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Sea Turtle Conservation Volunteering in Sri Lanka
Sea Turtle Conservation Volunteering in Sri Lanka

Galle, Sri Lanka

Sea Turtle Conservation Volunteering in Sri Lanka

Trip Highlights

  • Volunteer to make a difference & support the sea turtle ecosystem in a positive manner
  • Play an active role in beach cleaning and promote responsible tourism
  • Gain first-hand work experience and bond with people from different parts of the world
  • Learn about the culture, traditions, and festivities of Sri Lanka
  • Experience the thrill of wildlife adventure at any of the several national reserves, including, Sinharaja forest reserve, Bundala National park, Minneriya National park, and more
  • Explore world-class beaches like Ahangama, Mirissa, and Tangalle and soak in the sun over the weekends
  • Get the taste of real Sinhalese cuisine

Overview

Overview

If you have always wanted to play an active role in conservation programs, then now is your chance to be a volunteer and contribute meaningfully towards the wellbeing of the Sea Turtles thriving in the south-western coasts of Sri Lanka. In the recent past, excessive commercial fishing and poaching of turtle eggs by humans and predators (dogs, monitor lizards, etc.) have resulted in their numbers dwindling significantly and thus, these turtles are considered to be an endangered species. 

The main focus of this project is to protect the turtle eggs as well as the baby turtles, and subsequently increase their population. This includes preserving the eggs from predators and poachers, providing a safe haven for hatchings to occur, caring for the baby, sick and injured turtles, feeding them daily and releasing the healthy ones into the ocean when ready.

Being a volunteer, you'll support the hatcheries through conservation efforts which are valuable for their sustainability, and also goes a long way in helping them financially as we pay these hatcheries a placement fee for each volunteer we send to them, which allows them to generate additional income. You'll also get to teach the local communities about the prospects of nature conservation and how to keep the environment healthy.


Program Requirements

Program Requirements

Volunteers must be 17 years or older at the time of joining the project. You need to have an open mind and a flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. The volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference. Participants must be fit and healthy at the time of joining the program and should be prepared to work outdoors and get their hands dirty. Participants in the program should have a keen interest and love for conservation work. Participants should have no criminal convictions and should provide a clean criminal background check report. A parental consent form shall be required for Under 18 participants joining the program.


Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

As a volunteer for the Sea Turtle Conservation Project, you'll have to do the following (apart from other minor works that may crop up as & when required) :

  • Work in the hatchery and involve in feeding and cleaning the turtles, giving sick and injured turtles medicines etc.
  • Clean public beaches from excessive plastic and rubbish that are harmful to the local environment and marine life.
  • Make the local communities aware of marine conservation and teach the children about protecting nature.
  • Occasional overnight camping (during nesting season only) and protecting nesting mother turtles and eggs from poachers or predators.

Volunteer Work Schedule

Volunteer Work Schedule

  • Saturday: Arrival +House Tour + Initial Training session  (as long as the participants come by afternoon or else its done on Sunday).
  • Sunday: Neighbourhood familiarization tour 
  • Mon to Fri: Volunteer work
  • Breakfast - 06:30 am - 8:30am 
  • Thursday and Friday  9-12 pm Beach Cleaning or Community programs
  • Lunch -  between 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm
  • Monday to Wednesday 1-4pm: Turtle Hatchery
  • Dinner - 06:30 pm -7:45 pm

Note: The schedule may vary depending on the particular project and local circumstances.


Living

Living

At Volunteering Solutions we ensure that all our international volunteers are provided the utmost comfort so that they can have a home away from home experience while working with us. We ensure that your stay, meals and other personal requirements are looked after well. 

Airport Transfers 
Volunteers are picked up from the Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport Airport by a representative of the local coordinating team on the program start date during scheduled airport pickup hrs. Participants are also dropped off to the airport upon completion of the program during the scheduled airport drop hrs. 

Note : Airport Transfers are provided at extra charges of USD $35 each way for a shared transfer during scheduled pickup hours on Saturday.There will be 2 shared airport transfers every Saturday (Morning and afternoon/evening) from airport to Galle and vice versa for return departures.​  A private transfer will cost USD 100.

Accommodation

Volunteers joining the programs in Galle, Sri Lanka, will get to stay in the quaint Unawatuna neighborhood, overlooking the famous Unawatuna Beach and the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. The volunteer house has 11 bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms.Most of these rooms have ocean views! There's a private 40-foot outdoor swimming pool surrounded by tropical greenery. The house also has 3 kitchens as well as 3 living/common rooms (one each per floor), a prominent dining area, and a private outdoor garden with seating/lounging areas.

