Error-Id:
  • Home
  • Premium Programs New
  • Travel Guide Free
  • Premium Programs New
  • Travel Guide Free

Choose a language

Dansk Deutsch English Español Français Italiano Nederlands Norsk Português Svenska

Choose a currency

Australian Dollar Canadian Dollar Euro NZ-Dollar Pound Sterling Swiss Franc US-Dollar Norwegian krone Swedish krona Danish krone
close

Best Destinations 2025


  • Costa Rica

    Most popular
  • South Africa

  • Tanzania

  • Thailand

    Trending
  • Ecuador

  • Indonesia

Africa


  • Tanzania

    Zanzibar

  • Ghana

  • South Africa

    Cape Town

  • Namibia

  • Kenya

Asia


  • Nepal

  • Indonesia

    Bali

  • India

    Delhi

  • Thailand

    Asian Elephants

  • Sri Lanka

North & Central America


  • Costa Rica

  • Caribbean

    Dominican Republic

  • Belize

  • Mexico

  • United States

South America


  • Ecuador

    Galapagos

  • Chile

  • Colombia

  • Peru

    Cusco

  • Brazil

    Rio

Europe & Oceania


  • Spain

  • Portugal

  • Italy

  • Croatia

  • Australia

Western Africa


  • Cape Verde

  • Ghana

  • Senegal

Northern Africa


  • Egypt

  • Morocco

Eastern Africa


  • Kenya

  • Madagascar

  • Malawi

  • Mozambique

  • Rwanda

  • Seychelles

  • Tanzania

    Zanzibar

  • Uganda

  • Zambia

  • Zimbabwe

Middle Africa


  • Cameroon

Southern Africa


  • Botswana

  • Namibia

  • South Africa

    Cape Town

  • Swaziland

Middle East


  • Israel

  • Palestine

  • Turkey

Southern Asia


  • India

    Delhi

  • Maldives

  • Nepal

  • Sri Lanka

Eastern Asia


  • China

    Big Pandas

  • Mongolia

  • South Korea

South East Asia


  • Cambodia

  • Indonesia

    Bali

  • Laos

  • Malaysia

    Borneo

  • Philippines

  • Thailand

    Asian Elephants

  • Vietnam

North America


  • Canada

  • United States

Central America


  • Belize

  • Costa Rica

  • El Salvador

  • Guatemala

  • Honduras

  • Mexico

  • Nicaragua

  • Panama

Latin America


  • Argentina

    Buenos Aires

  • Bolivia

  • Brazil

    Rio

    Amazon Rainforest

  • Chile

  • Colombia

  • Ecuador

    Galapagos

  • Guyana

  • Paraguay

  • Peru

    Cusco

the Caribbean


  • Cuba

  • Dominican Republic

  • Grenada

  • Jamaica

Europe


  • Albania

  • Bosnia and Herzegovina

  • Croatia

  • France

  • Greece

  • Hungary

  • Iceland

  • Ireland

  • Italy

  • Moldova

  • Portugal

  • Romania

  • Russian Federation

  • Spain

  • Ukraine

  • United Kingdom

Oceania


  • Australia

    Great Barrier Reef

  • Fiji

  • French Polynesia

  • New Zealand

  • Papua New Guinea

close

Trending Topics 2025


  • Marine Conservation

    Marine Life

  • Education

    Teaching English

  • Diving

    Trending
  • Childcare

Good for


  • Under 18s

    High School

  • Groups

    Families

  • Over 50s & Seniors

  • Mission Trips (Short-term)

