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Brilliant 4.75rating (69)

Whales, Sharks and Penguins Conservation

location
1 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 17 - 50+
Verified

Highlights

  • Assist the onboard marine biologist on the whale or research boat with monitoring and data capturing of Southern Right and Humpback whales during the annual migration period from June to December
  • Help with the rehabilitation of injured, oiled and sick African Penguins and birds brought in for care and recuperation at a state-of-the-art facility. Penguin feeding takes place twice a day.
  • Get involved with data capturing and research of various shark species on the boat and while cage diving. This is one of few shark projects whose marine biologist is permitted to tag White sharks.

Highlights

  • Assist the onboard marine biologist on the whale or research boat with monitoring and data capturing of Southern Right and Humpback whales during the annual migration period from June to December
  • Help with the rehabilitation of injured, oiled and sick African Penguins and birds brought in for care and recuperation at a state-of-the-art facility. Penguin feeding takes place twice a day.
  • Get involved with data capturing and research of various shark species on the boat and while cage diving. This is one of few shark projects whose marine biologist is permitted to tag White sharks.
  • Taking part in lectures on shark biology and research, African Penguins, other marine mammal species, company and conservation overview, rocky shores ecology, boat safety and more.
  • The area has lots of fun things to do in your free time, visit an ethical predator sanctuary, shopping in Hermanus, visit wine farms, beach horserides, beer tasting or hike the fantastic shorelines.

  • You don't have to pay anything yet

    Especially good for

    Age 17+
    Singles
    Couples
    Families
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    Experience not only Whale, Dolphin, Shark and Penguin research and monitoring but also community education, environmental issues, ecology and ecotourism

    This multi-faceted Marine Big 5 (Shark, Whale, Penguin, Seal and Dolphin) project is the perfect opportunity to make a difference with marine species conservation both on land and sea, ecotourism, research, and community development. There is a huge variety of work that you will be doing, and this ...

    About the program

    This multi-faceted Marine Big 5 (Shark, Whale, Penguin, Seal and Dolphin) project is the perfect opportunity to make a difference with marine species conservation both on land and sea, ecotourism, research, and community development. There is a huge variety of work that you will be doing, and this will largely depend on what work is being done at the time you are there and the whale migration season.

    The Marine Big 5
    • Shark – The Great White, Bronze Whaler, Blue and Mako. You might be able to spot Pyjama sharks if scuba diving in the kelp forests
    • Whale – Southern Right, Humpback and Brydes’
    • Penguin – African
    • Seal – Cape Fur
    • Dolphin – Bottlenose, Common and Humpback

    Areas volunteers can get involved in

    • Support guests and operational support on the whale watching and shark cage diving boats.
    • Cleaning, fish preparation and assisting at feeding time at the penguin rehabilitation facility.
    • Assembling, cleaning, and monitoring fishing line bins
    • Shark egg collection
    • Data capturing on the boats of various shark species, rays and other marine species and support of other research activities. This is the only project in the area whose marine biologist is permitted to tag White sharks.
    • Environmental education with local students
    • Participate in community educational shows.
    • Beach clean-ups and capturing data afterwards.
    • Taking part in lectures on shark biology and research, African Penguins, marine mammal species, company and conservation overview, rocky shores ecology, boat safety and more. Please note to experience all the lectures, a full 4 weeks is needed.




    Typical day

    An example of a typical day

    …please remember the daily schedule is affected according to the seasons and the weather. For the days that the weather is not advisable to go out by boat-for example due to high swells- there are still plenty of duties and activities to take part in:

    5am to 8am- Time ...

    Typical day

    An example of a typical day

    …please remember the daily schedule is affected according to the seasons and the weather. For the days that the weather is not advisable to go out by boat-for example due to high swells- there are still plenty of duties and activities to take part in:

    5am to 8am- Time to wake up, wash have breakfast and get ready for the day. Remember you are dealing with the public so make yourself presentable. Head to the meeting point for the boat trips. Boat trips can be 2 to 3 times a day

    8am to 12pm- Assist with the boat preparation and logistics for the trip. Welcome guests and help them with their life jackets. Once on the boat assist the guest when required, support the marine biologist/s with data entries, photographs, or environmental monitoring. This is always a great time to gain knowledge from these highly qualified professionals.  If the opportunity allows- which it often does- enjoy a shark cage dive. You may also be on the whale watching or eco boat tour and need to assist with guests and data entry.

    12pm to 1pm– Break for lunch

    1pm to 4pm- Presentations on marine species, boat safety, conservation work etc. These is also the time other conservation activities take place

    4.30pm- Time to head back to the volunteer accommodation to prepare for dinner- maybe a South African style braai or maybe a pizza night in- or if you have energy after the early morning start, head out to a local restaurant for a good meal out…lots of lovely seafood restaurants being so close to the sea

    Two volunteers are also assigned to help each morning and afternoon with the penguin feeding times which are 8am and 3pm.



    Free-time activities

    Some of the attractions in the area:

    • Wine tasting at local wine farms which the area is famous for… we love the Sir Robert Stanford wine farm but there are plenty in the neighbouring areas to visit
    • Visit the Klipgat Cave just outside De Kelders in the Walker Bay Nature Reserve the early home to ...

