Great White Shark Research & Conservation Project Highlights

The highlights

• Learn about the biology and behaviour of the Great White Shark
• Learn basic seamanship, including wind directions and anchoring positions
• Underwater filming and still photography
• Conservation and shark tourism
• Learn how to operate safely within the cage underwater
• Immerse yourself in local South African culture
• Make friends for life

Optional activities and excursions

The area surrounding Gansbaai contains many unexplored yet interesting places. You could explore the caves in De Kelders or hike along the coast and walk along the sandy white beaches of Franskraal and Pearly Beach. Enjoy a tractor ride in the fynbos or spend time in the Strandveld Museum learning about the history of the area. Visit the Dangerpoint Lighthouse and see where the HMS Birkenhead met her doom.

Vivacious Cape Town, one of the most stunning cities on the globe, is just two hours from Gansbaai. It is the home of the spectacular Table Mountain; the heritage site of Nelson Mandela’s prison home, Robben Island; the gateway to the stunning Western Cape wine lands; and boasts magnificent beaches, amongst others. For the adventurer Cape Town also offers the opportunity of Sky diving (+-ZAR 1750 – including transport) or abseiling down Table Mountain (+-ZAR 495).

You could also arrange a Garden Route weekend for yourself or visit the \"Wild Coast of Africa\" where you will experience unrivalled surf spots, beautiful beaches and cultural stops and a wealth of other activities to keep you busy.

The above activities are not included in your volunteering fee, but our co-ordinators are able to assist you with making the necessary booking arrangements.

Where will I sleep?

Volunteers stay in a delightful red brick house situated five minutes from the harbour, which bustles with action and boats as people head out to sea. Overlooking the Indian Ocean, the house is very comfortable with dorm rooms, a nice kitchen, a dining area, a lounge with television and video/board games, and an outside patio for those hot evenings. There is a small supermarket nearby (volunteers usually buy provisions and prepare meals together) and the house is located is a very safe and beautiful area, where you can freely walk around anytime of day or night.

And meals?
Breakfast is on a help-yourself basis and usually consists of cereals/porridge, toast, tea and coffee.

You will enjoy lunch on the boat and tea and scones in the afternoons when you return from your day’s work.

You will be responsible for your own dinner and need to purchase provisions and prepare it yourself. If you wish to eat out you are more than welcome to do so and there is a pick up service in place with several local restaurants for volunteers eating out.

How do I get there and travel around?

You will need to fly into Cape Town International Airport and arrange to overnight at a choice of backpackers or alternative accommodation of your choice (we can advise you on this).

Arriving the day before you begin your project will give you a chance to catch up on some sleep and relax. You will be collected by our project co-ordinators from your chosen accommodation on the start date of your project.

What does the cost include?

• Project Fee: this entails financing that goes directly back into the project that you are involved with. This fee facilitates funding for items such as research and diving equipment.
• Orientation program
• Board and lodging which includes breakfast at the volunteer house and lunch on the boat.
• Email and Internet access at your volunteer house
• Unlimited tea, coffee and juice throughout the day
• Two volunteer T-shirts
• White Shark Projects Cap
• White Shark Field Book
• A wine tasting tour and outings to Betty’s Bay – to see the Jackass Penguin colony and to Struisbaai – the Southernmost Point of Africa where you will feed the Manta Rays!
• A whale watching trip during Whale Season (August – December)

Project cost Excludes the following:

• All transport by air or bus to Cape Town
• All items of a personal nature, such as curios, gifts, clothing (work and other)
• Telephone calls (you will be able to receive telephone calls at the volunteer house)
• Laundry service during your stay (reasonably priced)
• Wines and spirits
• All visas for border crossings
• Any excursions over and above your planned itinerary i.e. Garden Route, Cape Town trip etc (your project manager can help plan this for you)
• Personal insurance cover for the duration of your placement, which is expected to include cover for repatriation.

Do I need experience, is there orientation?

Upon arrival in Gansbaai all volunteers are involved in a welcome and induction which is included in your fee. This is facilitated by the White Shark Projects team leader and includes an introduction to our project and where you will be spending your days and further useful information for your time with us.

And support?
You will have the support and guidance of our experienced project managers who also have an immense amount of knowledge to share! They are part of our greater African Impact support team, which will provide you with competent 24-hour field support and assistance.

What's the age limit?

Minimum 18 years, maximum decided on potential participants’ health

A day in the life

• 07:30 After a help-yourself breakfast head off to your project for that day (a 30 second walk) and inspect the boat and cage
• 08:00 Travel out to sea with the boat and spend the morning assisting with data collection and shark identification
• 12:00 Return to the mainland for a short break and make sure everything is in order for your afternoon trip to sea
• 13:30 Depart for sea again with the day visitors and assist with showing them the magnificent Great Whites!
• 16:30 Return to the mainland, clear the boat, clean diving equipment and enjoy tea and scones.
• 18:00 Evaluate the day with fellow volunteers and project coordinators, and discuss the schedule for the next day. Check your e-mails or go and hire a DVD from the shop around the corner.
• 18.30 – Prepare dinner at your volunteer house or enjoy dinner at one of the local restaurants.

On days when the weather is unfavourable you will be given a lecture on one of a variety of project related topics for example Great White Shark biology and behaviour. Local excursions could also include Cape Aghulhas, Hermanus, Betty’s Bay and the Birkenhead.

As the Great White Project is involved in the day to day running of Great White Shark Cage diving trips you will be required to work on weekends with time taken off as and when required. If at any stage you are feeling tired or unwell you will be more than welcome to take time off.

Please note that the above is to give you an example and may vary from day to day depending on activities etc.