O.R.C.A. MARINE FOUNDATION
(Plettenberg
Bay, South Africa)
The O.R.C.A. Marine Foundation is located in Plettenberg Bay on the world famous
"Garden Route" of South Africa. It is home to some of the world's most
fascinating marine species, including southern right whales, humpback
whales, bryde’s whales, bottlenose dolphins, humpback dolphins, common dolphins, orca whales,
and great white sharks. The project is focused on creating a practical
conservation model
for the sustainable utilization of marine, coastal and estuarine habitats
and returning these habitats to a pristine condition by combining education,
conservation, community development, science, tourism and a viable business
model.
Together with Ocean Blue Adventures, South
Africa's leading whale and dolphin watching operators, you will enjoy
regular trips to sea (in boats and kayaks) to view these magnificent
animals up close and personal. The town of Plettenberg Bay, which is
dependant on eco-tourism, has benefited significantly from the O.R.C.A.
program through development of the impoverished part of the community,
information gathered from the O.R.C.A. researchers on the condition of the
Bay, and the attraction of eco-tourists to one of the most beautiful
places in the world.
O.R.C.A.,
in cooperation with Ocean Blue Adventures, was recently honored with the 2004
International SKAL Award for Eco-Tourism and the 2001 WWF Green Trust
Award.
Volunteer
Work
During your stay in
Plettenberg Bay, you will be lucky enough to witness the power and grace
of whales, the exuberance of dolphins and seals, and the majestic beauty
of mountain, forest and coastal scenery. Above all, you will have an opportunity to actively and meaningfully participate in
conserving our marine life. You will learn about
managing a 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.
All volunteer activities
support the objectives of O.R.C.A., including any research activities at the time of the programme. Volunteers
may have the opportunity to work under the supervision of local Masters student’s from Rhodes
University and participate in certain of the following:
•Sampling, tagging and monitoring of
fish species
•Participating
in commercial marine eco-tourism activities, including whale and dolphin
watching tours, sea kayaking, township tours, and river ferry cruises
•Conducting
research surveys
•Rescuing
and rehabilitating marine species (when occasion arises)
•Organising
co-ordinated provincial marine and coastal awareness campaigns (e.g.
National Environment Week, National Marine Week, Youth Day)
•Collecting touch pool and aquarium species for
the Education Centre
•Patrolling
by boat to collect data, monitor the bay and take photos of whales, dolphins
and other marine species
•Organising
community development programmes for previously disadvantaged communities
(e.g. the Masizame Street Children’s project, Qolweni)
•Participating
in a broad range of educational initiatives involving the local community,
specifically educating school children on conservation principals
Other
Activities
Depending
on the time of the year and weather conditions, your time spent with the
O.R.C.A. will also include a diverse range of additional activities
including (at no additional cost):
•Sea kayaking
•Marine guiding
•River cruises on the Keurbooms
river
•Excursions to the Elephant
Park reserve
•Overnight stays on commercial
hake fishing boats
•Mountain biking
Extra cost activities
in the area include: sky diving, bunjy jumping, reserve hiking, deep sea
fishing, scuba diving, horse back riding, surfing, kite surfing, shark
cage diving and sailing.
Field
Conditions
The
volunteer house is located on the beach, approximately 500 meters
from a shopping centre with restaurants, movie house, convenience store,
video store, etc. The walk from the volunteer house to the Centre in
Plettenberg Bay takes approximately 30 minutes along the beach or 20
minutes through town. Plettenberg Bay has all
the usual amenities, including medical doctors, supermarkets, restaurants,
cinemas and Internet cafés. Volunteers will be
provided with a mountain bike at no additional cost for the duration of
their stay.
Training
/ Qualifications
Training will be given in various aspects of marine conservation.
Costs
Volunteer
Contribution:
2 weeks:
GB£695 / US$1395
3 weeks:
GB£895 / US$1795
4 weeks:
GB£1095 / US$2195
Additional weeks:
pro-rata basis
*Joint
Discount*
Volunteers receive a
US$100 / GB£50 discount when joining multiple Enkosini Eco Experience programmes.
The volunteer contribution
covers accommodation, meals and living expenses at O.R.C.A. Flights, travel/medical insurance
and transport to/from the Centre are
NOT included. The
only additional spending money required will be for personal purchases
(curios, alcohol, soda, luxury/imported goods, chocolates, sweets,
toiletries), social excursions away from the Centre, and pre/post project
travel.
Please bear in mind that the sooner you
apply, the better your chances of securing your placement!
Dates
Although there are
no set arrival/departure dates, we try to arrange for volunteers to arrive at the beginning
of a week (Sunday/Monday/Tuesday). Volunteers are welcome to join the
project for 2 - 12 weeks, and are required to sign an indemnity form. Applicants must be over 18 years old.
Transport
The O.R.C.A. Marine Centre is based in PLETTENBERG BAY - approximately 500kms
from Cape Town. If you have a driver's license, renting a car for a day
and driving from Cape Town to Plettenberg Bay is definitely the easiest
way to get to the project.
Alternatively, you can
travel:
By Bus - Cape Town to Plettenberg Bay
Reservations: www.intercape.co.za,
www.greyhound.co.za
By Plane – Jo'burg/Cape Town to George/Port Elizabeth
Driving time is then one
hour from George and 2.5 hours from
Port
Elizabeth so you will have to: 1) arrange private transport to Plettenberg
Bay; or 2) catch a taxi to the bus depot and then take bus to
Plettenberg Bay.
Other
See FAQs for any additional questions!
Testimonials
"If
you are more into marine wildlife and helping the humanitarian cause,
then the O.R.C.A. project is outstanding! Not only did I get
ample whale and dolphin watching opportunities, but we also got to truly
get our hands dirty and assist at the local township school by building a
green house and spending time with the children. This placement was
also great because of all the other activities available in Plettenberg
Bay. If you want to go surfing, scuba diving, kayaking or even
skydiving (which I highly recommend), you can do them all with
the help of the O.R.C.A. staff. Plettenberg Bay is a great
town, full of night spots where you and your fellow volunteers can
unwind and have a great time."
-
Glenn Hines, Canada
