MARINE BIOLOGY course
SOUTH AFRICA
THE DISCOVER EDEN MARINE BIOLOGY COURSE
2026 MARINE BIOLOGY COURSE DATES:
29 May to 11 June
26 June to 09 July
24 July to 06 August
MARINE BIOLOGY COURSE COST: $3 390 – US Dollar / €2 950 – Euro
Please note: We use the US Dollar as our base currency as such the EUR price may change at any time due to exchange rate fluctuations.
Only 8 spaces are available in each group, to give you the best experience possible! We work on a first come first served basis, so book early to avoid disappointment! Complete the application form to register your interest in the Discover Eden Marine Biology Course.
The Discover Eden Marine Biology course is specifically designed for those who are either studying or working in the marine conservation field. With a wide range of field-based components, interspersed with topical theoretical discussions and workshops, this short course gives you the hands-on experience you have been looking for to see what being a marine biologist is all about.
This activity-packed course addresses topics such as shark, seal, bird and cetacean research and conservation, the global ocean plastic pandemic, the interface between development and coastal conservation, and combines field work on beaches, in the water and boat-based research. Food, accommodation, and ground transport are all included in this package.
Please note: Due to the unpredictability of nature and the weather, the days and activities stated below may be switched around or substituted to give you the best experience possible.
MARINE BIOLOGY COURSE OUTLINE
Day 1
ARRIVE
Your friendly Discover Eden Guide will pick you up at Cape Town Airport in the Western Cape Province. We will then make our way to our overnight accommodation, at a guest house in a quiet residential suburb not too far from the airport. You will be able to freshen up before dinner and a chat, getting to know your fellow students who are on the tour with you.
Day 2
ORIENTATION & TWO OCEANS AQUARIUM
Today you will partake in an orientation where we will explain everything that lies ahead. After the orientation you will go to the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town where you will be taken on a special ‘behind the scenes’ tour of the aquarium by one of the aquarium biologists after which you will have time to explore the aquarium at your own pace. You will have the rest of the afternoon to explore the famous Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, one of South Africa’s most visited cultural and historical attractions.
Day's 3 to 5
THREE DAYS OF MARINE SCIENCE IN CAPE TOWN
Spend an incredible 3 days getting to grips with the science behind marine biology. From the basics of citizen science projects to advanced marine studies, you will cover a range of topics presented by top marine scientists. Immerse yourself in free-dive research in a marine biodiversity hotspot, learning the techniques needed for your future career. If conditions are rough for underwater work, there is plenty to learn e.g. assisting with data input (BRUV Video analysis), conducting a shark egg beach search or a rock pool biodiversity survey.
Day 6
PENGUIN COLONY
Today, you will make your way to Gansbaai. On the way you will stop over at a coastal nature reserve where you will be given a talk by a marine specialist about marine conservation relating to endangered seabirds. The site is also a natural penguin colony! Afterwards, you will spend the afternoon partaking in your first activity with the marine biologists in Gansbaai.
Day 7
GANSBAAI & SHARKS!
The next 2 days will be spent with marine biologists who work for an organisation that is heavily involved with marine conservation in their area. You could take part in activities such as shark tagging on a research boat or from shore, a snorkelling survey or a dissection, an estuary survey or other relevant conservation-based activities. Apart from these activities, you will also be receiving lectures from the biologists. (Please note these activities are dependent on weather, tides and availability).
Day 8
PENGUIN & SEABIRD SANCTUARY AND BIG 5 MARINE BOAT TRIP
In the morning you will be visiting a world-class African penguin and seabird sanctuary. Here you will be given a tour of the centre and given a talk by one of the conservationists about the endangered African penguin and other sea birds that they have under their care. You will assist in the morning routine at the centre and watch the penguin feeding. In the afternoon you will head to sea with the marine biologists on a marine Big 5 boat trip to look for whales, dolphins, sharks, seals, and penguins!
Day 9
GARDEN ROUTE DRIVE & ROBBERG HIKE
After breakfast, we make our way along the scenic Garden Route to Plettenberg Bay, which is your last stop for the tour. In the afternoon, hike the magnificent Robberg Peninsula, looking for marine life along the way. Watch playful Cape Fur Seals from the top, overlooking their colony, and keep an eye out for Great White Sharks patrolling along the edges. Discover why this is classified as one of the best hiking spots to see marine life in South Africa!
Day 10
KAYAK AND FISHERMAN’S IMPACT
Take a slow paddle up the Keurbooms River, basking in unspoilt wilderness while looking for waterbirds. Keep an eye out for the elusive Cape Clawless Otter. Collect valuable Citizen Science data. After lunch, head to Nature’s Valley, where we will hike the magnificent Salt River Trail. The focus here is on the impact of recreational and subsistence fishing on the environment and how education programs can make a difference.
Day 11
ESTUARY RESEARCH
Immerse yourself in the fabulous Keurbooms Estuary, seeing what life we find there, and deploying some BRUV’s to monitor fish. Survey endandered Knysna Seahorses, count Seahares and look for Nudibranchs. In the afternoon, we review our BRUV footage and engage with local partners working hard to understand and conserve the estuaries’ biodiversity.
Day 12
OCEAN SAFARIS AND COASTAL CONSERVATION
Launching nice and early, this is a full morning at sea looking for and learning about the large diversity of cetaceans found along the southern Cape coastline. Enter the realm of sustainable tourism, learning about the boat-based whale-watching industry, the impacts it can have on the animals that sustain it, and chatting about local research ensuring the industry continues for years to come. After lunch, see up close the impacts that humans have on coastal biodiversity and learn about local innovative coastal conservation intervention work.
Day's 13
FISH TAGGING & CAREERS WORKSHOP
Today, we head out to sea with a local fishing charter to specifically tag and release reef fish of conservation concern. Learn correct tagging and release techniques for deep water reef species, and contribute to local work being done to understand fish stocks in the bay. Sit and chat about careers in conservation with Dr Mark Brown, as he shares experiences of mentoring ecology students for over 20 years.
Day 14
DEPARTURE
Today is a sad day as we have to say goodbye. After breakfast, we will take you to George Airport where you will start to make your way back home. We are sure this experience will benefit you throughout your career and will never be forgotten.