Marine Research Expedition

location
1 - 4 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Excellent 4.8  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Highlights

  • Experience the sailing life in one of the worlds best spots for Watersports
  • Be part of an international crew on board
  • Gain experience in Marine Research in the field (Underwater)

Highlights

  • Experience the sailing life in one of the worlds best spots for Watersports
  • Be part of an international crew on board
  • Gain experience in Marine Research in the field (Underwater)
  • Get your hands on some of the fancy research gear such as Plankton nets and Hydrophones
  • Get close up to Dolphins and whales in the wild


  • Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    Groups

    About the program

    You will join an international crew aboard a sailboat to work for the protection of our seas. And you will learn to collect data, organize and enjoy the sea at its best!

    Join us aboard our research Sailboat in the Mediterranean. 

    Do you want to be part of an international crew aboard and help with data collection underwater? We will teach you the necessary skillset for habitat mapping, species Identification and mapping of their distribution, and spotting Marine ...

    About the program

    Join us aboard our research Sailboat in the Mediterranean. 

    Do you want to be part of an international crew aboard and help with data collection underwater? We will teach you the necessary skillset for habitat mapping, species Identification and mapping of their distribution, and spotting Marine Megafauna, such as dolphins, whales, and turtles. 

    About the Project

    In recent years habitat loss has become one of the major concerns in the Mediterranean Sea, as it is generally followed by a loss of various species that depend on it. With our work, we aim to identify key locations of healthy habitats and work towards their protection in order to counteract those developments.

    What you can expect

    As a volunteer aboard, you will be part of the actual research team, which means snorkeling, measuring seagrass meadows, looking for species, taking pictures and videos of all the different organisms you see, and learning to identify them! While we are sailing you will also be standing watches - spotting whales and dolphins and trying to take the best possible pictures of them for Photo Identification with our partner organizations. 

    In other words, you will not be considered a passenger on board, but rather a part of the crew, where everyone chips in with daily tasks, watches, and sailing time and we all get to enjoy our free time together as well.

    You will be living aboard a 21m sailing boat with up to 11 more people, enough social areas to live and work together. During your stay, we generally move every other day for a 4-5 hour sail* to the next location, which gives us enough time to map and check the underwater world in each location properly and of course to have a look onshore as well if wanted.

    While no prior experience in sailing, diving, or marine research is required (we will happily teach you all the necessary skills on board) any background in related fields or previous experience will make it easier for you to find your routine - that being said so far everyone managed to pick up on all the new skills and tasks within a week. 

    * Duration of sailing trips depends on the timeline you would join. We do not have hot water onboard for showers and seawater showers are encouraged to reduce water consumption.

    Equipment

    All the equipment needed for the scientific and outreach work is available on board, but we do recommend bringing your snorkeling gear, as this ensures, that the mask fits properly and the fins don't hurt your feet after a short time. If you want to borrow gear on board, please bring a deposit of 50 Euros with you in case the gear gets damaged or lost. This will be returned to you upon receiving our gear back in good condition.




    Typical day

    • 08:00 wakeup
    • 08:00 - 09:00 Breakfast (self-service)
    • 09:00 - 10:00 Snorkelling session (Marine species counts, species ID, habitat mapping)
    • 10:00 - 14:00: Sailing to a new location (with marine megafauna watches)
    • 12:00 - 13:00: Lunch underway (One person cooks for everyone, the second person does the ...

    Typical day

    • 08:00 wakeup
    • 08:00 - 09:00 Breakfast (self-service)
    • 09:00 - 10:00 Snorkelling session (Marine species counts, species ID, habitat mapping)
    • 10:00 - 14:00: Sailing to a new location (with marine megafauna watches)
    • 12:00 - 13:00: Lunch underway (One person cooks for everyone, the second person does the dishes)
    • 14:00 - 15:00: Break time
    • 15:00 - 16:00 Snorkelling session (Marine species counts, species ID, habitat mapping)
    • 16:00 - 17:00 Data entry (computer - generally 1-2 persons)
    • 17:00 dinner
    • 18:00 - 07:30 Free time (Sunsets, music sessions, guitar lessons, presentations if wanted, .... room for games)


    Free-time activities

    On weekends we are aiming to be near small towns or other nice locations, but free time activities on board also include all kinds of watersports as well as music (Guitar and Ukulele on board), wildlife watching and social interaction, games and much more. Once tied up to land whatever the city has ...

