Turtle Conservation Volunteer Project in Bali

Highlights

Help ensure the survival of endangered sea turtles
Explore the beauty of Bali and travel and explore other places on the island
Stay in a traditional Balinese homestay close to the beach
Meet other likeminded participants from around the world

Interested to do volunteer in a Sea Turtle Conservation Project in Bali? Volunteering Solutions offers sea turtle conservation project in Serangan which is a small island located just south of Denpasar, Bali,. Volunteers will gain experience in turtle care and conservation while helping to increase the population of these incredible creatures in Indonesia.

Million years ago, turtles were already roaming and thriving in the oceans. At that time, they had little to fear from getting caught in nets set by fishers, or to lose their nesting beaches due to a rising tourism infrastructure or the plundering of their nests for egg consumption.Today, this led to a decrease of some turtle species or even to their extinction. The project has been working since 2006 in order to give these beautiful creatures protection from the illegal trade and tourism and get out in the ocean after recovering. Therefore small or injured turtles are raised in salty-water pools until they finally can be exposed to the ocean again.

Volunteers work in a project focused on the cause of sea turtles conservation, rehabilitation and education to help raise awareness among the community through several projects with the locals around the center, national government and international visitors and volunteers. The Center is an educational experience, not only for university students and visiting school children, but also for everyone involved.

Want to see other ways to make an impact? Check out our Volunteer in Asia programs.

Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

2 shifts of working hours (Monday to Friday from 09.00 am to 13.00 or 13.00-16.00)
Monitoring activities to document the status of the hatching turtles
Assisting with turtle rescue when require
Assisting with turtles hatching and giving necessary/require medication when require for injured turtles
Assisting the conservation center to provide the food for the turtles and feeding the turtles (this involves preparing fish, seaweed hunting in the sea)
Representing the conservation center, welcome and informing the visitors
Supporting the conservation agenda, such as turtle release events, group and school educational visits
Cleaning turtle tanks and keeping the site clean and safe for the turtles and visitors

Requirements & eligibility

The following requirements are there to participate in the program :–

Participants should be of at least 18 years age
Commited and dedicated
Fluent in English
Fit, self-reliant, motivated, and independent
Have excellent communication skills
Willing to adhere with local customs and culture
Have a desire to make a positive contribution in the lives of community members
Are willing to complete a criminal background check
Passionate with marine life, marine rehabilitation and conservation

Volunteer work schedule

A typical day

As a volunteer for the Turtle Conservation Program in Bali, your general schedule would be:

Day 1 – (Friday/Saturday) – Arrival
Volunteers are expected to arrive at least 1 day before your program starts and check in to the volunteer accommodation. Our program coordinator will assist with your airport pick up transfer to your accommodation. Our team members will pick you up at the Ngurah Rai International airport of Bali. You will also receive a local SIM card on this day or the upcoming day depending on your arrival time.

Day 2 – Your first introduction day
Our program coordinator will announce at what time our team will pick you up the next day for the first orientation day at the turtle center via Whatsapp text message. As soon as you arrive at the site, our team will introduce and accompany you for your first orientation day, you will get a tour around the premises, getting introduced to all the team members. On this day, we will ensure you have received all of the information we prepare on the welcome checklist. Important safety information ,emergency contact, important addresses, visa information and so forth. You will start your volunteering program on this day, you will start assisting the site with all of the assignments discussed.

Weekends
By the weekend volunteers are having days off, you may relax or travel and explore Bali. Travel with other volunteers or interns in a group for many beneficial reasons.

End of your volunteering day
In your last week, Friday is your official last day in the program. You will check out from the accommodation on Saturday so you will have enough time to pack and continue your travels in Bali or take flight back home. Please inform our team if you wish us to arrange an airport pick up or any type of transportation for you if you need our assistance.

Gallery

Life on the programme

Living

Accommodation & meals

Airport Transfer

All volunteers will have to reach Ngurah Rai International Airport, Denpasar (DPS), on Saturday. The local team will arrange your transfer from the airport and a designated driver shall be there to pick you up.

