The Oceans Marine program provides first-hand practical experience in marine research and conservation. Anyone with an interest in marine biology, conservation and/or education can benefit. There is no specific criterion for this Marine Biology Field Research program therefore anyone interested in marine research, conservation, and environmental awareness can apply.
As a marine biology research volunteer / intern, you will have the opportunity to work on long-term research projects and get up-close and personal with great white sharks, whales, dolphins, and other marine species. During the program, our interns gain first-hand, practical experience with a diversity of field research, seamanship, and data analysis skills. For example, interns learn how to read white shark behaviour and spot unique, identifying features on great white sharks for the long-term, population monitoring study. You will also learn proper handling, measuring, and tagging techniques of several shark and fish species during different fishing shifts.
Interns learn to identify up to six different cetacean species, monitor behaviour and track habitat use during our land-based cetacean surveys. The intertidal, snorkel and marine litter surveys allow volunteers to practice different types of transect surveys, to understand why different survey types are more or less effective for different project aims. During all boat-based projects, our interns learn proper seamanship skills.
Interns staying more than one month also have the opportunity to pursue independent research projects that can go towards college or research credits at their home universities. They can either use pre-existing data from long term datasets and/or can collect data during their fieldwork shifts. Depending on the length of their stay and their project aims, interns have an invaluable opportunity to practice all stages of independent research from project design to implementation, to analysis.
Not only do interns learn a diversity of skills that leave them well equipped to pursue a career in marine science, research, conservation and more, but they also take a variety of courses that expands their knowledge of local and current scientific topics, such as proper shark handling and tagging techniques, predator-prey ecology of great white sharks and Cape fur seals, shark stress physiology, marine mammal stranding and dissections, effective science communication, and more.
This research training program has been recognised by many international universities, providing up to a full semester credits for one month in this program, due to the intensive experience obtained by students.
| Arrival airport | George Airport (George) |
| Arrival Day | 1st of each month |
| Duration | Minimum one month. February to June on request |
| Join project on | 1st day of each month |
| Minimum age | You must be aged 18 years or older when you arrive |
| Accommodation | You will be accommodated in a guest house organised in male and female dorm rooms (all en-suite). Included in the monthly fee is bedding, house keeping, internet & Wi-Fi is included at the guest house. |
| Food | 3 meals per day(2 cooked meals and a cold breakfast) is included for the duration of the program |
| In-country support | Our volunteer coordinators are available 24/7 for emergencies, and are on hand to help you make the most of your stay |
| Orientation | You will receive an induction and orientation within the first two days at the project |
| Pre-arrival support | Our experienced team is on hand to ensure you are fully prepared for your trip to South Africa |
| Transport | Return transfers between George Airport and the project is provided |
| Flights | Please refer to our FAQ section for recommendations about keeping your flight costs to a minimum |
| Laundry | Laundry is not included and can be done at a local laundromat |
| Medical / Travel Insurance | Volunteers are encouraged to arrange travel insurance which sufficiently covers medical insurance while in South Africa. |
| Visas | Citizens from most countries can arrive in South Africa and stay for up to 90 days without a Visa. Please refer to our FAQ section for more details if you are unsure |
From Monday through Friday, interns are either in the field, on the boat, underwater, in an aquarium or in the lab collecting data, observing wildlife, learning to scuba dive, analyzing footage, entering data and so much more. When not in the field, interns gain experience with data management, organization, gear maintenance, and data analysis. After every shift, volunteers practice data management by carefully entering and cleaning up the data collected from that previous shift. They learn how to analyze Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV), practicing species identification for species diversity and richness assessments.
Shifts are Monday - Friday :
07h00 - 12h00, lunch, 13h00 - 17h00
Interns are free over weekends and this location is an ideal springboard to explore the leisure/tourist activities of the Garden Route.
You will be accommodated in a guest house organised in male and female dorm rooms (all en-suite)
Included in the monthly fee is
The marine research project is located in a coastal town of the Western Cape Province, approximately 320kms from Cape Town.
Your arrival airport is George Airport (GRJ)
We have arrival dates for this project on most Mondays throughout the year.
You can also arrive earlier if you prefer. We can easily add extra nights to your stay, before and/or after your placement.
You can book your arrival flight to land at George airport at any time of day.
One of the project team members will be at the airport to give you a warm welcome and escort you to the guest house and help you get settled in.
International students interested in participating in a study component of the marine reseach internship program must first complete a two-month evalutation period as part of the Field Research Program. This assessment ensures that participants acquire foundational field research skills and adapt to the dynamic nature of marine science investigations.
Contact our experienced team to start planning your ethical volunteering adventure.
Via Volunteers
137 3rd Avenue
Rondebosch East
Cape Town
7780
South Africa