    Free-time activities

    On weekends we are aiming to be near small towns or other nice locations, but free time activities on board also include all kinds of watersports as well as music (Guitar and Ukulele on board), wildlife watching and social interaction, games and much more. Once tied up to land whatever the city has to offer is free to do!


    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 18 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (intermediate level)

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Other Skills

    This program is for good swimmers. Sailing, diving, and freediving skills are great but not a must. All necessary skills can be gained on board.

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 09:00 - 17:00

    What's Included

    What's Included

    Services by Project Manaia

    The fees collected are covering all the associated costs on board, such as: 

    • food
    • fuel
    • maintenance
    • marina fees
    • cruising permits, and much more. 

    Everyone on board chips into this pot that keeps the boat running year-round.

    Just as an example: 
    - Food shopping for the boat runs at about makes up about 20%
    - Fuel prices can add up to several hundred euros a week at bad times
    - a night in a marina can be VERY expensive in the Mediterranean

    all those costs, as well as repairs, boatyard times, etc. are covered by us.

    Joining dates are on Mondays, starting from end-April, as the minimum stay is 12 days, the stops are spread out mostly around Greece and it will give you a chance to pick the perfect time window for you, but please choose a slot of 12 days minimum with a start on a Monday!

    Accommodation

    Accommodation is of course covered on board.

    Our research vessel SY Waya Waya sleeps 13 in comfort in 2 separate cabins and 2 beds in the common area. One of the cabins has 10 standard-size bunk beds and a shared toilet for this cabin and 2 more beds in the common area and another toilet.


    Food & Beverages

    All food and (non-alcoholic) drinks on board are also included (water, tea, coffee).

    The diet on board is generally vegetarian, but we aim to make space for all dietary restrictions and needs. 


    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Airport Pickup at Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport

    An airport pickup isn't included within the program fees either.

    Internet Access

    Sorry, no access at the project site

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH) in Athens. We assist you to find cheap flights to Greece. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Greece provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in Greece you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Greece. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    SCHEDULE OF THE SEASON 2025 

    21/04-03/05 FROM LICATA, SICILY TO CROTONE, ITALY

    05/05-17/05 FROM CROTONE, ITALY TO PREVEZA, GR

    19/05-31/05 FROM PREVEZA, GR TO NISOS KEFALONIA, GR

    02/06-14/06 FROM NISOS KEFALONIA, GR TO NISOS SALMINA, GR

    16/06-28/06 FROM NISOS SALMINA, GR TO PORTO CHELI, GR

    30/06-12/07 FROM PORTO CHELI, GR TO NISOS KITHERA, GR

    14/07-26/07 FROM NISOS KITHERA, GR TO KALAMATA, GR

    04/08-16/08 FROM KALAMATA, GR TO PILOS, GR

    18/08-30/08 FROM PILOS, GR TO NISOS KEFALONIA, GR

    01/09-13/09 FROM KEFALONIA, GR TO MALTA

    15/09-27/09 FROM MALTA TO LICATA, SICILY

    Joining dates are on Mondays and departure days is Saturdays, starting from end-April, as the minimum stay is 12 days, the stops are spread out around Greece and it will give you a chance to pick the perfect time window for you, but please choose a slot of 12 days minimum with a start on a Monday!

    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program fees

    1 week 5 days (min. stay) 1,500€
    4 weeks (max. stay) 3,000€
    Average fees 812€/week

    Program fees

    812€ per week 1 - 4 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    1 - 4 weeks

    Deposit

    The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


    Final Payment

    Your final payment will be agreed with Project Manaia during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


    Meet your organization

    Project Manaia

    Excellent 4.8 rating (18 reviews)

    Non-profit - founded in 2014

    Verified by Volunteer World

      Excellent response rate

    Coordinated by

    PINAR

    Spoken languages: English

    About the project

    Join us aboard a sailing research boat exploring the Marine wildlife of the Mediterranean sea. All while sailing one of the most amazing areas in the world.

    Meet your organization

    - Who we are?

    Project Manaia is a small and growing Marine Conservation/Research NGO, that was founded in 2014. Registered in Austria we are operating from aboard our Research Sailboat in the Mediterranean Sea. Our permanent volunteering crew of 2 is organizing the trips as well as the outreach from the boat while a few more volunteers on land help with "on shore" tasks on a weekly basis.

    - What do we do?

