Program Photos
Great White Shark Volunteer programme-Marine Dynamics Shark Tours
Location: South Africa
Program Duration: 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Please inquire for specific dates.
Great White Shark Volunteer Programme - Marine Dynamics
Geelbek street, Gansbaai Cape Town, Western Cape 7550 South Africa
Call Us
Phone: 0027823803405
Fax: 0027283841266
Description
Shark populations worldwide are increasingly threatened, and in scientific circles there is still research needed to fully understand and interpret shark behaviour.
Shark education features as a prominent part of the programme. It is only by getting to know these complex creatures more intimately, that we will understand the impact of their current continuing decline.
Therefore the programme is particularly suited to those who are willing to take up a challenge and play a pivotal role in observing and promoting these graceful and majestic creatures.
The programme will enable you to see sharks in their natural environment, either from a boat or from a cage.
You will learn about coastal eco systems in the region, and about what work is going on to help preserve them. Each link of the chain needs to be supported in order to ensure ocean sustainability. Because of this you will have a wide variety of tasks and activities to participate.
- Experience out at sea, weather permitting
- Photographing sharks and observing them around the boat
- Learning how to Identify individual animals through newly discovered dorsal fin recording, measurement and markings
- Boat safety and seamanship. Learning how to maintain standards and equipment needed for the operation
- Assisting with the monitoring other marine animals in the area, and learning about hierarchy in the ecosystems
- Participating in rescue and data collection
- Fieldwork in and around the area of Gansbaai, which is dependent on the ocean and tourism for its survival
- Educational talks by our Marine Biologists and other staff members that has a wealth of knowledge regarding marine wildlife.
Highlights
What will I do on the boats?
On the white shark dive boat (Shark Fever) you will work with the tourists, assist the crew with baits, chum, cage, dive gear and cleaning. Here you will gain very good boat and team experience. You will record data and you will assist in logging this data. On the whale boat, you will assist the tourists but your main task will be data collection and observations. We are particularly interested in bite marks on seals, birds and dolphin. You will also be looking out for entangled animals.
The boats often do one to four trips per day (Whale Whisperer), depending on the season and we will rotate you accordingly. Please note that we are working with the ocean and weather so it is almost impossible to maintain a strict schedule. You will have to be flexible, just as we are,but this is once again a very good learning opportunity.
What animals will I come into contact with?
You will work very closely with white sharks and you will also get very close to whales at certain times of the years, seals, dolphins and marine birds. The white sharks come right up to the boat and the whales often come very close.
Will I dive in the cage?
You will definitely have opportunities to cage dive. We will allow you to cage dive as much as we can.
Travel Types
- Birdwatching
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Climbing
- Cycling (Mountain)
- Deep-Sea Fishing
- Eco Tours
- Environmental Studies
- Nature Tours
- Scuba
- Snorkeling
- Sports
- Surfing
- Tours
- Volunteering
Qualifications
- 18 years and older.
- Must be willing to go on a boat on the sea every day.
- Interested in marine wildlife and marine conservation.
Languages
- English
Cost in US$:
1,600 for 4 weeks
Cost Include Description:
What does the cost include?
- Accommodation
- Activities as part of the programme
- Trips on the boats
- Programme materials
We supply all diving equipment and a welcome pack that consists out of:
- 2 T-shirts
- 1 Cap
- 1 Jacket that you have to give back after your time with Marine Dynamics/Dyer Island Cruises
- 1 house key (you have to give it back)
- If you stay longer than 2 weeks with us, you get one penguin house
- 1 dvd of your time with us and one promo dvd
Credit Available
no
Volunteer Types
- Animal Welfare
- Biological Research
- Conservation
- Eco-tourism
- Environment
- Research
- Tourism
- Volunteering
Typical Volunteer
Typical volunteer is normally between 20 and 30 years and interested to learn more about marine wild life. It is a person that loves the sea and to go on boats.Age Range
18 years and olderThis Program is open to
American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African, Worldwide Participant. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.
Typical Living Arrangements
- Apartment/Flat
Participants Travel to South Africa
Independently
Application Process Involves
- Online Application plus Application Assessment
- Written Application
Typically The Application Process Time is
2 weeksGreat White Shark Volunteer Programme - Marine Dynamics's Mission Statement
Marine Dynamics is a Shark Cage Diving company based in Kleinbaai, a small harbour town, part of Gansbaai in the Western Cape of South Africa. This area is known as the best place in the world to see Great White Sharks in their natural habitat. Sister company Dyer Island Cruises is a boat based Marine Eco Tourism Company, allowing visitors an unforgettable experience to see whales, dolphins, seals, penguins and sharks, as well as many species of rare pelagic birds that reside close to the shore. These two companies allow volunteers access to a diverse area of learning, and a holistic insight into the challenges of ocean conservation at the tip of Africa. Marine conservation is not considered mainstream, and therefore offers an exciting opportunity to get involved with new and developing research.
Year Founded
1995
