• Life Below Water

Dolphin Conservation & Research

location
1 - 2 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+
rating  Outstanding 4.9  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Moderate response rate

Highlights

  • HANDS ON EXPERIENCES from the boat and land - help in observation and collection of valuable dolphin data
  • Help in supervised dolphin photo ID analysis which is a crucial method for the dolphin population dynamics (abundance and distribution)
  • Raise awareness by supporting Vivamar's activities for the Dolphin Watching activities in the area which, at the moment, are not sustainable
  • Learn the first steps to marine conservation, about different species of Mediterranean megafauna and how they play a key role in the well-being of the entire marine ecosystem
  • Have fun in snorkeling, swimming, biking, getting to know like-wise people from all over the world and do great things for the Dolphins along!

Especially good for

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Groups
50+

About the program

Vivamar is an ambassador between dolphins and humans. We research and inspire conservation of the last resident bottlenose dolphins with helping volunteers.

Volunteering for Vivamar represents a fantastic opportunity for you to:

  • gain first hand insight into a day in the life of a bottlenose dolphin  and all the threats that they face;
  • learn about Biology, Ecology and Conservation of Marine Mammals. You can also gain deeper insight into their physiology, ...

About the program

Volunteering for Vivamar represents a fantastic opportunity for you to:

  • gain first hand insight into a day in the life of a bottlenose dolphin  and all the threats that they face;
  • learn about Biology, Ecology and Conservation of Marine Mammals. You can also gain deeper insight into their physiology, ethology… and you will have a scientific supervision while working with data.
  • meet and work with a competent and engaging team of like-minded people. You’ll most likely also learn about other cultures and languages!
  • raise awareness about the importance of the dolphins’ role in the Northern Adriatic Sea;
  • enjoy the Mediterranean sun and crystal blue water;
  • snorkel from the research boat directly into the blue, off the dreamy islands in the research area;

How you’ll help

With professional support, you will help fill in our dolphin data into the database from the previous observations. You will learn how to use photo identification methods to distinguish one dolphin from the another. 
We also love when volunteers are proficient with social media, so that they can take advantage of social media platforms and advocate our dolphin activities. Otherwise Vivamar team will teach you - so it'll be very handy for your everyday life, given that we all are surrounded by the social media... 
In some teams you will be helping to prepare and, depending on the dates, attend local awareness events which Vivamar organizes. These events are great opportunities to engage with the local public and raise awareness about bottlenose dolphins in the area and explain their importance for the entire marine ecosystem...
As a dolphin volunteer, you will experience what every one of our team members has–  inner growth. After spending time with the dolphins and Vivamar, you will be more enthusiastic and passionate  – either about your everyday life, your studies, or any other project concerns you.
Throw yourself in the deep end, push yourself, grow, learn, and gain confidence – all through your time helping us.

You will stand out. Talk about your dolphin volunteering experience on Facebook, post out-of-this-world sunsets & dolphin photos from the stunning Adriatic on Instagram and your friends will be inspired!

Typical day

It represents a mixture of leisure and interesting work, so it is like:

  • we have a simple Mediterranean breakfast 
  • this is followed with a briefing of the daily tasks;
  • in the morning we analyze data from the previous encounters: checking and entering all relevant obtained dolphins' data from a ...

Typical day

It represents a mixture of leisure and interesting work, so it is like:

  • we have a simple Mediterranean breakfast 
  • this is followed with a briefing of the daily tasks;
  • in the morning we analyze data from the previous encounters: checking and entering all relevant obtained dolphins' data from a previous research into the catalogue and transcript the notes made during the observation (first steps into the research analysis);
  • on the days assigned to go out to the sea, we have one of the presentations by Vivamar and one of the interesting videos from the dolphin or marine mammal world;
  • afterwards, we make a simple lunch, which is generally self-service;
  • when going off to the boat, or to the observation of dolphins from different platforms, we depart in the afternoon and stay with dolphins as long as it goes, sometimes till 8.30 p.m.;
  • we return in an excellent, overwhelming and inspired mood
  • we have the evening meal, after dinner we talk, socialize, play games, do karaoke etc.

