About Us
The Baywatch Project enlists the help of volunteers to educate the local community about the need to conserve the marine environment and its inhabitants. We are a non-profit Marine Conservation Volunteer Project located in Port Elizabeth. As far as we know, the Baywatch Project is the only marine volunteering project in the world where volunteers have the opportunity of seeing the big 7 animals (Lion, Elephant, Leopard, Buffalo, Rhino, Great White Shark, Southern Right Whale) in one day. We are the only organisation in Algoa Bay with a whale and dolphin watching license, which allows us close encounters with these wonderful animals.
Program Aims
- Educate the community, especially the youth, about the marine environment and the need for its conservation and protection.
- Assist organisations responsible for marine law enforcement and marine research.
- Undertake our own independent research.
About the Program
Unlike many other marine operations, the Baywatch Project is owner-ran and managed. We are a compact, yet vibrant company driven by our passion to ensure the safety and preservation of our marine heritage. We generally run only one marine tour per day, the morning session and putting as much personalized attention and detail into it as possible. Besides, the afternoons are usually not conducive to charters and we feel that we cannot give our best trying to cram more than one cruise into a day. We would hate having to cut an interesting excursion short because there was an afternoon group waiting to be taken out at a specific time. Unlike most other volunteering projects, our volunteers are needed to help with the actual running of the business on a daily basis. This will include driving and maintaining the two motorized catamarans, providing the guests with information on marine animals and assisting with research projects.
During the cruises we collect information on the cetaceans we encounter, using photo identification (which is where we need your help), which gets added to the national database. This important information can then be used by researchers, who are still learning about their habits, numbers and migration patterns. This vital data collection is needed to conserve our marine animals in the long term.
Voluntary Work
Volunteers get to learn about the marine environment and the importance of marine conservation while working hands-on in the marine touring industry. Volunteers will get to see whales, dolphins, seals, sharks, penguins etc. in the wild and assist on the boat as well as assisting with research and other conservation initiatives at the time. During your stay with the Baywatch Project you will also learn about various aspects of the marine environment, which you can pass onto others. You can help to educate them about the importance of conserving both our coasts and oceans. The content of our many whale lectures is not only gleaned from other people's research but also from our own extensive observations made during the cruises. The Baywatch Project has a fairly flexible program and can accommodate any requests, all we ask is that the volunteers have a love for nature and marine life and be open to what we have to offer them in terms of a great experience! What we do provide is a really invaluable experience that can be referred to for future jobs! Whether you are interested in becoming a tour guide, a researcher, a skipper, a conservationist, an animal carer, or even interested in improving managerial and office related skills, including marketing and computer skills.
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