▶ WCA LEVEL 3 CERTIFIED FIELD GUIDE (MARINE)
▶ Practical On-Water Marine Guide Training in Picton

Take your marine guide training beyond theory.

This five-day practical course is delivered in Picton, New Zealand, and combines classroom learning, field exercises and real on-water experience.

You will train in live marine tourism conditions, work alongside experienced guides and develop the practical skills required to guide guests safely, confidently and professionally.

▶ WHY TAKE THIS COURSE?

This course is designed for people who:

✓ Want practical experience, not only online learning.

✓ Want to build confidence speaking with guests.

✓ Want to improve wildlife spotting and interpretation skills.

✓ Are preparing for work in marine tourism or conservation.

✓ Want to progress to WCA Level 3 certification.

✓ Want to learn how a professional marine tourism operation works.

▶ WHO THIS COURSE IS FOR

The course is suitable for:

• Marine Guide Training students.

• Aspiring marine and wildlife guides.

• Deckhands developing guiding skills.

• Eco-tourism and conservation staff.

• Interns and trainees.

• Marine educators.

• Wildlife volunteers.

• People seeking practical marine tourism experience.

▶ ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Participants must have completed:

✓ WCA Level 1

and either:

✓ The free Level 2 course; or

✓ The full WCA Level 2 course completed independently.

Evidence of completion may be requested before the course begins.

Participants must also be able to:

• Attend all five course days.

• Communicate effectively in English.

• Follow trainer, skipper and safety instructions.

• Participate in classroom, field and on-water activities.

• Conduct themselves professionally.

▶ WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

During the five-day course, you will develop practical skills in:

• Marine species identification.

• Wildlife spotting and binocular use.

• Guide commentary and storytelling.

• Guest care and group management.

• Vessel safety and operational awareness.

• Responsible wildlife viewing.

• Conservation communication.

• Teamwork and professional conduct.

• Guide preparation and checklist systems.

• Practical field-guide responsibilities.

You will learn how to communicate accurately, manage guests, observe wildlife responsibly and contribute effectively to a marine tourism team.

▶ HOW THE COURSE RUNS

Each day combines classroom learning with practical training.

▶ Morning Training

8:00 am-12:00 pm

Morning sessions may include:

• Training modules.

• Species identification.

• Daily quizzes.

• Wildlife interpretation.

• Guest communication.

• Binocular skills.

• Safety procedures.

• Guide preparation.

▶ Lunch Break

12:00 pm-12:45 pm

▶ Afternoon Field Training

Participants prepare for practical guiding activities and on-water training.

Activities may include:

• Wildlife spotting.

• Guide commentary.

• Guest briefings.

• Interpretation practice.

• Guest care.

• Team roles.

• Trainer coaching.

• Practical feedback.

On-water activities are subject to weather, sea conditions, vessel availability and operational requirements.

▶ BINOCULAR TRAINING

Binoculars are one of the main working tools used by professional marine guides.

During the course, you will learn how to:

• Scan the ocean efficiently.

• Locate whales, dolphins and seabirds.

• Track moving wildlife.

• Estimate direction and distance.

• Observe behaviour responsibly.

• Use observations to support guide commentary.

Students are encouraged to bring their own binoculars or purchase a set as an optional Rezdy Extra.

Purchased binoculars will be presented during the course introduction in Picton and are yours to keep.

▶ ASSESSMENT AND CERTIFICATION

Participants are assessed throughout the course.

Assessment may include:

• Written assessment.

• Oral assessment.

• Species identification.

• Practical guiding.

• Guest communication.

• Wildlife interpretation.

• Training Record Book completion.

• Professional conduct and teamwork.

Participants who meet the required standards may be awarded:

WCA Level 3 Certified Field Guide (Marine) - CFG

Attendance alone does not guarantee certification.

Certification is based on attendance, participation, practical performance, professional conduct and completion of the required assessments.

▶ WHAT IS INCLUDED

✓ Five days of practical training.

✓ Classroom tuition.

✓ Field and on-water experience.

✓ Trainer coaching and feedback.

✓ Practical assessments.

✓ Course materials.

✓ Training Record Book entries.

✓ Digital certification for successful participants.

✓ Professional reference letter.

✓ Graduation and course completion activities.

▶ WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

Unless specifically stated, the course fee does not include:

✗ Travel to and from Picton.

✗ Accommodation.

✗ Meals.

✗ Travel insurance.

✗ Personal clothing.

✗ Personal equipment.

✗ Visa or immigration costs.

✗ Additional external qualifications.

Limited accommodation may be available through training partners or local Picton providers.

Accommodation is arranged separately and is subject to availability.

▶ SMALL-GROUP TRAINING

Places are limited to maintain a practical and personalised learning environment.

Small groups allow participants to receive more direct coaching, greater involvement in field activities and more opportunities to practise guiding.

▶ WEATHER AND OPERATIONAL CONDITIONS

Marine training is affected by:

• Weather.

• Sea conditions.

• Wildlife activity.

• Vessel availability.

• Safety requirements.

The order, timing or location of activities may change.

Where an on-water activity cannot proceed, trainers may provide an alternative classroom, shore-based or practical activity.

▶ CAREER OUTCOMES

This course is designed to strengthen your practical guiding capability and support progression within marine tourism, wildlife education and conservation.

The course does not guarantee:

✗ Employment.

✗ An internship.

✗ Paid work.

✗ A work visa.

✗ Immigration eligibility.

✗ Placement with E-ko Tours.

✗ Any specific career outcome.

Participants remain responsible for their own employment, visa and travel arrangements.

▶ COURSE LOCATION

Picton, Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand

Training includes access to a working marine tourism environment and practical marine guiding conditions.

▶ COURSE FEE

NZD $799 per participant

Optional binoculars may be added during booking for NZD $129.

▶ QUESTIONS BEFORE BOOKING?

Contact:

training@marineguidetraining.com

▶ TRAIN IN REAL CONDITIONS. BUILD REAL SKILLS. GUIDE WITH CONFIDENCE.

This is where marine guide knowledge becomes practical experience.