The Location
Plettenberg Bay is a tranquil and charming town in South Africa, originally christened "Bahia Formosa" (beautiful bay) by early Portuguese explorers. Plettenberg is characterized by golden beaches, intriguing lagoons, towering indigenous forests, unpolluted rivers and a serene sea. The bay is ideal for all water sports, including sailing, rock and surf fishing and scuba diving. Situated on the tip of Africa, the town is a perfect place for studying the marine life of the Western Indian Ocean.

The Situation
For years the Western Indian Ocean has suffered the consequences of rapid population growth, over-fishing and unrestricted pollution. The damage done to its vital ecosystem has serious repercussions for local coastal communities, many of which live or die with the marine biology. There is a great need to gather information on all marine mammals, particularly dolphin species, and to coordinate research on the biology, conservation and management of these animals and their habitat.

What’s Being Done
In cooperation with highly trained ecologists and biologists, our Marine Wildlife Research Project supports essential study and educational projects in South Africa. Our partner organization conducts field research to help identify animals’ migration patterns, habits and social groups. These trained professionals advise authorities in other states about effective conservation management of their marine life and coastal environment. In addition to rescuing and rehabilitating marine life, our partner organization is also dedicated to educating children on marine life through displays, crafts and games.

What You Can Do
As a volunteer with the Marine Wildlife Research Project, you will conduct research on a number of important species, including dolphins, seals and humpback whales. Much of the data is gathered from research vessels. Volunteers will also participate in the rescue and rehabilitation of penguins, sea birds, seals and sometimes dolphins and whales. Another aspect of the volunteer experience is the education of local children. You may, for example, visit local schools to give lectures on basic environmental issues. Regardless of where your volunteer efforts are directed, your time in South Africa will be spent defending an embattled ecosystem.

Airport Pickup and Orientation:
A volunteer coordinator or staff member will greet you at the airport. You will spend the next day in orientation, where you will receive all the training you need to conduct research and identify the various animal species.

Transportation:
Volunteer Adventures will arrange transportation for the following:
Airport pickup and drop-off
All transfers required by the project
All local transportation at project locations



Accommodations:
Depending on the number of volunteers, you may have your own room or you may be asked to share with other volunteers. The volunteer house accommodates a maximum of 10 volunteers and is equipped with a large living/dining/kitchen area, five private bedrooms, each with their own sink, showers and toilets. An outside deck area allows volunteers to relax after work and watch the elephants as they graze on the other side of the fence.

In-Country Support:
Volunteer coordinators will provide support during your time in South Africa. You can expect help from field guides and fellow volunteers. We also provide a 24-hour                                                                         cell phone number for emergencies.

Additional Activities and Excursions:
Volunteers are mostly free on the weekends. Many choose to rent a car and visit surrounding areas—Cango Caves, Cango Wildlife Ranch and the Ostrich farms in Oudtshoorn, Shark Cage Diving in Mossel Bay, Nature’s Valley, Port Elizabeth and even Cape Town.
Other activities in the area include:

Knysna Elephant Park
Monkeyland
Kayaking
Skydiving
Mountain biking
Scuba diving

These activities are not included in the project costs.