Come face to face with one of the world’s most misunderstood predators whilst aiding great white shark conservation.
The activities you take part in on this project are largely dependent on the weather conditions, so be prepared for an ever-changing itinerary, combining days out at sea and activities in the local area.
Your time spent on this project and the activities you will take part in are largely dependent on weather conditions, as if it is too rough at sea, you will not be able to go out. Due to this, we recommend joining this project for a minimum of 3 weeks to ensure you can get the most out of your time here.
On your first night, you will be accommodated at a guesthouse in Cape Town and from your second night, you will be staying at the volunteer house in Kleinbaai. Located just a short walk from the harbour, the house is modern and has a kitchen, a lounge area with a television, and a fabulous outside dining area with incredible sea views. The house is located in a very safe and beautiful area where you can freely walk around during the day, and there is a small supermarket nearby where volunteers often buy provisions to prepare meals together, as well as a variety of restaurants should you fancy going out for dinner.
Rooms are allocated on a 2-per-room or 4-per-room same-sex basis. If you are travelling as a couple, a private double room with an ensuite bathroom is available (subject to availability). If you would simply prefer your own space, there is an apartment next door to the volunteer house that can be rented for an additional fee. Please enquire for further details.
Breakfast is included in the price of the project and cereals, bread, yoghurt, milk, tea, coffee and juices are all provided at the volunteer house. When you are out on the boat, you will be provided with a packed lunch consisting of sandwiches, crisps, fruit and a drink. If you have any dietary requirements, do please let us know in advance.
Your other meals (dinner in the evening and any lunches taken off the boat) will be at your own cost, whether it is buying food in the local shops to cook in the volunteer house or visiting local restaurants, so please do budget for this. We recommend budgeting £50 - £100 per week depending on whether you plan on dining out at restaurants or buying food to cook at the volunteer house.
Since Gansbaai is a hotspot for shark activity, it is possible to see the animals year-round, no matter the season. That said, each season does vary in terms of visibility and ‘no-sea’ days; you can read more about this below.
Peak season: April-October
Visibility is at its best during the peak season, averaging between 2-5 metres, as opposed to 1.5-2.5 metres at other times of the year. The feeding pattern of Gansbaai’s sharks is also most active during this season, which can make for fantastic viewing! That said, this is also the winter season, which means that stormy weather may result in fewer days out at sea.
High season: November-December
The high season sees decent visibility, and the weather can be somewhat variable. Volunteers during this season may be lucky enough to go out to sea more often than those who choose to volunteer during the peak season, however, there may be fewer sharks per viewing – though this unpredictability is part of the adventure, and that first glimpse of a shark is made all the more exciting!
Intermediate season: January-March
The weather is at its best during this season, and time spent out at sea can be glorious: clear skies, steady seas, and a low chance of rain make for an enjoyable time on the water. Shark sightings during this time are somewhat variable, but as with all wild encounters, nothing is ever guaranteed.
Finally, it is important to point out that there are numerous other factors that affect shark visibility. For example, the presence of other marine species can impact the number of sharks seen around Gansbaai’s waters, and instances such as an influx of orcas can keep fearful sharks at bay. While this project does focus primarily on sharks, there are some volunteers who are interested in seeing other species during their time in South Africa. In this case, May-November is a brilliant time to volunteer as southern right whales congregate in the area to mate and to calve, making for an unforgettable experience should you be lucky enough to witness them!
You will need to arrive into Cape Town Airport on the start date of your project where you will be met and taken to a backpacker's hostel for the first night. The next morning, you will be transferred to the project location in Kleinbaai, which is approximately a two-hour drive from Cape Town. Transfers to and from Cape Town are included in the project cost, however, if you are not travelling back to Cape Town after the project you will need to arrange and pay for your own transfer.
The return transfer is a group transfer and volunteers are returned to Cape Town on the client bus, which usually leaves at 9am. On occasion, this transfer can be later in the day, so we recommend booking a flight that departs after 5pm on your final day. If you book a flight late on in the evening, it is possible to leave your luggage at the hostel whilst exploring Cape Town for the afternoon.
Citizens of most countries, including the UK, USA, Canada, Australia and most of those within the EU, do not need to obtain a visa to enter South Africa and are granted entry for up to 90 days upon arrival. You will, however, need at least 2 blank pages in your passport for the immigration officials to use and your passport must be valid for a period of at least 6 months from your date of entry.
If you are unsure of your individual visa requirements, we recommend speaking to your local South African embassy at least 2 months prior to travel.
We recommend that you come with a moderate level of fitness, as volunteers are involved with all aspects of work during their time on the project, including bait preparation and cage deployment. No specific skills are required and all we ask is that you come with a strong work ethic and have a love and passion for sharks and the ocean. You will be taught the rest!
The vaccinations required will depend on the individual medical history of each volunteer. We recommend that you consult with your doctor/GP regarding your own vaccination needs as this will ensure you are protected and prepared to travel. In conjunction with this, we also recommend that you take a look at the Fit for Travel website for more helpful information on how best to prepare for your experience.
Come face to face with one of the world’s most misunderstood predators whilst aiding great white shark conservation. As a volunteer, not only will you get the incredible opportunity to dive with sharks, but you will also assist the team in raising awareness of the great white as you work alongside tourists and local school children to provide them with knowledge of the local environment and the importance of living in harmony with South Africa’s marine life.
UPDATE | Jul 2024
Today's volunteers spotted a sevengill cow shark and a bronze whaler shark whilst out at sea!
UPDATE | Jul 2024
This week’s volunteers captured a great white shark sighting during one of the boat trips out to sea.
ARTICLE | May 2024
In 2023, the team at The Great White Shark Project encountered hundreds of sharks while collecting data off Gansbaai's coast. See the monthly sighting data here.
One of the best experiences ever. We learnt a lot about sharks and the team was incredible. I highly recommend this project to anyone interested in marine life and making a positive impact.
For two weeks I have been a volunteer at this project, and I would love to come back in the future. It is a very professional organization and you immediately feel part of the family. I have learned a lot during my time here and loved to collect data on the sharks to help assist in correcting negative misconceptions about sharks, and stop the needless slaughter of over 100 million sharks annually. The Great White Shark Project respects the environment with their plastic free way of working and they also do more community work as well.
I was part of the July volunteer group in 2023 and, despite not seeing too many sharks, the time spent as a volunteer was brilliant. In the two weeks we spent there, we had done and explored so much, not just along the bay but inland as well. The trips were always fun even if you did not see any sharks and the group of people from the projects were wonderful, they were great people and even better guides. Those two weeks were worth every dollar and I would gladly do it again for even longer!