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Surf & Mentor South Africa
Experience
Volunteer
Destination
South Africa
Duration
2 to 4 weeks
Ages
18 to 85
Limited spots. Earliest available arrival is currently Mar 2025, and closing very soon.
Book now, pay later. Cancel anytime.
Trip overview
Cape Town is currently basking in the spotlight, earning multiple 'Best City in the World' awards.
But did you know there are plenty of small, personality-filled towns and villages surrounding the cosmopolitan capital of Africa, just waiting to be explored?
On this trip you’ll become a local in Muizenberg – a charming little surf town 30 minutes from the Cape Town city centre.
You’ll help local children gain confidence in the ocean. All while creating bonds and setting an example that creates hope for the future. And by the time you’re done, you’ll know how to surf, too, or be an even better surf pro than when you started!
Break out of your day-to-day routine and embark on an adventure that will make the world a better place and help you grow as a person.
On this all-inclusive volunteer trip, not only do you get to live and volunteer with a trusted partner organisation in South Africa. When you go with Global, you get:
- Volunteer project placement – Guarantee your spot at our screened and vetted project partner in South Africa. Start your volunteer journey without spending months searching for a reputable organisation on the other side of the world.
- Comfortable accommodation – Stay in a shared dorm room in a surf hostel in the heart of Muizenberg. Close enough to the beach to smell the sea spray as you’re drifting off after a busy day!
- Meals – Breakfast (Monday to Friday) and dinner (Monday to Thursday) included in the surf hostel's comfortable cafe and hangout space. For lunch you’re free to explore the diverse foodie scene around Muizenberg.
- Weekly excursions – Explore the lovely Cape Peninsula on organised weekly tours, including Cape Point Nature Reserve, Table Mountain, Betty’s Bay, Silvermine Nature Reserve, and more!
- Morning surf lessons – Since most of your responsibilities are in the afternoon, your mornings are free to learn how to surf yourself! Or, if you already know how to, get even better with the advanced surf instructors.
- And much more!
The vibrant surfing community of Muizenberg is listed by National Geographic as one of the best surf destinations in the world. A place where travellers and locals alike learn to master the waves in this surf-soaked corner of South Africa.
And learning to surf is all part of this trip package! Get ready to hit the waves 3-4 mornings a week with expert surf instructors. Whether you're a total newbie or a seasoned wave rider, this trip is all about honing your skills in the water.
But this trip isn't all fun and games. The afternoons are when your volunteer duties begin. You'll spend your afternoons in the water helping previously disadvantaged children from the local community learn how to surf. There’ll be qualified surf instructors doing the hard part while you help out in the water. So if you don’t know how to surf yourself, no worries!
When you're not assisting during surf lessons, you'll be supporting the children in the classroom by helping them with their school homework or tutoring in subjects like math and English. You'll also serve as a mentor, imparting valuable life skills to leave a lasting impact on the community. This could entail practical activities such as beach clean-ups!
For a lot of people, visiting Africa is a bucket-list experience. Let alone Cape Town and surrounds.
Although most people don’t get the chance to experience something like this. Contributing to meaningful change in local communities in one of the most beautiful places in the world is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
And when you go with Global, you get the full experience for a fraction of the hassle. Your volunteer placement and accommodation is sorted before you leave, so you know exactly what you’re getting into.
Inclusions
Tap to expand
Volunteer project placement
Dedicated Trip Coordinator
Return airport transfer
Comfortable accommodation
Meals
3 professional surf lessons per week
Surf tour around the Cape Peninsula
Surf video analysis, photo package & online surf course
4 EPIC tours around the Cape Peninsula
Weekly social activities
Unlimited surf gear rental
Pre-Departure Guide
Trip visa guidance
Personal Travel Concierge
Certificate of completion
Ongoing local team support
Global Emergency Line
gWorld access
Global Academy
Marketplace deals
Qualification
To qualify for this trip you must meet the following requirements:
- Be between 18-85 years of age
- Be a citizen of an eligible country
- Have no criminal convictions in the past 5 years
Get more info!
Got questions or need to know more? Ask us here, we're online 24hrs Mo-Fr.
