MARINE BIOLOGY & RESEARCH STUDENT PROGRAMMES
Choose the field, academic or research pathway that fits your goals.
Based at the Sharklife Field Station in Sodwana Bay, alongside the iSimangaliso Marine Protected Area
Choose the Right Pathway
Sharklife is a conservation research organisation based in Sodwana Bay, South Africa. Our student programmes provide practical marine biology field experience, support for university assignments, and opportunities to conduct thesis research within the iSimangaliso Marine Protected Area. These are parallel options designed for different academic levels, objectives and field-training needs.
Marine Biology Training Internship
Build practical marine field and research-method skills.
For students and early-career participants who want structured experience in marine field methods, diving and field-station operations.
Best for: students seeking structured field experience and practical research-method training.
Independent Field-Based Assignments
Complete a university field assignment at Sharklife.
For university students completing a defined field-based assignment, capstone or independent project as part of their studies.
Best for: students with a university assignment or independent project requirement.
Other Field Programmes
Additional ways to experience marine conservation and field-station life at Sharklife.
Marine Conservation Volunteer
A shorter marine conservation training experience for participants wanting practical field learning without the academic structure of the university pathways.
Based at the Sharklife Field Station
The Sharklife Field Station in Sodwana Bay is the operational base for our research, education and student programmes.
Students train within a working conservation-research environment through structured field exercises, equipment handling, vessel activities and data workflows. Participation in Sharklife research projects is separate and limited to appropriately approved research personnel.
The station sits just outside South Africa’s largest coastal Marine Protected Area, the iSimangaliso MPA, providing direct access to one of the country’s most important marine environments.
Not sure which programme fits?
Tell us what you hope to achieve, your academic or training requirements, and your available dates. We can help identify the most appropriate programme.