    The organization is working towards "Healthy and living oceans" and as such most of our work is targeted towards baseline research, such as habitat mapping and species distribution. While the data is basic, those are also the kinds of information needed in order to create Marine protected areas or get specific marine species listed as protected species. With this in mind, we are using simple equipment and methods to create a big impact for a better understanding of the marine environment and its residents.

    - Where do we work? 

    Our work is currently focused entirely on the Mediterranean Sea. While it is one of the prime sailing regions of the world, this is also the sea with the highest amount of human impact working on it. With more shipping traffic, more tourism and fisheries as well as garbage in the water than any other sea in the world, this is the perfect testing ground to find solutions for all those existing issues.

    Within the Mediterranean Sea we are currently operating on the European side, which makes it an incredibly safe place to be: in regards to the people as well as health issues, as medical help is generally available and no special vaccinations (as in the tropic regions) are needed

    - Our mission/vision

    We made it our mission to keep our seas as healthy and full of life as they currently are. While the trend is certainly not working in our favor the work is more important than ever. We aim to work against the loss of habitats and the following biodiversity loss. With our work, we create both, a direct impact on those developments as well as a better understanding of those issues with the general public, which again leads to better protection in the long run.

    - Our goals

    The ultimate goal is of course to have a sea that is full of fish and life once again. However, as this will take some time, we are currently working towards more (and bigger) protected areas in the Mediterranean, but at the same time, a big part of the work is educational and outreach. In many parts along the coast, even the residents have limited knowledge and understanding of all the life they have below the surface. By showing people how fragile and yet important this ecosystem underwater is, we generate momentum within the local communities that we as a crew and international volunteers can carry out into the world and help to spread a message.

    - Who are we looking for?

    The perfect candidate to come on board is a motivated, self-driven ocean-loving individual! While no prior experience is needed and we are happy to teach all the necessary skills on board any prior experience will of course help. The most important things are that you are motivated, you can swim, speak English and you are willing to help a common cause. If you can answer all those things with a yes, this qualifies you as a great candidate already!

    - Why choose us?

    While there is a variety of Organizations offering similar experiences, we truly believe that we can offer a unique experience in an amazing package: You get to be part of a research team, a sailing crew, and an international group while sailing in some of the most amazing areas of this planet. And during this time free time activities such as snorkeling and swimming become a part of the daily "work" while there is still ample time available to go paddleboarding, exploring on land, and hang out with your crewmates. And as we are a boat-based operation, you will be not limited to one location but within a two-week stay will cover at least 100 nautical miles of coastline giving you a nice overview of an entire area and a chance to explore more than just one spot - both on land and of course underwater!

    18 reviews · rating4.8

    Eva Rachtchinine rating5

    2024 at Marine Research Expedition

    I had the pleasure of being part of the Waya Waya crew for the first 2 weeks in June of 2024. Before I arrived on the boat, I was nervous to meet everyone and was worried that I did not have any background in marine biology. However as soon as I stepped on the boat, I immediately felt like I was a ...
    Ben Chanter rating5

    2024 at Marine Research Expedition

    It was an incredible experience with incredible crew. Lots of inspiring people making things happen which you don’t often get to see. The passion behind the project and the goodwill is something not to be taken for granted. An amazing experience where you will enjoy beautiful scenery from the best ...
    Rosalie Blake rating5

    2023 at Marine Research Expedition

    Being on board of this research sailboat was an incredible experience that I will never forget. We learned and did so much in my two weeks stay: beach cleanups, ID species, transects, mammals watching and learning how to navigate. I would definetly recommend to everyone interested in marine biology ...
    Mia Pavic rating5

    2023 at Marine Research Expedition

    Spending two weeks aboard this research vessel is an experience I will never forget. Learning how to complete transects, species ID and mammal watched while also learning how to sail is something I will always value and take away from this trip. Being able to work with various other volunteers with ...
    Amélie Faraud rating4.8

    2023 at Marine Research Expedition

    I spent 2 weeks on the boat of Pinar and Manuel, a lovely couple who teach all they know about the marine world, and answer all the curious questions you could have. We had a great crew and we managed to complete really interesting tasks including watching observations, navigation, snorkeling, ...
    James McArthur rating4.6

    2023 at Marine Research Expedition

    My two weeks with Project Manaia was incredible. Manuel and Pinar were welcoming and generous, the rest of the crew were wonderful and every day was an adventure! Highly recommend ...

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