Overview

Join a marine biology and conservation internship based on the beautiful Spanish island of Tenerife AND get career training from Conservation Careers!

Gain experience in marine science and conservation by joining this internship in Tenerife. Learn about cetacean data collection, analyse population trends and find out how individuals are tracked using dorsal fin photography. Your work will contribute to understanding how marine mammals are affected by whale and dolphin watching tours, fishing and other local or global human activities.

Want to gain experience in marine science research and conservation? Need to complete a marine biology internship as part of your degree program? Interested in cetacean research and conservation?

Join us to intern abroad in the southern Spanish archipelago of the Canary Islands, just off the coast of Morocco. The Canary Islands are the ideal location for conducting research on cetacean species due to lying on an important migration route. The area is also popular with tourists looking to view these marine mammals. This allows marine biologists to study the effect tourism has on marine life in the area.

Your main role will be to assist with contributing data towards the data deficiency issue in cetacean studies. You’ll also contribute to studying other threats to marine life such as unsustainable fishing, tourism, climate change and marine pollution.

You’ll observe the animals, taking note of their numbers and the interactions they have with other animals and marine vessels. Part of your role as intern will include processing sighting photos and dorsal fin identification. You’ll also be surveying coastal areas and recording information such as weather conditions, fishing activities and boat traffic.

After you’ve collected your observations and photographs, you’ll learn how to correctly input them into a database. You’ll learn how this data is analysed to test hypotheses about cetacean migration patterns and other behaviours, and how human activities affect these and other marine mammals. Importantly, you’ll find out how this data is used by the local government to make decisions about environmental policies.

You’ll also participate in beach and park cleanups, allowing you to gain insight into coastal pollution in a popular holiday destination.

Please note that this is not a diving program, although you can go for a recreational dive during your free time.

Highlights

  • Gain technical research skills. Master technical skills such as data collection and analysis in the context of marine science and research.
  • Explore island activities. Go diving, kayaking, hiking and island hopping among the other Canary Islands, or simply enjoy one of Tenerife’s many beaches.
  • Gain hands-on experience. Get broad exposure to a variety of conservation fieldwork projects and training opportunities to grow your skills.
  • Contribute to vital research. Support a team of scientists and academics with ongoing, cutting-edge research that gets published and makes an impact.
  • Work for real partners. Work on a real project for a conservation partner to address critical environmental issues in the area.
  • Stand out from the crowd. Participate in practical training sessions to develop your leadership skills and receive guidance from experienced mentors.
  • Advance your career. Gain international experience, receive four recognised qualifications and get a LinkedIn reference to boost your CV.
  • Live in remote habitats. Travel off the beaten track to live and work on a research station in the wild. Get exclusive access to protected species and unique ecosystems.

Our Award-winning Partner

Conservation Careers has teamed up with an award-winning, mission-driven organisation with a team of passionate experts across the globe who will make your experience a truly unforgettable one.

Founded in 1998, they run programs in 21 locations, in 13 countries around the world, each aligned to the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as well as the objectives of local partners. They welcome participants from all around the world and help facilitate their development into global citizens. This is how they achieve their mission of building a global network of people united by their passion to make a difference.

Their commitment to running high-quality sustainable development and experiential education programs has earned them recognition from numerous organizations such as Panthera, the Seychelles Parks & Gardens Authority, as well as Stanford, NYU, Duke, and Ohio State.

If you register your interest below, you’ll put you in touch with our partner to take the booking and to plan your trip!

Explore all our Conservation Careers Internship opportunities.

Location and life on base

Our research station in the Canary Islands is located on the island of Tenerife. With amazing views and waters teeming with megafauna, there are loads of hikes, as well as dormant and active volcanoes. The island itself is home to a variety of microclimates, such as cloud forests and deserts.

Within easy travelling distance from the port of Puerto Colon, our research station overlooks the ocean, and has loads of nearby amenities and facilities, as well as many restaurants. From the harbour visitors can board one of Tenerife’s famous whale and dolphin watching tours. We’re situated near the town of Costa Adeje, an area popular with tourists. There is also a large shopping mall called Siam Mall about 50 minutes away.