  • in July and August – we have special additional and important activity for the dolphins. We go out to the sea with the DWB (Dolphin Watching Boats). We will do all the activities according to the briefing at the beginning of volunteering. It is very important to raise awareness about the dolphins among the tourists and tell them simple facts about dolphin biology, why these dolphins are threatened and why it makes sense to protect them - to keep the marine ecosystem healthy.

  • SUNDAY is FREE for everybody! For Vivamar team and for the volunteers! How awesome is that? You can enjoy the sea activities, be in the nature, biking, hiking – explore the neighbourhood – maybe make an excursion?

IT IS A LOT OF FUN and SO HELP YOU HELP THE DOLPHINS!

Free-time activities

On one of the days within your stay an excursion will be organized to visit Istria from the natural point of view like described above.

On other free hours you can go swimming, snorkeling, biking, hiking, sight-seeing, wine tasting - and other interesting and joyful activities.

If you tend to extend ...

Free-time activities

On one of the days within your stay an excursion will be organized to visit Istria from the natural point of view like described above.

On other free hours you can go swimming, snorkeling, biking, hiking, sight-seeing, wine tasting - and other interesting and joyful activities.

If you tend to extend your stay over the team dates there are plenty of very attractive possibilities: from sports (diving, amazing biking, trekking, fishing, tennis, caving, golf and of course numerous of attractive beaches with the crystal clean sea. The team will be happy to help you out.

Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (basic level)

Education Requirements

Marine Mammals, Marine Ecology, Conservation, Marine Biology at Students or Bachelor and higher level

Required Documents

CV and booking form sent by Vivamar

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Other Skills

You must be able to swim; you should be familiar with the windows software, You should have some interest in nautical science, marine life as such, be positive thinking, enthusiastic, full of ideas and a team-player!

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 09:30 - 16:30

What's Included

What's Included

Services by VIVAMAR

What is included in your fee (11 days)?

  • Accommodation,
  • Wi-Fi in the research base,
  • Scientific support and motivation for the studies of marine biology (first hand by the project manager),
  • Professional lectures about dolphins and accompanied marine lectures and videos,
  • Free snorkel mask for your usage during your stay,
  • Free bike availability for the numerous cycling trails nearby,
  • Boat fuel,
  • Transfer from the research base to the boat,
  • Pick up transfer at the arrival from Umag to the research base,
  • There is no pick up& drop off at the airport - you will get exact info about this once you get the contact with the project leads directly);
  • Food (only for one dinner, when we go to the local tavern, you pay the food yourself and Vivamar pays the drinks!)
  • Participation certificate,
  • Excursion to the beautiful surrounding,
  • Daily tourist tax, basic insurance on the boat.

Accommodation

Accommodation: You will stay in an apartment for volunteers with two shared rooms available (with 1-3 volunteers per room). Each room is equipped with bunk beds. There is also an air conditioner with cooling and heating capabilities in the apartment along with a western-style bathroom. The apartment’s entrance extends to a spacious terrace overlooking the surrounding area, which is a great place to hang out. In addition, there is a common room with a TV and computers to your availability and enjoyment.

Beddings: you need to bring your own beddings with you. If you bring a sleeping bag you still need to bring your own sheet. In case you don’t have anything an additional charge of 10EUR will incur.

Food & Beverages

Breakfast: Cereals, toast/bread, jams/spreads, tea and coffee are available for breakfast and each team member can help themselves in the kitchen.

  • If special things are desired like: nuts, juices, soft drinks, soya milk, etc. you are welcome to buy it yourself or Vivamar can buy it with the copayment.

Lunches are prepared with the help of the assigned volunteers and after the predefined menu. Lunch generally comprises cooked simple Mediterranean menu.


Dinners are usually not hot meals and are either self prepared or prepared together, followed with washing up responsibilities shared between volunteers.

Meals are mostly vegetarian, for both health and value reasons, and typical dishes include Mediterranean food, pasta, risotto, roasted veggies etc.

