Sri Lanka – Family-Friendly Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation

Sri Lanka, a jewel-shaped island in the Indian Ocean, has gained fame for its rich cultural heritage, diverse wildlife, and stunning landscapes. The project is based on Unawatuna Beach, 6 km from the famous Galle Fort and around 2 hours from Colombo. Galle Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, complete with Dutch-colonial buildings, ancient religious buildings, museums and more. The city is also quite trendy, and is home to cafes, specialty shops and boutique hotels.

Surrounded by lush greenery and the azure sea, volunteers will experience the vibrant Sri Lankan culture, enjoy local cuisines, and explore historic sites. The region’s natural beauty, from pristine beaches to tropical rainforests, offers a perfect backdrop for volunteer work and adventure.

As part of your family volunteer program in Sri Lanka, you will engage in various activities:

Sea Turtle Center (days 3 and 5): 

Your volunteer journey begins with an immersive visit to our sea turtle hatchery, where you’ll learn about the critical efforts to save endangered sea turtles, a vital part of the Indian Ocean’s ecosystem, especially in Sri Lanka. Here, you and your family will dive into hands-on conservation work. This includes nurturing and feeding the turtles, providing care for the more vulnerable ones, meticulously cleaning their tanks, and refreshing their habitats with seawater to replicate their natural environment. Guided by our experienced hatchery staff and project coordinator, you’ll contribute significantly to the preservation of these magnificent creatures.

River Cleaning on Canoes (day 4):

In the morning, you’ll embark on a vital river cleaning mission at the Gin Ganga River, a majestic watercourse stretching 116 km from the Sinharaja Rainforest to the Indian Ocean. This endeavor supports local communities and protects diverse flora and fauna. You’ll navigate the river’s tributaries by canoe, removing plastic and other pollutants, equipped with all necessary gear like life jackets, canoes, and cleaning tools. This activity combines environmental stewardship with teamwork and adventure, set against the backdrop of Sri Lanka’s stunning rural landscapes.

Educational Activities with Children (day 5): 

In the morning, your family will engage with young children, aged 3 to 6 years, in a series of educational and entertaining activities. With the support of our Educational Coordinators, who will assist in planning and language translation, you will lead and take part in interactive sessions. These activities, designed to be both fun and instructive, include arts and crafts, educational games, drawing, singing, dancing, and storytelling, offering a rich, immersive experience for both your family and the children.

Beach Clean-up (day 6): 

The final volunteer activity of your week is a collaborative beach clean-up at a notable local beach. This session is an integral part of our broader environmental conservation initiatives. Together with your family and fellow volunteers, you’ll work to remove plastic and other harmful waste, contributing significantly to the preservation of the marine ecosystem. This activity emphasizes teamwork and is a crucial effort in safeguarding the health of our oceans.

Please note:

• The schedule and days may change because of weather and other factors.
• The sea turtle volunteer placement is approximately an hour’s drive away from the accommodation.
• Depending on the age and abilities of the kids, the local project coordinator and hatchery staff will assign tasks accordingly.
• Because of the cultural norms of Sri Lanka, participants are required to remove anybody piercings and cover all visible tattoos while at the project site.

Internet: Each volunteer may use up to 10 GB of Wi-Fi in the volunteer house during their stay.

Laundry: Laundry services are available for an additional fee.

 Accommodations: Depending on availability, volunteers will be placed in one of two main program houses located about 100 meters from one another. Except for separate bedrooms and dining areas, all volunteers will have equal access to all facilities, including the common features across both properties.

• Main Volunteer House: The main volunteer house is the hub for all volunteer programs and activities. This main house offers single-gender rooms in a volunteer villa overlooking the beach and Indian Ocean. The villa has 11 bedrooms with fans, 11 bathrooms and showers with hot water. Rooms are shared with a maximum of 4 volunteers per room. There is also a private pool on site for all volunteers to make use. The house has eco-friendly features including solar heating panels. There may be up to 52 volunteers in the house at a time. Private rooms (single or double) and AC rooms are available for an extra fee.
• Secondary Volunteer House – beachside: The property is located right across the road from Unawatuna Beach and about 100 metres from the main House. It has 12 spacious bedrooms of varying sizes with attached en suite bathrooms each with air-conditioning facilities (most rooms also have attached outdoor balconies). There is also a separate dining area, small garden, lounge, terrace and a large program office with permanent staff onsite. Private rooms (single or double) and AC rooms are available for an extra fee.

Food: Three meals per day will be prepared by the house chefs, using local, fresh ingredients. Tropical fruit is available during every meal and there is a salad bar set up during most lunches and dinners. Vegan, nut-free, gluten-free, and lactose-free diets can be accommodated with advance notice. Tea, coffee and filtered water are available 24/7.

• GoEco volunteer interview with one of the parents
• Online ETA entry visa. We will send you the full instructions following the application.
• Police clearance form for adults
• Proficiency in English
• Minimum age of 6
• Good physical fitness
• Immunizations (please consult your doctor)
• Ability to work in a team
• Willingness to work hard and getting your hands dirty

Sri Lanka is a traveler’s paradise, offering a blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. The travel highlights of the 1-Week Family Program in Sri Lanka include:

• Experiencing the unique culture and landscapes of Sri Lanka.
• Visiting the historic Galle Dutch Fort and scenic Unawatuna Beach.
• Learning about Sri Lanka’s major religion at a prominent Buddhist Temple.
• Canoeing and cleaning the environmentally significant Gin Ganga River.
• Taking part in yoga classes, embracing local health and wellness traditions.
• Surfing lessons at one of Sri Lanka’s beautiful beaches.
• A guided bike tour through picturesque villages and paddy fields.
• Refreshing stops at local coconut gardens.

Adventure Tour (Highly Recommended):
Extend your stay in Sri Lanka by participating in a seven-day Adventure Tour! This tour includes a game drive, visits to waterfalls, a long train ride, an overnight stay at a riverside eco lodge, visit to temples, a village walk, visit to a spice grove, a visit to Lion Rock, time in the local market and a trip to Negombo Beach!

Additional Recommendations:

• Elephant safari
• Rainforest hike
• Whale watching (during the season)
• Cooking class