GVI, Ethical Impact: Volunteer in Tenerife

My two weeks of volunteering with GVI in Tenerife has come to an end, and it’s been an incredible experience!

I loved every moment—meeting amazing people from around the world, heading out on the boat to observe pilot whales, and identifying their fins back at base. Spotting loggerhead sea turtles and Atlantic spotted dolphins was also a highlight! I also enjoyed the bus trip with the group to Santa Cruz to go exploring for the day.

If you’re passionate about marine conservation and want to volunteer abroad, I highly recommend giving this a look!

My experience with the GVI Marine Conservation program in Tenerife was nothing short of extraordinary. Although I participated for only two weeks, it was an incredibly enriching period that stands out as the best two weeks of my life. The hands-on experience I gained, particularly in pilot whale conservation, was both educational and profoundly impactful. The program's structure is outstanding, giving participants multiple opportunities to learn and contribute significantly to marine conservation initiatives.
The staff members are knowledgeable and professional - they make sure that every part of the program is carried out with the highest care and precision. Additionally, the community within GVI is remarkable; I had the pleasure of meeting passionate and like-minded people who made the experience even more memorable. The GVI family has undoubtedly left a lasting impression on me, and I hold the program in the highest regard. Without a doubt, I plan to return and keep doing my part in making the world a better place.

I did the U18s Tenerife volunteering which was such a great experience and I will definitely do it again! It was lovely meeting new people and making friends and the staff are very welcoming and fun. It had the perfect mix of relaxing and having fun while also doing the work required and exploring the Island. It’s definitely an experience you won’t regret and I still miss it. However, if you’re not into hiking and walking up a lot of hills then this might not be for you but it still adds to the experience!

I joined the GVI Tenerife program for whale and dolphin conservation and it was amazing. The staff, other volunteers and interns were so nice, and the boat days were surreal. In the two weeks I was there I saw Pilot whales, Atlantic spotted dolphins, a Bryde's whale, and common dolphins, as well as turtles and birds. Other activities we did were bird surveys and beach cleanups. The base was clean and comfortable. I recommend GVI to anyone wanting to try out/is planning on getting into biology or conservation or who just wants to try something new and travel in a meaningful way!

I spent six weeks volunteering in the whale and dolphin conservation Tenerife in November/ December 2023.

I had an amazing time and enjoyed every day. The daily activities felt meaningful and professional while still being fun. On the boat trips, we saw many pilot whales and were lucky enough to encounter bottlenose dolphins, Atlantic spotted and striped dolphins, a hammerhead shark and some curious turtles as well as flying fish.

Tenerife's landscape is beautiful, there are so many different things to do in your free time and the organized experiences are great too.

The staff members on the base are truly amazing. Very understanding, fun and you can feel the love that they have for their job. We were even offered great help when organizing trips in our free time. Occurring problems (Calima, short-term lack of water, minor injuries...) were handled quickly and professionally.
Of course, Tiny the cat deserves an honorable mention.
There are a couple of rules that need to be followed but I found these rules to be reasonable and meant to keep the participants safe.

Originally, I booked for four weeks but decided to extend my stay. It was super easy to do so, the e-mail support was great and everything was cleared for me to stay longer the day after I made the decision.

I got to know so many great people from all over the world, some of whom became good friends. It also helped me to improve my English.

There are only two little weaknesses in my eyes. One is the cost of the project. It is not easily affordable for young people. But you do know the prices from the beginning and there are good offers every now and then.
The second thing is that for me, it would've been great to start the project on a Sunday and also leave on a Sunday. I felt a little lost on my first two days as the weekends are free and we didn't quite know what to do yet. I also think it would be nice to have a last free day before leaving. On the other hand, I understand that starting on Saturday gives more time for people to settle, especially for people with e.g. long flights and possibly jet lags.

I had one of the best times of my life volunteering in the Canary Islands. This project made me want to pursue a career in conversation, especially marine biology. I am already looking into booking my next GVI experience.

I spent two weeks volunteering with GVI in Tenerife and my experience was simply amazing. As a young woman I was looking for a safe way to travel. I wanted to meet new people and do something meaningful. The GVI program was exactly what I was looking for. The volunteering work was very interesting and made me even more passionated by wildlife conservation. I loved to meet all these people and work together in trying to preserve the environment. I learned a lot and came back with so many good memories. I can’t wait to join another program.

The accessible opportunity to gain useful experience in the industry and field alongside professionals. This environment is friendly and pro-learning to encourage each individual to explore their own knowledge and abilities.
This experience has taught me how to go out on my own and create experiences that will help me reach my goals, positively impact the environment and create lasting friendships. The accessibility of this opportunity allows a wide range of inderviduals to gain knowledge and experience.