Mozambique – Whale Shark and Marine Conservation

Volunteer for the research and conservation of the marine ecosystem and unique marine life found in Mozambique! Volunteers have so far helped to identify over 800 whale sharks and add them to a global database.

 

Program Highlights:

  • Dive in pristine waters and contribute to vital conservation efforts in Africa
  • Easily add on a dive course & learn to dive
  • Perfect for beginners and advanced divers alike
  • Get up close with massive, fascinating whale sharks
  • Learn from experts how to conduct photo identification surveys
  • Partake in survey dives and “ocean safaris”
  • Enjoy free weekends to explore with fellow volunteers

 

Program Schedule: (Minimum two-week duration):

  • Arrival Day, Monday: Arrive at Inhambane Airport (INH) and receive airport pickup and a transfer to Tofo Beach (around 20km). Upon arrival at Tofo Beach, the local field team will take you to your new home for the duration of the volunteer program. Meet and greet your fellow volunteers once you have settled in.
  • Day 2-5, Tuesday-Friday: Volunteers will receive an orientation, complete with a tour of Tofo. On Wednesday, orientation continues and for those  who’ve added on the dive course to get certified, your internationally accredited open water scuba diving course begins, or an advanced open water certificate (depending on the course you’ve chosen and your current dive certification level). Certification courses are aimed to be completed by Friday, combined with educational presentations in the afternoons. Volunteers who already have both PADI Open Water and PADI Advanced Open Water qualifications will complete their refresher course (if required) and then engage in research dives or ocean safaris (photo identification dives). NOTE: for those who choose to add on a dive course, the minimum duration is three weeks volunteering.
  • Days 6-7, Saturday and Sunday: The weekend is free for volunteers to rest or explore.
  • Days 8-12, Monday-Friday: Volunteers will wake for early morning survey dives or ocean safaris to collect photos for the identification of whale sharks and dolphins. Following lunch, volunteers may take part in uploading identification photos to a database, conduct turtle nest surveys (dependent on the season) or partake in a beach clean-up. Volunteers will receive presentations on the local wildlife and tutorials on our various data collection techniques, as well as some tutorials how to analyse our data over the first 2 weeks. They will learn 40-80 species of reef fish for reef health surveys, conduct boat trips for estuary surveys. Monitor fishing pressure and humpback whale behaviours from the dune and watch footage from the remote cameras. Free time before dinner.
  • Days 13-14, Saturday and Sunday: Enjoy another free weekend. Departure is on the following Monday, Day 14, for volunteers staying just two weeks.
  • Week 3 and onwards: The remaining weeks will follow the same schedule as Week Two, with volunteer work Monday-Friday and weekends free. Departure is on a Sunday.

 

Location icon Location of the Project: Praia do Tofo, Mozambique

Project length Project length: Min 2 weeks – Max 12 weeks

Arrival Airport Arrival Airport: Inhambane Airport (INH)

Volunteer Work Volunteer Work: Diving, underwater data collection, studying and photographing unique marine life – including whale sharks

Age Age:  18-50

Number of Volunteers Number of Volunteers: This project requires a minimum of 2 participants, any less and the project will not take place.

Important Note Important Note: Certified divers can join for a minimum of 2 weeks. Volunteers with no diving qualifications need to add on the diving course for an additional fee (see prices below) and join for a minimum of 3 weeks in order to fully take part in the program. The additional fee includes either the Open Water course or the Advanced Open Water course (depending on your current diving level), as well as diving equipment.

 

What’s Included

Accommodations Accommodations: Shared chalet on the beach

Food Food: Three meals a day

Airport Transfers Airport Transfers: Airport pickup at Inhambane Airport (INH) is included.

Orientation Orientation: Upon arrival you will be given an orientation presentation by the team’s scientists, followed by a tour of Tofo and the nearby city of Inhambane. This includes time to get a local SIM card and enjoy some freshly prepared local food.

Support Support: Comprehensive and professional pre-departure travel guidance, 24/7 GoEco emergency hotline, experienced local field team.

What’s not Included

  • Flights to Inhambane Airport (INH)
  • Tourist Visa (Note: you must apply for this before your trip with the closest embassy or apply for an eVisa online before your arrival. This can be done from the Mozambique embassy website: evisa.gov.mz)
  • The Diving Certification Course – either the Open Water or the Advanced are available
  • PADI Refresher Course – for qualified divers who have not dived for 6 months or more (approximately 80 USD).
  • Travel health insurance
  • Personal expenses

Mozambique is a large country in Southeast Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west, and Swaziland and South Africa to the southwest, making it the center of a diverse collection of African countries.

This project is based in the picturesque beach town of Praia do Tofo in the bustling Inhambane Province. It is world renowned for its incredible diving, with a regular viewing of spectacular marine life including whale sharks, dolphins, humpback whales, manta rays and turtles. The soft white sand and crystal clear waters of the coast stretch on for miles and is often compared to paradise.

