This project offers volunteers a wonderful opportunity to join the team at an internationally recognised marine mammal research institute based in beautiful Plettenberg Bay. The centre was established in 1990 and aims to promote the research and conservation of Southern African marine mammals, with a special focus on whales, dolphins and seals.

Plettenberg Bay is world famous for its scenic beauty, pristine beaches and diverse mammal fauna. Bottlenose dolphins can be seen almost every day (group sizes average about 60-100). Humpback dolphins, although not seen as often, also reside in the bay. Other marine mammals seen often, if irregularly, in the bay include common dolphins, killer whales and Brydes whales. In ‘official’ whale season, between July and November, we can see southern right whales every day. During this time our boats also often see humpback whales, especially in May and June and between November and January. There is a large Cape fur seal colony in the bay where numbers of animals reach about 3000.

The project also includes a modular course on Marine Mammal Biology & Research. Each module includes lectures, practical workshops, collection and analysis of data. The course will run for four weeks (our minimum length of stay). Volunteers who stay for longer will then be able to use their new-found knowledge to get involved with ongoing student projects, help with training and aid with collection of data for ongoing projects.

As a volunteer you could be involved with a wide range of tasks, depending on what is required at the time that you volunteer. As requirements can change at short notice we do ask you to be enthusiastic, flexible and willing to “muck in and get your hands dirty!”

Duties that you may experience during your project include:

• Helping with data collection and analysis for ongoing projects, especially with regard to population parameters of coastal dolphins, whales and Cape fur seals.
• You will have the opportunity to accompany commercial tourist boats out into the bay, to experience the natural beauty of the area and to obtain photographs, which can be used to identify individual animals.
• Field-based research including photographing animals, tracking their movements and mapping habitat use in the Plettenberg Bay area.
• Helping with stranded seals and dolphins.
• Washing dolphin bones and assembling skeletons for educational purposes
• Land based whale and dolphin surveys.
• Office-based duties include data analysis, record keeping and administration.
• Leading local children on beach clean-ups and occasionally, visiting local schools to teach fun educational games to the children
• You will be trained in the different research techniques and small workshops held during your stay will be used to give you an insight into methodology used during dolphin research, such as fin profile identification, prey identification etc.

You will be accommodated in a comfortable rustic cottage at the centre manager’s farm, 7 km outside the town of Plettenberg Bay. The farm is set in stunning surroundings adjacent to the Knysna Elephant Park so you will often wake up to find elephants just a short distance away hanging their heads over the fence.

The cottage can accommodate up to 10 volunteers and is equipped with 5 bedrooms (each with their own basin), a living/dining/kitchen area, 3 showers, 3 toilets, electricity and an outside deck area where volunteers can relax after work and watch the elephants as they browse on the other side of the fence.

What's included?

• Cape Town Airport collection and drop-off.
• A welcome brief from a member of the AVIVA team.
• A Welcome Pack complete with many useful items that will help you settle in, and an opportunity to let your family or friends know you have arrived safely.
• An embroidered AVIVA Fleece.
• Accommodation at one of our AVIVA Houses in Cape Town before and after your project, with self-service breakfasts.
• Transfers between AVIVA House and the Coach Station.
• Return Coach transfers between Cape Town and Plettenberg Bay.
• A welcome brief from a member of the on-site team.
• Accommodation on the farm for the duration of your project.
• All bedding and a free twice-weekly laundry service are provided at the farm.
• Dinners (Monday to Saturday).
• All project related transfers between the farm and the centre’s offices in Plettenberg Bay.
• An attractive certificate recognising your contribution to the Whale & Dolphin Research project.

If you are adding the optional Cape Town Week, the following will also be included:

• An extra 7 nights’ accommodation at one of our AVIVA Houses in Cape Town with self-service breakfasts.
• A full-day Peninsula tour which includes lunch, visits to Hout Bay, Chapman’s Peak Drive, Cape Point, Simon's Town, Boulders Beach Penguin Colony and much more. An incredible day rich with history and some of the world’s most beautiful scenery.
• A half-day Cultural tour, a fascinating introduction to South Africa’s recent political history before and after Apartheid, includes highlights of Khayelitsha, South Africa’s second largest township after Soweto.
• A full-day tour to the Cape Winelands including the Paarl, Franschoek and Stellenbosch regions. Wine tastings and lunch included.
• Advice and support from our experienced team during your stay.
• Our booking service for attractions, events and tours.
• If required, extra nights can be added to your stay to meet your flight dates for only R120 per night. This may help you to take advantage of any cheaper flights that arrive in Cape Town before your planned arrival date.