Dolphin Research Programme







White sands, coconut palms and the spectacular Indian Ocean stretching as far as the eye can see... This project is as exotic as it sounds. Based near the southern Mozambican city of Maputo in the village of Ponta d’Ouro, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourselves in the captivating local Afro-Portuguese culture and assist with the study of marine life, dolphins and turtles.

Project Location: The project is located on the tropical beaches of Ponta d’Ouro near Mozambique’s southern town of Maputo

Project Age Limit: Minimum 17 years, maximum decided on potential participants’ health

  • Project Highlights:
  • Included in your fee is your PADI open-water scuba diving license. You will begin the course upon your arrival at the project base in Mozambique. This is a PADI international accredited course and upon completion you will get a certificate permitting you to scuba dive anywhere in the world. Those who are already licensed divers may either do the course as a refresher or do dives for an equivalent value. During the course & dives, you will be introduced to the activities you will be involved in and may get going with some of them. Once the course is completed you will have the time & skills to focus on the project activities.
  • Data Capture – collect data on dolphin numbers, behaviour, identification, geographic location and home ranges. This data is then processed to an electronic database Monitor beach traffic – patrol the beaches with the aim of controlling the ecological hazard of vehicles on the beach
  • Fish catch patrol – monitor fishermen’s daily catch with aim of recording and assessing the affect of unrestricted fishing in the area
  • Dolphin swim briefing – conduct swim briefing and demonstration to clients prior to dolphin tour
  • Swim facilitation – assisting on boat trips to find wild dolphins and aid clients in the water with snorkelling equipment on finding dolphins
  • Awareness and education – generate awareness about the conservation of dolphins and develop educational materials

Volunteer Projects