from 3,390€

Perfect 4.6rating (57)

Marine Conservationist and Researcher

location
2 - 4 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Perfect 4.6  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Highlights

  • Help at an amazing Marine Conservation project based in South Africa!
  • Get a chance to do Marine Research and learn how to Dive like a pro!
  • Work alongside an amazing team of staff and other volunteers from around the world!
  • Explore the ocean floor, visit the nature side of South Africa by biking, safaris, enjoy the attractions and entertainment on your leisure time.
  • Go wildlife viewing and immerse yourself in a new culture and way of life!

Especially suitable

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Groups

About the program

Are you in search of an amazing volunteer opportunity? Then take up this offer to work alongside an amazing team of staff all involved in Marine Conservation & Research!

Are you a student who is seeking a career within the field of Marine Conservation? Or are you perhaps an early career scientist? Or maybe just looking for an adventure in South Africa? Then your search is over as we have the perfect program for you!

Wake up in a tropical paradise every morning and be ...

About the program

Are you a student who is seeking a career within the field of Marine Conservation? Or are you perhaps an early career scientist? Or maybe just looking for an adventure in South Africa? Then your search is over as we have the perfect program for you!

Wake up in a tropical paradise every morning and be swept away by the sweet sounds of nature. Jump in your costume and grab your beach towel, take a breath-taking drive through a tunnel of trees in a safari truck to the beach, roll back off a boat into the warm Indian Ocean and feel yourself weightless, breathing underwater. Find yourself surrounded by the most amazing creatures and colorful corals. During this incredible dive take photos of manta rays, ragged-tooth sharks, turtles, whales and nudibranchs to contribute to the main objective of the project; it’s international marine conservation research.

The project also offers Marine Lectures so volunteers can learn more about the ocean and marine conservation, these lectures are short and casual. Volunteers also get a certificate at the end of their stay to say they have completed the lecture series, this can be added to their CV. Once database and lectures are done volunteers are free to relax at the camp or go exploring in town. Volunteers can then head out for sundowners at a local viewpoint or have a braai (barbecue) at Triton's fire area. Every night the Triton staff organize a fire, this is great to experience a traditional South African braai, relax and socialize. Come now and be part of this amazing and once in a lifetime opportunity!


Typical day

Volunteers arrive on the first Friday of the month. The Saturday after arrival, volunteers will receive a camp orientation. The rest of this weekend can be used to settle in and get to know other volunteers and interns. 
  • Week one will be used to complete the CMAS One Star or PADI Open Water course ...

Typical day

Volunteers arrive on the first Friday of the month. The Saturday after arrival, volunteers will receive a camp orientation. The rest of this weekend can be used to settle in and get to know other volunteers and interns. 
  • Week one will be used to complete the CMAS One Star or PADI Open Water course or the volunteer’s chosen course. The duration of the course will depend on the course chosen and the volunteer’s ability to complete skills. The CMAS One Star and PADI Open Water courses typically take between four and five days to complete. If volunteers do not have the required number of dives, this can be obtained during the first week and the course will begin thereafter.  
  • Once volunteers are qualified divers, they dive each day during the week, Monday to Friday. One dive a day is included in the price, extra dive packages can be bought so volunteers can dive twice a day. During dives volunteers collect photographic data of manta rays, ragged-tooth sharks, turtles, whales and nudibranchs. This data is entered into international marine conservation databases after dives. Deep Blue offers Marine Lectures to increase knowledge about the ocean, these are short and casual. After their stay volunteers receive a certificate for the lecture that can be added to their CV.  
  • The rest of the day can be spent relaxing and exploring. There are a lot of activities to keep volunteers busy, read the things to do list below. During weekends there are more trips, we do overnight trips to Kosi Bay or trips to Lake Sibaya for sundowners and a braai

Free-time activities

Some other free time activities that volunteers can do are as follows:

  • Chilling on the beach
  • Freediving
  • African market
  • Two bars / restaurants
  • Bonfires
  • Looking for chameleons
  • Whale watching (seasonal)
  • Picking up shark teeth at Anton’s dive site
  • Sundowners at local view points
  • Watching the moonrise on the ...

