Oceanography Internship in Lanzarote

Duration

5 days / 4 nights

Location

Chinijo Archipelago, Lanzarote, Canary Islands

Focus area

Oceanography, marine biodiversity, microplastics research and hands-on scientific sampling

Internship price

€2,450 per participant, including onboard accommodation, all meals, scientific equipment, mentoring and a certificate of completion.

What you’ll learn during your oceanography internship

Collect oceanographic samples

Use plankton and manta nets, a CTD/ Rosette and a Van Veen grab to sample plankton, microplastics, seawater and seabed sediments.

Explore marine biodiversity

Observe the seabed with an underwater ROV and take part in marine wildlife surveys within the Chinijo Archipelago

Process samples & record scientific data

Work alongside the onboard biologist to process samples, log your findings and discuss results during daily debriefs

Develop practical sailing skills

Join the crew in sail handling, steering and watchkeeping while learning basic chart reading and safety procedures

Build teamwork through life at sea

Share daily onboard responsibilities and develop communication, adaptability and problem-solving skills as part of a small crew

internship lanzarote oceanography

Life aboard your research catamaran

For five days, a custom-built 21.6-metre scientific sailing catamaran becomes your home and workplace. From processing samples in the laboratory to sharing meals on deck, you’ll experience every part of life aboard a research vessel.

5 days / 4 nights Up to 8 participants Shared en-suite cabins All meals included

Your cabin at sea

Share a double cabin with an en-suite bathroom and hot shower. Air conditioning and heating help keep your stay comfortable, while an onboard watermaker supplies fresh water for everyday use.

A floating laboratory

Work with scientific sampling equipment and dedicated wet and dry laboratories. Under the marine biologist’s guidance, you’ll follow the process from collecting samples at sea to processing them on board.

Fresh meals, shared moments

All meals are prepared aboard, using local Canary Islands produce whenever possible. Gather around the table with your fellow participants and crew, and let us know your dietary requirements before arrival.

Space to unwind

Between activities, relax in the indoor saloon, the shaded cockpit or the flybridge lounge. Kayak, paddleboard and snorkelling equipment are available for downtime when conditions allow.

Become part of the crew

With up to eight participants per edition, life aboard is a shared experience. Help with cooking, cleaning and watch duties, and build confidence through the everyday teamwork that keeps a vessel running.

Internship requirements

Age

18 or older. Participants under
18 are not accepted

Education

Students or recent graduates in marine biology, environmental science or oceanography

Languages

Sufficient English and Spanish to communicate with the crew and fellow participants

Commitment

Available for the full 5-day program, living aboard and sharing daily responsibilities

Attitude

A team player, ready to adapt to shared spaces, physical fieldwork and changing sea conditions

What’s included?

€2,450 per person for 5 days / 4 nights, including:

Accommodation aboard a research catamaran

Share a double cabin with an en-suite bathroom and hot shower aboard your floating home and laboratory

All meals on board

Enjoy freshly prepared meals using local Canary Islands produce whenever possible. Share any dietary requirements before arrival

Hands-on oceanography training

Take part in six scientific activities, from plankton and microplastics sampling to underwater ROV observations and marine wildlife surveys

Scientific equipment & laboratory access

Use the onboard sampling instruments and laboratory to collect, process and record samples under expert supervision

Daily mentoring from a marine biologist

Receive practical guidance throughout your fieldwork, with daily feedback sessions in a small group of up to eight participants

Sailing & life aboard

Join supervised sailing tasks and learn from the captain and crew while sharing everyday life on a scientific vessel

Certificate & activity logbook

Receive a certificate of completion, plus a detailed logbook of your hours and activities

Onboard accident insurance & safety equipment

Accident insurance covers your time aboard, and all necessary safety equipment, including life jackets, is provided

Schedule: During this 5-day liveaboard program, you’ll combine scientific sampling, onboard lab work and supervised sailing activities, with a daily debrief led by the marine biologist. You’ll also share everyday onboard responsibilities. Activities and timings adapt to the weather, sea conditions and the vessel’s scientific operations.