  • Low Budgets

Internships Abroad


  • Medical Training

    Nursing

  • Psychology

  • Veterinary Training

  • Biology & Environment

  • Business & Marketing

Environment & Conservation


  • Environment & Conservation

  • Farming & Agriculture

  • Marine Conservation

  • Round Trips & Camps

Humanitarian Aid


  • Childcare & Daycare Support

  • Healthcare

    Medical Mission Trips

  • Special Needs & Disabilities

  • Sports

    Soccer

    Surfing

  • Education

    Teaching English

Community Services


  • Building & Construction

  • Community Development

  • Culture & Arts

  • Human & Women's Rights

  • NGO Management

Wildlife Conservation


  • Animal Shelter

    Cats

    Dogs

  • Elephants

  • Horses

  • Orangutans

  • Primates

    Monkeys

  • Sloth Sanctuary

  • Animal Protection

Marine Life


  • Dolphins

  • Great White Sharks

  • Penguins

  • Scuba Diving

    Coral Reefs

  • Sea Turtles

  • Whales

  • Whale Sharks

African Wildlife


  • African Elephants

  • Cheetahs

  • Gorillas

  • Lemurs

  • Leopards

  • Lions

  • Rhinos

Volunteer Abroad Sea Turtle Conservation

Sea Turtle Conservation Volunteer

Sea turtle conservation volunteers know great ways to combine your beach vacation with hands-on work to make it a truly meaningful experience...

Sea turtle conservation volunteers know great ways to combine your beach vacation with hands-on work to make it a truly meaningful experience. All seven sea turtle species are endangered which makes marine conservation volunteer projects worldwide so necessary.

Volunteer with sea turtles alongside trained biologists and participate in beach patrols, witness turtle nesting and hatching. Rescuing sea turtles and releasing the older babies back into the ocean is a once in a lifetime experience! From Sri Lanka, there are sea turtle conservation projects all around the world waiting for you.

banner
Activities Waste Reduction Animal Green Sea Turtle Hotspots Marine Life Leatherback Turtle Americas Plastic Reduction Central America Costa Rica Vegan Hawksbill Turtle Sloth Sanctuary Scouts Ocean Cleaning Manuel Antonio Olive Ridley Turtle Beach Cleaning Asia Two-toed Sloth Environment Premium Three-toed Sloth Diving Coral Reef Marine Conservation Southern Asia Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Shark Conservation Loggerhead Turtle Africa Yoga Diving certificate Europe Southern Europe Eastern Africa Greece Kefalonia Madagascar Nosy Komba Families with small kids Limon Whale Conservation Flatback Turtle Oceania Queensland Cairns Australia and New Zealand Great Barrier Reef Australia Ray Conservation Snorkeling South East Asia Manta Ray Humpback Whale Kemps Ridley Turtle Surfing Monkey Conservation Whitetip Reef Shark Grey Reef Shark Hammerhead Shark Dwarf Sperm Whale Volunteer and Travel Voluntourism Indonesia Galapagos Bali Spanish Courses Language Course Animal Shelter Western Africa Ghana South America Bird Conservation Spider Monkey Intern Abroad Machu Picchu Nursing Internship National Park Dog Jaguar Conservation Ecuador Thailand Conservation Work Manatee Conservation Manatee Turtle Conservation in Asia Ubud Parrot Volleyball Howler Monkeys Toucan Capuchin Monkey Pantanal Jaguar Eagle Ray Tortoise Conservation Dolphin Conservation Amazon Rainforest Brazil Bottlenose Dolphin Reptile Conservation Spain Tenerife Whale Shark Reforestation Iguana Peruvian Jaguar Cats Spur-thighed Tortoise Street Animals Belize Mangrove Plant Conservation Blacktip Reef Shark PADI Divemaster Giant Tortoise Seychelles Western Asia Turkey Zanzibar Tanzania South Africa Southern Africa Ragged Tooth Shark Mexican Jaguar Mexico Oaxaca Maldives Italy Mozambique Spinner Dolphin Leopard Shark Malaysia Epaulette Shark Devil Ray Sperm Whale Raja Ampat Crete Crocodile Humpback Dolphin Nicaragua Butterfly Conservation Insect Conservation Bear Conservation Macaw Caiman North American River Otter Kinkajou Otter Conservation San Jose Guatemala Peru Ecological Farming Common Dolphin Tapir Tapir Conservation Sloth Bear Ocelot Tamarin Planting Trees Leopardus Conservation Antigua Melanesia Fiji Dugong Hiking Indigenous cultures Gambia Education Blue Whale Community Nosy Be Nutrition and Food Healthcare English Teaching Safari Construction Rio de Janeiro Panama Primary School Atlantic Spotted Dolphin Veterinary Training
Filter
Filter
 Sea Turtle Conservation Ambassador
Life Below Water
🔥 In High Demand
Costa Rica Quepos, Costa Rica
Tortugas de Pacuare

