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Brilliant 4.72rating (10)
  • Life Below Water

Coastal Dolphin Conservation

location
1 - 4 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+
Verified

Highlights

  • Discover Greece while making a real impact in marine conservation!
  • Dive into the heart of our mission and experience what drives our work first-hand.
  • Explore the Inner Ionian Sea archipelago while contributing to vital research.

Highlights

  • Discover Greece while making a real impact in marine conservation!
  • Dive into the heart of our mission and experience what drives our work first-hand.
  • Explore the Inner Ionian Sea archipelago while contributing to vital research.
  • Work alongside expert researchers and get hands-on with real field data collection.
  • Connect with passionate volunteers from around the globe and share an unforgettable adventure!
    • You don't have to pay anything yet

    Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    Families
    Groups

    About the program

    From June to September, be part of a scientific team focused on the study and conservation of coastal dolphins in the beautiful waters of western Greece! 🐬

    The Project

    By sharing every experience with us, and ultimately living a researcher’s life, you will gain a first-hand understanding of the motivations that inspire our work, appreciate its significance for dolphin conservation and learn about the importance of protecting the marine ecosystem and ...

    About the program

    The Project

    By sharing every experience with us, and ultimately living a researcher’s life, you will gain a first-hand understanding of the motivations that inspire our work, appreciate its significance for dolphin conservation and learn about the importance of protecting the marine ecosystem and its wonderful inhabitants.

    The Location

    While most of the survey effort will be carried out in the Gulf of Ambracia, volunteers will also be involved in monitoring of the secondary study area located in the Inner Ionian Sea archipelago. Such monitoring, however, will depend on weather conditions and project priorities. After each survey, all the data is entered into dedicated databases. 

    The Research Methods

    • Surveys to monitor dolphins in the study areas are conducted daily from the IDP’s rigid-hulled inflatable boat equipped with a 100HP outboard engine.
    • Individual photo-identification, used to obtain information on dolphin abundance, movements, habitat use, social organization and reproductive success.
    • Recordings of the group size and behavior of the dolphins during long-lasting observation sessions, which are subsequently analyzed through GIS software.
    • Recordings of other marine species including sea turtles, tuna, swordfish and seabirds.
    • Inspection of dead dolphins found stranded or adrift in the study area, to identify the causes of death whenever possible, and collection of biological samples for further investigations. Occurrence of dolphin by-catch in fishing gear is also recorded.
    • Assessment of the interactions between dolphins and local fisheries.Once their participation is confirmed the volunteers will receive a pdf file with detailed information on every single aspect of the project, including information on the study area, meeting arrangements on arrival and useful info and travel tips on how to get to Vonitsa.

    Although in most cases our volunteers are 18 years old or more, we can also accept younger volunteers as long as they participate in the project accompanied by and adult (e.g., parent/s, family member or a friend that is21 year old or older). This possibility is discussed on a case-by-case basis.

    All our volunteer weeks start on Sundays and finish on Saturdays. Please keep this in mind when arranging your volunteer journey.

    Typical day

    Volunteers will conduct daily surveys onboard the research boat, working side-by-side with the researchers and contributing to field data collection. 

    • You will actively engage in visual surveys, looking for dolphins, sea turtles, birds and other fauna during navigation. As soon as dolphins are ...

    Typical day

    Volunteers will conduct daily surveys onboard the research boat, working side-by-side with the researchers and contributing to field data collection. 

    • You will actively engage in visual surveys, looking for dolphins, sea turtles, birds and other fauna during navigation. As soon as dolphins are sighted, volunteers will help to record angle and distance from the boat. 
    • You will help to record dolphin spatial distribution, group sizes (a demanding task, as dolphin groups are often large and fluid), group composition (i.e. number of newborns, calves, juveniles and adults) and behavior at five-minute intervals throughout the duration of the sighting, as well as to look out for sea turtles, birds and other animals.
    • At the field station, you will contribute to data entry and analysis of digital photos. 
    • You will be taught how to file, name, crop and prepare digital photos of the dolphins’ dorsal fins for subsequent matching. 
    • You will then engage in individual photo-identification based on natural marks on the fins, by matching the dolphins photographed at sea with a digital catalogue of known animals. 
    • You may also assist in the identification of birds associated with dolphins, and of fish prey in the birds’ beaks, based on digital photographs taken in the field.
    Volunteers and researchers alike will engage in cooking and housekeeping shifts (on a rotation). Shared tasks will include meal planning and preparation. Those that are not familiar with cooking are recommended to bring some recipes with them. Dishwashing and house cleaning are also communal activities share d by all.

    Free-time activities

    Volunteers will have plenty of free time. The work at sea is concentrated mostly during the morning hours. Once back from the sea, we will all have lunch at the field base. Then, all team members will have about 2 hours of free time before starting to work with the data collected at sea during our ...

    Free-time activities

    Volunteers will have plenty of free time. The work at sea is concentrated mostly during the morning hours. Once back from the sea, we will all have lunch at the field base. Then, all team members will have about 2 hours of free time before starting to work with the data collected at sea during our dolphin observations. 

    Usually, the afternoon activities are interrupted around 7pm; it is then when those in charge of preparing dinner start so set things up and the rest of participants are free to do as they like until dinner time (around 8-8:30 pm). 

