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Join a fully dedicated team on a small island off the tropical island of Bali to help care for injured turtles until they are ready to be released into the sea again!

Program Highlights:
  • Work closely with sea turtles
  • Enjoy the turquoise beaches while living on the tropical island of Nusa Penida
  • Contribute to a vulnerable species with important volunteer tasks
  • Release rehabilitated turtles back into the sea
  • Ethical wildlife volunteer tasks and interactions

Your Schedule at a Glance (Minimum two-week commitment): 

Day 1, Sunday: Arrive at Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS). You will be picked up by the local team and transferred to Nusa Penida Island. Following lunch, volunteers will receive an introduction to the area.

Day 2, Monday: Following breakfast, volunteers will receive an introduction to the program and begin to volunteer at the turtle sanctuary. Volunteers will watch a documentary on sea turtles in the evening.

Day 3, Tuesday: Rewarding volunteer work at the turtle sanctuary.

Day 4, Wednesday: Rewarding volunteer work at the turtle sanctuary in the morning. The evening will bring beach sports.

Day 5, Thursday: Following volunteer work, volunteers will enjoy a farewell dinner and bonfire at the beach. On either Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, volunteers will visit the beautiful Crystal Bay on a relaxing excursion.

Day 6, Friday: Rewarding volunteer work at the turtle sanctuary. On every volunteer's last Friday, they will have the opportunity to release rehabilitated turtles back into the sea. 

Weeks 2-12:  Volunteers will have weekends free and will work at their volunteer program Monday-Friday. (Check out "Travel Highlights" below for suggestions!) Departure is on a Saturday.


Check out what our past volunteers had to say!
 
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Location of the Project:  Bali, Indonesia
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Project length:  Min 2 weeks - Max 12 weeks
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Arrival Airport:  Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS)
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Volunteer Work:  Sea Turtle conservation and environmental education
Age:  18 - 50
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Number of Volunteers:  Up to 30 International volunteers
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Important Note:  Family Option: This project accepts families with children as young as 5 years old. Families must upgrade to private accommodations for an additional fee. All volunteers must apply IN ADVANCE for a B-211 visa. The cost of the visa is approximately $50 USD.

What's Included

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Accommodations:  Shared room in a hostel
Food:  Three meals a day during the week, two meals on weekends
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Airport Transfers:  Included on arrival day and from orientation location to project site
Orientation:  Volunteers will receive an orientation of the area upon arrival and will receive a program orientation on their first day of volunteering.
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Support:  Comprehensive and professional pre-departure travel guidance, 24/7 GoEco emergency hotline, experienced local field team.

What's not Included

Flights, B211 visa (approx. $50 USD), travel health insurance, lunches on weekends, personal expenses.
This project is based on a beautiful island just off 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, scurbbing 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)
In addition to the regular tasks, volunteers will collect turtle eggs brought to the center from fishermen who have rescued them from being eaten or taken as pets illegally.

Hatching Season (45-75 days after nesting)
In addition to the regular tasks, volunteers will feed and treat the hatchlings until they are strong (8-12 months). Strong enough turtles will be released every 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. The afternoon is will be spent in the community. By 5pm, you are back at the project to check on the turtles before dinner.

Please Note:  
  • You must be back at your accommodations before 10:30pm Monday to Friday. 
  • Volunteer activities and schedules can change at any time 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, does not take place during school holidays. For specific dates, please consult with our placement coordinators.
Internet
Internet:  WiFi is available throughout the accommodations.
Laundry
Laundry:  There are laundry facilities on the island.
Accommodations
Accommodations:  You will be sharing a single-gender room at the volunteer house with bunk beds. Each dorm will house 2 to 8 volunteers and includes electricity, a kitchen and western style toilet facilities. From your accommodations, a 5-minute walk will take you to your project site.
Food:  Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided during the week, while on weekends, only breakfast and dinner will be provided. You also have the option to buy your own groceries and cook for yourself in the kitchen. Indonesian food is tasty and diverse and volunteers can expect to experience a myriad of flavors and meals during their stay. Typical dishes included miegoreng (fried noodles and vegetables), nasigoreng (fried rice and vegetables) or gadogado (mixed vegetables with a satay sauce). For those who do not eat meat, Indonesian cooking uses a lot of tofu and tempeh (soybeans), we also provide some western dishes. Breakfasts are varied and include pancakes, fresh fruit, toast etc. Tea, coffee and purified water is available at the volunteer house. We do not recommend that you drink the tap water.
Please take note of this project's minimum requirements:
  • Good level of English
  • Police clearance 
  • Genuine interest in turtles and conservation education
  • Good level of physical fitness
  • Flexible and open-minded 
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 find yourself dining 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 5 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, participating 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 at 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 available upon request.
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