Sea Turtle Conservation Ambassador

Great 4.4
(251)
⭐ Popular Video Flex Option
271 €  per week · 2  ‑  30  weeks · Age  17+ · Has Wifi

Volunteer and save turtles, make a difference and meet one of the most beautiful beaches in the world! Join us in Pacific Costa Rica! Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Sloth Monitoring and Turtle Conservation
Life Below Water Life On Land
🔥 In High Demand
Costa Rica Quepos, Costa Rica
Tortugas de Pacuare

Sloth Monitoring and Turtle Conservation

Great 4.4
(251)
⭐ Popular Video Flex Option
280 €  per week · 2  ‑  28  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Join us in Quepos to actively conserve sloths and turtles, monitoring these beautiful creatures. Make a significant impact on wildlife and nature! Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Sri Lanka Turtle Conservation Volunteers
Life Below Water
🔥 In High Demand
Sri Lanka Ambalangoda, Sri Lanka
Plan My Gap Year

Sri Lanka Turtle Conservation Volunteers

Excellent 4.9
(1307)
⭐ Popular Video Flex Option
380 €  per week · 1  ‑  12  weeks · Age  17+ · Has Wifi

Help protect and rehabilitate at-risk sea turtles whilst also taking part in community development projects. Experience a different side of Sri Lanka. Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Leatherback Turtle Ambassador
Life Below Water
🔥 In High Demand
Costa Rica Limón, Costa Rica
Tortugas de Pacuare

Leatherback Turtle Ambassador

Great 4.4
(251)
Video Flex Option
256 €  per week · 1  ‑  35  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Get in direct contact with turtles and help us conserve the biggest turtle in the sea! Here you will have the chance to meet and work with awesome animals! Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Marine Conservation Research Assistant
Life Below Water
🔥 In High Demand
Madagascar Nosy Komba, Madagascar
MRCI - Madagascar Volunteer

Marine Conservation Research Assistant

Very Good 4.4
(29)
Video Flex Option
513 €  per week · 4  ‑  12  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Protect Madagascar's marine ecosystem with MRCI's Marine Conservation Research program. Dive into meaningful conservation work! 🤿 Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Greece Turtle Conservation Volunteers
Life Below Water
🔥 In High Demand
Greece Kefalonia, Greece
Plan My Gap Year

Greece Turtle Conservation Volunteers

Excellent 4.9
(1307)
Video Flex Option
506 €  per week · 2  ‑  4  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Protect endangered sea turtles through hands-on fieldwork on the island of Kefalonia. Partake in the ultimate research and conservation project. Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Be a great Sea Turtle Conservationist
Life Below Water
🔥 In High Demand
Costa Rica Quepos, Costa Rica
Tortugas de Isla Damas

Be a great Sea Turtle Conservationist

Brilliant 4.8
(31)
Video Flex Option
390 €  per week · 1  ‑  30  weeks · Age  17+ · Has Wifi

Join us near Manuel Antonio, protect endangered turtles, and watch many babies hatch. Make a real impact while enjoying a great volunteer beachfront experience! Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Great Barrier Reef Marine Conservation
Life Below Water
Australia Queensland, Australia
Oceans 2 Earth Volunteers

Great Barrier Reef Marine Conservation

Excellent 4.8
(88)
Flex Option
1211 €  per week · 1  ‑  3  weeks · Age  17+ · Has Wifi

This unique placement opportunity is not offered anywhere else and gives volunteers to truly make a difference to marine conservation. 🐠 Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Wildlife Conservation and Surfing
Life Below Water Life On Land
🔥 In High Demand
Costa Rica Parrita, Costa Rica
Tortugas de Pacuare

