Spain

Volunteer work in the dolphin and whale project in Tenerife

Q: How far in advance do I have to register?

Ideally your registration takes place at least 3-6 months before the desired departure date , But also short-term registrations are up 1-2 months before the planned departure is possible. But it could be that your dream project is already booked. In this case we will try together to find a suitable alternative for you.

animals in the wild
High recreational value
Knowledge sharing

The whale project on the idyllic island of Tenerife is looking for enthusiastic and highly motivated volunteers. Help us raise awareness about whales and dolphins. You have the opportunity to become part of the team and watch and explore the whales off Tenerife daily on board our hybrid boat. Join us whale watching!

Volunteers collect research data from the local short-finned pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins to protect the whale population. The focus is also on raising awareness about animal and environmental protection and the consequences of whaling.

Tenerife

from 16 years

2 - 52 weeks / from €1.600

Wednesday, Saturday

life under water

Conserve and sustainably use oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

Project ID : FA-SP310

As a volunteer
Spain

2 - 52 weeks / from €1.600
to the cost overview

Volunteering in the maritime whale and dolphin research project in Tenerife

What's the matter?

Unfortunately, whales and dolphins are still hunted, kept in captivity and disturbed in their natural habitat due to human activities. Whale and dolphin watching is one of the most popular tourist activities in Tenerife. Most providers care little about animal welfare. As a result, many animals are harassed, disturbed or even injured by irresponsible whale and dolphin watching practices.

In order to offer observation tours that are both animal and environmentally friendly, it is necessary to convert the ships into quiet and CO2-neutral boats. This measure prevents animals from being affected by noise and lubricants from polluting the sea. In order to counteract this problem and to protect animals and the environment, it is of great importance to educate people about the effects of their actions on the ecosystem.

WeWhale promotes social interest in whales and dolphins by offering whale watching tours that directly contribute to the protection of these marine creatures. The organization addresses this issue and built the world's first noise- and emission-free whale and dolphin watching fleet.

An additional focus is on the individual development of the volunteers. Volunteers are encouraged to design, develop and realize their own projects. This project therefore requires a considerable degree of independence and personal commitment.

Your tasks as a volunteer

A range of exciting and varied activities await you in the whale and dolphin conservation project on Tenerife. A main task is research, where you will carry out photo identifications of local dolphin species such as bottlenose dolphins and pilot whales on board boats.

Another important aspect of your work is educating visitors, tourists and the public about environmental and animal protection. This includes providing information on boats, in hotels, schools or visitor centers about topics such as whaling and overfishing. You will also interact directly with local people or create educational materials such as social media content and fact sheets to raise awareness of these important issues.

Possible daily routine:

Your day begins at 8:30 a.m. with breakfast. At around 9:15 a.m. you will receive a morning briefing on what you have to do during the day. Activities may occur on the boat, such as preparation, giving guest lectures and collecting research data. At 09:45 a.m. we go out to sea to observe and explore the whales and dolphins in the “Los Gigantes” area.

After 2,5 to 3 hours you go back to the port and you upload the collected data and analyze it. Depending on the sightings, this takes around 2-3 hours. Afterwards, dinner is on the agenda, which takes place between 19:00 p.m. and 19:30 p.m. After the meal, if necessary, a feedback meeting will be held in which the day's events will be discussed and mistakes and successes will be examined.

The working days on the boat can often be quite long. Please note that you will be on the boat for at least 2,5 hours every day (except Sundays, as this day is considered a rest day). If you are prone to seasickness, this program may not be suitable for you.

Possible whale watching tasks:

Collect data about environmental conditions
Analysis of the data
Sighting and identification of whales and marine mammals
Generate general sighting data to monitor populations and habitat distribution
Observe the behavior of whales and dolphins
Record bioacoustics of whales and dolphins

Volunteers visit key areas such as shopping centres, beaches, main streets and central attractions to educate tourists on the importance of choosing legal and responsible operators if they wish to watch whales and dolphins.

Accommodation Catering

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Ocean House in Tenerife

The Ocean House is located directly at the “Los Gigantes” marina and offers wonderful views of the harbor. The accommodation has two bedrooms, a shared living room with kitchen and two bathrooms. There are four beds in total (two single beds per bedroom), which is why a maximum of four volunteers are accepted at the same time.

