Gran Canaria is one of the prettiest places in the world, and as such has no shortage of visitors. There are so many things to do and see in this small island, that a weekend really doesn’t do it justice. That’s why it can be a perfect place to have a working holiday. You can enjoy more time in this paradise, while making money at the same time. Here are just a few of the many pastimes to do in Gran Canaria, along with working opportunities to help pay for all those activities.

Embarking on a journey where the thrill of adventure meets the warmth of companionship is what makes volunteer work exchanges with huskies an unforgettable experience.

Prices can rise as high as a ski lift once the tourist hordes ascend onto small mountain villages for the winter, but if you are prepared to roll up your sleeves you can ski or snowboard for a lot cheaper by hooking up with these work exchange hosts.

Making banana smoothies for the furry flying mammals is one of the many tasks assigned to volunteers at the Tolga Bat Hospital. Situated in a Queensland forest valley, volunteers are needed all year round for a minimum of one month. Other tasks include trips to the rainforest to release or capture the bats.

From the traditional boat designs of Turkish gulets and Malay sailing boats to solar powered ferries, Workaway and HelpX provide a few opportunities for messing around on the water - once you’ve got everything shipshape that is.

There are plenty of places around the world for horse riders to get a quick equine fix but only by volunteering can travellers hope to spend any length of time directly with horses. Most work exchange hosts will prefer volunteers to stay at least a month, but longer stays are often required.

There are a lot of abandoned cats and dogs in the Canary Islands and animal shelters trying to care for them. Many have been set up by non-Canarios and survive on a shoestring budget so volunteers are always welcome.

Serving thousands of meals to people from over 20 nationalities, Refugee Community Kitchen serves nutritious food without judgement to those fleeing war, poverty, persecution and climate change living in Northern France. You don't need kitchen experience to get stuck in, just a willingness to work hard.

Surfers are generally a relaxed, friendly bunch, so when they put down roots and find themselves in a position to open a hostel they tend to welcome kindred spirits to help them out around the place. While the itinerant surfer helpers they once were get a free bed, usually food, and perhaps use of a board too, the hostel owners benefit from having someone keeping an eye on things while they hit the waves themselves.