Wondered how you can volunteer to work with whale sharks?

As many gap year veterans can tell you, ecotourism and ‘voluntourism’ is a great chance to help good causes, but can end up costing an arm and a leg. So if you’re thinking about looking for an incredible location to help out a good cause, then try out Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, a six-star hotel that’s trying out a new way to help conservation.

Guests are being invited to stay in more basic accommodation on a nearby island where they can help scientists with whale shark research for up to four weeks. Collecting and analysing data about these incredible creatures, they’ll be helping to protect and save the species.

Run by a British charity the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWSRP), visitors will have to pay £1,035 for two weeks, plus flights. Running until February 2013, each stay will typically include three to four days at sea every week, snorkelling with whale sharks and photographing, measuring and identifying individuals.

To find out more, go here or check out their Facebook page