Whitsunday Islands, Queensland, Australia
Oceans 2 Earth Volunteers has teamed up with an Australian marine research organisation to offer volunteers a spectacular and unforgettable opportunity.
Conducted in Queensland’s beautiful Whitsunday Islands, this initiative is driven by a commitment to the environmental protection and sustainability of the East Australian humpback whale population.
This unique whale research program centres on the need to obtain real science from tangible conservation endeavours, sourcing data that is highly sought after by the International Whaling Commission.
The adventure begins in Airlie Beach, one of the gateways to the Whitsundays and Great Barrier Reef, where you will work with fellow volunteers and professionals on scheduled research trips.
Research Assistants have the unique opportunity to spend time with marine experts on the Great Barrier Reef, conducting important research on breeding activities, communication patterns and anthropogenic impacts.
Research Assistants learn and experience firsthand about the impact of climate change and the variable conditions from the Antarctic sea-ice ecosystem that influences the behaviours of these magnificent creatures.
Research assistants are involved across a broad range of tasks that are fundamental to the program. This will be inclusive of marine radio operations, program health, safety and environment protocols, monitoring whale behaviour, data management, GPS operations, genetic sampling, video recordings and photo identification among other activities. Assistants in this field are integral to the viability of this operation by providing hands-on productivity. No matter how large or small the individual contributions are, from large data collection endeavours to helping with the cleaning and cooking, each effort pushes the agenda forward.
The day will begin with a 7am meeting with the research team before a 7.30am journey aboard the research vessel Escape that takes the volunteers to the study site. Having taken in the wonderful marine wildlife and the environment on the shores of the Whitsundays, participants will be sorted into teams before venturing out to the Great Barrier Reef. It will be during inclement weather days when the teams will be focusing on data entry tasks before exploring the reef and enjoying the exotic landscape. The evenings will then see a review of the theory take place where lectures and presentations based on the day’s results will be conducted. No two days with the team will be identical.
Age Requirement is 18 years.
The only skills required to be a valued member of the team is a love for marine wildlife, a desire to make a difference and a basic degree of physical fitness.
Spending 6 days and 6 nights on the research vessel out at sea can be physically and mentally taxing for some individuals across the duration of the placement. Venturing a sizeable distance offshore will necessitate a degree of patience and persistence, as well as a basic degree of physical fitness to undertake some general tasks.
2021 project start dates: To be advised.
7 nights.
All day.
Spend the first night in Airlie Beach at a hostel meeting the group. The next morning you will depart from Coral Sea Marina to the primary study site based within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
Volunteers spend 6 nights on a research vessel equipped with all of the necessary tools and guidance available for the planned activities. Volunteers are free to make their own accommodation arrangements after arriving back into the Abell Point Marina.
All meals are provided for on the boat. Specific dietary requirements are catered for by the full-time chef onboard. Volunteers are required to purchase their own meal on arrival into Airlie Beach on the first night.
From AUD $433 a day
| Duration | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|
| 7 nights | $3030 |
*Please note some items are not included in the project fees listed above, such as flights, visas, vaccinations, travel insurance, snacks, spending money, local transport, in-country tours and return airport transfer (unless mentioned above). Please note that prices are subject to change without notice. Please ensure you have read the O2E Volunteers Terms and Conditions.
Jean K.
United Kingdom
"We saw whales out to see and ate a great meal
overlooking the ocean.
"
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