Info

We call it work; others would say we are just having a good time.

But when your work involves enjoying the best that nature has to offer, well you can see how we can have so much fun and protect the environment at the same time.

Our office is located in Plettenberg Bay, which is along the spectacular garden route in South Africa. Formerly known as Bahia Formosa (beautiful bay), our project covers both land and sea based activities ranging from whale and dolphin watching for data collection, river excursions for water analysis, hiking/beach walks for beach cleanups, tag and release fishing/diving fish counts for fish stock monitoring, photo identification research for animal movement studies, planting of indigenous trees/removal of alien species to minimize our carbon footprint, doing crafts with a preschool children and teaching them about conservation, and most importantly education programs with sea excursions to pass on this important message!

Together with WWF, Cape Nature Conservation and Rhodes University our primary objective is to implement a management plan for the bay so that this beautiful bay is checked and monitored to ensure that it stays in a pristine condition. In order to satisfy this objective our focus is on education of both the local population and visiting tourists on the importance of taking care of the bay.

Besides the research work, we are involved with various other conservation activities that include maintance of the aquarium that represents the fish found in the bay. We collect food for the fish, clean and do water changes, collect specimens for the aquarium and at the same time learn about the rivers, estuaries and sea, and the delicate balance between them.

“We protect only what we love”
Baba Dioum (Senegalese philosopher)

After a ‘hard’ week of work, you will be able to enjoy some of the best activities the garden route has to offer: primate sanctuary, bird sanctuary, elephant sanctuary, game reserves, horseback riding, skydiving, tree top canopy tours, bungee jumping, and sea kayaking just to name a few.

After work you go back to the Orca House where you can chill on the balcony, drinking an ice cold beverage, enjoying the homemade South African food (lovingly made by Teliswa) and sunset over the beach front view. Maybe light a fire where you enjoy the company of your fellow volunteers while playing the guitar. If that sounds too hectic, you can relax on an evening beach walk or at the local movie house. Not hectic enough, try some of the local hotspots for great food and entertainment.
Our objective for the volunteer program is to link conservation and having a good time.

TO CREATE, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COMMUNITY, A CONSERVATION MODEL IN PLETTENBERG BAY TO SUSTAIN MARINE AND COASTAL RESOURCES THROUGH IMPROVED MANAGEMENT, RESEARCH AND EDUCATION.

Duration

Various

Start Dates

The program is closed from 01 December til 15 January every year.

Costs / Benefits

The volunteers will be able to participate in programs for minimal or no additional cost to them.

Requirements

Just a willingness to work and learn