Whales, Sharks and Penguins Researcher

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 and support of other research activities. This is the only project in the area whose marine biologist is permitted to tag Great White sharks
• Environmental education with local students
• Snorkel dives in the kelp forests
• Participate in community educational shows
• Beach clean-ups and capturing data afterwards
• Taking part in lectures of White 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.

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.

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, cheetah 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

Scuba diving with blue and mako sharks- proof of your open water scuba diving certification is essential and scuba gear is provided.

Kelp Diving- snorkelling or scuba (proof of open water diving certification needed)

For those returning to Cape Town to do some independent travelling after their project, please chat to us about vouchers to visit the 2 Oceans aquarium which is a must!