Mozambique marine

country:	Mozambique
departures:	2008: 1 Sep, 6 Oct, 3 Nov 2009: 5 Jan, 2 Feb, 2 Mar, 6 Apr, 4 May, 1 Jun, 6 Jul, 3 Aug, 7 Sep, 5 Oct, 2 Nov 2010: 4 Jan, 1 Feb, 1 Mar
price:	From £1895 (4 weeks) excluding flights

Marine conservation holidays

Mozambique holidays

the amazing things you'll be doing

Few countries have such a reputation for beautiful coastlines as Mozambique does and Ponto do Ouro is a prime example. Nestled on the southern coast, it's an ideal location for all kinds of marine activities including swimming with dolphins, scuba diving, kite boarding, jet skiing and surfing and with its coral reefs and vast array of aquatic wildlife you won't find anywhere better to explore the Indian Ocean. If that's not your thing then you might be more interested in a day of relaxation on the beach or an evening sipping cocktails at one of the many bars that line the beach. This really is a coastal paradise with everything to offer travellers but if you choose this project you'll have the opportunity to experience it on a whole new level as you help monitor the local dolphin, turtle and coral fish population. You'll have a rare opportunity to get up close to these fascinating creatures close up and to make a lasting impact on the future survival of the species in Mozambique.

the project

The project aims to help monitor the status and condition of marine life around Ponta d Ouro and recommend conservation action. The project involves being based in Ponta d Ouro on the coast of southern Mozambique and has been running since early 2006. The project has developed a monitoring program and helped gather information on dolphin pod sightings and location, develop a database of dolphin dorsal fin photographs, locate and protect loggerhead turtles nests, gather initial data on butterfly fish and inter-tidal and sub-tidal reef cover and condition as well as assist with beach cleanups and general awareness creation. Furthermore, it has facilitated greater co-operation and international support for marine research and conservation around Ponta d Ouro.

This project may include scuba diving for which you will need a dive certificate, otherwise you can take a diving qualification on arrival at an extra cost or not take part in the diving aspects of the project. Volunteers need to be flexible and ready to undertake a variety of tasks, from the mundane to the spectacular! You will need to have a genuine love of animals and an interest in marine life. You must be prepared to help with maintenance and manual tasks as well as data entry and research work. Volunteers will need to be able to work in a team and must love working outdoors. Experience in marine research is not essential but would be an advantage.

a day in a life of a volunteer

Beach walks - to locate dolphin pods, record their position & estimate their numbers; locate & record turtle nest sites; record fishing catch quantities & species

Boat surveys - to locate dolphin pods, record their position, photograph their dorsal fins and estimate their numbers;

Dolphin swims - assist with data collection of pod location & dolphin numbers;

Reef transect swims - to establish fixed transects, record butterfly-fish sightings, coral cover and condition and indicator species;

Assist organising dolphin swims - preparations for dolphin swim briefings & launches;

Awareness and education - generate awareness about the conservation of dolphins and marine biodiversity and develop educational materials.

Assist with the eco-tourism work - man the Dolphin Encounters reception, organise clients and deal with queries

volunteer travel - what's it all about?

Are you are looking for an adventurous trip with a purpose, or on a gap year or career break? If you want to make a difference in some of the world’s most important conservation areas - and in community projects - then volunteer trips are for you! Volunteers tend to have a sense of adventure, and come from a range of different backgrounds and from all over the world.
Edward Abbey said 'sentiment without action is the ruin of the soul'.

how this holiday makes a difference

Volunteers are directly involved in the positive process of responsible tourism in the local beach resort by contributing to this worthwhile conservation project which works to protect the local environment. By assisting with monitoring and research activities that work to maintain and protect local marine life, which includes dolphins, turtles, butterfly fish and coral reefs on this southern coastal paradise in Mozambique, volunteers make a positive and lasting impact on the local environment, which is a biologically diverse area that needs monitoring in order to minimise the impact of tourism on the local dolphin and marine population.

This project achieves sustainable and responsible goals through its developed monitoring program which helps to gather information on dolphin pod sightings and locations. It has also developed a database of dolphin dorsal fin photographs, locates and protects loggerhead turtles nests, gathers initial data on butterfly fish and inter-tidal and sub-tidal reef cover and condition. In addition to assisting with such monitoring activities, volunteers assist with beach cleanups and general awareness of the local marine population. Furthermore, this project has facilitated greater co-operation and international support for marine research and conservation around the beach resort of Ponta do Ouro.

Volunteers have the full support of a local in-country coordination team, who are fully trained staff that liaise with the locally owned project in-country and are on-hand 24/7. They provide volunteers with a full orientation on arrival.

The accommodation is locally owned and run by local staff. By staying in locally-owned accommodation volunteers are doing a great deal to benefit the local economy and cause a minimal impact on the environment. It is shared dorm rooms in a beach cottage on the sand dunes in the local village. Facilities are basic to reduce the impact on the environment. The maximum number of volunteers at any given time is eight, to ensure the project receives the aid it needs whilst not negatively affecting the environment.

Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people.

We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel.

'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left).

We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays.

We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism.

This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards.