Volunteer on our unique programme that offers volunteers a meaningful combination of dolphin / whale research as well as marine conservation, education and community upliftment. Our partner, a non-profit research organisation, has joined forces with a local award-winning organisation in Plettenberg Bay, South Africa, in the picturesque Garden Route to offer an enriched programme.

Volunteers contribute to several national databases while observing out at sea by identifying species, behaviour, weather data, and locations. Boat trips are provided generally in the mornings and are weather dependant. Volunteers get involved in on-going research projects that involve monitoring the occurrence, movements, numbers and habitat of Bottlenose and Humpback Dolphin in the area. Photographic identification of marine life, requires dorsal fin and tail fluke photos and GS co-ordinates. Volunteers at the same time are required to collect skin samples that whales naturally leave behind for laboratory analysis

Volunteer help reduce their carbon footprint by planting seedlings and trees, organic gardening and composting in the already successful test site in which over 15 indigenous trees species have been planted bringing back the natural bird life to the area.

Monitoring the water quality and insect population in the Keurbooms, Bitou and Piesangs rivers by volunteers helps identify potential problems in the greater estuary and eco-system. The data collected helps ascertain the human impact on the rivers, acts as an early warning system and is fed back to interested parties and community education programmes.

One of the ongoing projects that volunteers get involved with is Seahorse Research. Despite the fact that the Knysna Seahorse is resilient to changes in salinity and temperatures the lack of habitat has led to their endangerment. The 2007 floods completely destroyed their habitat in the Keurbooms River. However research has shown that they can exist under certain conditions. The objective is to determine if they have in fact returned to the river since the flooding, availability of food sources, what their density is and under what environmental conditions will we find them in.

Volunteers are also involved in a variety of conservation, community and education programmes.  Conservation excursion to the Natures Valley and the Robberg Peninsula involve salt river education, rock pooling, caves visits and geological experiences. Pre-school education tasks include English tutoring conservation topics, life concepts as well as outdoor classroom excursions, boat trips and beach cleans.

The aquarium is a wonderful teaching tool for the primary school education program and for volunteers to learn about the fishes that live in our waters. Our aquarium also requires regular attention in the form of maintenance, water quality, water changes, food collection and specimen collection. Housekeeping activities also include prawn pumping to feed the fish and mussel collection for the turtles.

Occasionally there are urgent call to assist in the rescue of stranded sea creatures, most specifically penguins and turtles.  The project aides them as best they can and then organizes transport to the correct rehabilitation facilities.  This has given the volunteers most memorable encounters with animals that they would not normally get close to.

Volunteers are accommodated in a communal House situated in the town of Plettenberg Bay itself. The house is close to the beach, shops and movie theatres.

Short term programme (1 – 8 weeks)
Volunteers will be on a mixed programme where they experience the best of the two different programmes. Ideally aimed at those wanting to gain experience or decide on a career path or for a purposeful gap or career break. Volunteers are involved with research on both the dolphin / whale watching and marine conservation programme. Involvement in the education and community upliftment programmes gives you the volunteer a rounded experience.

Long term programme (9 weeks – 10 months)
Volunteers will be here to complete a project whether marine or cetacean based. The volunteers will work closely with internationally recognised marine biologist, Dr Vic Cockcroft, and will complete a designated project by the end of their stay. Volunteers will have a more personalised projects aimed at satisfying both the project as well as the volunteer’s needs. Volunteers are required to share their knowledge and experiences with the short term volunteers.

The “Project Contribution” included in your overall fee will contribute to the long-term sustainability of the project during your actual volunteer stay on the ground. On your return home you may continue to support the project financially with donations via TravAid, a UK-based charity, or via our separate Donations Account. Please enquire with our office for further information.