Join marine conservationists in their efforts to rescue and rehabilitate sea turtles, as well as enjoy spending time in one of the most idyllic places in the world.
Program Highlights:
Your Schedule at a Glance (Minimum two-week commitment):
Arrival Day, Wednesday: Arrive at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (MLE). You will be picked up from the airport and taken to a hotel in Male, where you will stay overnight (price of hotel not included in program fee).
Day 1, Thursday: The following morning a staff member will assist volunteers in catching a speedboat to Naifaru, your home for the duration of the project. Volunteers will receive a guided tour of the area and be introduced to the turtle center following lunch. Optional snorkel following dinner.
Day 2, Friday: The local team will explain to volunteers how to do the different tasks in the turtle center. Following lunch, volunteers will do their first shift with the turtles, usually followed by catching the sunset at the beach.
Day 3, Saturday: Volunteers decide as a group how they want to spend this free day. The team usually takes volunteers to a nearby island for a fun day of relaxing on the beach or snorkeling, following lunch and a relaxed morning.
Days 4-8, Sunday-Thursday: Volunteers begin their work at 8:30AM and work until lunch time. Depending on the day, volunteers may work an afternoon shift at the turtle center or go for a snorkel. Morning shifts are generally cleaning tasks, and afternoon shifts can range from taking the turtles for a rehabilitation swim to partaking in a sunset beach clean.
Remaining Weeks: The remaining weeks will follow the schedule of working Sunday-Friday and having Saturdays for group excursions. Volunteers departing will head back to the mainland on a Thursday night and stay in a hotel accommodation (not included in program fee) and fly out from the Maldives on Friday.
Check out what our past volunteers had to say!
Program Highlights:
- Get hands-on experience working in marine and wildlife conservation
- Learn from experienced marine biologists
- Ethical wildlife interactions and volunteer tasks
- Explore uninhabited islands and go on snorkeling trips during weekly excursions
- Experience life on a tropical island, surrounded by crystal waters and friendly community members
Your Schedule at a Glance (Minimum two-week commitment):
Arrival Day, Wednesday: Arrive at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (MLE). You will be picked up from the airport and taken to a hotel in Male, where you will stay overnight (price of hotel not included in program fee).
Day 1, Thursday: The following morning a staff member will assist volunteers in catching a speedboat to Naifaru, your home for the duration of the project. Volunteers will receive a guided tour of the area and be introduced to the turtle center following lunch. Optional snorkel following dinner.
Day 2, Friday: The local team will explain to volunteers how to do the different tasks in the turtle center. Following lunch, volunteers will do their first shift with the turtles, usually followed by catching the sunset at the beach.
Day 3, Saturday: Volunteers decide as a group how they want to spend this free day. The team usually takes volunteers to a nearby island for a fun day of relaxing on the beach or snorkeling, following lunch and a relaxed morning.
Days 4-8, Sunday-Thursday: Volunteers begin their work at 8:30AM and work until lunch time. Depending on the day, volunteers may work an afternoon shift at the turtle center or go for a snorkel. Morning shifts are generally cleaning tasks, and afternoon shifts can range from taking the turtles for a rehabilitation swim to partaking in a sunset beach clean.
Remaining Weeks: The remaining weeks will follow the schedule of working Sunday-Friday and having Saturdays for group excursions. Volunteers departing will head back to the mainland on a Thursday night and stay in a hotel accommodation (not included in program fee) and fly out from the Maldives on Friday.
Check out what our past volunteers had to say!
Location of the Project:
Naifaru, Lhaviyani Atoll, Maldives
Project length:
Min 2 weeks - Max 4 weeks
Arrival Airport:
Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (MLE)
Volunteer Work:
Sea turtle conservation
Age:
18 - 65
Number of Volunteers:
1 - 8 international volunteers
Important Note:
Volunteers staying for less than 30 days will need to arrive on a tourist visa whereas those staying for more than 30 days will need to arrive on a business visa. Business visas require a bachelor’s degree, police check with no convictions, and medical report alongside other documents. All volunteers arriving on a business visa must apply to the project at least 6-8 weeks in advance.
What's Included
Accommodations:
Shared rooms in a volunteer house
Food:
Three meals daily
Airport Transfers:
Transfers are organised by the host organisation, however the cost is the responsibility of the volunteer (this should be no more than $10 USD). The speedboat transfer between Male and Naifaru is included in the project cost.
Support:
Comprehensive and professional pre-departure travel guidance, 24/7 GoEco emergency hotline, experienced local field team.
What's not Included
Flights, visas (if required), travel health insurance, hotel in Male upon arrival/departure (approx. $70 USD - cash payment only), cost of transfers between airport and hotel.
https://www.goeco.org/area/volunteer-in-asia/maldives/maldives-sea-turtle-conservationThe project is located on the locally inhabited island of Naifaru, which sits within the Lhaviyani Atoll in the north of the Maldives. As the sixth most populous island in the Maldives, Naifaru boasts a lively community and offers a fantastic opportunity to meet new people. Most of the approximately 6000 inhabitants are Maldivian, however Naifaru is also home to a number of immigrant workers from countries such as Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The island is packed with intricate streets lined with shops selling everything from ice creams to tailoring services, and there are a number of restaurants serving both local and western delicacies. Take the time to immerse yourself in the vibrant, friendly and welcoming community and kick back and relax on the islands beautiful beaches.
Volunteers will help run a small rescue and rehabilitation centre for endangered sea turtles (predominantly green and olive ridley turtles). Most of the green turtles arrive at the centre having previously been kept illegally as pets, whereas most of the olive ridleys arrive having been caught in discarded fishing gear. Turtles are cared for in the centre by the resident marine biologists until they can be released back into the wild.
You will be joining a dedicated team of marine conservationists, helping to rescue and rehabilitate sea turtles. You will be surrounded by ocean enthusiasts dedicated to making a difference in the marine environment.
Volunteer tasks :
Mornings:
• Clean and change the water in the turtle tanks
• Feed the turtles
Afternoons:
• Take one of our resident turtles for a swim
• Assist the Marine Biologists in delivering a Nature Club session at a local school
• Beach cleaning
Evenings:
• If required, help administer medication to the turtles
• BBQ
• Card games
• Catch crabs to feed to the turtles
• Film night
Daily tasks may vary depending on the time and duration of your stay, and the number of turtles at the center. Saturdays are typically set aside for fun excursions arranged by the project staff.
Please note: Volunteer activities can change at any time based upon the needs of the project
You will be joining a dedicated team of marine conservationists, helping to rescue and rehabilitate sea turtles. You will be surrounded by ocean enthusiasts dedicated to making a difference in the marine environment.
Volunteer tasks :
Mornings:
• Clean and change the water in the turtle tanks
• Feed the turtles
Afternoons:
• Take one of our resident turtles for a swim
• Assist the Marine Biologists in delivering a Nature Club session at a local school
• Beach cleaning
Evenings:
• If required, help administer medication to the turtles
• BBQ
• Card games
• Catch crabs to feed to the turtles
• Film night
Daily tasks may vary depending on the time and duration of your stay, and the number of turtles at the center. Saturdays are typically set aside for fun excursions arranged by the project staff.
Please note: Volunteer activities can change at any time based upon the needs of the project
Internet:
WiFi is available at the accommodation.
Laundry:
Laundry facilities are available at the accommodation.
Accommodations:
Volunteers will stay in shared accommodation (2-3 per room). All rooms are single sex and are equipped with ceiling fans and an en suite. The volunteer house has electricity, free Wi-Fi, washing facilities, communal living area and fully equipped kitchen. Private rooms and rooms with air conditioning are available at an additional cost (pending availability).
Food:
Volunteers are provided with three meals daily. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner are served buffet-style at a local restaurant. Vegetarian/Vegan options are available - please inform us of any specific dietary requirements in advance and the local team will be able to cater for these.
Please take note of this project's minimum requirements:
- Age 18-65
- Good level of physical fitness with some swimming experience
- Possess an interest in marine life and marine conservation
- Positive, open-minded, with a strong work ethic
- Snorkelling equipment (mask, snorkel and fins)
Project staff organise weekly excursions for all volunteers (included in the project fee). Activities range from exploring uninhabited islands and specific snorkelling trips, to dolphin watching, fishing, and searching for manta rays. We also endeavour to arrange a day trip to a local resort during each volunteer’s stay.
Participants have the opportunity to take advantage of discounted rates at Kuredu Island Resort and Spa. Please enquire for further details/current deals.
Participants have the opportunity to take advantage of discounted rates at Kuredu Island Resort and Spa. Please enquire for further details/current deals.
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