To apply for an

Enkosini Eco Experience

volunteer project:

The Ultimate Whale & Dolphin Experience

The O.R.C.A. Marine Foundation is located in Plettenberg Bay on the world famous Garden Route of South Africa. “Plett” (as it's lovingly referred to by locals) is home to some of the world's most fascinating marine species and one of the best places in South Africa to view them.  This includes Southern Right Whales, Humpback Whales, Bryde’s Whales, Bottlenose Dolphins, Humpback Dolphins, Common Dolphins, Orca or Killer Whales, and Great White Sharks. A volunteer placement at O.R.C.A. gives a unique, once in life time opportunity to observe these magnificent marine species while participating in exciting marine conservation, community-based and educational volunteer work.

Volunteers enjoy trips to sea (in boats and sea kayaks) to view many magnificent animals. The town of Plettenberg Bay, which is dependent on eco-tourism, has benefited significantly from the O.R.C.A.'s programs through community upliftment, information gathered from O.R.C.A. researchers on various aspects of the Bay, and promotion of marine eco-tourism.

Recently O.R.C.A. was honoured as the Runner-up for the Indaba/Fair Trade "Excellence in Environmental Stewarship" award.  O.R.C.A.'s mission is to facilitate the implementation of a ‘Best Practise’ model for the management of the Bay and to change community consciousness relating to environmental issues to achieve intelligent co-existence in Plettenberg Bay. 

O.R.C.A. (Ocean Research Conservation Africa) works in partnership with both the Centre for Dolphin Studies and Ocean Blue Adventures.  If you are passionate about the conservation and sustainability of marine coastal systems, then O.R.C.A. is the ideal project for you.

Volunteer Work

During your stay in Plettenberg Bay (one of the most breathtaking and serene outdoor classrooms in Southern Africa), you will be lucky enough to witness the power and grace of whales, the exuberance of dolphins, the playfulness of seals, and the majestic beauty of mountain, forest and coastal ecosystems. Above all, being an O.R.C.A. volunteer will allow you to actively participate in conserving our marine life for future generations. Through our O.R.C.A. marine conservation projects, you will help the team manage this marine and coastal zone in a sustainable manner and in the process experience the community, culture and environment in a more intimate way than most visitors.

The experienced O.R.C.A. team will help settle you into the program and provide ongoing guidance and mentorship during your stay. You will have the opportunity to take on individual projects, if desired, or integrate with the team.  From assisting the research teams to helping with the community outreach programme, you will find your own way to contribute.

All volunteer activities support the conservation and social objectives of the O.R.C.A Marine Foundation. Volunteers will get involved with many of the following (as many activities are weather or seasonally dependent):

• Participating in community development and education programmes in local disadvantaged communities (e.g. Qolweni Pre-School).

• Organizing and presenting at provincial/national marine and coastal awareness campaigns (such as National Environment Week, National Marine Week, and Youth Day) when they occur.

• Experiencing and assisting in amazing marine eco-tourism with Ocean Blue Adventures (whale and dolphin watching).

• Monitoring and cleaning campaigns on beaches and coastal regions.

• Maintaining, cleaning and collecting food for O.R.C.A.’s aquarium species, which are used for education and conservation purposes.  

• Sampling, tagging, and monitoring of local fish species.

• Fin profiling and spatial distribution programs.

• Assisting with O.R.C.A.’s carbon reduction program and removal of alien plant species.

• Enjoying educational presentations on conservation and ecological topics.

Volunteer placements are always changing and varied, and particularly dependent on weather conditions.  Bad weather may delay conservation/research activities and result in some indoor activities and courses.  Of course, we do our best to get the boats into the ocean as much as possible, although safety comes first.

Marine Guiding Course

Volunteers staying for 4 weeks or longer have the opportunity to partake in the Marine Guiding Course to qualify as a local marine guide as well as  the Competent Crew Course where volunteers learn basic boat skills, radio work, safety at sea etc. 

Marine Strandings Course

All interested volunteers can participate in the marine strandings course. This is an introduction to first aid for marine animals who strand on our beaches.

Other Activities

The atmosphere is one of ‘mixing it with the locals’ and O.R.C.A. volunteers are welcomed into local programs and enjoy all kinds of fun extra activities. Rental cars and taxis are available to hire for after hours and weekend activities.

Leisure activities in Plett include horseback riding, golf, angling, sailing, scuba diving and surfing, as well as hiking and bird-watching in nearby Robberg, Keurbooms River and Tsitsikamma Nature Reserves. Other highly recommended activities include treetop canopy tours or bungee jumps off the 216m Bloukrans River Bridge (the highest bridge jump in the world)!

Field Conditions

Plettenberg Bay is a beach-lover’s paradise.  Plett is characterised by sweeping, unspoilt golden beaches, a dramatic rocky peninsula, intriguing estuaries, towering indigenous forests and breathtaking rivers and sea. With its exceptional climate and beautiful viewsover the Indian Ocean, Plettenberg Bay is an idyllic location for a volunteer holiday.

The O.R.C.A. volunteer house is very cute.  It is located near the beach, within close proximity to a shopping centre with shops, cinemas, restaurants and bars, and approximately one mile from the O.R.C.A. office in Plettenberg Bay.

The house is self-catering, with shared bedroom and bathroom facilities. Basic food for meals is provided at the house. Evening meals are prepared for volunteers six nights per week, though volunteers are also welcome to eat out.  Volunteers may need to pack a lunch for certain activities, but will be informed of this ahead of time when such situations arise. 

Laundry facilities are available for volunteers, and Teliswa does communal washing weekly.

A communal telephone line is available at the volunteer house. The phone can receive incoming calls and make outgoing calls on a world calling card (available at nearby shops). There is ADSL access to the internet at the volunteer house. Skype  is available to those who have access as well as satellite television.

Training / Qualifications

The program is limited to 12 volunteers to provide a more intimate and personal experience.  Training will be given in various aspects of marine conservation.  No experience is necessary to join.

Age Requirement

O.R.C.A. accepts volunteers of 16+ years of age.  Volunteers under 16 years old are only considered when accompanied by a parent/guardian.  There isn't a maximum age limit, though a reasonable fitness level is necessary.

Costs

Volunteer Contribution:

1 week: GB£595 / US$995

2 weeks: GB£895 / US$1495

3 weeks: GB£1195 / US$1995

4 weeks: GB£1495 / US$2495

Extra weeks: GB£295 / US$495 per week