Wildlife Conservation and Surfing

Great 4.4
(251)
Flex Option
705 €  per week · 1  ‑  8  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Learn surfing and enjoy one of the best beaches with perfect waves while being part of the wildlife conservation programs in a paradisiacal place full of nature. Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Greece Marine & Conservation Volunteers
Life Below Water
🔥 In High Demand
Greece Kefalonia, Greece
Plan My Gap Year

Greece Marine & Conservation Volunteers

Excellent 4.9
(1307)
Flex Option
506 €  per week · 2  ‑  4  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Protect large seagrass meadows and sand dune systems on a meaningful conservation and research experience in Kefalonia. Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Sea Turtle Conservation
Life Below Water
Available from Aug 2025
🔥 In High Demand
Ghana Cape Three Points, Ghana
Atlas Volunteers

Sea Turtle Conservation

Excellent 4.8
(248)
Video Flex Option
142 €  per week · 1  ‑  30  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Protect endangered sea turtles along the Ghana coastline. Working on nesting sites and beach patrols whilst experiencing beautiful surroundings in your free time. Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Real South America Encounter
Good Health And Well-Being Quality Education Reduced Inequalities
Costa Rica San José, Costa Rica
Plan My Gap Year

Real South America Encounter

Excellent 4.9
(1307)
Video Flex Option
306 €  per week · 6  ‑  12  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Embark on this stunning trip across Costa Rica, Ecuador & Peru where you are guaranteed to experience all aspects of South American lifestyle and culture. Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Sea Turtle Conservation Monitor
Life Below Water Life On Land
🔥 In High Demand
Madagascar Nosy Komba, Madagascar
MRCI - Madagascar Volunteer

Sea Turtle Conservation Monitor

Very Good 4.4
(29)
Video Flex Option
503 €  per week · 1  ‑  12  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

MRCI’s Sea Turtle Monitoring Program has been established to identify and develop Safe Turtle Breeding Zones in North Western Madagascar Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Endangered Turtle and Dugong Conservation
Life On Land
Thailand Krabi, Thailand
GVI

Endangered Turtle and Dugong Conservation

Brilliant 4.7
(151)
Flex Option
840 €  per week · 2  ‑  12  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Travel to Thailand to support endangered green turtle and dugong conservation and research along with a team of international volunteers 🐢 Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Turtle Conservation Camp Supporter
Life Below Water
Costa Rica Limón, Costa Rica
Tortugas de Pacuare

Turtle Conservation Camp Supporter

Great 4.4
(251)
Video Flex Option
295 €  per week · 2  ‑  32  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Join Tortugas de Pacuare team and experience saving turtles and meeting people around the world and enjoying the most exuberant nature of the Caribbean coast Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Reef Conservation Supporter
Life Below Water
🔥 In High Demand
Indonesia Amlapura, Indonesia
North Bali Reef Conservation

Reef Conservation Supporter

Great 4.5
(17)
Video Flex Option
323 €  per week · 1  ‑  8  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Collaborate with us and local communities to restore and protect North Bali's coral reef ecosystems! 🪸 Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Sri Lanka Experience
Life Below Water Life On Land
Sri Lanka Ambalangoda, Sri Lanka
Plan My Gap Year

Sri Lanka Experience

Excellent 4.9
(1307)
Video Flex Option
332 €  per week · 4  ‑  4  weeks · Age  17+ · Has Wifi

Do something life-changing discovering the real Sri Lanka. Spend four amazing weeks exploring and volunteering in this hugely inspiring country. Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Great Barrier Reef Marine Conservation + SCUBA OWD
Life Below Water
Australia Queensland, Australia
Oceans 2 Earth Volunteers

Great Barrier Reef Marine Conservation + SCUBA OWD

Excellent 4.8
(88)
Video Flex Option
1253 €  per week · 2  ‑  4  weeks · Age  17+ · Has Wifi