    Free-time activities

    Some of the attractions in the area:

    • Wine tasting at local wine farms which the area is famous for… we love the Sir Robert Stanford wine farm but there are plenty in the neighbouring areas to visit
    • Visit the Klipgat Cave just outside De Kelders in the Walker Bay Nature Reserve the early home to ancient homo sapiens some 70 000 to 80 000 years ago
    • Visit the most southern geographical tip of Africa, Cape Agulhas where a marker indicates the official dividing line of between the Atlantic and Indian ocean
    • Zip lining
    • Quad biking
    • Horse riding
    • Visit to a nearby ethical predator sanctuary to meet their beautiful lions, tigers, leopard, serval and caracal and hear the stories of where they were rescued from
    • Visit the Stony Point Nature Reserve penguin colony
    • Hiking
    • Craft beer tasting at local breweries


    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 17 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 17 years old on the program start date.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (basic level)

    Criminal Background Check

    required

    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, Saturday and Sunday from 08:00 - 16:30

    What's Included

    What's Included

    On-site Services

    The cost of the project includes:

    • 2 meals a day (breakfast and lunch) while on the project (not the hostel in Cape Town)
    • Shared volunteer accommodation
    • Sunday overnight stays at a hostel in Cape Town on arrival.
    • Airport collection on arrival from Cape Town International Airport to the hostel
    • Airport drop off after completion of the project on the Monday at Cape Town International Airport or alternatively to your Cape Town accommodation if in a designated area.
    • Transfers to the project base and back from Cape Town
    • Branded clothing
    • Donation to the project
    • Pre-departure support and admin
    • In-country staff and 24-emergency help
    • Volunteers that stay 4 weeks and longer also have an artificial penguin nest sponsored on their behalf. If you are really lucky you might even have a rescued penguin names after you.



    Airport Pickup at Cape Town International Airport

    Sunday airport collection and an overnight stay in Cape Town at a hostel on arrival (shared accommodation) is included in the cost of the project. Arrivals at Cape Town International Airport need to be before 21h00.  You will be collected early on Monday morning for the 2-hour drive to the volunteer site. 

    On completing your project on a Monday, you will be returned to Cape Town International Airport around 18h00, please make sure your flights depart after 21h00. Alternatively, you can be dropped off at your accommodation in Cape Town if in a designated area. 

    We recommend volunteers spend a few days before or after their project in Cape Town to sightsee and we are happy to advise on what to do, where you can stay and to assist. 

    Accommodation

    Accommodation is at the volunteer centre. There are four cottages in the style of fisherman cottages for volunteers shared between 4 to 6 volunteers and a newly built lodge which can accommodate more volunteers in twin shared bedrooms with kitchenettes, lounges with smart TV’s (for those who have Netflix or other steaming accounts) and bathrooms. All the bedrooms are a shared sleeping arrangement. Bedding is provided and the water is safe to drink.

    The volunteer cottages and volunteer lodge have mini kitchens, but most prefer to gather in the central kitchen in the main house. There is a lecture room and workspace as well as a garden with a pool in the main house and a braai (South African BBQ). There is an activity hall with cardio machines, weights and table tennis. Volunteers also enjoy a pool table and foosball and there are a variety of board games. Wi-Fi and satellite TV are also available. Between the main house, volunteer cottages and volunteer lodge is a fire pit that volunteers can spend relaxing around on summer evenings- or winter nights too.

    Laundry is offered by an external service provider twice a week for a small surcharge.

    The lodge is just 1,4km from the harbour where many of the operations take place and whilst there are two minibuses that move volunteers daily, it is also an easy walk or cycle away.

    Recycling is a priority at the lodge.

    Food & Beverages

    There is a fully equipped communal kitchen in the main house as well as kitchenettes in each volunteer cottage and the lodge plus a braai (South African barbeque) in the outside courtyard area. South Africa is famous for its braais and it is also a great relaxed way to also get to acquainted with your fellow volunteers.

    Breakfast is “help-yourself” with eggs, bacon/vegetarian sausages provided, cereal, bread, milk, coffee and tea.

    Lunch is provided on the boat – cheese and tomato rolls, fruit, crisps; the same lunch is available on “no sea days”, but most volunteers decide to cook for themselves in this case or they go out for lunch.

    Dinner is your own responsibility (don’t forget to budget for this)– some volunteers cook together; others go it alone and sometimes they go out to eat or grab pizza takeaways and watch the sunset from the rocks. There are some great seafood restaurants too in the area thanks to the nearby fishing industry.

    Please make sure to bring seasickness tablets with you though as you may not have much need for food otherwise 😊

    Internet Access

    Good access at the project site
    You don't have to pay anything yet

    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

    It is an early Monday morning start, so volunteers need to arrive at Cape Town International Airport on the Sunday preferably in daylight hours and overnight in Cape Town at a hostel of our choice which is included in the cost. 

    If volunteers prefer to choose their own alternative accommodation within the Cape Town city vicinity, that will be for their own cost. 

    An overnight stay in Cape Town on returning on the Monday, can be arranged too for a small fee. Meals are not included in the Cape Town overnight stays. 

    Volunteers are welcome to arrive a few days before to do sightseeing and acclimatise to the region and we are happy to advise and give tips on what to see and do. 

    Although you can do our Marine Conservation project for a minimum of 8 days, we do recommend a minimum of two weeks as if bad weather days, then the boats may not go out and you may not experience all the aspects of the project. 

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

    Program fees

    1 week (min. stay) 1,111€
    2 weeks 1,778€
    3 weeks 2,346€
    4 weeks 2,963€
    5 weeks 3,457€
    6 weeks 3,951€
    7 weeks 4,444€
    8 weeks 4,938€
    9 weeks 5,432€
    10 weeks 5,926€
    11 weeks 6,420€
    12 weeks (max. stay) 6,914€
    Average fees 843€/week

    Program fees

    843€ per week 1 - 12 weeks Age 17 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    1 - 12 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 Volunteer Int. Adventures during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.

    You don't have to pay anything yet
    4.8
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    Meet your project coordinator

    Sharon
    69
    reviews
    4.75
    Brilliant
    2020
    Founded

    Verified by Volunteer World

      Excellent response rate
    Spoken languages: English, Afrikaans
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    Travel dates

    1. - 1. Jan 1

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