    No specific activities are scheduled during the free time. Volunteers will do as they like depending on their own initiative and interests. Typically free-time hours are spend resting and chilling out at the volunteers accommodations, walking along the seaside, spending time in local bars, tavernas or at the beach. 

    In the field base there will be a sign-in/sign-out form, where volunteers will write their cellphone number, what time they are leaving and what time they expect to be back, in order to keep the project's personnel informed of their whereabouts in case they need to be contacted.

    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 18 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (intermediate level)

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Other Skills

    Skills essential to participation include an open mind, flexibility to changing situations and a desire to help and learn. Experience in use of computers would be a bonus, but is not necessary. Parental consent form needed for underage.

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 08:00 - 18:00

    What's Included

    What's Included

    On-site Services

    Our calendar is scheduled to have 1-week teams starting on Sunday and finishing on Saturday. There are special offers for students. Participants joining us for more than one week will have a 10% discount in any additional team. These are non-cumulative offers.

    • Accommodation and Food are included. 

    Travel expenses and beverages/food occasionally consumed in local tavernas and bars will not be covered. Volunteers are expected to issue their own travel insurance that covers them in case of an accident or illness.


    Accommodation

    Our field base, just 50 meters away from the seaside, consists of the first floor of a two-storey house and is divided into two areas: an apartment with a large living room, open kitchen and a big balcony, two toilets with showers (one for staff and one for project participants), two bedrooms (for staff) and the office. The second area is a large comfortable loft of 90 square meters where participants will work and also sleep (bunk beds). Sheets and blankets are provided.

    Food & Beverages

    Shopping is usually done by project staff members in Vonitsa, where one can find well-equipped, modern supermarkets and ingredients for the most demanding palates and needs. This way self made breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. The fridge at the field base will always have fruit juices and water. Alcoholic drinks are not covered by the project. 

    Vonitsa offers a choice of restaurants and taverns where volunteers may choose to eat dinner at their own expense (an average lunch or dinner costs about 12-20 Euro). 

    Internet Access

    Good access at the project site
    You don't have to pay anything yet

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Airport Pickup at Aktion Airport

    An airport pickup isn't included within the program fees either.

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Aktion Airport (PVK) in Preveza. We assist you to find cheap flights to Greece. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Greece provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in Greece you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Greece. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    Expeditions take place between mid-June and mid-September each year from Sunday to Saturday.

    We will not be able to hold the place for you until we receive your deposit. Please check availability first.

    There are no more spots available for the 2026 season. The dates for 2027 will be published in December. We look forward to welcoming you next year!


    The main ways and means to reach the  base:

    1. By Bus from Athens (Most common and economical option)

    ·        Route: Most participants take a direct bus from the Kifisos Central Bus Station (Terminal A) in Athens. The journey takes about 5 hours and costs approximately €35.

    ·        Estimated Departure Times from Athens: 08:00, 13:00, and 17:00. (If you are traveling on the arrival day of the project, taking the 08:00 bus is highly recommended).

    ·        From Athens Airport (ATH): To get to the Kifisos bus station from the airport, you can take the X93 bus (approx. 60-90 minutes, cost ~€6) or a taxi (30-50 minutes, cost €40-50).

    2. By Flight to Preveza-Aktio (PVK) (The closest route)

    ·        The Preveza-Aktio airport is located just 10 kilometers west of Vonitsa.

    ·        During the summer months (from May to September), several charter flights are available from all over Europe.

    ·        Once you land, you can reach Vonitsa by taxi in about 15 minutes, costing around €25-30.

    3. By Ferry from Italy via Igoumenitsa

    ·        You can travel by ferry from various Italian ports (Trieste, Venice, Ancona, Bari, Brindisi) arriving in Igoumenitsa, which is located about 100 km north of Vonitsa.

    ·        From Igoumenitsa, you can take a bus to Preveza or Lefkada, and from there catch a connecting local bus to Vonitsa.

    4. By Bus from Thessaloniki (SKG)

    ·        If you fly into Thessaloniki (often chosen for budget flights), you can reach Vonitsa starting from the Macedonia intercity bus station.

    ·        There are no direct buses: you will need to take a coach to Preveza or Lefkada (about a 5-hour journey). From there, Vonitsa can be reached in less than 30 minutes via a local bus (~€3) or taxi (~€30).

    5. By Taxi from Athens

    ·        For a faster and more comfortable (but significantly more expensive) solution, you can take a taxi directly from Athens Airport. The trip takes about 3-4 hours and has an estimated cost between €300 and €400.

    Note for Arrival Day: The standard meeting point for participants is at 15:00 at the main pier (near the small lighthouse) on the Vonitsa waterfront.

     


    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program Fees

    $937 per week 1 - 4 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES

    Duration

    1 - 4 weeks

    Deposit

    Reserve your spot with just a few clicks and a small, secure deposit. You can pay by credit card, PayPal, or other convenient methods.

    Final Payment

    You’ll agree on the final payment method with your local organization during the application process. This final payment is only due closer to the start of your trip.

    You don't have to pay anything yet

    4.72
    ・
    10 reviews

    Location

    Europe > Southern Europe > Greece > Vonitsa

    Meet your project coordinator

    Adriana
    10
    reviews
    4.72
    Brilliant
    1991
    Founded

    Verified

      Moderate response rate
    Spoken languages: English, Italian
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    Travel dates

    1. - 1. Jan 1

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