Marine Research and Community Volunteering

Vacancy: Marine Research and Community Volunteering
Company: Yomps
Category: Gap year projects (Conservation, Community development, Wildlife)

Dates: Every Monday

Cost: £582 / $1159 (US) / €749

Description:

Volunteer at a world renowned marine research organisation for either 2, 4, 8 or 12 weeks in Plettenberg Bay, South Africa. Tag fish, collect data and take photos of dolphins and a variety of whales. Gain a Local Marine Guiding Programme qualification and participate in commercial eco-tourism activities. Volunteer at a community project for disadvantaged children, help to organise local marine awareness campaigns, monitor and help clean local beaches – do all this and much much more!


This marine volunteering project gives you the unique opportunity to live in the picturesque seaside of South Africa’s Plettenberg Bay whilst you research some of the world’s most fascinating marine species. By marine volunteering in this part of South Africa you can witness the power, grace and exuberance of a variety of whales, dolphins, sharks and seals, whilst being surrounded by a majestic setting of mountains, forests and coastal inlets. On this South African marine volunteering adventure you will learn how to manage a marine and coastal zone in a sustainable manner to actively and meaningfully participate in conserving the marine life, whilst experiencing the community, culture and environment of the area in a more intimate way than most visitors. Depending on the time of year and how lucky you are, the marine research you conduct will encounter a variety of marine life that includes Southern Right Whales, Humpback Whales, Bryde’s Whales, Bottlenose Dolphins, Common Dolphins, rarely seen Orcas (Killer Whales) and even Great White Sharks!

As the first ever privately initiated and government supported conservation project of its kind in South Africa, this conservation volunteering project has a world-renowned research team who have been given awards by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). This fantastic team will guide you through projects that involve marine research, educating and being involved in the community, and taking a ‘watch dog’ role in Plettenberg Bay. They will be there to help you settle in during your stay and give you the opportunity to take on any individual projects where your own best interests lie. This marine volunteering project offers you personal diversity in the programme and from assisting the dive research teams to helping with their community programme you will find your own way to contribute. As part of your stay you will also assist with our commercial whale and dolphin tours, as well as kayaking and river cruising.