Learn to dive (Open Water Certificate) while helping protect and conserve the world’s biggest coral reef. 🪸 Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Turtle Conservation Assistance
Life Below Water
🔥 In High Demand
Indonesia Nusa Penida, Indonesia
Involvement Volunteers IVI

Turtle Conservation Assistance

Brilliant 4.7
(219)
Video Flex Option
548 €  per week · 1  ‑  20  weeks · Age  16+ · Has Wifi

Help protect the endangered sea turtles of Indonesia. Contribute to the collecting of turtle population data, collecting eggs, cleaning tanks, and monitoring nests. Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Sea Turtle Nest Monitoring & Conservation
Life Below Water
Ecuador Galápagos, Ecuador
IOI - Empowering Galapagos

Sea Turtle Nest Monitoring & Conservation

Brilliant 4.7
(38)
Flex Option
712 €  per week · 2  ‑  12  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Help the Galapagos National Park by taking important baseline nesting data while patrolling 6 kms of stunning beach. 🐢 Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
Show All 127 Programs
Volunteer Abroad Sea Turtle Conservation

Saving Sea Turtles

Sea turtles are some of the world’s oldest creatures and have been around for more than 100 million years. They can be found in all warm and temperate waters around the globe and spend most of their lives in the water. Only the female sea turtles spend some time on the land. They come back to the beaches where they were born to lay their eggs in a nest in the sand. After that, they return directly to the ocean and leave the eggs to hatch. During one nesting season, sea turtles can lay eggs in 2 to 8 nests and each of the so called “clutches” contains an average of 100 eggs. Sea turtles often migrate over 1000 miles between feeding and nesting grounds and are great swimmers that can stay underwater for up to five hours without breathing.

Unfortunately, human activities and environmental changes have caused the worldwide sea turtle populations to reduce drastically in the past decades. All of the seven species of sea turtles are considered vulnerable or endangered and require targeted conservation and protection efforts to stop their numbers from declining. Social projects all over the world have taken on this problem and work towards the protection of the rare sea turtle species. If you have always been a fan of these ancient animals and want to support the efforts of projects worldwide to protect sea turtles, then you have come to the right place. The following text will give you important information about the different sea turtle species and their habitats, the threats they are facing and the ways you can help to save them while volunteering abroad.

🐢 Sea turtle Conservation Status 2025

By classifying sea turtles as (critically) endangered , IUCN is drawing attention to the conservation needs of sea turtle populations around the world.

Sea turtles play an important role in the maritime ecosystems. They help maintain the health of various habitats like coral reefs and grass beds. Especially the green sea turtles act as grazing animals and keep the seagrass short which is vital to keep it healthy and growing. Unfortunately, the shrinking numbers of sea turtles have already led to a decline in seagrass beds, which are important breeding grounds for other marine species such as tuna, lobster, and shrimp.

Moreover, beaches and dune systems do not get very many nutrients during the year, so very little vegetation grows on the dunes and no vegetation grows on the beach itself. This is because sand does not hold nutrients very well. Unhatched sea turtle eggs and leftover eggshells provide important nutrients for the dune vegetation which leads to a stronger root system that helps to hold the sand in the dunes and helps protect the beach from erosion. With a decline of sea turtle numbers, fewer eggs are laid on the beaches, providing fewer nutrients which would eventually result in increased erosion.

🐢 Why are Sea Turtles Endangered?

Sea turtles are facing a broad list of threats and while some of them are natural and have always existed, the majority of the threats is man-made and has lead to the drastic drop of sea turtle numbers in the last decades. One of the natural threats is that sea turtles only reach their reproductive age after 20-30 years, for around 10 years. During this time, they can lay up to 10.000 eggs, but only very few of the baby turtles that hatch survive until adulthood. Natural predators on the coast and in the water are one reason for that, but humans are playing a big role as well.