Purpose & impact
South Africa has a turbulent past.
While the worst is over, the scars of years of discrimination and segregation are still apparent in South African society today.
The worst affected are often the children – the most innocent of victims.
Unfortunately, many of the children growing up in disadvantaged communities around Cape Town have little hope of escaping their socio-economic environment. Poverty, crime, drug abuse, gangsterism, and lack of education and opportunities are a potent mix that prevent many from escaping the poverty cycle.
The good news is that surfing is an escape for these children. A mental escape from a harsh reality as well as an actual escape from the poverty cycle.
These children join surfing lessons after school 5 days a week. These lessons include a nutritious meal, help with schoolwork, and important life lessons to prepare them for the world.
The result is improved mental and physical well-being – which manifests as better performance at school – preparing them for sustainable employment and turning them into ambassadors for healthy living close to nature in their communities.
By empowering the next generation to improve their own lives and make the world a better place – you’re contributing to long-term positive change across the world.
Accommodation & meals
When you arrive at Cape Town International Airport, our partner will be waiting for you. You’ll be taken straight to your included accommodation in a surf hostel in Muizenberg.
This cosy dorm-style hostel is ideally located on the beach, surrounded by surf shops, cafés, and restaurants.
With your accommodation in South Africa sorted and your volunteer placement organised, what will you do about food?
You’ll be given breakfast 5 days a week. You can expect a typical Western breakfast with a variety of options.
Dinner is included from Monday – Thursday. The dinner menu changes regularly but you can expect a mixture of local staples and Western classics, with vegetarian and vegan option available.
You’re on your own for lunch. But with the diversity of local options in Muizenberg, you won’t be going hungry.
Trip itinerary
Before you leave
Your volunteer placement – including accommodation and 2 meals a day – is confirmed and organised before you leave home.
It’s best if you arrive on the Sunday before your program start date. Your Trip Coordinator can assist you in timing everything perfectly.
Arrival
When you arrive at Cape Town International Airport, a driver will be waiting for you. You’ll be taken straight to your shared accommodation at a surf hostel in Muizenberg.
Take some time to relax and settle in, get to know your new friends, or explore the area.
Once you’ve settled in, it’s time for your orientation evening. You’ll be introduced to the core team who’ll be running the program. You’ll get a rundown of the program, safety, and your responsibilities with plenty of opportunities to ask questions.
Once orientation is done, it’s time for a typical South African welcome dinner to start your trip in style.
Typical day
It's time to dive into your volunteering duties! A typical day might look something like this, with your mornings devoted to fun activities such as personal surf lessons or included excursions around the Cape Peninsula and your afternoons spent volunteering:
8:30 am: Enjoy breakfast at the café conveniently situated within the surf hostel.
9:30 am: Dive into either a personal surf lesson or embark on a tour around the Cape Peninsula.
2:00 pm: Engage in an education session, where you'll lend a hand to children with their homework, provide tutoring in subjects like English or math, and impart valuable life skills.
3:30 pm: It's surf session time! Jump into the water and assist children with their surf lessons. Don't worry; there will be a qualified instructor leading the lessons.
Ongoing
Your evenings and weekends are free, giving you plenty of time to explore everything South Africa has to offer.
Hike up Table Mountain for breathtaking views of the city, head off to the Winelands to taste some of South Africa’s best wines, or take us up on one of the optional excursions on offer.
Once your placement is over, you can choose to stay on in South Africa to explore what else it and the surrounding areas have to offer.
Head off for a safari on your own terms, drive up the coast for a warm ocean and tropical beaches, or hop the border to “The Kingdom in the Sky” if you’re a passport stamp collector.
Whatever you choose to do, we can help make it easy.
We’ll be in touch with you throughout your stay. If you ever need advice or support our team is available to answer your questions. And our Global Emergency Line (24 hours, Mon.-Fri.) will help with urgent matters.
Don’t go alone. Go with Global.
Why choose us
We take care of pretty much everything so you don’t have to. You’ll arrive in South Africa totally prepared with a plan of action and trusted people helping you along the way.
