Dolphin & Marine Conservation Volunteering in Zanzibar

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Dive Into Blue Waters And Protect Dolphins And Coral Reefs

Ditch the ordinary and embark on an exciting journey to an enchanting tropical island, where you’ll dive headfirst into the captivating world of marine conservation. Join us and become a guardian of the delicate balance of Zanzibar’s marine ecosystem, protecting it from the harmful effects of human activities. Enjoy daily boat journeys and snorkelling through the crystal-clear waters of the Indian Ocean whilst carrying out dolphin research: tracking their movements, behaviours, and interactions with dolphin tours.

This volunteer experience is not just about making a difference for dolphins and the ocean; it’s also about personal growth and professional development. You’ll gain valuable experience in marine research, conservation practices, and cross-cultural communication.

Read more about Eco-tourism and its Role in Protecting Zanzibar’s Dolphins

Project Highlights

  • Ethically swim with and monitor dolphins in their natural habitat and study the impact of tourism on their behaviour
  • Snorkel in beautiful coral reefs whilst collecting vital data on coral bleaching
  • Get your PADI Open Water Scuba certification on the weekends
  • Share your knowledge with enthusiastic conservation club students and inspire them to look after their environment and surroundings

Quick Facts

Zanzibar

Abeid Amani Karume International Airport

Specific Start Dates

10 days - 12 weeks

Impact: Marine Conservation

Receive USD $250/ GBP £200 / €220 off your booking. T&C's apply.

$2,970 – $7,200

Destination

Zanzibar is a tropical paradise, an island just off the coast of Tanzania that is rich in culture, history, and also home to some of the most beautiful coastlines in Eastern Africa. When you think of crystal, turquoise oceans and endless white sandy beaches, Zanzibar is it. The bustling city of Stone Town is where you will fly into and the area itself is a hub of activity, with traders selling spices, fruits and fish caught fresh that day on every street corner, while also boasting the impressive title of a World Heritage Site. You will be based in the picturesque fishing village of Jambiani on the South-East coast of the island, around 1.5 hours from Stone Town and the airport. It has the most beautiful coastline and is renowned for its warm turquoise waters, white sandy beaches and is a hotspot for water sports and activities. Whether you are exploring the area or life beneath the waves, Zanzibar is the perfect location to ‘get off the grid’, while making long-lasting and sustainable change.

We have our very own local chef that will prepare 3 fresh meals for you each day, including weekends. Zanzibar is a melting pot of cultures and flavours. It has one of the richest and most diverse culinary scenes in all of Africa – shaped by centuries of trading and migration. Being by the ocean, the seafood is incredibly fresh and tasty, but there are also plenty of other options for those that don’t eat seafood. A few local favourites include: Zanzibar pizza (this is no ordinary pizza, think of it more like a savoury crepe), biryani and pilau, mishkaki (meat skewers) and mandazi (Swahili doughnuts). We can cater for most dietary needs, but please let us know in advance if you have any food allergies or specific dietary requirements.

You will receive three fresh and delicious meals a day cooked by chefs from the local community. Breakfast is typically fresh fruit, eggs and toast with a selection of toppings while lunch and dinner are a mixture of local and international cuisine. You can expect to eat anything from burgers, pizzas and pasta dishes to stews, fresh seafood and fragrant curries. Vegetarian options will always be available and we can cater to many other dietary requirements, please just let us know your requirements in advance. Once a week there is also the option to go to one of the preschool teachers’ or Kanga Ladies’ homes for dinner. It is a brilliant evening of eating a homemade meal together while sharing stories and laughs.

There is free WI-FI available at the accommodation to keep family and friends up to date. The connection can be slow and unreliable at times, so please be flexible and patient with this.

