Marine Conservation Volunteering in Portugal

GoEco is one of the world’s top volunteer organizations, with award-winning and ethical programs selected by sustainable travel experts. Since 2006, tens of thousands of volunteers have taken part in projects and internships worldwide, focusing on wildlife and marine conservation, education, and medical initiatives. GoEco operates in over 50 countries, providing unique cultural immersive experiences that aim to make a positive impact on the environment and society. The organization also offers internships and academic programs for students. GoEco provides safe and meaningful experiences while promoting sustainable travel and reducing carbon emissions.

At International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), we unite people from over 96 countries who want to make a meaningful difference while exploring the world. With 300+ projects in 40+ destinations, IVHQ offers the widest selection of volunteer programs globally—from Teaching and Childcare to Wildlife Conservation, Medical Outreach, and Environmental Sustainability. Since 2007, IVHQ has supported over 147,000 volunteers on life-changing journeys. We specialize in fully-hosted volunteer trips that are safe, affordable, and accessible—starting from just $20 per day. Your experience includes airport pick-up, accommodation, meals, and round-the-clock support from our local teams. With flexible booking options and no change fees, planning your volunteer adventure has never been easier. Our programs run year-round and are available for 1 to 24 weeks across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Pacific, South and Central America, North America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Volunteering with IVHQ is about more than giving back—it’s about growing, learning, and building genuine global connections.

Looking to apply your talent and expertise to a good cause? Find a program that matches your interests and skills through Volunteer World! We are the largest volunteer abroad comparison platform around the globe, enabling you to seek and compare offers from major travel agencies as well as smaller grassroots NGOs and local specialists in more than 80 countries. All these with just one click! Find projects in wildlife, teaching, community development, and several other areas. Simply choose your desired destination and desired travel date, and our search engine will compare the best volunteer abroad programs on your behalf. Whether you wish to gain experience at a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa or teach English at a monastery in Nepal, we've got you covered. Volunteer World guarantees a quick and easy application. We will guide you through this process, as well as help plan your next meaningful trip. We provide free access to quality-checked projects and flexible options. And if anything goes wrong, we've got your back with our qualified support team and our refund guarantee.

Each year, more than 130,000 seals, whales and dolphins are killed by the trash found in our oceans. This project aims to tackle ocean pollution off the coast of Portugal through diving. Volunteers complete daily dives in various dive sites near Lisbon, with the aim of removing debris from the reef and ocean bed. Volunteers to date have helped to remove almost 3000kg of fishing nets, as well as tyres, fridges, laptops, cell phones and of course, plastic. This project has been running since 2016, and since then a noticeable increase in biodiversity has been seen in the ocean around the dive sites. Volunteers can take part for one week to four weeks. You are provided with full training once in Portugal. We recommend a minimum stay of two weeks for people without prior dive experience. Volunteers live in an eco-guest house in Lisbon with other volunteers. Three meals per day are provided.

Immerse yourself in the thrill of riding the waves on one of Porto’s most beautiful beaches while making a positive impact by supporting community-driven surf initiatives. Work with children and individuals with disabilities, offering inclusive surf lessons that foster personal growth, confidence, and a sense of belonging for everyone involved. What to Expect: • Surfing: Learn and perfect your surfing skills on one of Portugal’s most stunning beaches. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced surfer, our instructors will help you catch the best waves. • Social Impact: Support social projects that provide surf lessons for all, promoting inclusivity and personal development for children and people with disabilities. • Environmental Activities (occasionally): Engage in meaningful conservation work by cleaning the beaches. You’ll collect trash, separate recyclables, and help preserve our precious coastline. Daily Tasks: • Participate in surfing lessons. • Help prepare beneficiaries for their surf lessons. • Accompany beneficiaries during lessons. • Clean and arrange surf equipment. • Collect trash (occasionally).

Working Abroad Projects welcomes you to get involved in this program that lets you explore the beautiful coastline of Algarve while immersing in a project focused on marine conservation. Take part in dolphin research, which helps you gain insight into different research techniques and instruments. You will study and learn about whales, cetaceans and marine species, as well as their conservation. Fieldwork activities take place at sea on board our research vessel, ‘Ketos’, and on commercial whale watching boats working in partnership on the project. Participating in the Dolphin and Whale Research program gives you the opportunity to gain relevant experience. You will work alongside expert marine biologists, allowing you to play an active role in the future conservation of Portugal’s marine habitats and species. You will stay with other volunteers, as well as our researchers and assistants, in a shared villa in Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal. The accommodation has three rooms, three bathrooms, a living room, kitchen, office, garden, farm with a small crop of fruits, and a private pool. The house has a TV, Wi-Fi, and a laundry room.