Where It All Began

Become a Marine Guide in South Africa!

 

A very interesting offering came through the interweb today: a course in Marine Guiding.

The seven-week course covers comprehensive theory on the ‘Marine Big 5’ of the southern Cape area – sharks, whales, dolphins, seals, penguins as well as seabirds.

As you’ll know if you’ve ever been guided by a qualified South African guide it completely alters the depth of the experience to be guided by a professional.

The marine environment is one of key reasons visitors to South Africa come here, yet it’s one of the least professionalised environments, particularly in terms of guides.

What’s particularly interesting about this is an initative shared between Fair Trade Tourism and the company offering the course, Marine Dynamics in Gansbaai, Western Cape. It’s also a fully FGASA (Field Guides Association of Southern Africa) endorsed school for local and international students.

The cost of the course is R35 000 per person, but you can also take much shorter and less expensive courses in a volunteer capacity too.

Image courtesy: www.sapeople.com