be a volunteer
These are paying volunteer positions wherein your contributions go directly to fund the research which you will take part in. Every summer from February until May, we invite individuals to volunteer in our surveys. If you are interested in experiencing life as part of a cetacean research team and seeing whales and dolphins in the wild while contributing to efforts to understand, protect, and conserve them and their habitats, watch out for our call for volunteers each December. For questions about volunteering, you may send us a message through the website or email us at info@balyena.org.ph.
Humpback Whale Survey in the Babuyan Islands
This is a valuable opportunity to contribute to the research and conservation of humpback whales and other cetaceans in the Philippines while gaining hands-on field experience. BALYENA.ORG’s annual Humpback Whale Survey, conducted in the Babuyan Islands, northern Luzon, is the longest-running cetacean research project in the country (established in 2000). The data collected each season is crucial to understanding the breeding and calving patterns of humpback whales in Philippine waters, as well as the overall health of the marine ecosystem in the Babuyan Islands.
For the 2026 survey season (February–April 2026), BALYENA.ORG is inviting dedicated volunteers to participate in field-based research activities, including photo-identification, behavioral observations, and vocalization recordings. Survey days are spent at sea aboard small wooden boats searching for whales, while evenings are dedicated to data encoding, photo matching, and occasional outreach activities with local schools. This is a research-focused expedition conducted under basic field conditions and is best suited for individuals who are genuinely interested in marine conservation and scientific fieldwork.
Volunteers will also have the chance to develop new skills, work closely with researchers, meet people from diverse backgrounds, and experience the unique biodiversity of a remote island in northern Philippines.
2026 Expedition Teams
- Team I: 9 February – 4 March 2026 (24 days)
- Team II: 3 March – 26 March 2026 (24 days)
- Team III: 6 April – 24 April 2026 (19 days)
How to Apply
Interested applicants must submit their application through the official online form. Applications should include a CV and cover letter, indicating the preferred team(s).
- Application deadline: 10 January 2026
- Shortlist announcement: 15 January 2026
- Only applications submitted via the online form will be accepted.
For questions, you may contact us through our social media pages or via email at info@balyena.org.ph.
Cetacean Survey in the Bohol Sea
There are 18 species of cetaceans known to occur in the Bohol Sea, including the blue whale. In 2015, we launched the project “In Search of the Big Blue”, which aims to monitor the occurrence of whales and dolphins in the northern Bohol Sea. Surveys are run from May to June along the southern coast of Bohol Island in the Central Visayas region.