Female sea turtles always return to the beach where they were born when it is time for nesting. Increased mass tourism and construction sites on beaches have destroyed many nesting sites and left less safe space for the turtles to lay their eggs. Baby sea turtles hatch at night and seek the way to the ocean following the brightest light. Lanterns and other artificial lights can cause them to go in the wrong direction and become easy prey for predators. Interestingly, the sex of sea turtle babies is not defined by genetics but by the temperature of the sand in which the nest has been built. Warmer surroundings lead to predominantly female sea turtles and global warming is already causing a negative influence on the balance of the sexes.

🐢 What are the Biggest Threats to Sea Turtles?

Even grown-up sea turtles are not safe from the many dangers that humans pose to them. Sea turtles also have a great cultural significance in many coastal communities and are a major factor for tourism. Turtle meat and eggs have been important sources of food as it's supposed to have aphrodisiac and medical benefits, and their shells serve for jewelry, ceremonial ornaments, and utensils in the Asia Pacific region. To sum up, these are some of the most dangerous threats for sea turtles:

  • Illegal hunting for consumption, sale, or trade
  • Bycatch of sea turtles by commercial fishermen
  • Entanglement and ingestion of marine debris
  • Marine pollution
  • Global warming
  • Oil spills

🐢 What are the 7 Species of Sea Turtles?

There are seven species of sea turtles that vary quite significantly in their size, their habitat and their diet:

  • Leatherback Turtle
  • Kemps Ridley Turtle
  • Turtle Conservation in Asia
  • Loggerhead Turtle
  • Olive Ridley Turtle
  • Flatback Turtle
  • Green Sea Turtle
  • Hawksbill Turtle
  • Asiatic Softshell Turtle

While all the species migrate quite long distances in their lives, the leatherback sea turtles have the widest range of them all and can be found as far north as Alaska and down to the southern tip of Africa. They receive their name from their unique shell, which is the only soft shell of all the species and comparable to leathery skin rather than a hard, solid shell. Leatherback sea turtles are also the largest species with a length of up to almost two meters (six feet) and they are the only species whose females may change their nesting beaches, even though they tend to stay in one region.

It’s next biggest relative is the loggerhead sea turtle that can be found in coastal bays and shallow waters of all three oceans and the Eastern Mediterranean. They seem to prefer warmer waters and don’t dive as deep as the other species. Loggerhead sea turtles are primarily carnivores and eat jellyfish, crabs and small fish.

The green sea turtle, on the contrary, is strictly herbivore as an adult, only the baby turtles eat worms and aquatic insects. As seagrass is the main part of their diets, green sea turtles are mainly found in coastal areas, bays and protected shores of the Caribbean, Australia, and the Pacific Ocean. They very rarely migrate to the open ocean.

The hawksbill sea turtles get their name from their hawk-like beak that makes it easy to distinguish them from their other relatives. They can be found in tropical and subtropical waters of all three oceans and are considered critically endangered as their pretty shell makes them the subject of illegal hunting.

The most common sea turtle with the biggest population worldwide is the olive ridley sea turtle that gets its name from its olive green colored shell. Adults measure around two feet and can weigh up to 100 pounds.

A species that only lives in the northern waters of Australia and the Gulf of Papua New Guinea is the flatback sea turtle. Its limited habitat makes it one of the rarer sea turtle species with an estimate of 20.000 nesting females existing today.

And last but not least, the rarest of all species is the kemp’s ridley sea turtle that only nests on a small strip of beach in Mexico. The females of this species nest synchronized in masses, an event that is called “arribadas” in Mexico and during which the beaches are strictly protected.

🌎 What are the Best Places to Volunteer with Sea Turtles?

As you already know, sea turtles live in all three oceans which gives you plenty of opportunities to work abroad as a sea turtle conservation volunteer. Be it South or Central America, Europe, Asia or even Australia, sea turtles nest on many beaches and need to be protected from the many dangers on land and in the water.

Costa Rica - sea turtle conservancy with a pinch of 'Pura Vida'

The most important nesting place for sea turtles is Costa Rica. The small Central American country has important nesting sites for four of the seven species on both the Pacific and the Caribbean coast. Leatherback sea turtles nest on both coasts while greens, olive ridley and hawksbill sea turtles nest on beaches on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. The Osa Peninsula in the south of the Pacific coast and Tortuguero on the northern Caribbean coast are the two biggest hotspots for sea turtle conservation programs in Costa Rica.

