8th Certified Field Guide Course – WCA Level 3 (CFG) August 10-14th, 2026

Where Knowledge Meets Ocean Experience

Are you ready to step beyond theory and into the wild heart of marine guiding?
This is where your skills come alive — at sea, with real guests, real wildlife, and real responsibility.

The Certified Field Guide (Marine) (CFG) is a 5-day immersive course designed to transform you into a confident, competent, and conservation-driven marine guide. Led by experienced mentors and delivered through our WCA-certified training facility, this is your gateway to guiding with purpose.

Throughout the 5-day experience, you will build practical mastery in:

• Species identification in real-time conditions

• Guiding techniques under live tour conditions

• Guest engagement, interpretation, and storytelling

• Vessel safety, spotting, and emergency awareness

• Teamwork, communication, and leadership at sea

• Conservation messaging that inspires your audience

You won’t just learn how to guide — you’ll become a guide.

Each day is structured to blend morning classroom learning with afternoon live tour guiding:

08:00 – 12:00 — At the WCA Training Facility

• Training modules with instructors

• Daily quiz on home study subjects

• Guiding tools, binocular skills, and safety practice

• Species ID and communication drills

12:00 – 12:45 — Lunch break

12:45 – 13:15 — Meet at E-Ko Shop, Picton

• Receive your daily guiding tasks

• Prepare guest briefing

13:30 – 17:30 — On-Water Practice

• Participate in 4-hour wildlife tours with paying guests

• Rotate roles in interpretation, spotting, guest care, and commentary

• Receive coaching and feedback from a certified trainer

Your final day is your moment to lead:

•  Morning: Written & oral exams (species, safety, storytelling)

•  Afternoon: Final guiding day — you take the lead

•  Sea Time Logs & WCA Record Book completed

•  Certificate + reference letter presented

•  Evening: Celebration dinner with your training team

This isn’t just a certificate. It’s your entry into a global community of professional marine guides.