Surf, Skate and Swim Volunteer Project in Table View - South Africa

Fill out the quick form below to find out what the Covid-19 restrictions and visa requirements are for South Africa, based on your country of residence.

The program is based in Table View, Cape Town which is one of South Africa’s three capital cities. Table View is about 30 minutes from Cape Town CBD and is where volunteer orientation and general administration is carried out by our local team as well as where the volunteer accommodation is situated. Projects are located in the Du Noon township, Wolwerivier settlement and Blouberg beach. Volunteers are required to fly into Cape Town International Airport (CPT), which is a 16 to 19 hour flight from most major airports in Canada.

Volunteer programs begin every Monday. Volunteers can choose to volunteer for periods ranging from 1 week to 24 weeks.

Depending on your arrival time the program orientation will take place on Sunday afternoon or Monday morning​. Volunteers need to arrive in Cape Town on the Sunday.

After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at the Cape Town International Airport (CPT). Canadian travelers do not require a visa to enter South Africa for a duration of 90 days. Your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee.

When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and transported to the volunteer accommodation in Table View. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the ​Sunday ​night before your program orientation.

If you are traveling in South Africa prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up within the Cape Town CBD area on the day before your program orientation.

Orientation is taken by our South Africa team in Table View. Orientation will take place on Sunday afternoon​ ​if ​you ​arriv​e ​before 5pm​,​ or on Monday morning of your chosen start date​. Orientation runs ​for 1 hour​ ​and covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in South Africa – Introduction to South Africa, South African customs, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities in South Africa, introduction to your project and placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing.

First Day: On your first day of volunteering, you will be escorted to your placement by a local coordinator and introduced to the placement staff you will be working with.

Weekdays: A typical volunteer day would be as follows:

Morning Self-prepared breakfast at the volunteer house.

8.00 AM - 9.00 AM Volunteers leave home and travel to their placements. Work and hours are dependent on the project and placement that each volunteer is working at.

12.00 PM - 5.00 PM Work at the placement usually ends between 12pm and 5pm depending on the project. After project, volunteers are free to relax at the volunteer house, go sight seeing, or do some shopping.

7.00 PM Dinner at the volunteer house.

Volunteers are accommodated in volunteer houses and can expect to share a room with one to nine other volunteers. Bedrooms are comprised of single beds and bunk beds with bedding provided. You will just need to bring your own towel and toiletries. The accommodation is safe and secure, located within a safe suburb near the communities where our volunteers work. Living is comfortable and the volunteer houses have electricity (with occasional power outages) and running water with western toilets. To ensure volunteer safety and commitment to volunteer placements, there is a curfew in place at the volunteer house of 11.00pm. If you prefer a private room, couples room, or family room, accommodation upgrades can be arranged with our local team for an additional cost of approximately US$10 (CA$13) to US$20 (CA$26) per person, per night (subject to availability).

All volunteer houses have WiFi available which you are welcome to use.

Volunteers in Table View receive three meals per day (breakfast, lunch and dinner). Meals served in the volunteer house are typically Western-style. Breakfast consists of self-prepared tea, coffee, toast, yoghurt, fruit and cereal. Lunch is also sef-prepared with food supplies in the volunteer house. This can range from sandwiches taken along to placement, leftovers from the previous night’s dinner and salad. Dinner is eaten together with all volunteers at one of the houses and is prepared by a local chef. Dinners can consist of dishes containing meat, vegetables and a starch, such as potatoes, bread or pasta. There are also two braai (BBQ) nights per week.

Bottled water is readily available in South Africa and volunteers should budget approximately US$10 (CA$13) per week for this (2 liters per day), however tap water is fine to drink in the volunteer houses and most other areas. If you have any special dietary requirements, please let us know and we will do our best to cater for you.

“Volunteering with IVHQ has changed my life. I feel so happy and thankful that I was able to share this experience with my best friend. I volunteered in the Kindergarten program for 1 week in Table View and teaching these children, playing with them, reading to them and feeding them has made me appreciate the little things in life so much more. These young children come from poor communities, violence, and drug abuse. Yet, they smile every day, run to hug you, and just want a little bit of love. If you are thinking about volunteering with IVHQ, do not hesitate. It will be a life changing experience that you will be able to hold on to forever. I cannot wait to plan another trip!” - Mirela Mohan (Kindergarten Volunteer in South Africa - Table View)

Read more reviews from IVHQ volunteers in South Africa - Table View here.

On the weekends, volunteers have spare time to relax or take the opportunity to explore Cape Town or other areas in South Africa. Long weekends can be taken if volunteers wish to go on safari, or travel to places further afield, such as the Garden Route. Although there are no cooks on staff during the weekend, food supplies are stored in the kitchen at the volunteer houses for volunteers to use to prepare their own meals.

See our South Africa Travel and Tours page for more volunteer travel options in South Africa!

Weather and climate: The subtropical location, moderated by the Atlantic and Indian Oceans on three sides of the country and the altitude of the central plateau, are responsible for the warm temperatures typical of South Africa. Across much of the country, summer (December to February) is characterized by hot, sunny weather with temperatures averaging around 25°C (77°F). Winter (May to September) is cooler and drier with evening temperatures averaging around 10 °C (50°F). In Cape Town, sporadic showers and chilly winds are common during the winter months, but with daytime temperatures can average around 15°C (59°F).

Volunteers need to be 18 years or over to participate on this program, unless volunteering with a parent or guardian. If you are under the age of 18, IVHQ offers alternative volunteer opportunities for teens. Visit our High School Volunteer Abroad page to learn more.

All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance and provide a criminal background check to IVHQ’s local team on arrival in South Africa.

Free Interactive Volunteer Training - All volunteers are encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training, which is available exclusively to registered IVHQ volunteers. The training is designed to build an understanding of important aspects that need to be considered before embarking on an IVHQ program. It helps volunteers to prepare in the right way by providing advice on what it takes to be a safe, responsible and valuable volunteer. Try a sample of the training here.