Volunteer with Sea Turtles

Work depends on the project and season, but it typically includes hatchery care — feeding and tank cleaning for rescued or injured turtles — plus nest protection, night beach patrols, egg relocation and data monitoring. Some programs pair turtle work with wider marine or environment conservation, and one project (Tanzania) adds coral restoration by scuba diving. Local conservation staff set the daily schedule and lead all animal handling.

The minimum age across our sea turtle programs is 16+, rising to 18+ on some destinations, so check the specific country before applying. No previous conservation experience is required for hatchery, patrol or monitoring work — training happens on arrival. The Tanzania project is the exception, since it involves scuba diving and asks volunteers to be able to swim and complete a dive medical questionnaire.

Fees start from $869, with a $249 deposit to secure your place, and cover accommodation, meals and in-country support. Costs vary by country, duration and whether the project combines turtle work with wider marine or environment conservation. Flights, visas and travel insurance are separate. See how program costs break down for the full picture.

Turtle projects run from 1 to 20 weeks depending on the country and project. Start dates are fixed rather than rolling, with the next intake on 19 Sep 2026; some destinations start weekly, others twice a month. Check the start dates explorer for exact schedules by country.

Volunteering Solutions runs turtle conservation projects in Costa Rica, Bali, Madagascar, Sri Lanka and Tanzania, from Indian Ocean hatcheries to Pacific nesting beaches and coral-reef habitats. Costa Rica, Bali, Madagascar and Sri Lanka run the most turtle-specific placements; Tanzania combines turtle conservation with coral restoration by scuba diving. Each country page lists exact locations, seasons and project details.

Each project has a local in-country team who manages logistics, safety and day-to-day supervision, backed by 24/7 support from Volunteering Solutions. Accommodation, meals and airport arrival are arranged before you travel, and staff brief you on turtle handling protocols and local conditions on arrival. Travel insurance is required and booked separately — see our travel insurance guidance.

Handling is limited to what nests and hatchlings need — relocating eggs, cleaning rehabilitation tanks and checking on recovering turtles — rather than close contact for its own sake. Volunteers do not ride, bathe or pose with turtles, and hatchlings are released promptly rather than held for visitors. Local conservation staff make all handling and treatment decisions.

Reputable hatcheries exist because poaching and unmanaged beach development destroy unprotected nests. VS partners with projects that follow conservation protocols, limit handling and release hatchlings promptly rather than keeping them for display. Six of the world's seven sea turtle species are threatened or endangered, which is the reason this protective work exists in the first place.

No, not for hatchery care, beach patrols or monitoring work — these need no prior experience or qualifications. The one exception is the Tanzania coral restoration and turtle project, which involves scuba diving; you'll need to be able to swim and complete a dive medical questionnaire, and dive training is included.

Nesting and hatching seasons vary by coast and species, so there is no single answer across Costa Rica, Bali, Madagascar, Sri Lanka and Tanzania. Between the destinations there is turtle-related work close to year-round, from nest patrols during nesting season to hatchery care and monitoring at other times. Tell our advisors your travel dates and they'll point you to the right beach.

Book by choosing a country and project, paying the $249 deposit, and our team will confirm your placement and start date. If your plans change, the flexible booking policy lets you change program or dates for free up to 45 days before departure.