Unique year-round opportunities to work with Great White Sharks, Southern Right Whales and the other marine species.

• Experience a wide range of South African marine wildlife, including the Marine Big 5!
• Learn about shark behaviour, biology and marine conservation
• Gain work experience assisting crew and tourists on our shark cage diving boat
• Take part in important conservation and community projects
• Enjoy great white shark cage diving
• Opportunity to work on our dedicated eco-tour/whale watching boat
• Have the opportunity to assist our marine biologists, learning more about shark research

Want to Become an International Marine Volunteer?

Meet the team

Although you'll mostly be interacting with our core internship team and colleagues on the program, you're likely to come into contact and work alongside the entire Marine Dynamics family.

Expert marine tour guides, dedicated biologists, technical specialists, videographers, skippers, drivers and chefs are just a few of the highly trained roles filled at Marine Dynamics. What brings us together is our passion for the ocean, desire to protect its inhabitants and introduce them to the world.

My name is Ettiene Roets, I am Technical Lead for Marine Dynamics Academy and focus most of my attention on developing the practical modules.

Technical Lead

Ettiene Roets

My name is Hennie Odendal, I am a coordinator for Marine Dynamics Academy and am heavily involved with organising students across our programs.

Coordinator

Hennie Odendal

My name is Alison Towner, I am the lead White Shark Biologist for Marine Dynamics and have been studying these incredible animals for over ten years.

Senior White Shark Biologist

Alison Towner

My name is Dickie Chivell, you might have seen me on Discovery Channel's Shark Week, I also skipper many of our research and tourism vessels.

Skipper, guide and TV personality

Dickie Chivell

My name is Toby Rogers, I am the Academic Lead for Marine Dynamics Academy and also work as a guide biologist for Marine Dynamics Shark Tours.

Academic Lead, Marine Biologist and Guide

Toby Rogers

My name is Marie Botha, I am responsible for overseeing administration of our Marine Volunteer program and Scientific Internship.

Volunteer Administrator

Marie Botha

Join the family:

The Marine Dynamics Crew

The Academy originally operated as part of our volunteer experience and periodic training programs. The time eventually came where we felt it was necessary to consolidate all the skills we had available and projects we were working on under a single,  recognisable identity.

Our overriding goal is to everyday fulfil our manta - discover and protect. The Marine Dynamics Academy is dedicated to facilitating much-needed work in ocean based research and conservation, through innovative projects and the training of future marine ambassadors.

What is the Marine Dynamics Academy?

 © Copyright 2018 Marine Dynamics Academy - All Rights Reserved. 

Feedback from Some of Our Volunteers...

Lotta Aberg

St John Mullis

Want to Know More? Download Our Detailed Prospectus Now!

ACCOMMODATION & TRANSPORT 

INCLUDED

• All-star Volunteer Chalets

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• Situated only 1.4 km from the Great White House, the hub of activity for the volunteers at Marine Dynamics & Dyer Island Cruises tours

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• 4 x cottages with bathroom & kitchenette (4-6 people sharing)

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• Large communal living area

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• Indoor & outdoor barbecue facilities

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• Large, modern, fully-equipped  kitchen

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• Large grounds with swimming pool & volley ball net

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• Comfortable lounge & activity hall

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• Table tennis, foosball, pool table, board games, movie nights, bicycles, weights, sand sack etc.

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• Full satellite TV

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• Free WiFi

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• Two dedicated minibuses for transporting volunteers safely to & from all activities and town.

• Return transport to Cape Town

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• Accommodation at the Volunteer  Center

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• 1 x shark cage dive as a client, thereafter opportunistic dives offered

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• Breakfast (self-service), light lunch, coffee, tea & juice

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• 2 X excellent quality T-shirts, a cap & volunteer jacket

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• 4+ weeks volunteer fees sponsor the African penguin nest project

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• Research, conservation, ropework & boat safety presentations by experts in their field

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• Day trips & conservation activities on no-sea days

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• Activity, tours & accommodation booking facility

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• 24 hour armed response security, including panic buttons

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• Management staff on premises 24/7; Volunteer Coordinators with volunteers from early morning until late

Q: How many times will I be going on the boat?