Our volunteer trips are designed to help you make a real change in critical causes around the world. All while experiencing off-the-beaten-path locations with passionate locals. Our goal is to save you time, money, and stress while eliminating the risk of returning home early. Here’s how we do it:
We’re on your side from the moment you get started.
You’ll be assigned a dedicated Trip Coordinator. They’ll guide you through the next steps and answer all your questions. They’ll also help you with the pesky visa. No guesswork – only the right paperwork, approved the first time, in your hands before you leave.
Your Personal Travel Concierge will help with flights, insurance, and any add-ons you’d like for your trip. These are real humans too – no robots here.
We maintain relationships with a huge network of screened and vetted partner organisations all over the world. We know they’re trustworthy and that you’re in good hands because of all the successful trips Global Travellers keep having with our partners.
Our team is well travelled so you can rely on our experience. We’re with you every step of the way.
Join 95,000+ travellers – giving us 10000+ 4 & 5 star reviews – by choosing Global to make your travel dreams come true.
Most travellers book their trip 6-12 months in advance. Dates are flexible, but spaces are limited. So if you’re serious about volunteering in South Africa, don’t delay.
With our Book Now, Decide Later feature, you can get started with a small deposit today, and take a full year to choose your dates.
We’ll take over from there, helping you with visas, flights, accommodation, and setting you up with our partner in South Africa.
This is the trip for you if you’re after the ultimate volunteering experience in South Africa, complete with everything you need and support 24 hours, Monday to Friday.
Click the red button to check dates & prices.
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Frequently asked questions
Why are you the best company to choose?
As the world’s leading gap-year and "work & travel" company, we pride ourselves on providing a premium service for Global Travellers. Choose from a variety of awesome experiences worldwide, and let us assist you with visas, pre-departure preparations, flights, insurance, and tours. Throughout your journey, our cool tech features will support you every step of the way. As a Global Traveller, gain access to gWorld, our personalised app designed to enhance your travel experience. Keep important documents and trip details handy, and take advantage of exclusive Marketplace deals, a vibrant social network, language learning resources, side trips, meet-ups, and more. It's like having all your favorite travel apps merged into one, but even better! But our support doesn't end there. With four international offices, over 100 dedicated staff members, a 24/5 emergency team, and the backing of over 90,000 Global Travellers who have turned their travel dreams into reality with us, rest assured you're in good hands. We also proudly boast the most and best reviews in the biz, and maintain a massive following on our social channels including Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Embark on your next adventure with confidence and ease. Join us and discover the world in a meaningful way!
Are flights & insurance included?
While we would love to include flights and insurance in our trip packages, it is not feasible to have a fixed price due to the diverse destinations, trip durations, and individual coverage needs of our travellers from around the globe. However, once you register for the trip, we will assign you a dedicated Travel Concierge. They will work closely with you to arrange the ideal flights and insurance tailored to your specific adventure. Rest assured, our team is here to ensure you have a smooth and hassle-free travel experience from start to finish!
Why should I book now?
After the last unexpected disruption to travel caused by the..c word..people are now more eager than ever to venture out and explore the world, determined not to miss out on any experiences. Global Work & Travel works on a first-in-best-dressed basis. Booking earlier ensures that you don’t miss out on the best intake, season, placements and more! We recommend our travellers take 6-12+ months to plan their trip for a reason - to make sure you’ve got everything organised perfectly, stress-free. As a Global Traveller you’ll get exclusive access to gWorld, our personalised app where you can keep all of your important documents and trip details in one spot and gain insider access to everything Global. This is where you will find exclusive Marketplace Deals, a unique social network to connect you with other like-minded Global Travellers, access to our Academy with an ever-growing range of skills & languages, and so much more. Think all of your favourite apps merged into one, but like, better? Why not give yourself something to look forward to by booking that trip!
Can I travel with a friend or partner?
