Encounter our amazing local sharks and actively contribute to protecting them via our marine volunteer programme. The volunteer programme is a perfect fusion of research and adventure!
Your Marine Volunteer EcoAdventure
Whether you are a marine biology student or just love sharks and the ocean, the marine volunteer programme offers a life-changing way to experience oceanic life. It is also an exciting opportunity to participate in meaningful shark and marine research in the beautiful country of South Africa!
You will encounter and learn about some of South Africa’s most captivating marine animals on your ecoadventure. These species include sharks, dolphins, penguins, whales (June to November), Cape fur seals, and others.
Marine Volunteers will:
- Spend a lot of time at sea observing marine life
- Learn about the behaviors and biology of sharks, whales and other species
- Help out at the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary with cleaning, fish preparation and assisting at feedings
- Gain hands-on marine conservation experience
- Have the option to join in on eco-tourism (cage diving or whale watching), and other conservation work
- Engage in environmental Education work with local students
- Go on snorkelling surveys and observe the rich marine life in our coastal bays and kelp beds
- Contribute to community education by participating in educational talks
- Do beach clean ups and gather pollution data collection
- Assisting the crew in the dive operations, helping clients and data recording
- Participate in shark egg collection
Volunteers have the opportunity to take part in observational data collection of our shark species. The data collected goes towards the long-term data set that has been vital in changing legislation in the area to further protect sharks.
When time allows between boats and weather, we also go on snorkelling trips to explore inshore kelp forests and rocky reefs.
These adventures create an opportunity to catch, tag and release specific species outlined by the Oceanographic Research Institute (ORI), a citizen science initiative. Our research focuses include the growth rate, site fidelity and movement patterns of these species.
You will also spend time at our penguin sanctuary. This facility is a ‘safe harbour’ for injured penguins where we nurse these critically endangered birds back to health. Additionally, volunteers have the option to participate in outreach activities. These excursions include beach clean-ups, and walking dogs and interacting with cats at the local animal shelter.
What Species Could You See?
Elasmobranchs
- Bronze whaler sharks
- Spotted gully sharks
- Pyjama sharks
- Leopard cat sharks
- Puffadder shy sharks
- Dark shy sharks
- Great white sharks (occasional sightings)
- Short-tail stingrays
Marine Mammals
- Dolphins
- Cape fur seals
- Whales (seasonal)
Marine Birds
- African penguins
- Petrels
- Cormorants
- Cape gannets
Itinerary
Changes daily depending on weather and sea conditions
What do you need to bring?
We have put together a comprehensive list of items we advise volunteers to bring with them.
Please email us for our information guide.
Why Take an EcoAdventure With Us?
Committed to Conservation
Preserving sharks and other marine species is at the forefront of our work. We are committed to protecting local shark species for generations through research and related conservation action.
These sharks include bronze whalers, pyjama sharks, leopard cat sharks, shy sharks, spotted gullies, and the ultimate apex predators – great white sharks. Other than great whites, most of these species are data-deficient. This means that there is insufficient research to classify them according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The IUCN cannot implement regulations to protect these precious species without this classification. Therefore, the research you will do is vital to their conservation.
Safety and Standards First
Our shark cage diving vessel is custom-designed to ensure the highest safety standards. You are in good hands with our skipper, crew members, marine biologist, and tour facilitators, who have years of experience. Additionally, a love of sharks and a drive to conserve them unites us.
During the programme, volunteers stay in luxurious accommodation close to the ocean. Our comfortable volunteer headquarters has a bar area, swimming pool, and free WiFi.