What our
Students are saying

About your internship host

Your host is a marine science and education team based in Lanzarote, working aboard a 22.5-metre sailing catamaran purpose-built for oceanographic research. With dedicated wet and dry laboratories, scientific sampling equipment and an underwater ROV, the vessel brings fieldwork and sample processing together at sea.

An experienced skipper, a crew member with ten years of sailing experience and an onboard marine biologist guide your learning throughout the program. Working with just eight participants per edition, they combine daily scientific mentoring with practical sailing guidance and a shared commitment to understanding and protecting the ocean.

lanzarote oceanography internship

Realize your potential with an international internship

Apply online

Complete our simple application form and tell us about your passions, qualifications, and experiential requirements.

Interview

If your interview is successful, confirm your enrollment with a tuition deposit.

Secure your internship

Collaborate in the internship placement process & accelerate your career.

Oceanography internship in Lanzarote: FAQs

Everything you need to know about joining this five-day marine research experience aboard a scientific sailing catamaran.

Who can join this oceanography internship?

The program is designed for students and recent graduates in marine biology, environmental science or oceanography. You must be at least 18 and have sufficient English and Spanish to communicate with the crew and other participants. You should be comfortable sharing a cabin, taking part in physical fieldwork and adapting to life at sea.

Do I need previous sailing experience or a diving certification?

No prior sailing certification is required. The captain and crew guide your participation in sailing tasks, while the onboard biologist supervises scientific activities. A diving certification is not required for the core program. If a particular edition includes scuba diving, participants taking part must provide an Open Water certification or equivalent, and a qualified instructor will be present. Confident swimming ability is strongly recommended.

What scientific activities will I take part in?

The program covers six core activities: plankton sampling, microplastics sampling with a manta net, CTD/Rosette water sampling, sediment sampling with a Van Veen grab, seabed observation with an underwater ROV, and marine wildlife observation and surveys. You will also help process samples in the onboard laboratory, record scientific data and discuss your findings during daily debriefs.

Where does the internship take place, and when can I join?

The program departs from Marina Lanzarote in the Canary Islands, Spain, and operates within the Chinijo Archipelago marine reserve. The advertised edition lasts five days and four nights. Short editions are scheduled from autumn to spring around the vessel’s scientific campaigns and weather conditions. Contact us to check upcoming dates and availability.

Will I live aboard the catamaran throughout the program?

Yes. Accommodation, meals, scientific work and downtime all take place aboard, with no transfers to land during the program. You will share a double cabin with an en-suite bathroom and hot shower. The catamaran has indoor and outdoor communal spaces, air conditioning and heating. Each edition accommodates up to eight participants, and everyone shares everyday onboard responsibilities.

What does the €2,450 internship fee include?

The fee is per participant for the five-day, four-night edition. It includes onboard accommodation, all meals, scientific equipment, practical training, daily mentoring, a certificate of completion and a detailed activity logbook. Safety equipment and accident insurance for your time aboard are also provided. Dietary requirements are collected before arrival. Please contact us to confirm flight and airport transfer arrangements before booking your travel.

Can this program count towards my university internship?

You will receive a certificate of completion and a detailed logbook of your hours and activities. Academic recognition depends on your university’s requirements and is not automatically guaranteed. Before applying, check whether this short program meets your institution’s minimum duration, supervision and documentation requirements, and share these with us.

Is there a fixed daily schedule?

Days combine scientific sampling, laboratory work, supervised sailing and shared onboard tasks, with a daily feedback session led by the marine biologist. The sequence and timing of activities adapt to weather, sea conditions and scientific operations. There is no fixed hourly timetable. Ask us about the applicable weather-related change and cancellation terms before confirming your place.

What should I pack, and do I need my own insurance?

Bring warm and waterproof layers, sun protection, swimwear and non-slip deck shoes with light-coloured soles if you prefer to wear shoes aboard. All scientific and safety equipment is supplied. Accident insurance covers your time on board; personal travel and health insurance is also recommended for other eventualities.

Star your internship

Join us in shaping a brighter future. Let’s embark on this exciting adventure together.

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