Accommodation

Volunteers are accommodated in Balinese owned local homestay.You will stay in accommodations at traditional Balinese house home stays located walking distance to the beach and around 15 to 20 minutes scooter ride to the turtle site. Each room has a sit out area and an air conditioner is installed. There is WiFi within the accommodation and common areas where volunteers can have meals or can sit and chat. Towels are provided. At a short distance from the accommodation, amenities such as ATM, department stores are available.

Orientation

You will be provided with all the details about the project, about the work that you’ll have to do, as well as information about the place. If you have any questions regarding safety issues, traveling and projects, the local team will be there to assist you.

Meals

In the area of your accommodation, there are plenty of food options, from traditional food markets to many options of local warungs (food stalls) at affordable prices. Simple yet nutritious and fresh meals of a typical Indonesian meal consisting of rice or noodles with side dishes of steamed vegetables or saute vegetables and meat or tofu and soya cake are available at affordable prices. The Sanur area is also famous for delicious and endless options of international restaurants.

During Free Time

During your time in Bali, you will be based in Sanur, this region is rather calmer in comparison to other touristic parts of the island. During your extended weekend from Friday to Sunday, you can travel and explore other parts of Bali such as Ubud or head down south to Uluwatu or Seminyak.Taxis and other modes of transport are easily available for traveling within the island.

Transportation

To hire any motor vehicles, volunteers must possess an international drivers license. Regular automatic scooter rental per day is starting from 100,000 IDr or around 6 USD, monthly rental is starting from 79 USD or around 1,200,000 IDR (110 CC). The bigger engine costs more. For those who do not own any drivers licenses to drive internationally, getting transported via online translation app is one of the best ways to get around, please download Gojek app. Please be informed that in some areas of Bali, Gojek does not operate due to infrastructure and different region’s public transportation regulations, always ask questions to us, to your neighbors or anyone to make sure you are able to travel around with this app.

Dates

Start dates

Weekly start dates, year-round — pick any week across the next two years.

AvailableFilling fastFully booked

Costs

Program fees by duration Currency

A one-off application fee ($249 / £179 / €229 / AU$350) is charged in addition to the program fee — valid for one year, during which you may enrol in multiple programs. A 5% international banking fee applies to credit-card payments in USD or AUD.

Duration	Program fee
1 week	$897
2 weeks	$1,050
3 weeks	$1,195
4 weeks	$1,310
5 weeks	$1,450
6 weeks	$1,500
7 weeks	$1,650
8 weeks	$1,750
Each additional week	+$150 / week

Indicative conversion — your booking is charged in the currency you choose at checkout.

✓ What you're paying for

Pre departure support and assistance
Visa assistance (incl. visa documents)
Airport pick-up
Welcome package
Indonesian SIM card number (Purchase and registration at GSM Provider Center)
Voucher for the first students dinner
Accommodation
Introduction to the project at the first orientation day
Local contact person & support during your volunteer program
Project visits & satisfaction assessment
Information about events and intern meetings
Assistance with visa extension
Contribution to the program deducted from the program fee
Travel & Medical Insurance (available at extra charges)

Not included

Flights
Visa application, visa extension fees
Meals
Personal Expenses
Transfer back to the airport at the end of the program
Tourism/leisure activities during free time

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

Application & getting started

When should I apply?

Apply as soon as your dates are decided — spots are limited. The application fee is valid for a full year, so you can apply early to secure your place.

How do I apply and when do I pay?

Fill in the online application form and pay the application fee. The program fee can be paid later, even in instalments, but must be complete 45 days before the program starts.

What are the requirements?

Participants must usually be at least 17 (families welcome with younger children), with an open mind, good health and respect for local customs. A clear criminal background check is required from all adults.

Accommodation, meals & support

Where will I stay and what about food?

You stay in a volunteer house or with a host family, with meals provided. Private-room upgrades are usually available.

Is there support while I'm there?

Yes — a local coordinator gives you an orientation on arrival and is available 24/7 throughout your placement.

Health, safety & visa

Do I need insurance and vaccinations?

Valid travel-medical insurance is mandatory (available from us at a nominal cost). Consult your travel doctor for recommended vaccinations; your pre-departure pack covers the details.

Do you help with the visa?

Yes — all enrolled participants get visa-requirement information in the pre-departure manual, and your point of contact can answer questions.

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