Q: How often will I be shark cage diving?

Q: When is the best time of the year for sharks?

Q: What will I be doing on the boat?

Q: How many hours will I be working?

Q: Will I be receiving presentations?

Frequently Asked Questions

A: Our priority is to give you as much sea time as possible but we are affected by weather, tide, sea conditions and seasonal demand but we aim to ensure you can go to sea as much as possible. If you are not working on Slashfin, you could go on Dream Catcher or possibly on our research boat if they are going out. See here for more on our boats and the duties on board.

A: On your first day, you will enjoy the cage diving experience as if you were a client so that you understand the experience. Thereafter you will slot in with the duties of the volunteers on board. As space and time allows, the skipper will let you know if you can get in the cage when we are hosting clients. And if we have been really busy and there has not been a chance for volunteers to dive we try to plan an exclusive trip just for the volunteers, again depending on weather/time etc.

A: We are very lucky that we have sharks all year round so you can join us anytime of the year. There are some pros and cons to both seasons: Summer (Dec to Feb) is warm weather but we do struggle with visibility some of the time due to algal blooms in the water. The sharks spend time in the shallows during summer and we can see some big females this time of the year. By winter (June to August) they head out to the islands where they begin hunting more actively on the seals of Geyser Rock. We have better visibility then, and believe it or not slightly warmer water, but we also get some rough winter storms which can keep us off the sea. Either way, we will keep you busy with everything else we offer on the programme if we have a no-sea day. So come whenever suits you!

A: Assisting the crew in the dive operations, helping clients, data recording, observation, getting the boat ready before launch and helping operations when the boat returns to land, which includes cleaning of wetsuits and preparing equipment for the next day. Some of the tasks can be quite physical so a healthy degree of fitness is required…. as are sea legs!

A: This depends on the number of trips and number of volunteers to assist. So you could work one trip for the day and possibly a second. Some volunteers like to pick up on the second trip if possible when space allows to get more sea time, so anything from half a day to a full day’s work. We fit in presentations and other activities when you are not at sea.

A: Presentations are part of the programme. Presentations will be done by our skipper, deckhand, conservation trust, our marine biologists and visiting scientists/students. Depending on the length of your time here you will learn about shark biology and behaviour, our research, conservation projects, whale and dolphin research and biology, basic seamanship, knot tying and more. We also host some marine evenings with an outside speaker so hopefully you will be here when that happens too.

Q: Will I have time off?

A: You can take time off when you need to. We work 7 days a week, weather depending. We do not expect volunteers to work these hours, so taking the day off is easy. You just need to inform your volunteer coordinator, but don’t miss out on valuable time at sea with the sharks.

Q: What time will I be picked up in Cape Town?

A: Our collection times are generally between 5am and 8am every Monday. We have our own shuttle service coming through with clients so they will collect you. Please note the time can change depending on weather, trip timing etc. and we will communicate the time to you (or the place you are staying) the evening before. We do not do airport collection so you will have to take a shuttle to your accommodation the day before we collect you. Usually your accommodation will sort this out for you.

Q: How will I get back to Cape Town after my programme?

A: On Mondays, our same shuttle service will return you to the place you are staying in Cape Town. On return trips we can drop you off at the airport but your flight needs to leave no earlier than 7pm so please plan this well. We will sort out your return trip when you are with us. 

Q: What happens if I can’t book the programme from Monday-Monday?

A: We understand that this is not always possible but we do not recommend it as you may miss out on presentations that brief you about the accommodation and the work on the boat. Please note that if you start or end the programme on any other day than a Monday that you might need to pay for private transport if our shuttle bus is not running. 