Sea turtle conservation in Southern Asia

If you’d rather work with sea turtles in Asia, then Sri Lanka or Indonesia are the right places to go. Sri Lanka has nesting sites for loggerhead, greens, hawksbill, and olive ridley sea turtles, especially in the Kosgoda area in the south. The popular tourist hotspot Bali in Indonesia offers the opportunity to work with olive ridley and green sea turtles and to explore the beautiful island during your free time as well. There will definitely be a project that will match your interests.

Africa
  • Ghana
  • Madagascar
  • Mozambique
  • Seychelles
  • South Africa
  • Tanzania
Americas
  • Belize
  • Brazil
  • Costa Rica
  • Ecuador
  • Guatemala
  • Mexico
  • Nicaragua
  • Panama
  • Peru
Asia
  • Indonesia
  • Malaysia
  • Maldives
  • Sri Lanka
  • Thailand
  • Turkey
Europe
  • Greece
  • Italy
  • Spain
Oceania
  • Australia
  • Fiji

You see, there are so many places and opportunities to work for a sea turtle conservation project abroad that no matter where you would like to go, there is the right program for you. From Costa Rica to Spain and Australia, there are projects looking for volunteers all over the world.

🦺 8 Things You Can Do To Save Sea Turtles

There are many different ways to protect sea turtles and not all projects work in the same manner. Depending on what you are looking for, this introduction into the tasks and benefits of sea turtle volunteers will be helpful for you to find the right program. Whether you want to get hands-on and work with the sea turtles every day or you want to educate locals and tourists on ways to protect sea turtles and their habitat, there will be a program that matches your expectations and skill set.

🤸🏽‍♀️ What Will I Do as a Sea Turtle Conservation Volunteer?

Depending on which sea turtle conservancy project you are going to join, there are many possible tasks that your work is going to entail. While some of the projects focus on the work in the hatcheries, others might include research and data collection or regularly open their doors to tourists in order to spread the word about the importance of saving sea turtles. Most sea turtle conservation projects also work closely with the local communities which includes communal beach cleanups, informational events, school lessons and much more. This is an overview of the most common tasks while volunteering with sea turtles:

  • feeding and caring for sea turtles at the center
  • going on night patrols to collect sea turtle eggs
  • relocating eggs to hatcheries where they are safe from poachers
  • maintaining and cleaning facilities
  • cleaning and constructing hatcheries
  • releasing older babies back into the ocean
  • actively saving turtles
  • engaging in beach cleanups
  • giving hatchery tours to tourists and educating them about the importance of preserving sea turtles

There are a few volunteering projects that focus on in-water studies of specific sea turtle species and thus include a different range of tasks for their volunteers. Depending on weather conditions, a lot of the working time will be spent on boats or preparing the equipment for the next outing.

One thing that sea turtle conservation volunteers should be aware of: you need to be prepared for sometimes physically demanding work and unusual working hours as sea turtle nesting only occurs at night. Most of the camps, especially in Costa Rica, are in remote areas and have very simple living conditions. So if you have a love for nature and prefer outdoor living to luxury and comfort, working for a sea turtle conservation project will be a perfect choice!

🐢 How can I work with Baby Sea Turtles?

As most baby sea turtles don't make their way into the ocean or survive to adulthood, there are many projects that try to tackle that problem to help grow sea turtle numbers. They will collect eggs from the nest to keep them safe from robbers and predators and take them to their hatchery where the baby sea turtles can hatch safely. The babies will be released at a safe beach and the volunteers make sure that all of the baby sea turtles make their way into the water. Some projects might keep baby sea turtles until they have reached a certain size so that they are less likely to be eaten by predators once they have been released.

How to Ensure a Sea Turtle Conservation Program is Ethical?