Free-time activities

Some other free time activities that volunteers can do are as follows:

  • Chilling on the beach
  • Freediving
  • African market
  • Two bars / restaurants
  • Bonfires
  • Looking for chameleons
  • Whale watching (seasonal)
  • Picking up shark teeth at Anton’s dive site
  • Sundowners at local view points
  • Watching the moonrise on the beach 
  • Turtle tours (seasonal)
  • Surfing
  • Lake Sibaya trips
  • Game drives
  • Plankton on the beach at night
  • Trips to Tolla se Gat
  • Hikes
  • Kosi Bay trips
  • Braais (barbecue)
  • Quad biking
  • Fishing 


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)

Required Documents

CV, Letter of motivation, 2 Application Forms (one for us and the other for the project), 2 pictures and Liability Waiver and Volunteer Policy forms (provided during application process)

Nationality Restrictions

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

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 08:00 - 15:00

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Fronteering Travel

  • CMAS One Star or PADI Open Water course (If you're already a diver you can do your Advanced Open Water or do the 2 week program without a dive course).
  • All required dive training manuals.
  • Total 10 dives per 2 week stay / 20 dives per 4 week stay.
  • Hard gear rental (BCD, regulator, cylinder and weight belt).
  • Transport to and from the Richards Bay Airport.
  • Transport to and from the Sodwana Bay beach as well as around Sodwana.
  • Gate fees into the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (excluding weekends).
  • Food (Each week volunteers buy food at the Spar and prepare their own food in the shared kitchen).
  • Accommodation at Triton Dive Lodge.
  • Marine lectures and certificate.
  • Recommendation letter.
  • Ongoing Services
  • Tours (Inquire on this if interested)
  • 24/7 Emergency Contact

Airport Pickup at Richards Bay Airport

Transfers to and from Richards Bay Airport for arrival and departure provided. Transport to and from the Sodwana Bay beach as well as around Sodwana is provided.

Accommodation

Volunteers stay at Triton Dive Lodge which is situated just outside the Simangaliso Wetland Park. It’s a 5 km drive from the town and a 10 km drive to the beach. The volunteers stay in a shared loft or shared wooden cabins. There are shared ablutions, a shared kitchen, fire area, swimming pool and a restaurant / bar.

Food & Beverages

Each week the project takes the volunteers to the grocery store (Spar) in the neighboring town of Mbazwana to buy groceries for the week within the budget. Thereafter they prepare their own food in the shared kitchen. Each night there is a fire prepared by the Triton staff at the fire area so volunteers can barbecue and socialize.

Internet Access

Good access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Richards Bay Airport (RCB) in Richards Bay. We assist you to find cheap flights to South Africa. 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 South Africa provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

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

Details on arrival

The project prefers applicant to arrive on the first and third Friday of each month (excluding December).

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

2 weeks (min. stay) 3,390€
4 weeks (max. stay) 5,265€
Average fees 1,505€/week

Program fees

1,505€ per week 2 - 4 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

2 - 4 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 Fronteering Travel during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

Fronteering Travel

Perfect 4.6 rating (57 reviews)

Non-profit - founded in 2010

Verified by Volunteer World

  Excellent response rate

Coordinated by

Patrick

Spoken languages: English, German, Dutch

About the project

Fronteering arranges volunteering programs related to wildlife and indigenous people in less visited places of this world as well as more unique destinations.

Meet your organization

Fronteering arranges volunteering programs in some of the last frontiers of this world as well as more unique locations that other organizations ignore. From Field research programs in the Far north of Canada and Husky ranches in the Canadian Arctic to Amerindian community programs and wildlife conservation in the Amazon Rainforest and everything in between.

Most of our programs Focus on either wildlife rehabilitation and release, wildlife conservation & research or involve local indigenous communities.

Fronteering currently offers programs in Canada, Guyana, USA, Australia, Brazil, Borneo, South Africa, Madagascar and Panama.

True good causes: FRONTEERINGS volunteer abroad projects are either existing local projects or projects that are build from the group up by FRONTEERING. What these projects have in common is that you will be supporting a true good cause! You will have the opportunity to help where the need is the greatest. Our projects focus on helping the local communities, wildlife, indigenous people and the environment in cooperation with the local/indigenous communities. We focus on true volunteer projects where your effort really makes a difference. That’s why through Fronteering you will rehabilitate injured & orphaned wildlife with the goal to release the animal. That is the reason why will not send you to some far southern country to cuddle with tame lions & tigers with any real purpose. If you want to volunteer abroad with a real purpose, contact us!