Blankets, towels, duvets and bed linen are provided. There are several kitchens where breakfast and dinner can be prepared together. Cleaning and organizing the common areas is a shared task among the volunteers. Our boat is just a five minute walk away and the town offers amenities such as supermarkets, bars, restaurants and small shops all within 5 to 10 minutes walk.

Location

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Tenerife

Tenerife is the largest island in the Canary Islands, which belong to Spain and are located in the Atlantic Ocean near the West African coast and were formed by volcanic activity. The island offers a variety of stunning beaches whose colors vary from golden to black. The Pico del Teide, a sleeping volcano, is not only the symbol of Tenerife, but also the highest mountain in Spain.

Near your accommodation, in the south of Tenerife, are the well-known tourist destinations Los Cristianos and Playa de las Américas, located directly on the Atlantic Ocean. Santa Cruz, the port city and capital of the island, can be reached in about an hour's drive.

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Your free time in Tenerife

In your free time as a volunteer, you can explore the variety of restaurants, bars and cafés nearby. Within an hour you can reach Santa Cruz, the capital of Tenerife, or San Cristóbal de La Laguna, a lively university town that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The beaches of Tenerife are a dream destination for (kite) surfers, snorkelers and divers. A trip there is worth it to experience the natural beauty and explore the exciting underwater world, including shipwrecks, reefs and caves. A visit to the island's landmark, the Pico del Teide volcano, is also a must.

The associated national park offers breathtaking natural landscapes and views that can be discovered on bike tours or long hikes. Another highlight on Tenerife is the carnival, which is the second largest in the world after Rio de Janeiro. Every year people from all over the world flock here in February to dance, sing and celebrate. If you are volunteering on the island at this time, you should not miss this unique experience. Our team will also give you further insider tips.

On-site procedure

Arrival in Tenerife

After landing at Tenerife Airport, you will take a taxi or bus to your accommodation. You have to bear the costs for this yourself. The journey to the property takes approximately 30 minutes. After you reach your destination, you will first be shown the premises, the village and the facilities. You will also be introduced to the team and volunteers on site.

Orientation program in Tenerife

On the second day you will get an introduction to the project. Among other things, there will be presentations. Here you will mainly get theoretical basics for your volunteer work. You will continue to learn more and more later on the observation boat. Experience shows that it takes about a week to be able to work independently. The following items are on the agenda for the first few days:

You introduce yourself and give a little insight into your interests and goals
Your place of work presents its work, explains why it is so important and gives an overview of the upcoming activities
You will be introduced to activities and sights for your free time
You will be informed about the options available to you to contribute your own personal contribution to the project
The rules and protocols to be followed are reviewed

Your first day in the project

On the working days there are often meetings in the evenings to work up the day and to review, to discuss what went well and what didn't go well and what can be done better in the future.

Pricing

base fee

€ 1.600, -

2 weeks of participation
extension week

€ 560, - / week

up to 48 weeks

included
Services

Before departure

Individual advice and support from our trained RGV team in Munich
Organization including placement in the project and coordination of your stay on site
Assistance with preparation: visa, health care, travel insurance, etc.
Non-binding flight advice
Travel ABC with packing list for your travel preparation
RGV t-shirt

On site

Orientation program with the team on site
Support and guidance from the on-site team
RGV 24h emergency number
Project t-shirt to wear during on-site activities

Accommodation in Volunteer Apartment

Daily drive to the project

After return

Participation confirmation of your voluntary commitment
Reflection course on your experiences abroad
Evaluation sheet and optional feedback discussion

useful additional services

not included
Services

Round trip
Private expenses on site
Excursions with microlight flights
Travel and cancellation insurance
Visa and Vaccinations
All nights outside your agreed accommodation
Public transport and extra transfers

Airport transfer on the day of arrival and departure

Individual Recommended additional offers
& must-haves

Would you prefer to stay in a single room? Are you vegan or do you have special requests for food? Or do you want to do some cool trips with other volunteers in your free time and explore the country?

With us, you benefit from a variety of optional additional services that you can add individually to your booking, depending on your preferences.

" Round Trip
Cheap flights with our flight partner thanks to volunteer rates.

" Insurance
Benefit from the 4 in 1 ERGO travel insurance.