Ensuring the ethical nature of a sea turtle conservation program requires careful evaluation. Start by examining how the program benefits local marine life and biodiversity, including clear evidence of its impact. Ethical initiatives often provide research or documentation showcasing their contributions to conservation efforts.

Equally important is the program’s integration with the local community. Look for efforts that support residents through education, employment, and economic benefits. Transparent programs openly share their goals and results, ensuring accountability in their practices and a commitment to sustainability.

Finally, consider volunteer involvement. Ethical programs place participants in roles that genuinely support their conservation objectives without exploiting resources or individuals. Accreditation by respected environmental organizations or partnerships with global conservation bodies can also signal high ethical standards. Thoughtful evaluation of these aspects ensures your support contributes to a truly impactful initiative.

💲 Can I Volunteer with Sea Turtles for Free?

Volunteering with sea turtles might sound like a dream come true, and you might wonder if it can be done for free. Technically, it's possible to find free opportunities, but the reality is that most reputable and ethical programs will ask for a fee from their volunteers. Here is why most programs require a fee:

  • Support for Conservation Efforts: Most sea turtle volunteer programs are run by charities or non-profit organizations. These fees are vital for sustaining ongoing conservation projects and support the local communities involved.
  • Comprehensive Volunteer Packages: Typically, the fee ensures that essential aspects such as airport pickup, transportation to the project site, meals, and accommodations are covered. Volunteers can focus on contributing to the project without worrying about logistics.
  • Sustainability and Training: Fees contribute to the training of staff and maintenance of facilities. Without this support, organizations might struggle to provide effective conservation efforts and safe volunteer environments.
  • Enhanced Experience: Part of the payment often includes organized excursions or activities, enriching the volunteer experience and offering more than just work.

While some might initially balk at the idea of paying to volunteer, it’s important to recognize that these fees play a crucial role. They ensure that conservation efforts are not only sustained but can also make a significant impact over time.

🎁 5 Benefits of Working with Sea Turtles

Hands-on Experience

Working hands-on with sea turtles, watching them nest and making sure the babies can hatch and grow up safely are not the only highlights of being a sea turtle volunteer. There are plenty of other reasons why this kind of volunteer work could be the right choice for you.

Learning Opportunity

If you are interested in studying biology or veterinary medicine, a volunteer program working with sea turtles will be a great fit. You will gain hands-on experience and get a first insight into the daily work of trained experts and marine biologists, which will certainly come in handy at a later point in your career.

Future Career Opportunities

Being able to list this kind of work experience on your resume is another bonus, even if you are not planning on pursuing a career in this field. It shows that you are capable of physically hard and hands-on work and that you are motivated to volunteer your free-time to a meaningful cause.

Learning new languages

Depending on where you choose to volunteer, you might get to refine your language skills whilst working on site. Immersing yourself in a foreign culture and living abroad will definitely make you grow as a person and give you a different perspective. And let’s not forget that the time you spend at a sea turtle conservation volunteer project will also be incredibly fun! You will get to enjoy all the perks of living by the sea like swimming and snorkeling and experiencing the beauty of the ocean at the end of your workday.

Night Patrols with Baby Sea Turtles

Night patrols at the beach during nesting and hatching seasons and the release of baby sea turtles into the ocean are only some of the highlights you will never forget. The best part is that you will be surrounded by like-minded individuals that share your passion for sea turtle conservation. After working and living together for a while, these people might even become your close friends! If you think that joining a sea turtle conservancy project as a volunteer is just what you were looking for, then go ahead and get started right now! We would love to help you find the right project for you!

Choose a language

Dansk Deutsch English Español Français Italiano Nederlands Norsk Português Svenska

Choose a currency

Australian Dollar Canadian Dollar Euro NZ-Dollar Pound Sterling Swiss Franc US-Dollar Norwegian krone Swedish krona Danish krone
  • Sign Up as an Organization
  • About us
  • Press
  • Help Center
  • Blog
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Terms
  • Legal Disclosure
4.6
3,300+ Reviews on
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Tiktok
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
© Volunteer World ⠮⠄
© Volunteer World ⠮⠄
Contents