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Zanzibar - Dolphin and Marine Conservation logo

Zanzibar - Dolphin and Marine Conservation

by: GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization

4.86 (7)VerifiedSince 2005

Come and take part in this tropical island adventure in and around the white sand beaches of the matchless archipelago of Zanzibar, just off the Tanzanian coast in East Africa. Participants live in Jambiani and work primarily in Kizimkazi. With up to fourteen other volunteers, you will research and protect bottle-nose and humpback dolphins as well as fish, birds, whales (seasonal), and other marine life that live on and around the scattered islands. The focal effort of the conservation project is to monitor the human-dolphin interactions which play a large role in the amount of stress put on the dolphins and could potentially lead to a smaller dolphin population. The studies that volunteers carry out can advise the government to create the most ideal policies on how to regulate such tourist activities. The data collected by participants is fed into various studies and surveys conducted by the research and academic institutions of Zanzibar. The work and contributions that you will make as a volunteer are extremely crucial and much needed by the marine conservation efforts of Zanzibar.

Quick Details

Locations:
  • Zanzibar
Availability
Year(s) Offered: Year RoundDuration:
  • 2-4 Weeks
  • 5-8 Weeks
  • 1-2 Weeks
Age Requirement: 18+
Types & Subjects
Adventure Types:
  • Safari
  • Scuba
  • Snorkeling
  • Tours
Focus Areas:
  • Community Service & Volunteering
  • Experiential Learning
Fields:
  • Biology
  • Marine Science
Causes:
  • Biological Research
  • Conservation
  • Culture
  • Marine Conservation
  • Senior Citizens
Types:
  • Adventure Travel
  • Volunteering
Guidelines:
  • All Nationalities
See all program details
Last Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Awards

Top Rated Provider Volunteer Abroad 2025Innovative Volunteer Abroad ProgramGoAbroad Innovation Awards 2024 Finalist - Intern Abroad ProgramTop Rated Provider 2023 - Notable MentionInnovation in Sustainability Finalist 2022

Program Reviews

Hear what past participants have to say about the programs

Overall Rating

4.86

Total Reviews

7

The People, the Purpose, and the Difference That Changed Everything

February 02, 2026by: Robert Aubin
5

I can’t. Any individual component of the trip would have fully exceeded my expectations. If I had to pick one it would be the team and Africanimpact and the care and real difference they make. It’s intoxicating.

It was amazing!

February 16, 2025by: Tina Blaine
5

I signed up for this program thinking that I would be swimming with dolphins every day. Out of 12 excursions to monitor the dolphins, we were able to swim after the tourist boats left only 4 times, but it was amazing!

Interacted with the community at the fish market

February 04, 2025by: Kathy Anderson
5

The Zanzibar Dolphin & Marine Conservation Project exceeded my expectations. We interacted with the Community at the Fish Market, teaching at the Conservation Club, working at Zala Park Community Garden, going to the local Football Finals and having a weekly dinner in the Village.

Precious and amazing to me

July 07, 2024by: Ian
5

For me it was several things that will forever be with me even after my participation with program. It was the guidance and teaching of kids from another school abroad while doing a survey underwater that really stuck with me. I am beyond confident and reliable on my skills in the water and guiding others too and even though I was the youngest volunteer in the marine program, I felt like I was truly recognised not only as an authority figure but also as someone who has good talent in their passion even though the kids I taught were only 1-2 yrs younger than me from the UK. Besides that experience, being able to be with the dolphins, swim with them, study them and see them for who they truly are in their natural habitat is something I will never forget. I have always been a huge admirer and lover for animals and being able to help and study the dolphins to their benefit while still being able to interact with them is something that was precious and amazing to me. Thank you so much for this experience.

GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization logo
GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization responded to this reviewSeptember 26, 2024

Hey Ian / Allyson Thanks so much for sharing! It’s awesome to hear how much your confidence grew, especially guiding others underwater. Being recognized for your talents at such a young age is a huge accomplishment, and it sounds like you truly made an impact. And swimming with dolphins in their natural habitat? That’s the dream! We’re so happy you got to live out your passion for animals while doing something that matters. What an experience to remember! - GoEco Team

I am thankful for the opportunity

August 10, 2018by: Sara Fry
5

I wanted a chance to volunteer in a way that was totally different from my work. I got that, and I am thankful for the opportunity. Zanzibar is beautiful, the people I met were kind, and I had a wonderful time. The dolphin research was really wonderful to be a part of, and I also really enjoyed getting to know the local staff - really good people.

I had a wonderful time

March 19, 2018by: Sara Fry
5

I wanted a chance to volunteer in a way that was totally different from my work. I got that, and I am thankful for the opportunity. Zanzibar is beautiful, the people I met were kind, and I had a wonderful time. The dolphin research was really wonderful to be a part of, and I also really enjoyed getting to know the local staff - really good people.

a great experience

April 13, 2015by: Happy Volunteer
4

I really enjoyed my 2 weeks in Zanzibar with the dolphin project. I've loved dolphins since I was a child, so helping with research to protect their population in the beautiful waters of the Indian Ocean was wonderful. The project is well-organized, the place volunteers stay is beautiful, and all my experiences were positive.

Program Details

Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know

Locations

  • Zanzibar

Types and Subjects

  • Adventure Types
  • Safari
  • Scuba
  • Snorkeling
  • Tours
  • Focus Areas
  • Community Service & Volunteering
  • Experiential Learning
  • Fields
  • Biology
  • Marine Science
  • Causes
  • Biological Research
  • Conservation
  • Culture
  • Marine Conservation
  • Senior Citizens
  • Types
  • Adventure Travel
  • Volunteering

Availability

Years Offered: Year Round

Duration:
  • 2-4 Weeks
  • 5-8 Weeks
  • 1-2 Weeks
Intern Duration:
  • Summer
  • Winter
  • Short Term
  • Spring
  • 1-3 Months
  • 3-6 Months
  • 1 Year
Gap Year Timing:
  • After College
  • Career Break / Mid-Career
  • During College
  • During High School
  • Post High School

Age Requirement

18+

Guidelines

All Nationalities

Program Cost Includes

  • Pre-Departure Orientation
  • Accommodation / Housing for Program Duration
  • Weekday Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
  • Weekend Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
  • Airport Transfer (Pick-Up)
  • Airport Transfer (Drop-Off)
  • On-Site / In-Country Staff Support
  • In-Country Orientation
  • Training
  • Emergency Support

Qualifications & Experience

      Accepted Education Levels

    • Any/All Education Levels Accepted

    Application Procedures

    • Online Application
    GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization

    GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization

    4.86Verified

    Ready to Learn More?

    Come and take part in this tropical island adventure in and around the white sand beaches of the matchless archipelago of Zanzibar, just off the Tanzanian coast in East Africa. Participants live in Jambiani and work primarily in Kizimkazi. With up to fourteen other volunteers, you will research and protect bottle-nose and humpback dolphins as well as fish, birds, whales (seasonal), and other marine life that live on and around the scattered islands. The focal effort of the conservation project is to monitor the human-dolphin interactions which play a large role in the amount of stress put on the dolphins and could potentially lead to a smaller dolphin population. The studies that volunteers carry out can advise the government to create the most ideal policies on how to regulate such tour...

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