Zanzibar has a tropical climate and is hot all year round, with two distinctive rainy seasons: one more intense, known as the “long rains”, from March to May, with the peak in April, and the other less intense, known as the “short rains”, between mid-October and December. April and May are the wettest months, with frequent short thunderstorms. The warmest time of year is from December to March, during which the maximum temperature hovers around 32°C (90°F) and the humidity is high, although the sea breeze tempers the heat a little. You can expect highs 38 °C (100 °F) at this time of year. May to August is cooler (but still hot!), with highs around 29°C (84°F).

Project Impact Areas

Dolphin Research

Dolphins are intelligent and inquisitive marine mammals that are intrigued by their environment and enjoy human interaction. Too much interaction, or unwanted attention can cause them to become stressed and they may choose to seek out quieter waters if faced with too much activity, especially while feeding or nursing young. As a volunteer, you’ll go out to sea daily to search for pods of dolphins and collect valuable data. We work with the local government to monitor human-dolphin interactions, and research dolphin behaviour, abundance and distribution to help formulate ethical policies to regulate dolphin tourism for the benefit of both the dolphins and the communities that rely on them for income.

Coral Reef Monitoring

Warming waters are causing severe damage to coral reefs globally and Zanzibar is no exception. The phenomenon is known as coral bleaching. You’ll spend time snorkelling in the warm waters collecting vital data on coral reef health, including the progression or regression of coral bleaching on the surface area of the reef, as well as the identification of coral species, and monitoring of tourist activities.

Conservation Awareness And Education

Education is a vital part of conservation. You will help educate local school children the importance of their natural environment, how to look after it and how to sustainably utilize their marine resources in a fun and engaging manner at an after school club. Volunteers have also developed information boards about the local marine ecosystem and conservation, as well as holding workshops with local boat drivers to encourage eco-friendly dolphin tours.

Other Activities

Recent Volunteer Reviews

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15%off EACH*

Dates & Rates

When would you like to volunteer?

Give us an idea of your travel plans, you can also say ‘I’m not sure yet.’ We’ll take it from there.

How long would you like to volunteer?

This is the place to select your preferred duration(s). The African Impact team recommend at least 4 weeks for a truly memorable experience!

10 days $2970
2 weeks $3200
3 weeks $3600
4 weeks $4000
5 weeks $4400
6 weeks $4800
7 weeks $5200
8 weeks $5600
9 weeks $6000
10 weeks $6400
11 weeks $6800
12 weeks $7200

Personal Information

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Project Fee Includes:

  • Airport pick-up and drop-off
  • Accommodation throughout your stay
  • 3 delicious meals a day
  • Transport to and from project
  • 24/7 support from experienced international and local staff
  • Full orientation to ensure you contribute responsibly
  • Project equipment and resources

Project Fee Excludes:

  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Visa-related costs
  • Weekend trips or tours not on the itinerary
  • Snacks, soft drinks, gifts, and souvenirs
  • Mandatory contribution of US$25 that is donated to the African Impact Sustainability Fund
  • Optional PADI diving course upgrade

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Frequently Asked Questions

Zanzibar! It is often considered one of the best places to experience marine life in Africa and so it really is the ideal place to begin your volunteer journey in marine and dolphin conservation.

As a marine conservation volunteer, your days will be spent out on the stunning Indian Ocean conducting valuable research on local dolphin pods. Since marine life in Zanzibar regularly faces high volumes of tourism, your volunteer research will focus on understanding marine tourism’s impacts on local dolphins’ health, populations, and behaviour.

This research is essential for informing dolphin conservation decisions, supporting vulnerable marine life, and building ethical policies around marine ecotourism. The more volunteers we have, the more research we can conduct, so every volunteer truly makes a difference!

Conservation volunteer tasks on our dolphin conservation project are highly varied and always sure to be an adventure!

However, they often include the following: 
– Expeditions on the Indian Ocean to monitor dolphin-human interactions 
– Research dives to analyze and record the health of coral reefs 
– Running community workshops on marine conservation 
– Engaging with kids in conservation-related activities in after-school clubs