Safety: At FRONTEERING we do our outmost best to provide the safety measures needed for our Volunteer Abroad projects and Adventure Travel Trips. However due to the fact that many of our projects and trips involve wild animals and/or are in remote locations there is a small element of risk involved. Not all of our projects and trips are for the faint at heart however we do cater to those of all walks of life. If you are not too sure about the suitability of a Volunteer Abroad project or an Adventure Travel trip then feel free to ask as we are always ready to answer any questions or discuss any doubts that come to mind. For more information please check our Safety & In-country Support section before you volunteer abroad.

A real adventure: We do not want our volunteers to end up trying to safe or clean up some small patch of rainforest which in some places they might call a wilderness. Instead you will volunteer in the immense jungle of the Amazon rainforest or venture in to the vast Canadian wilderness! Our volunteer abroad projects are situated in the remote areas of the world and we focus on countries and regions with the lowest population densities. We at FRONTEERING focus on what works; from sleeping in the jungle underneath the stars with nothing more than your own private hammock to back-to-basic cabins in the northern tundra with a cozy smothering fireplace and no electricity! When you volunteer abroad with FRONTEERING you can be sure it will be adventure.

Off the beaten path: With FRONTEERING volunteer abroad projects you will venture to places less visited. We focus on places that are fairly undiscovered where the nature, wildlife and indigenous cultures are still common. You will have the great opportunity to see these amazing places while they are still unspoiled and pure. It is these places where there is the most to lose but even more to gain through successful conservation work and sustainable tourism. 

Community involvement: Foremost when volunteering abroad the well being of the community should come first. For all of our trips we use local guides, local transportation and local communities so that through sustainable tourism we can help to protect the environment, wildlife and sustain the way of life of indigenous cultures & communities. More and more and governments choose the long term benefit of sustainable tourism over the short term gain of mining and logging. A good example is Gabon which in 2002 after recommendations from environmental researchers set up 13 new national parks. The government of Guyana is currently considering protecting its entire rainforest region which still covers 80% of the country. Hopefully through our combined effort this dream will one day become true.

Mission
FRONTEERING specializes in organizing volunteer abroad projects to preserve the environment, wildlife and indigenous people throughout the world while giving the volunteers a real and raw experience in some of the most beautiful and often remote places in the world to make a true difference.

Vision
FRONTEERING strives to provide real off the beaten path volunteer abroad experiences worldwide that satisfy the need for volunteer projects that truly makes a difference for the environment, wildlife and indigenous people.


57 reviews · rating4.6

Deirdre Conroy rating4.2

2024 at Pantanal Wildlife Research

My experience on this volunteer program was excellent due to the hard work and planning by my host Alexine. She is a fund of knowledge and is dedicated to her project (Peccary Project, see also on Instagram, peccary_queixada_project). I also worked with an amazing team working with the giant ant ...
Liliane Zistl rating5

2023 at Exotic & Domestic Animal Caretaker

I really enjoyed my stay at this program. I had the chance to work with different animals that I woudn't have gotten otherwise. The people there are very kinde and courteouse. Because the work is not always the simplest, they give you the weekend of with the possability to go to Saint Pete or Tampa. ..
Hanna Somsky rating5

2023 at Exotic Wildlife Caretaker Assistant

Can get really good hands on experience with a very diverse group of animals. Ranch care takers are very knowledgeable about the animals and will gladly spend time sharing their stories and experiences with you. If you are looking for somewhere that can you know the place and people you're ...
Théo SMITH rating4.8

2023 at Scottish Husky Ranch Caretaker

I spent 6 weeks there, it was a great experience. The hosts are super friendly and very welcoming. The dogs are adorable and kind. The landscapes are magnificent and unique If you are looking for a new experience, go ...
Cindy Lamaha rating5

2023 at Exotic Wildlife Caretaker Assistant

Dear future volunteer, The Hawaii sanctuary is not just a project where you will be taught about all the different kinds of animals and their behaviors, you will also learn a lot about humans, about yourself and you will learn how to feel home at a place that is not your own. If you thinking about ...
Jasmine McPherson rating5

2023 at Exotic & Domestic Animal Caretaker

This sanctuary is an absolute amazing place, I'm glad I stayed. They provided a good place to stay and I learnt a lot while with them. They let me experience different situations while with them. Definitely recommend for any volunteer. ..

Location

Africa > Southern Africa > South Africa > Sodwana Bay

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Contact Patrick
  Excellent response rate
English, German, Dutch

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