to neighboring countries, Ecuador, geographically speaking, is relatively small. Therefore, after you’ve completed your camp work, excursions to somewhat “more distant” destinations are very easy to pull off and in a minimal amount of time. 

Explore the Andes and the Amazon jungle!

  • Canyoning
  • Hiking to some to a vulcano
  • Hiking in the Amazon rainforest
  • Going by boat through the Amazon rainforest
  • Downhill mountain biking
  • Horse riding
  • Tubing
  • Climbing

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 (basic level)

Nationality Restrictions

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

Other Skills

Program requirements: You don’t need to have any special technical expertise, only sincere personal commitment and a love for the ocean and nature are required. For the surfing lessons you need to be physically fit, and able to swim. It goes without saying that whatever kinds of project-related expertise you may bring to the table will be gladly received and put to good use. Language Requirements: No Spanish skills are needed. The program already includes a 1-week intensive Spanish course.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 12:00 - 17:00

What's Included

What's Included

Services by NGO Taxi

NB: If you want you can stay longer than 9 weeks, please ask us for a price offer. 

  • Lodging: in the volunteers‘ dorm at camp (or, for a surcharge, in a bamboo bungalow).
  • Usage of all facilities (incl. a swimming pool, jacuzzi, DVD and TV, WiFi etc.).
  • Group pickup or transport from airport by car and bus.
  • Pre-arrival pack.
  • Welcome bbq or parrifiesta.
  • Complementary t-shirt.
  • FREE 20 hour Spanish course.
  • FREE 1 week surf course included! Take a course with pros, taught by pros (for beginners, intermediate and experts).
  • FREE whale watching excursion (only during September’s camp).
  • FREE Christmas party (only during December’s camp).
  • FREE New Year’s Eve Dinner (only during December’s camp).
  • Surf and Help Challenge: A surf competition for all levels and a competition on tasks within your area of commitment (only if a minimum of 15 people has been reached).
  • Comprehensive NGO Taxi Support Packet (see section Additional Information).
  • On-site support through your volunteer coordinator.
  • 24 hour support.

Airport Pickup at Jose Joaquin de Olmedo Airport

Group pickup or transport from airport by car and bus.

Accommodation

You will stay in shared dorm rooms or in bungalows, and the camp is equipped as follows

  • Swimming pool
  • Jacuzzi
  • Laundry service.
  • Garden
  • Gym in town (cost not included)
  • Language school nearby. (Optional: You can also book your language course in the capital, Quito)
  • Communal area with TV and DVD
  • Free Wifi
  • Kitchen (self-catering: kitchen facilities at campsite, grocery shopping nearby (3min walk)

Internet Access

Good access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Food & Beverages

Food, snacks or beverages are at extra costs.

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Jose Joaquin de Olmedo Airport (GYE) in Guayaquil. We assist you to find cheap flights to Ecuador. 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 Ecuador provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

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

Details on arrival

Official start dates:
1st and 3rd Sunday of the month

Individual start dates:
+ € 150,00 – Start your placement any Sunday of the month
+ € 250,00 – Chose your own start dates and change them up to 3 times before your trip.*

*Last date change up to 3 weeks before your departure.

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

Program fees

4 weeks (min. stay) 1,479€
8 weeks 2,894€
12 weeks 4,287€
50 weeks (max. stay) 17,862€
Average fees 363€/week

Program fees

363€ per week 4 - 50 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES

Duration

4 - 50 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 NGO Taxi during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.

Meet your host

NGO Taxi

Brilliant 4.7 rating (26 reviews)

Agency - founded in 2012

Verified by Volunteer World

  Very high response rate

Coordinated by

Alex

About the project

NGO Taxi is partner for small organizations and individuals that have a strong social objective and are working hard to make a difference in their communities.

Meet your host

Our Organization

We work as international logistics, communications and service provider for humanitarian aid projects by supporting local, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), non-profit organizations (NPOs) and private development aid initiatives. All organizations we work with, are vetted to ensure they have high levels of accountability and transparency.

Our Commitment

We provide a platform through which organizations in Latin America can find the resources they need to achieve their goals, including people placement, technology and capacity building. This includes skilled manpower, relief items, construction materials, administrative, educational, environmental and medical support. Our commitment is to be an online advocate and agent of change.

Our Approach

NGO Taxi identifies projects in need. When a project has been approved to be accountable we send volunteers to support and work together with communities and supporters to identify issues and design sustainable solutions (e.g. micro finance initiatives). From beginning to end the entire life cycles of our projects – the identification process, the evaluation process and the monitoring of project locations and development aid initiatives – are documented.

26 reviews · rating4.7

Rihane Bengassem rating4.6

2023 at Surf & Help - Marine Wildlife Conservation

Beautiful experience. The accommodation was beautiful. I liked the hammocks especially:) The staff at the accommodation were very kind. The Spanish school was also very nice. All the teachers were super nice. Got to learn a lot after just a couple of classes. Surf classes were also very helpful. ..
Susanne Krein rating3.2

2018 at Surf & Help - Marine Wildlife Conservation

I’m really glad I got the opportunity to get to know such nice people working at the aquarium in Ecuador and I hope I’ll stay in contact with them! I learned a lot about sea life and how it can and should be protected. I really enjoyed feeding the animals and getting really close to them, ...
When I arrived in Ecuador to take part in the Surf and Help Camp I was unsure what to expect. The information that I received was very interesting and exciting. In the language school I had to do a test, so the school could figure out what my spanish level was. Then we got group lessons which were ...
In total, my stay at the Surf and Help Camp was very nice. The accommodation was a good place to live; it was cozy and never boring there. The people at the language school are extremely professional and very kind. There is nothing to complain about in the first week of Spanish and surfing lessons. ..
I definitely hoped for a lot of fun and many exciting experiences from the Surf and Help Camp project, and I have learned and experienced some interesting things, especially at the marine wildlife centre. Working with marine animals – especially sea turtles – in this environment was very ...
Dominik Treichler rating5

2015 at Surf & Help - Marine Wildlife Conservation

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Galapagos project. Not only was it a beautiful place, but the locals and project staff were very welcoming, friendly, and helpful. I felt at home as soon as I arrived and there was a strong feeling of teamwork throughout. There was always a good atmosphere and any ...

Location

Americas > South America > Ecuador > Guayaquil

You might also be interested in

Volunteer Abroad  >  Voluntourism  >  Volunteer and Travel in Ecuador
Contact Alex
  Very high response rate

Most volunteers ask about

Do you have any more questions? Send a message to Alex
Please do not share personal contact details for your privacy