Bali – Family-Friendly Sea Turtle Rescue

This project is based on a beautiful island just off the Indonesian island of Bali, called Nusa Penida. Nusa Penida is a quiet and relaxed island where divers and bird lovers alike can enjoy a day on secluded,white sand beaches along the north and northwest coasts. The surrounding limestone caves and high coastal cliffs make for scenic views in every direction. Hindu temples and cultural sites pepper the landscape and offer exciting views into the local history.

Daily Tasks
Daily tasks will include cleaning the tanks, scrubbing turtles, preparing food and feeding the turtles, collecting crabs, cleaning the beach and village area, making conservation awareness signs, making turtle toys and monitoring the progress of the turtles currently in the center.

Nesting season (May-October)
Besides the regular tasks, volunteers will collect turtle eggs brought to the center by anglers who have rescued them from being eaten or taken as pets illegally.

Hatching Season (45-75 days after nesting)
Besides the regular tasks, volunteers will feed and treat the hatchlings until they are strong (8-12 months). They schedule releases for those hatchlings each Friday.

A typical day: After a light breakfast, you will head out to work on a specific project at the sanctuary. After a few hours, you will have lunch and a bit of time to rest. You will spend the afternoon with the community. By 5:00 PM, you are back at the project to check on the turtles before dinner.

Please Note: Volunteer activities and schedules can change based on the needs of the project.

Holidays: While the project remains open throughout the year, activities and volunteer schedules may vary on the holidays. The educational awareness classes, where volunteers conduct outreach to local schools, do not take place during school holidays. For specific dates, please consult with our placement coordinators.

Internet: Free Wi-Fi is available.

Laundry: There is a laundry service available nearby, for an additional fee.

Accommodations: The family room upgrades are in the main volunteer house. They include en-suite bathrooms, AC and hot water.

Food: Families will eat with the other participants at the volunteer house. They provide three meals per day during the week, and two per day on weekends. The local team can accommodate vegan or gluten-free diets and severe peanut allergies with advance notice.

• Good level of English
• Police clearance
• Genuine interest in turtles and conservation education
• Good level of physical fitness
• Flexible and open-minded
• Children must be at least five years old
• All participants must bring along with them 4-5 COVID-19 self-test kits (average 1 per week) to cover their stay.

There is plenty to do on Nusa Penida, but there are also some great places to visit outside the island. Just 45 minutes on a speed boat will get you to the mainland of Bali, where you can immerse yourself in the local culture and historical and archeological sites. You can also spend your time surfing, diving or exploring the lush rice terraces and volcanic hillsides. Bali has something to offer every visitor. Divers can also visit Sanur, an east coast town, where you can dine in amazing restaurants and biking through the lovely scenery.

Culture Week (Highly Recommended):
This week-long introduction is a perfect opportunity to meet fellow volunteers and surround yourself with the local Bali community! Before you begin your volunteer project on Nusa Penida, you will enjoy an exciting orientation in Penestanan Kaja village (just five minutes from Ubud center) that will provide an introduction of Bali culture, such as a walking tour of the local markets, attending a Balinese traditional dance show, taking Balinese language classes, taking part in painting and flower classes, and visiting famous temples. The orientation runs from Monday through Friday, giving you the weekend to relax or explore the area on your own before you start work on your project.

Program Add-Ons:
Consider joining one or more of these special programs to add another dimension to your experience in Bali:

• Yoga and Mind Week: Learn about yoga and meditation practices to improve your health and well-being.
• Bali Adventure: Enjoy an adventure-filled week of trekking up volcanoes, cycling through town and enjoying a relaxing massage at the end of the week.

Please note that there is an additional fee for these programs. Prices are available upon request.