Overview
Volunteer conservation project with humpback whales in Brazil

Great for anyone with an interest in marine biology, this humpback whale research and conservation project in Praia do Forte, northeast Brazil, gives volunteers the chance to be involved in the long-term conservation of the humpback whale. In the gorgeous beaches of the ‘Brazilian Polynesia’ you will help to preserve these majestic and playful creatures in their breeding grounds.

You can join the project for two to four weeks and, weather permitting, should spend a lot of your time observing the whales at sea. There you will collect data on the behavior of the whales, conduct bio-acoustic monitoring and develop the picture identification library. Volunteers also assist with some office-based administrative tasks and have the opportunity to help with environmental education.

View Film Footage, images, blogs, volunteer stories from the field, volunteer video diaries and more at the programs media centre

The project itself was amazing - I would never have dreamt of the experiences I had with the whales. The beautiful sounds of the male whale song and spectacular breaching displays will stay with me forever

Suzanne Thomson, 2006 Volunteer

What Difference Does This Project Make?

The Brazilian Humpback Whale Project was established in 1988 to study and protect Humpback whales in their mating and calving season, in the Abrolhos Bank, southern Bahia state. By volunteering on this project, you will help to preserve the whales through your time, dedication and financial support, and will see first-hand the efforts of specialists who will be there with you, answering your questions and quenching your thirst for knowledge about these fantastic animals.

Highlights

Working alongside a dedicated team of researchers, spending time out on the boat observing whales, teaching communities about whales, snorkelling in crystal waters and living on the coast at Praia do Forte.

Location

The project is located at Praia do Forte, a charming former fishing village about 50 miles north of Salvador on the Northern coast of Brazil. Here you find some of the most beautiful beaches in Brazil, and for this reason the region is nicknamed the ‘Brazilian Polynesia’. The region is also home to a famous ecological reserve and turtle project.

Field Conditions

Volunteers will stay in the nearby Youth Hostel. Accommodation will be dormitory style (3/4 per room) with private bathrooms, hot water, electricity, and laundry and kitchen facilities. The hostel also has telephone, ATM machine and internet access. Breakfast is included but lunch and dinner are left up to the volunteer.