Turtle Conservation & Research
Coordinator | Graeme
Coordinator | Graeme
Book with Flex Option!
Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs.
Highlights
Work toward conserving the endangered green sea turtle.
Stand the chance of contributing to several seasonal conservation efforts, including d tropical island biodiversity surveys and coral surveys while snorkeling.
Contribute to UN Sustainable Development Goal #14 and #15, Life Below Water and Land and Life.
Experience the truly awe-inspiring islands, beaches, and underwater worlds of Southern Thailand.
Visit the ever-popular beaches of Phuket in your free time.
Live in the small coastal village of Ban Nam Khem and contribute to Coastal Conservation initiatives.
This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Families
Groups
50+
Six of the seven species of sea turtles are classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, IUCN Red List as threatened or endangered. The green sea turtle, specifically, is classified as endangered.
Work alongside the Thai government on turtle conservation projects to work towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals #14, Life below Water and #15 Life on Land.
You could expect to be involved in sea turtle conservation activities; beach clean ups to reduce plastic pollution; island conservation activities which involves travelling to a remote island to conduct camera trap, bird and butterfly as well as biodiversity surveys; and environmental education for local community members.
This program an optional Marine Conservation online courses which must be completed in order to obtain a certificate offered in partnership with the University of Richmond in the United States.
Typical day
Participants are expected to remain flexible as project work changes based on weather as well as needs of our project partners.
Estimated Schedule:
- 5 or 6am: Wake up call
- 6 - 10 am: First Survey/Work at the Turtle Center
- 12pm: Lunch
- 1pm - 4pm: Second Survey
- 6pm: Dinner
- 9pm: Bed Time
Free-time activities
By participating in this program, you are not only offered an opportunity to work toward conserving ecosystems but also the opportunity to see local sites! Our dedicated field staff are the best resource when researching local trips, they have compiled this list of activities.
These side trips are not included in the program fee but are highly recommended:
- Krabi Province
- Phuket Island & City
- Island Hopping
- Explore some of the top beaches
- Khao Lak
- Khao Sok National park
- Phang Nga Bay
- Mu Koh Chang National Park
- Koh Tao Island
- Kao Yai National Park
- Nan Province
- Ayuthaya
- Chiang Mai
- Bangkok
The possibilities are endless!
We also now include local/cultural activities once a week for up to 8 weeks.
These activities may include:
- Learn to make traditional Thai and Burmese food
- Visit the Buddhist temples of Ban Nam Khem
- Practice traditional Thai yoga massage
- Master Muay Thai self-defense techniques
- Raft along the Sok River
- Hike to hidden waterfalls
- Visit an untouched mangrove island
- Sleep in a floating river bungalow
Water Sports
Swimming
Concert/
Music
Music
Sightseeing
Diving/
Snorkling
Snorkling
Shopping/
Souvenirs
Souvenirs
Climbing
Hiking
Museum/
Opera
Opera
Sports
Riding
Yoga/
Meditation
Meditation
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)
required
No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.
No specific skills required, all training is provided online 8 weeks prior to program start through self paced training materials.
Your helping hand will be required on
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
What's Included
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- 24-hour emergency phone
- 24-hour in-country support
- Access to Alumni Services and Discounts
- Airport pick-up (unless otherwise stated)
- All necessary project equipment and materials
- All necessary pre-departure training conducted online 8 weeks prior to arrival in country:
PRE-DEPARTURE ORIENTATION (1 hour)
- PROGRAM SPECIFIC TRAINING (1 - 5 hours)
- OPTIONAL: MARINE CONSERVATION COURSE (10 - 15 hours)
- Location orientation
- Long term experienced staff
- Meals while on project (except on work placements for long term internships)
- Safe and basic accommodations (usually shared)
- Welcome meeting
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
- Additional drinks and gratuities
- Extra local excursions
- Flights
- International and domestic airport taxes
- Medical and travel insurance
- Personal items and toiletries
- Police or background check
- Visa costs (where necessary)
Airport pick-ups can be arranged from 12:00 AM - 06:00 PM the day before your start date, please request this from the GVI office.
From Phuket Airport you can find several hotels that are within a 5-minute walking distance. Our recommended hotel, Phuket Airport Place offers free airport pickup that you need to book at the time of booking the room. Please note that we will not be able to provide transport if you book in Central Phuket, Phuket Town or Patong Beach. Please stay near the meeting point which is near the airport.
From Phuket Airport you can find several hotels that are within a 5-minute walking distance. Our recommended hotel, Phuket Airport Place offers free airport pickup that you need to book at the time of booking the room. Please note that we will not be able to provide transport if you book in Central Phuket, Phuket Town or Patong Beach. Please stay near the meeting point which is near the airport.
Accommodation is in dorm style rooms, with en-suite bathrooms, running cold water. The maximum number of volunteers per room is 6. Please note that sometimes, the rooms are mixed gender. Participants share all base duties, including cleaning the common area and the resource room and other daily chores. Drinking water will be provided.
Dorm Room
From Sunday to Thursday, dinner and lunch is prepared by cooks from our village. On Friday and Saturday volunteers and staff prepare their meals together. Breakfast includes bread, toast, margarine, milk and oats. Lunch and dinners are usually local rice and noodle dishes with curries and stir-fries. Expect to eat a lot of rice! GVI offers 3 meals a day but extra snacks and drinks are at the volunteer’s expense.
Limited access at the project site
Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations are NOT included in the program fees.
The nearest airport is Phuket International Airport (HKT) in Phuket. We assist you to find cheap flights to Thailand.
Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Thailand provides security and is a plus to have.
If you are intending to volunteer in Thailand you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Thailand.
Dates & Fees
NO CREDIT CARD FEES
Details on arrival
2022
- 08 Jan 2022
- 22 Jan 2022
- 05 Feb 2022
- 19 Feb 2022
- 05 Mar 2022
- 19 Mar 2022
- 02 Apr 2022
- 16 Apr 2022
- 30 Apr 2022
- 14 May 2022
- 28 May 2022
- 11 Jun 2022
- 25 Jun 2022
- 09 Jul 2022
- 23 Jul 2022
- 06 Aug 2022
- 20 Aug 2022
- 03 Sep 2022
- 17 Sep 2022
- 01 Oct 2022
- 15 Oct 2022
- 29 Oct 2022
- 12 Nov 2022
- 26 Nov 2022
- 10 Dec 2022
2023
- 07 Jan 2023
- 21 Jan 2023
- 04 Feb 2023
- 18 Feb 2023
- 04 Mar 2023
- 18 Mar 2023
- 01 Apr 2023
- 15 Apr 2023
- 29 Apr 2023
- 13 May 2023
- 27 May 2023
- 10 Jun 2023
- 24 Jun 2023
- 08 Jul 2023
- 22 Jul 2023
- 05 Aug 203
- 19 Aug 2023
- 02 Sep 2023
- 16 Sep 2023
- 30 Sep 2023
- 14 Oct 2023
- 28 Oct 2023
- 11 Nov 2023
- 25 Nov 2023
- 09 Dec 2023
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 - 12 weeks
Program fees
1 week
(min. stay)
$2,214
2 weeks
$2,492
4 weeks
$3,102
6 weeks
$3,657
8 weeks
$4,379
10 weeks
$5,045
12 weeks
(max. stay)
$5,655
Average fees
$1,343
/week
The organization charges its fees in EUR. The price table in USD is subject to currency fluctuation.
GVI
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 GVI during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.
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Turtle Conservation & Research
Live in the small coastal village of Ban Nam Khem and contribute to Coastal Conservation initiatives.
$1210/week
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