Great White Shark: Marine Conservation in South Africa
Go for a trip in South Africa and work with Great White Shark Volunteering, in our marine conservation project. The project is located in Kleinbaai, 180 km south east of Cape Town.
Since the population of sharks worldwide is under threat, you can play a vital role in helping to monitor and conserve one of the most incredible creatures of the marine world, the Great White Shark.
You will be working alongside marine biologists researching and observing these magnificent predators and their environment. You will have the task of sharing this research and knowledge with visitors going shark diving, and may get the chance to assist in tagging and tracking sharks.
Most exciting of all, you have the unforgettable experience of going cage diving to meet your subject face to face – just try not to drop your camera! In your spare time you will be free to enjoy and get to know the beautiful Western Cape and even travel further afield to explore the rest of South Africa.
Qualifications and requirements for Marine Conservation:
- Minimum age: 18+ years old.
- You must bring a copy of your passport and travel documents.
- You need to provide your CV.
- Since the Boat excursions are weather-dependant, you need to be flexible and have a good attitude
- Be prepared to get up early in the morning – although these can be the most beautiful time of day in Africa.
- Bring your own snorkel, mask & flippers (these will also be available to rent in country).
- You must have a passion for the ocean and love marine wildlife.
Start Dates & Arrival
Our programs to volunteer in South Africa start on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month. Therefore, you should plan to arrive before 4:15pm. If you can’t make it, we suggest you fly in a day early. We can arrange airport pickup and extra night of accommodation.
- Location of project: Kleinbaai, 180 km south east of Cape Town
- Arrival airport: Cape Town (code CPT)
- Shared room in a chalet sleeping shared by four and six people. Each chalet has a kitchen, lounge, bathroom and 2 bedrooms.
- Food: Breakfast included (cereal, tea, coffee and sugar) and lunch if on the boat. All other meals are self-catering (budget approximately US$50 per week).
- Available from 2 to 4 weeks.
Fees – Great White Shark Volunteering
- The program fee is paid directly to the host organization.
- All of the projects incur a registration fee of U$ 149.00 on top of the program fee.
What is included in the volunteer program fee?
- Airport Pickup
- Orientation
- Accommodation for all projects
- Support from local staff & Program supervision
- In-country 24/7 support throughout your stay
- In-country administration costs
- Donation to support the local project
Accommodation & Meals
- Shared room in a chalet sleeping shared by four and six people. Each chalet has a kitchen, lounge, bathroom and 2 bedrooms.
- Food: Breakfast included (cereal, tea, coffee and sugar) and lunch if on the boat. All other meals are self-catering (budget approximately US$50 per week).
Requirements for Marine Conservation Volunteers:
- You must be 18+ years old.
- You must bring a copy of your passport and travel documents.
- All participants in our volunteer in South Africa programs must have adequate travel insurance and are required to provide a criminal background check to local staff on arrival in South Africa or during orientation,
- You need to provide your CV.
- You must be flexible and have a good attitude – Boat excursions are weather-dependant.
- Be prepared to get up early in the morining – although these can be the most beautiful time of day in Africa.
- Bring your own snorkel, mask & flippers (these will also be available to rent in country).
- You must have a passion for the ocean and love marine wildlife.
Wildlife Volunteering Experiences
Caring for Orphaned Animals in South Africa: Ricardo Ramajo from Brazil
Animal Volunteering in South Africa: The Most Wonderful Three Months of My Life!
Wildlife Volunteering in South Africa: Pedro Henrique with his new friends
Unforgettable Experience with Elephants in South Africa
Volunteer in South Africa with the Vervet Monkeys
South Africa Volunteer Opportunities
Find out about all the wildlife projects in South Africa here.
You may also have a look at the marine biology internship at the Aquarium of Cape Town.
If you enjoy caring for animals, check out the project for rehabilitating wounded or orphaned wildlife in Port Elizabeth. For example, you can also visit South Africa for a project on protecting Vervet monkeys.
Vet students can go for the veterinary science internship, with wildlife of the African Bush.
In addition, there are also educational projects, such as early childhood nursery, or teaching assistance at a primary school, also on the southern peninsula of Cape Town.
Volunteering with Animal Conservation
Visit our page with all the Animal Volunteer Abroad Programs.
For instance, you can volunteer with elephants in Thailand.