Whale Research & Marine Conservation Project Detail

Whale Research & Marine Conservation Project

Situated at Gansbaai – near the southern tip of Africa about 2 hours drive from Cape Town, our volunteer programme offers a limited number of places each year which allows participants to gain the maximum from their time working closely with biologists from our research team, and volunteers will gain access to multiple marine species in a relatively small area of sea.

This Volunteer project focus' on Whales, but also offers a wide range of research based activities relating to other marine animals in the area. Please  note this project is only available from July to December, as this is the only time of year Southern Right whales are in the area.

Every year from July-December the seas off Dyer Island become home to large numbers of Southern Right whales who have journeyed here from their feeding grounds in Antarctica to breed and calve. Now, a newly introduced scheme offers a limited number of volunteers the rare opportunity to join us in boat-based whale watching and research.

Southern Right whales including calves arrive in July and leave in December for Antarctica. Other species of marine animals including Humpback whales, Bryde’s whales; Bottlenose, Pacific Humpback and Common dolphins as well as Great White Sharks, Cape Fur seals and African penguins are resident all year.

With multiple trips daily (weather permitting) volunteers experience close interactions with adult Southern Right whales as well as observing mothers and calves. These eco-tourism trips, which are limited to 20 guests, also regularly come close to Great White sharks, dolphins, seals, the endangered African penguin and thousands of seabirds which are resident in the bay. There are also sightings of Humpback and Bryde's whales.

Volunteers become an integral part of our team hosting visitors from South Africa and overseas, assisting the boat crew and helping biologists to collect data and photograph the whales' behavior.

Every volunteer becomes completely involved in our eco-tourism and conservation work throughout their stay. You will learn about the behaviors and biology of Southern Right whales and the other species in our seas. Our marine biologists will be there to help, support and encourage you to get the most benefit out of your stay. You will have access to research facilities and lectures by our own and visiting speakers as well as visits to local marine organizations.

Everyone spends the majority of time at sea aboard Whale Whisperer or our newly commissioned research boat Lwazi (“Knowledge”). There are also opportunities to work on Slashfin – our sister shark cage diving boat.

Project Pricing (In South African Rands):

4 weeks - R 18 850
6 weeks - R 26 145
8 weeks - R 33 445
10 weeks - R 40 745
12 weeks - R 48 045

Marine conservation, Gansbaai South Africa, Whale watching, marine research