Yes you can! Simply tell your Trip Coordinator after booking that your friend is also going and they can link your profiles. For most of our trips we should be able to have you and your friends placed together or nearby. Meaning that you can live, work, play & travel together! But wait there's more! Not only can you travel the world with your besties at your side, you can also earn some extra cash towards your own trip just by referring your friends to Global Work & Travel. You can learn more about the great referral rewards program inside your gWorld account once you join. And for those who decide to go-it-solo, we’ve made it easier to meet other Global Travellers in the same region as you. Just like any other social platform, you’ll be able to interact, share, chat and meet with some really cool people who are doing trips just like you!
Can I bring my pet along?
At Global Work & Travel, we share a deep love for animals and fully understand the special bond you have with your pet. We recognise the challenges of embarking on a trip without them. Due to travel restrictions, requirements, and limited pet-friendly accommodations among our host organisations, we regretfully cannot facilitate their inclusion in the journey. However, many of our customers choose to entrust their pets to a family member or friend, embark on their adventure, and return home to wagging tails and furry cuddles.
What happens if I need to cancel my trip?
We know that life can get in the way of travel, so all our trips come with a great deal of flexibility. In most cases, if you cannot travel on your selected date, you can place your trip on hold to deal with whatever is holding you back, and continue in the future without incurring any penalty. You may also have the option of transferring to an entirely different trip and destination as well, or even transferring your trip to a friend or family member. In the event that you need to outright cancel your trip, if you give us 84* days notice you can do so with only a 50% cancellation fee. Your refund of the balance will come in the form of a Store Credit which you can put toward any other trip that we offer, including tours through third-party providers, as well as holidays through DealsAway.com, and is valid for 2 years from date of issue. As international travel can be complex, your options are based on the progress of your trip organisation and our support team can assist you in finding the best solution for your needs.
How it works
1. Choose a trip style
Find your dream experience & destination, then secure your spot with a flexible & low deposit. Activate your gWorld to unlock some cool perks. Well done! The hardest part’s over!
2. We become friends
Book a time to meet your dedicated Trip Coordinator who knows all the ins & outs of your trip. They’ll be by your side and working behind-the-scenes to pull everything together.
3. Time to go!
We’ll get your tickets, accommodation & transfers ready. Our in-country team or partner will have everything prepared & waiting for your arrival. Get on the plane with no worries!
4. Global support
Never stress, knowing we’re there with you when you need us with ongoing & unlimited local team support. And just in case, we’ve got an emergency team on stand-by, 24 hours, Mon-Fri.
How it works
1. Choose a trip style
Find your dream experience & destination, then secure your spot with a flexible & low deposit. Activate your gWorld to unlock some cool perks. Well done! The hardest part’s over!
2. We become friends
Book a time to meet your dedicated Trip Coordinator who knows all the ins & outs of your trip. They’ll be by your side and working behind-the-scenes to pull everything together.
3. Time to go!
We’ll get your tickets, accommodation & transfers ready. Our in-country team or partner will have everything prepared & waiting for your arrival. Get on the plane with no worries!
4. Global support
Never stress, knowing we’re there with you when you need us with ongoing & unlimited local team support. And just in case, we’ve got an emergency team on stand-by, 24 hours, Mon-Fri.
Still have questions?
Why go Global
Flexible trips
The unexpected can happen sometimes. Can't travel right now? Swap your trip, gift it or save it for later with our Lifetime Deposit Guarantee.
Worldwide support
Know that someone is always ready to assist throughout the journey & they’re only a call, tweet, comment, text or double tap away, 24/5.
We're the experts
With over 10 years in the industry and a team of over 90 passionate pros, you can bet we know our stuff better than anyone else.
Partner network
We have over 1,200 partners around the globe, so we have access to plenty of exclusive opportunities to make your trip the best it can be.
Flexible trips
The unexpected can happen sometimes. Can't travel right now? Swap your trip, gift it or save it for later with our Lifetime Deposit Guarantee.
Worldwide support
Know that someone is always ready to assist throughout the journey & they’re only a call, tweet, comment, text or double tap away, 24/5.
We're the experts
With over 10 years in the industry and a team of over 90 passionate pros, you can bet we know our stuff better than anyone else.
Partner network
We have over 1,200 partners around the globe, so we have access to plenty of exclusive opportunities to make your trip the best it can be.