Sea Turtles Conservation Assistants
Coordinator | Daniel
Coordinator | Daniel
Book with Flex Option!
Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs.
Highlights
Free dive to take photo ID of sea turtles
Observe mother turtles nesting under the stars
Improve knowledge on sea turtles conservation and share the knowledge with the public
Visit the beautiful Perhentian Islands of Malaysia
Meet other volunteers and widen your connection
Sea turtle conservation project on the beautiful Perhentian Islands, Malaysia
This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Groups
The Perhentian Turtle Project was established by Fuze Ecoteer in 2015. The project works in close collaboration with the local community, stakeholders, Department of Fisheries (DOF) and Marine Parks Division.
The project is currently based in two places: Kampung Pasir Hantu (Fisherman’s Village) on Perhentian Kecil and Pantai Tiga Ruang (Turtle Beach aka the nesting beach) on Perhentian Besar.
Volunteers will be aiding the team in their day to day task such as kayak surveys, taking photo IDs of turtles, night patrols under the stars at the nesting beach we protect, transferring eggs and monitoring for hatchlings at our hatchery, conduct awareness talks and more. It is not all work and no play as once a week, volunteers will get to have Malay Dinner, learn how to make 'Kuih' (traditional Malay dessert) and go on an Eco-Snorkel Tour.
Join us in our fight to protect and conserve sea turtles!
Waste Reduction
Sea Turtle Conservation
Plastic Reduction
Flatback Turtle
Green Sea Turtle
Hawksbill Turtle
Typical day
While on the village, volunteers will get to go on kayak patrols to various locations to take photo IDs of turtles to collect data on the individual, their movements and feeding habits. Volunteers will also be conducting awareness talks with the team at nearby dive shops and resorts to spread the knowledge on sea turtles conservation and on how the public can be citizen scientists. Other than that, volunteers will be involved in our weekly beach cleans which is conducted with our sister projects on the island.
At the nesting beach, volunteers get to experience life away from the crowd and will be on night patrols to deter poachers from the beach and to observe mother turtle as it lays its clutch. Data on the individual turtle and its eggs will be collected and the eggs will then be transferred to the hatchery. The hatchery will also be monitored for hatchlings, which, upon discovery, will be released to the ocean.
Volunteers will have about 5 - 6 hours of work in a day from Monday to Saturday and will have their off day on a Sunday. On their off days, volunteers may explore the islands and all that it has to offer, relax by the ocean or choose to work on a mini-project. Ideas for a mini project that correlates with the project are always welcomed and open for discussion.
Once a week, volunteers will get to have a taste of authentic Malay food at the house of a local! This is a great time to interact with your host and get to know the culture better.
Free-time activities
Volunteers can use our kayak on their off days if they wish to kayak, go snorkelling with one of the snorkel operators, diving with the local dive shops, read or stroll around the village.
Water Sports
Swimming
Sightseeing
Diving/
Snorkling
Snorkling
Requirements
In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.
You need to speak English (basic level)
Scanned copy of passport and Personal health declaration form
No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.
Able to swim
Your helping hand will be required on
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday
What's Included
The fees will cover:
- Accommodation at our Volunteer House
- Food i.e 3 meals a day
- Activities and transport within the project
- Boat transfer to and from Kuala Besut.
The fees DO NOT cover:
- Airfares
- Travel to and from Kuala Besut
- Insurance
- Visa
The accommodation is a mixed-gender dorm house.
Volunteers will stay at the Fuze-Ecoteer’s Volunteer House.
Communal toilet/ bathroom
A small safe is available for passport and/or money at the Turtle House i.e the Project house
Wi-fi internet access is available at the Turtle House
Shops are available in the village to purchase toiletries, snacks, drinks, vegetable, chicken and fruits.
Laundry: hand wash or washing machine at the Turtle House
Bedding and mosquito nets are provided
We can play CDs and DVDs on our project laptop, but we don’t have a TV.
Main meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) are provided - either cooked at the Turtle House or eaten out in the village. Once a week, volunteers get to have dinner at a locals house during their Malay Dinner session.
Limited access at the project site
Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations are NOT included in the program fees.
An airport pickup isn't included within the program fees either.
The nearest airport is Sultan Ismail Petra Airport (KBR) in Kota Bharu. We assist you to find cheap flights to Malaysia.
Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Malaysia provides security and is a plus to have.
If you are intending to volunteer in Malaysia you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Malaysia.
Dates & Fees
NO CREDIT CARD FEES
Details on arrival
Volunteers can choose to start on any Monday. This programme runs from April-September and is closed from October-February due to the Monsoon season.
All volunteers will start on a Monday and depart on a Sunday. We require our volunteers to volunteer for a minimum of 2 weeks.
Please arrive by 8AM ON A MONDAY AT THE SAVE PARK HOLIDAY SDN BHD OFFICE AT THE KUALA BESUT JETTY. Your arrival time is important so that you can get situated and oriented with the project and the islands as soon as possible. We have arranged a boat transfer for all volunteers with Save Park Holidays and this boat fee is already included in your program fee. Please DO NOT use other boat ferry operators at Kuala Besut because they may not know where Fuze Ecoteer is and may overcharge boat fees borne at your own expense. You are to tell the boat driver to drop you off at Kampung Pulau Perhentian and we will greet you there.
Your transportation to Kuala Besut is not included in your project fees, but we are more than happy to advise on booking bus tickets or taxis.
This program is paused due to COVID-19
2 - 4 weeks
Program fees
2 weeks
(min. stay)
$1,032
3 weeks
$1,227
4 weeks
(max. stay)
$1,407
Average fees
$434
/week
Please note that the above shown program fees are estimated.
Fuze Ecoteer
will let you know about the final price during your application process.
The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.
Your final payment will be agreed with Fuze Ecoteer during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.
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Sea Turtles Conservation Assistants
Sea turtle conservation project on the beautiful Perhentian Islands, Malaysia
$434/week
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