Internet Access

Limited access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Airport Pickup at Pula Airport

An airport pickup isn't included within the program fees either.

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Pula Airport (PUY) in Pula. We assist you to find cheap flights to Croatia. 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 Croatia provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in Croatia you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Croatia. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

Please be invited into the year 2024 research of Dolphins! Your help is of vital importance to conserve and protect dolphins in the area.

TEAM DATES IN 2024 ARE:

  • 1st TEAM      25th APR - 5th MAY 
  • 2nd  TEAM   9th MAY - 19th MAY
  • 3rd TEAM     23rd MAY - 2nd JUN
  • 4th TEAM     6th JUN - 16th JUN
  • 5th TEAM     27th JUN - 7th JUL  
  • 6th TEAM     11th JUL - 21st JUL  
  • 7th TEAM     1st AUG - 11th AUG      
  • 8th TEAM     15th AUG - 25th AUG
  • 9th TEAM     5th SEP - 15th SEP
  • 10th TEAM    26th SEP - 6th OCT  
Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

1 week 4 days (min. stay) 1,100€
2 weeks (max. stay) 1,510€
Average fees 755€/week

Program fees

755€ per week 1 - 2 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES

Duration

1 - 2 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 VIVAMAR during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.

Meet your organization

VIVAMAR

Outstanding 4.9 rating (16 reviews)

Non-profit - founded in 2002

Verified by Volunteer World

  Moderate response rate

Coordinated by

Darja

Spoken languages: English

About the project

As a volunteer with Vivamar you’ll help in conservation and research of the last resident bottlenose dolphins in the off Istria, NE Adriatic Sea.

Meet your organization

Last Bottlenose Dolphin Conservation in Istria, Croatia, NE Adriatic

VIVAMAR is the NGO, established in 2002, is the research team dedicated to the conservation of the Bottlenose Dolphins off Istria, Croatia. This dolphin volunteer program in North-eastern Adriatic focuses on the relationships, group size, composition and population dynamics, as well as obtaining scientific data about the fishing industry and negative influence from nautical tourism on the dolphin community. To volunteer for the last marine mammals in the area one of the aims is to ensure that sustainable and environmentally safe tourism is accomplished by offering certified training programs for dolphin watching. 

16 reviews · rating4.9

Antonio Ilic rating5

2019 at Dolphin Conservation & Research

I joined Vivamar as a volunteer to gain skills in dolphin monitoring and to collect data for my undergraduate thesis project. From the very beginning even during my first email conservation Darja the project leader was very helpful and enthusiastic. Whilst volunteering I learnt essential skills for ...
Linn Samualson rating4.8

2019 at Dolphin Conservation & Research

Personally, this project gave a strong impact on me. It was a great feeling to know that you are contributing to something good in the world. It was also a fun experience with a lot of laughter! I felt very safe during the project and in the village. I could always trust our host Darja and knew that ...
Jessica rating4.8

2019 at Dolphin Conservation & Research

Volunteering with Darja and Vivamar was both exciting AND educational – until now I never knew how endangered this marine ecosystem was or just how much more we could be doing to preserve the way of life of these beautiful mammals. Out in the Vivamar Research Boat most days we were able to get up ...
The time I spent with the project leader and the other volunteers was an experience I surely will never forget. You get a good insight into the life of the dolphins living in the adriatic sea and the threats that endanger them. This knowledge that we gained from this dedicated Dolphin conservation ...
Project for the bottlenose dolphins which was a total jackpot… After a short search on volunteer opportunities I became quickly aware of the project for the bottlenose dolphins, which was, in my opinion, a total jackpot. From the first day on I got the feeling I was into something important. ..
I have always been into the sea and dolphins so I was really excited when I found out this project for dolphin conservation. I thought to volunteer for such a purpose would be a good thing. When I had to choose what to do for my matura, final work exam at school, I asked if I could do it about ...

Location

Europe > Southern Europe > Croatia > Zambratija, Funtana

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Contact Darja
  Moderate response rate
English

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