Q: Do I need any vaccinations?

A: No, South Africa is a malaria free area. If you are coming from South America or travelling in Africa before you join our programme, you might need to have a Yellow Fever vaccination and certificate.

Q: Do I need to bring any medication?

A: If you need to take medication, then we recommend that you bring your own. We do have a pharmacy in Gansbaai and very good doctors. Our nearest hospital is forty minutes drive away. We would suggest you bring seasickness tablets or patches with you - these should be taken the evening before the dive and in the morning before the dive. Please remember to bring good sun block as the South African sun is very harsh. Very important: if you do suffer from any illness or epilepsy and need to take medication daily, please inform your coordinator. If you have any chronic condition, we would require a doctor’s confirmation that you are fit to be on this programme.

Q: How do the meals work?

A: We provide ingredients for a help-yourself breakfast at the International Marine Volunteer Center (tea, coffee, eggs, bacon, bread, cereals and milk) Lunch is also self-help and can  be prepared at the lodge with ingredients we supply.  (a variety of  breads, lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, peanut butter, jam, cheese, a  fruit and fruit juice) On your  first day of arrival, you will be issued with a lunch tin that can be  used for taking sandwiches and fruit on the boat. . If not at sea, then lunch is your own responsibility. Dinner is for your own account. We have a fully-equipped kitchen, so many of the volunteers buy and make food at the lodge. On some occasions the group goes out to a restaurant to eat. Our sister company, the Great White House restaurant is the hub of our activities and is situated nearby. Alcohol is at your own cost.

Q: What are the living conditions like?

A: You will be sharing accommodation with other volunteers at the International Marine Volunteer Center. This lodge is equipped with 4 cottages that house between 4 and 6 persons per cottage, with a shared bathroom, kitchenette and living area as well as daily living essentials. 

Q: Will I be having internet access?

A: We have wireless internet at the International Marine Volunteer Center and at the Great White House. We also have a desktop computer at the Center for communal use. Downloading of movies, games and music is strictly prohibited.

Q: Do I need a visa?

A: Finding out about, and complying with, visa requirements is entirely your responsibility.  We will not be held accountable for any persons entering South Africa and then being deported due to incorrect paper work. 

Q: Do I need to bring dive gear?

A: You do not need to bring scuba diving gear as the cage diving is a breath-hold dive and we provide all gear for shark cage diving.

Q: What is important to bring?

A: Seasickness tablets or patches

Polarised sunglasses

Sun block

Warm jacket, clothes and beanie, especially in winter time – South African buildings are not heated inside!

Old clothes and shoes

Medication

Regular clothes and shoes - sneakers recommended

Personal belongings

Driver’s license if you are planning on renting a car while in South Africa

An open mind and love for marine animals 

Q: I want to make the most of my programme so what length of time is the best?

A: 2 weeks – this is good…you will get sea time even if there is bad weather, you will receive some presentations and you can help on some conservation and social projects.

3 weeks – this is even better ? You will have a great time! We will also arrange for some excursions, and wine tasting, or visits to surrounding towns so that you can see more of our area. A lot more boat time, presentations and conservation/social projects. 

4 weeks + is the best period to book for! You will be able to do all that our programme has to offer, and maybe even get the chance to be a part of our research team alongside our marine biologists, going on the research vessel. There could be a chance to tracking of the great white shark (this is a bonus and should not be expected). 

Q:How do things work with laundry?

A: Personal laundry is not included but can be taken to a commercial laundry twice weekly. They charge R17/kg. Your bedding will be washed by us once a week at no charge. 

Q:What does the Volunteer Program Cost??

A: Price  on request! Price includes accommodation, transfers to and from Cape Town on Mondays for your arrival and departure, all trips on the boat,  presentations and related conservation work, WiFi access at  accommodation. A 50% deposit is required to secure your booking and the  balance of payment due 14 days before arrival.