Over the last 11 years, there has been an 80 percent decrease in the Mozambique whale shark population. With very little public knowledge of endangered species, the locals and politicians of this beautiful country do not prioritize the conservation of this marine species. This program is run by an organization that has existed 14 years and has published 8 scientific papers with recommendations for conservation actions. This organization has also implemented protocols for in-water tourism interactions that help tourists not have a negative impact on the ecosystem.

Volunteers are involved in hands-on data collection and research collected through various scientific methodologies with field data collected on unique species, including whale sharks, humpback whales, dolphins, turtles and other marine biodiversity. The research and data aids in the making of recommendations for the improvement of conservation efforts as well as creating a general awareness about the marine environment.

As a volunteer on this project, you will help carry out the marine research and monitoring activities for the project under the guidance of experienced marine ecologists. You will join other volunteers on the project to collect data via scuba dives, ocean safaris, and beach walks off the coastline of Tofo in Mozambique. You can expect an excellent diving, snorkeling and beach experience, whilst gaining first hand marine research skills, all while contributing to the conservation of stunning marine life. During your time in Praia do Tofo you will be involved in a range of different research projects.

Some of your tasks may include:

  • Monitoring and snorkeling with the world’s largest fish – the whale shark
  • Studying marine behavior and ecology and taking underwater identification photographs, as well as uploading and analyzing this field data.
  • Monitoring the condition of coral reefs and indicator species of reef fish.
  • You may be trained to take ID photos of manta rays and other threatened marine species to aid population assessment.
  • At certain times of the year, you may also help survey Humpback whale numbers and turtle nesting activity, as well as other indicators of the health of marine biodiversity in the region.
  • You may also assist with beach cleanups and other general environmental activities
  • As part of the project activities, you will complete an Internationally Recognized Dive Qualification during a normal 4-week program, along with 11 or 12 ocean activities (ocean safaris or research dives) depending on the dive course chosen. The number of ocean safaris and research dives conducted are calculated according to the length of your stay.

 

Please note: To participate in these activities, you must be either able to scuba dive or willing to learn. If you are not already certified, you can add an internationally recognized open or advanced diving course to your program for an additional fee. Please note that if you need to take the diving course, you must join the program for at least three weeks to complete both the volunteer activities and the dive certification on-site. Additionally, you must be a capable swimmer, able to swim 100 meters unassisted, and proficient in snorkeling.

Internet icon Internet: Wi-Fi in Mozambique is limited and slow. Data is most commonly purchased by the gigabyte through a local mobile network SIM card, which you can buy for an additional fee on your first day in Inhambane.

Accommodations icon Accommodations: Volunteers will stay in chalets with traditional thatched roofs. Between 4 to 12 people sleep in the dormitory-style accommodations. The chalets have electricity and running, drinkable water and an open living area with ample room to relax outside. The bedrooms are fitted with bunk beds, mattresses, mosquito nets, sheets and pillows. There are shared toilet and shower facilities.

Food icon Food: We provide three meals daily. If you prefer vegetarian options, we can accommodate this request, although it’s important to mention that our menu predominantly features seafood. Additionally, due to our remote location, accommodating other dietary restrictions—such as gluten-free, lactose-free, and vegan diets—presents a challenge due to limited access to specialty food products. While volunteers are welcome, we advise that meal options may be basic, and those with specific dietary needs may need to supplement their meals with their own specialty items.

 

  • Minimum age of 18
  • Police clearance
  • Good level of fitness
  • Strong swimmer and snorkeler
  • Ability to work in a group
  • Immunizations (consult your doctor)
  • Must provide a medical form and/or doctor’s approval to dive if you have any pre-existing medical conditions
  • Volunteers who join only for two weeks must already be certified divers at any level. Non-divers must join for a minimum duration of at least three weeks.
  • Qualified divers who have not dived for 6 months or more will be required to take a short refresher course at their own cost paid locally on site to the dive center (approximately 80 USD).
  • Visas on arrival in Mozambique are unreliable; volunteers should secure a tourist visa from their local embassy in advance (processing time for visas differs depending on the embassy).

Orientation and Training (Included):
Following your arrival in Praia do Tofo, you will be given a presentation by the co-coordinating project scientists to prepare you for the work you will be doing. You will then be shown around Tofo and have a tour of the nearby city of Inhambane, including time to get a local SIM card and enjoy some freshly prepared local food.

For those who added on the Dive Course: During the first days (weather depending), you will do an open water scuba diving course. This is an internationally accredited course and upon completion you will get a certificate permitting you to scuba dive up to 18m anywhere in the world. Those who already hold an open water course will complete an advanced dive course (qualifies you to dive to 30m). Once the course is completed, you will have the time and skills required to complete the conservation and research work on the project.

Volunteer Experiences

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