Einzelzimmer

450 €

Per week (subject to availability)
Personal development introductory course

Free of charge

Two tools to get you started on your personal development

Tenerife Team
site

The founder, Janek Andre, has WeWhale launched to create the world's first whale and dolphin watching fleet that produces no noise or emissions.
Whales have held a special fascination for him since he was a child. In fact, his very first childhood drawing was of an orca.

Mercedes and Matt will be your “WeWhale family” while volunteering. Mercedes, who was born in Tenerife, is a marine biologist with over 20 years of experience in whale research. Her main interests lie in the area of dolphin behavior, bioacoustics, cymatics and interspecies communication.

Matt was born in the Netherlands but has spent most of his life in the south of Tenerife. He has lived predominantly by the sea and has always been interested in protecting the marine environment. He enjoys activities such as snorkeling and diving, which he has done since he was a teenager.

RGV FAQ
to the project

How far in advance do I have to register?

Ideally your registration takes place at least 3-6 months before the desired departure date, But also short-term registrations are up 1-2 months before the planned departure is possible.

But it could be that your dream project is already booked. In this case we will try together to find a suitable alternative for you.

Can I travel with a friend or in a group?

Yes! On request we enable a double room if you for two with a friend or a friend, or an apartment or other suitable accommodation for groups.

We are very happy to enable our participants to go on a project and share accommodation with friends. Shared accommodation is usually possible both in the volunteer house and with the host family, although the room in the volunteer house may also be shared with other participants. In some locations there is also the option of sharing an apartment.

When registering, please always mention the person(s) traveling with you!

Can I combine projects?

Yes! You can combine projects at one location, at different locations, but also in different countries. It is also possible to combine a project with a trip. You can specify your desired combination directly when registering.

Combination options at a glance:

Combine programs in one country
Combine programs across countries
Combine a program with a language course
Combine a program with ours Adventure & Trips

There are a few things Project combinations to note: The minimum length of stay per project must be observed and you may incur additional costs for country combinations, for example for an intermediate flight.

What are the project fees used for?

Although we are a non-profit organization, there are costs associated with volunteering abroad. Find out here, why volunteering requires money and what your project fee is used for.

Do I need a visa?

As an EU citizen and from Switzerland, you do not need a visa for a stay of up to 90 days. If you want to stay longer than 90 days, you have to apply for a residence permit in the first month at the location.

What language skills do I need for the project in Spain?

English and Spanish are spoken in the project. A good knowledge of English is definitely required, knowledge of Spanish is very helpful on site. If you do not have any knowledge of Spanish, you will have to take a language course on site.

What are the requirements for the animal welfare project?

There are no special requirements for participation. What is important is having fun working with animals and being interested in animal welfare. Good physical fitness is often an advantage.

What do I have to bring?

For this project, you should bring walking shoes, warm and waterproof clothing/raincoat.

General FAQ about volunteer work

Ready to volunteer in Spain? Start your adventure abroad with Rainbow Garden Village!

Rainbow Garden Village has been offering volunteer work and internships abroad since 1999. What started as a small student initiative in Ghana has now grown into an organization with over 250 projects around the world.

You can be sure that your work as a volunteer will be an unforgettable experience. Bring your commitment and your knowledge to do good locally - and at the same time benefit from the unique experiences that will promote your personal development.

Become part of our RGV community!
We look forward to you.

RGV Your way
to the volunteer

1
Choose your volunteer project and register online.

2
We will review your application and confirm your participation.

3
Prepare for your assignment online or in our preparatory seminar in Munich.

4
Here we go! During your volunteer work, we will support you at any time with our on-site team.

Gallery Impressions &
Impressions

A group of volunteers on the boat in Tenerife.

Observe and research dolphins and whales in the volunteer project in Tenerife

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Volunteers at the project work on Tenerife

Volunteering in the maritime animal protection project on Tenerife

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Meet new people from all over the world!

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Are you not sure yet? Think about whether a spontaneous assignment as a volunteer abroad is the right choice for you or whether you would like to Voluntary social year (FSJ) abroad want to decide.

With RGV you achieve flexible volunteer work in different countries worldwide. Maybe there is one too Internship abroad the ideal choice for you to gain valuable experience abroad.