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Volunteer Ocean Conservation & Research in South Africa

1 week - 10 months from

£635
16+
minimum age

  • Take part in whale, dolphin and seal research projects
  • Experience living in the beautiful Garden Route town of Plettenberg Bay
  • Long term marine conservation internship opportunities available
  • Take part in community based projects in the local township

Seal pup in South Africa heading out to sea

Project Costs

The cost to volunteer in South Africa for 1 week is £635, 2 weeks is £1075, 3 weeks is £1515, 4 weeks is £1955 and 6 weeks is £2835.  Please enquire for longer durations.  Internship prices start from 2 months at £3330 and 3 months at £4895.

Included in this price is accommodation, 3 meals per day, transport within Plettenberg Bay, activities that form part of the volunteering programme, project t-shirt and cap, training manual, WorkingAbroad backup and support. What is not included is your flights and travel to and from the project, visa costs, personal expenses, and your own health and travel insurance.

Payment Terms

To secure your placement on the project, you will need to complete and submit the application form with your application payment of £225 (included in the total project costs listed above). If for some reason, your application is not accepted, we will reimburse this payment fully. However, for those who are accepted, you will need to pay the balance two months before arrival. Once we have confirmed your place, you will receive a pre-departure package with all detailed information on the project, details on the work, suggested items to bring etc.

Dorsal fins of dolphins in South Africa

Project Dates

The dates below are just a guideline and we can be flexible if you want to start/leave on another date than those listed. You can join for a minimum of one week up to 12 weeks in duration. Please be aware that volunteers who join for more than 4 weeks will be trained to assist the researchers with data manipulation and fin profiling (volunteers coming for less than 4 weeks won’t receive the training as it takes some time). Any volunteer staying over 8 weeks joins as a Research Intern.   For any questions, please email Victoria.McNeil@workingabroad.com

StartEndAvailability
January 5th 2026 January 19th 2026
January 19th 2026 February 2nd 2026
February 2nd 2026 February 16th 2026
February 16th 2026 March 2nd 2026
March 2nd 2026 March 16th 2026
March 16th 2026 March 30th 2026
March 30th 2026 April 13th 2026
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June 8th 2026 June 22nd 2026
June 22nd 2026 July 6th 2026
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July 20th 2026 August 3rd 2026
August 3rd 2026 August 17th 2026
August 17th 2026 August 31st 2026
August 31st 2026 September 14th 2026
Volunteer Ocean Conservation & Research in South Africa

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