The base is basic but comfortable, with ample space for training, working through project data, or just relaxing after a busy day. We cultivate a family atmosphere on base. Cooking and tidying duties are shared on a rotation basis amongst staff and participants.

Depending on the weather conditions, you can look forward to boat trips on the Atlantic Ocean where we monitor the whales and dolphins living around Tenerife. On other days, you might collect data on other marine species or conduct beach surveys, plastic pollution cleanups, or environmental awareness sessions with tourists visiting Tenerife. You’ll often start your mornings early with training, carrying out surveys, or capturing collected data from marine research. Evenings are spent enjoying a meal and being debriefed on the activities of the day. Afterwards, there’s time to sit back and relax while chatting with your fellow participants. During free time on base, participants play card games or chess, read, relax, or watch documentaries.

Activities

Some of the example typical activities you could participate in on this program.

  • Fieldwork training. Photograph, identify and catalogue dolphins, whales and other marine life.
  • Lead conservation surveys. Assist with dolphin and pilot whale surveys, monitor endemic fish species, and conduct invertebrate and bird surveys.
  • Citizen science. Input data into local research databases as well as citizen science websites which aid in collating data for analysis and reporting.
  • Leadership responsibilities. Take on additional responsibilities such as entering data, writing reports and summaries, and updating species lists and fieldwork checklists.
  • Personal project. Work on an individual project that aligns to your personal interests.
  • Mentorship. Meet weekly in a small group with other interns and an experienced mentor to receive project guidance and feedback on your leadership style.

Skills

  • Data collection
  • Data entry
  • Marine conservation
  • Population ecology
  • Species identification
  • Survey research
  • Leadership
  • Project management
  • Critical thinking
  • Creativity
  • Resiliency
  • Time management
  • Volunteering
  • Cultural awareness
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Communication
  • Teamwork
  • Easily adaptable

BONUS! Conservation Career Kick-Starter online training programme (worth $495 / £375 / €450)

Do you want to spend your career helping wildlife to flourish, but are feeling a little lost, confused or disillusioned?

Start your career in wildlife conservation with a unique programme of training, support community & jobs from Conservation Careers!

The Conservation Career Kick-Starter is a proven step-by-step system to get you hired quicker as a professional conservationist.

The Kick-Starter is trusted by over 2,500 people, and 40 universities, with 99% ratings. Whether you’re at university and planning your next steps, a graduate in the job hunt or working in an unrelated job but interested to switch into conservation, this course is designed to help you.

After going through the course, you’ll have created a personal career plan which will give you confidence in your job hunt and will make everything quicker, simpler and more fun!

All you need to do is register your interest in the project below, and if you choose to make a booking we’ll save a place for you on the Kick-Starter when you get back from your placement.

Included with the Kick-Starter is a year’s full-access to the world’s biggest conservation job board with over 15,000 jobs, plus access to our private online support community, CC Pro.

Duration, dates and cost

Register your interest below to learn about upcoming start dates, durations and costs.

What’s included

General

  • Food
  • Safe and basic accommodation (usually shared)
  • Airport pick up (unless stated)
  • All project equipment
  • 24-hour in-country support from local staff
  • 24-hour emergency desk
  • Experiences

Activities

  • Sustainable project work
  • Data collection and research
  • Leadership responsibilities
  • Personal project

Mentorship

  • Weekly group sessions
  • Internship supervisor guidance

What’s included (continued)

Pre-program training

  • Pre-departure webinar
  • Pre-departure training (online)
  • University of Richmond endorsed specialisation course
  • University of Richmond endorsed leadership course

Welcome training

  • Welcome presentation
  • Health & safety
  • Local culture & environment
  • UN SDGs
  • Impact & ethics
  • Child protection

What’s excluded

  • Flights
  • International and domestic airport taxes
  • Medical and travel insurance
  • Visa costs
  • Police or background check
  • Personal items and toiletries
  • Additional drinks and gratuities

Reserve your place or ask a question