Guess what? You never forget your second trip either. There are moments in life—those flashes of revelation—that you never truly…
Join a sea turtle and marine conservation project on Sri Lanka’s stunning coastlines! Work hands-on to protect endangered turtles through hatchery care, nest protection, and and safe releases, while also contributing to wider marine and environmental conservation efforts. Take part in other activities such as beach and river clean-ups, mangrove restoration, community awareness and seasonal coral reef restoration. Live with other international volunteers and immerse yourself in island life with world-class beaches, yoga sessions, and cultural experiences.
Program Highlights:
Your schedule at a glance (minimum one-week commitment):
Arrival Day, Saturday: Airport pickup according to scheduled flight and shared transfer to volunteer villa. Meet and greet with fellow volunteers.
Day 1, Sunday: Volunteers will receive a tour of the area, and orientation. Enjoy the rest of the day by exploring local beaches with fellow volunteers or joining an adventure! (See “Travel Highlights” below for recommendations.)
Days 2-6, Monday-Friday: Spend at least 50% of your project time working directly with sea turtles at local hatcheries. Activities may include feeding and caring for turtles, cleaning tanks and facilities, supporting hatchery operations, monitoring nesting sites and helping with the safe release of hatchlings.
The rest of your project time is dedicated to broader marine and environmental conservation activities. Depending on local needs and conditions, you may participate in beach and river clean-ups, mangrove restoration, tree planting, eco-brick making, community awareness activities and seasonal coral reef restoration.
During the primary turtle nesting season from December to April, volunteers may also participate in night patrols on nesting beaches to observe mother turtles, document nesting activity and help safeguard eggs for relocation to secure areas.
Days 7, Saturday: Departure day for volunteers staying just one week. Free time for volunteers who are extending their stay.
Remaining Weeks: The following weeks will follow the schedule of volunteering Monday-Friday and having weekends free. Departures are on Saturdays
What’s Included
What’s not Included
Galle is a beautiful area in southern Sri Lanka that is surrounded by lush greenery and is in close proximity to world-class beaches! Many of the nearby beaches are prime surfing spots and others are more relaxing. There is even a turtle lagoon nearby. Galle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, complete with Dutch-colonial buildings, ancient religious buildings, museums and more. Galle is also quite trendy, and is home to cafes, exclusive shops and boutique hotels. The volunteer villa is less than 100 meters from Unawatuna Beach, which is one of the most prominent beaches in all of Sri Lanka. Surfing, diving, snorkelling, beaching, etc, are all available in proximity.
The main sea turtle hatchery is approximately 60–70 minutes away, while most other conservation activities take place within approximately 15–40 minutes of the volunteer houses. Daily transportation to and from the project activities is included.
About the program
The program is run in partnership with one of Sri Lanka’s leading volunteer organizations, an experienced local team that has been coordinating volunteer and conservation projects across the country for many years. Together with local partners and communities, the team supports sea turtle protection, marine and coastal conservation, and environmental awareness initiatives.
Sea turtles in Sri Lanka are endangered and face threats from human activity as well as natural predators. To help protect these species, the Sri Lankan government has approved the establishment of sea turtle hatcheries, where eggs can be protected and hatchlings safely released into the ocean.
Volunteer Work
Sea turtles remain the primary focus of this conservation program, with participants spending at least 50% of their project time working directly with turtles. Volunteers support local sea turtle hatcheries and help with the ongoing care and protection of endangered sea turtles.
Depending on the needs of the project, sea turtle conservation activities may include:
The program also addresses wider challenges affecting Sri Lanka’s marine and coastal ecosystems. During the remainder of their project time, volunteers participate in a variety of marine and environmental conservation activities.
Activities vary according to project needs, season and local conditions and may include:
Turtle Night Patrols: During the primary sea turtle nesting season from December to April, volunteers may have the opportunity to join night patrols on nesting beaches. Volunteers observe and document mother turtles laying eggs and help safeguard eggs for relocation to secure areas.
Local Achievements: We are thrilled to announce the opening of our transformative new Community Centre, made possible through the incredible support of our international volunteers! Located in the heart of Galle town, this first-of-its-kind facility serves as a free school and support center for the greater Galle community, home to our volunteer programs. This milestone marks a powerful step forward in uplifting the vibrant Galle community, and is a testament to our dedicated volunteers from around the globe!
Cultural Note: Due to cultural norms of Sri Lanka, participants are required to remove any body piercings and cover all visible tattoos while at the project site.
As a volunteer, you will enjoy weekly evening yoga sessions, weekly movie nights, monthly bike tours, monthly special Sri Lankan BBQ and Buddhist temple visit! The volunteer villa is less than 100 metres from Unawatuna Beach, which is one of the most prominent beaches in all of Sri Lanka. Surfing, diving, snorkelling, beaching, etc, are all available in proximity. Additional travel adventures are available for an additional fee, see below:
Adventure Tour (Highly Recommended):
Extend your stay in Sri Lanka by participating in a seven-day Adventure Tour! This adventure tour includes a game drive, visits to waterfalls, a long train ride across beautiful tea gardens and local villages, an overnight stay at a riverside eco-lodge, visits to Sri Lanka’s most famous Buddhist temple in the historic city of Kandy, a village walk, a visit to Sigiriya Lion Rock, spend time in a local market and a trip to Negombo Beach!
Additional Recommendations:
