Sea Turtle Conservation in Galapagos.

Sea turtle nest monitoring in the Galapagos. During nesting season from January–May.

Sea turtles are integral to marine ecosystems, facilitating nutrient cycling from ocean to land, maintaining healthy seagrass beds, and balancing marine food webs. Their well-being is essential for the sustainability of our oceans. Regrettably, global sea turtle populations are declining due to threats like illegal poaching, marine pollution, and beach development, which disrupt their nesting habitats.

Our partner organization, located amid the picturesque shores of Isabela Island in the Galapagos, is committed to conserving these ancient mariners. This conservation effort is concentrated particularly on the Green Sea Turtle, which nests along Isabela's tranquil beaches.

More than a conservation project, this initiative is also an immersive education experience. Volunteers are trained to collect essential data and are engaged in discussions about their findings. The endeavour requires individuals with a deep-seated passion for marine conservation, the ability to work independently and in a team, and the physical capability to navigate long distances on uneven beach terrains.

As a conservation volunteer with the Sea Turtle Conservation project on Isabela Island, you will become a crucial component of our collaboration with the Galapagos National Park, dedicating your efforts to the protection and study of sea turtles. Your role will involve a range of activities aimed at preserving the nesting sites of the Green Sea Turtle and ensuring the survival of their hatchlings.

Volunteer Activities

As a conservation volunteer with the Sea Turtle Conservation project on Isabela Island, you will become a crucial component of our collaboration with Galapagos National Park, dedicating your efforts to the protection and study of sea turtles. Your role will involve a range of activities aimed at preserving the nesting sites of the Green Sea Turtle and ensuring the survival of their hatchlings.

This program does not have you hands on with the care of sea turtles, you are ensuring the nests are safe and through citizen science we understand more about nesting patterns.

• Nesting Site Monitoring: Early morning and late evening patrols along a 2 km stretch of Isabela's beautiful beaches, identifying and marking sea turtle nests. This activity varies throughout the season; early on, you may witness adult turtles nesting (January to mid-March), while later, you might see hatchlings emerge and make their way to the sea (mid-March to May).

• Data Collection: Gathering crucial baseline data on nesting patterns and hatchling success rates for the Galapagos National Park to aid in the management and protection of these critical habitats.

• Beach Cleanup: Keeping the nesting beaches free of rubbish and debris, ensuring safe passages for turtles coming ashore to nest and for hatchlings heading to the sea.

• Invasive Species Removal: Specifically targeting the removal of Kikuyo grass from the nesting areas, a highly invasive plant that encroaches on the beach and makes it unsuitable for turtle nesting.

Day to day schedule.

Our volunteer program offers a structured yet flexible schedule, accommodating approximately 5–6 hours of daily activities across seven days a week. Volunteers engage in early morning beach walks from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM and participate in night beach patrols ranging from 8:00 PM to 1:00 AM, with the exact timing dependent on tidal movements, totalling up to 8 km of walking daily. Additionally, afternoons from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM are reserved for the vital task of Kikuyo grass removal. While the program operates daily, each volunteer is entitled to two consecutive days off per week for rest, integrating flexibility with the necessity of ongoing conservation efforts and adapting to the dynamic needs of the Galapagos National Park programs.

Accommodation 

We have two options for volunteers based on their interests, needs and wants. Our program partners have diverse and established connections in the community with their home-stay program as well as a volunteer house for more independent living. Air conditioning is available in both the home-stays and the volunteer house.

When staying with the home-stay families, the volunteers have their own rooms and bathrooms. Meals are generally shared with the families but there is always flexibility to check out the local restaurants and cafes on the island.

When staying independently at the volunteer house, bedrooms may be shared depending on numbers. There is a shared kitchen, common room and laundry facilities. Volunteers get an ID card for local restaurants so they can eat off a special prix fixe menu.

All volunteers also have full access to the research base and offices where there is always potable water, coffee/tea, hammocks and very fast and reliable wi-fi.

Safety

Do you have questions about safety? We have answers right here!

Includes

Airport pick up and drop off (at the closest airport), accommodation, meals, on-site training, donation to Placement Partner, AEI Travel Manual, emergency support while at placement, carbon credits to offset 3 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, premium Individual Travel Insurance (up to $500, 000 USD in emergency medical coverage), travel discounts (through automatic membership to a volunteer only travel discount program), 24/7 travel and emergency assistance, enrolment with the Global Travel Academy to earn a certificate in International Volunteering. This 3-hour online course is curated by travel professionals and is designed to help you get the most out of your adventure.

Flights, entry visa costs, international and domestic airport taxes, immunizations and medications.

What is Serious

Joining the Sea Turtle Conservation Program in the Galapagos empowers you to significantly impact the survival and well-being of one of the planet's most vulnerable marine species. By partnering with us, you contribute to vital conservation efforts alongside the Galapagos National Park, working with a dedicated team. This project is central to strategies designed to monitor, protect, and sustain the natural habitats of these incredible sea creatures while engaging in essential conservation tasks.

Working amongst sharks, finches, blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas and penguins, sea turtle conservation doesn’t just help one animal, it supports the conservation of all species throughout these islands.

What is Fun

Experience the unparalleled joy of contributing to the conservation of the Galapagos tortoises, while staying in the beautiful paradise of Isabela Island. While volunteering you will make a difference by helping care for this iconic species. During your down time, you can enjoy hikes through the jungle (where you may even see a wild tortoise!), sip drinks at sunset on the beach, swim with penguins or take a snorkelling tour to see sea turtles, tropical fish, small sharks and rays! Wherever you look, you will be amazed by the wildlife of the Galapagos and the hospitality of the small seaside town.

Dates and Details

We currently only take on volunteers during volunteer nesting seasons which is January to May.

Fundraising

Are you thinking of fundraising for a portion, or all your fees? Many of our clients have been very successful with their fundraising efforts. To learn more about their successful fundraising projects and see how you can fund raise for your experience, please visit our fundraising page!