The office is located on the ground floor of the house near the main entrance – this is where the local team operate from every day. The house is located in a peaceful, nature-filled neighborhood adjacent to a small Buddhist temple (nestled away from the main tourist areas). To ensure the safety and security of the participants, there are CCTV cameras installed, and an in-house security guard for night-time surveillance. Hot water and high-speed Wi-Fi are there and you can opt for air-conditioning and laundry facilities at an additional charge.

Other than that, we'll also be glad to provide single/double/family private room upgrades. The beach is just about 5 minutes walk from the stay and you can reach the Galle Fort in about 15 minutes.

Orientation

A detailed program Orientation will be provided before you start your volunteering program.All volunteers on arrival get a welcome presentation including health and safety training, culture presentation, project specific presentation and area orientation tour. Our staff will also assist you with the lessons and planning the curriculum, as and when required. You will also have access to our in-house teaching library consisting of manuals, books, and various teaching materials to help with lesson planning and providing general guidance.

Meals

We provide 3 freshly cooked meals per day all week long (Monday to Sunday): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Fresh ingredients are purchased from local markets to prepare these meals. We have two lady chefs (a head chef and an assistant) from our community who come daily to cook fresh, homely and tasty local meals for the volunteers. We can cater to a range of special diets including vegan, gluten free, nut free and lactose-intolerant diets. If there are any other allergy or food requirements mentioned to us beforehand, we always do our best to accommodate those needs.

During Free Time

There is plenty to do during the freetime and weekends for the volunteers.The following activities are provided free of charge and included in your program fee:

  • Evening Rooftop Yoga Session (weekly)
  • Movie nights on large screen projector at the house (weekly)
  • Bike tour across paddy fields and local villages (monthly)
  • BBQ for volunteers and staff in the garden (monthly)
  • Night Fishing for anyone into fishing (on demand)


The following are popular weekend (or even daily) activities which our volunteers love to do around the area (at an additional charge):

  • Surfing lessons
  • Elephant safari
  • Whale watching (during season)
  • Rainforest hiking
  • Beach hopping
  • Local cooking class
  • Galle Walking Tour
  • Local spice market visit
  • Galle Fort visit

Dates

Dates

2024

2025

January

06

13

20

27

February

03

10

17

24

March

02

09

16

23

30

April

06

13

20

27

May

04

11

18

25

June

01

08

15

22

29

July

06

13

20

27

August

03

10

17

24

31

September

07

14

21

28

October

05

12

19

26

November

02

09

16

23

30

December

07

14

21

28

January

04

11

18

25

February

01

08

15

22

March

01

08

15

22

29

April

05

12

19

26

May

03

10

17

24

31

June

07

14

21

28

July

05

12

19

26

August

02

09

16

23

30

September

06

13

20

27

October

04

11

18

25

November

01

08

15

22

29

December

06

13

20

27

Past Date

Available

Unavailable

Filling Fast


Costs

Costs

1 Week $725
2 Weeks $895
3 Weeks $1050
4 Weeks $1205
5 Weeks $1360
6 Weeks $1515
7 Weeks $1670
8 Weeks $1824
Extra Week $200

Please Note: -An application fee of $229 is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment. (A 5% international banking fee is charged at the time of payment)

What are you Paying for?

  • 24 hrs Assistance and support from Staff
  • Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
  • ​Dedicated volunteer housing with WiFi (shared rooms)
  • Orientation and training on arrival
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner all days
  • Guaranteed project placement
  • Local transportation to projects in private AC van or tuk tuk
  • Experienced bilingual operations team on the ground
  • Dedicated staff support from 6 am to 8 pm every day
  • 24/7 local emergency support
  • Weekly yoga class on rooftop terrace
  • Weekly movie nights on large screen projector
  • Monthly bike tour around paddy fields and local villages
  • Monthly special BBQ dinner
  • Travel & Medical Insurance (Available at an extra cost)
  • Certificate Of Completion (Upon Request)

What's NOT included?

  • Visa Fee
  • International Airfare
  • Scheduled Airport Transfers from Colombo Airport (available at extra charges)
  • Vaccinations
  • Any personal expenses
  • Additional Local Excursions and Trips

Reviews

Reviews

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Frequently asked questions

FAQ's Application and Program Details

Flights and Visa

Health and Safety

Accommodation and Living

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