Join Abroad Escape in Bali!

Help safeguard the future of loggerhead sea turtles by getting involved in marine turtle conservation. This involves protecting nesting habitats with hatcheries, caring for injured turtles, keeping their beaches clean from pollution, and collecting data to understand their behaviors and environments better. Every action you take helps ensure these incredible creatures and their homes thrive for years to come.

With us you can combine this project with any of our other projects in Bali, you have the power to create your own tailor-made volunteer program that aligns with your passions and interests. You have the flexibility to start any Monday.

Location: Ubud, Lovina & Nusa Penida, Bali
Start Dates: Start every Monday

Our turtle project in Nusa Penida. You can even combine our 3 locations since Bali! (transport between the different locations is not included)

Turtle Conservation in Nusa Penida

Get involved in the Turtle Conservation project on the stunning island of Nusa Penida! Team up with locals to help protect endangered sea turtles in Indonesia. You’ll be hands-on at the conservation center, contributing to preserving the turtle population. Depending on the season, you might identify turtle species, collect eggs, monitor nests, or even guide baby turtles as they make their way to the ocean. It’s your chance to make a real difference for these amazing creatures!

Indonesia plays a huge role in sea turtle conservation, with its coastline being home to a variety of turtle species like the Olive Ridley, Green Sea Turtle, Hawksbill, Loggerhead, and Leatherback. Beaches in spots like Bali, Java, and Sumatra are key nesting grounds where female turtles come to lay eggs. Conservation efforts focus on protecting these nesting sites from pollution, coastal development, and illegal poaching.

Sea turtles face big challenges, from habitat destruction to accidental capture in fishing gear. Climate change is also a threat, since it can mess with the temperatures that determine the gender of hatchlings, affecting the future balance of turtle populations. Known for their incredible ability to navigate oceans using Earth’s magnetic field, sea turtles are adapted for life in the water, with streamlined bodies and flippers. These marine creatures feed on jellyfish and seagrass but face constant threats, both from natural predators and human activities.

Sea turtles are facing extinction due to both natural and human-related threats. Major issues include:

– Habitat Destruction: Coastal development and pollution damage nesting sites and feeding areas.
– Illegal Trade: Turtles and their eggs are often poached for meat, shells, or the pet trade.
– Fishing Gear: Turtles get caught in fishing nets and longlines, which can lead to injuries or death.
– Climate Change: Rising temperatures affect nesting sites and can mess with the sex ratio of hatchlings.

Why Should We Care About Sea Turtle Conservation?

1. Ecosystem Health: Sea turtles help keep marine ecosystems in balance. They control jellyfish populations and maintain healthy seagrass beds and coral reefs, which are vital for other marine life.

2. Tourism: Turtles are a major draw for eco-tourism, with tourists flocking to witness nesting or participate in turtle-watching. This tourism can bring income to local communities and fund conservation efforts.

3. Ocean Health: The wellbeing of sea turtles reflects the health of marine environments. If turtles are struggling due to pollution or climate change, it’s a sign that the ocean is in trouble too.

4. Beach Health: By digging nests, sea turtles help aerate sand, which promotes plant growth and reduces erosion. Protecting their nesting sites also benefits many other species that depend on coastal habitats.

5. Scientific Research: Studying sea turtles helps us learn more about marine biology and the impacts of climate change. Conservation programs also educate people about why turtles matter.

6. Global Connection: Turtles travel thousands of miles, connecting different ecosystems. Protecting them in one region can benefit turtle populations around the world.

7. Climate Change Resilience: Turtles are vulnerable to climate change, and protecting them is part of a larger effort to build resilience in marine ecosystems.

Saving sea turtles is not just about protecting a single species; it’s about ensuring the health of our oceans, supporting local economies, and maintaining biodiversity on a global scale.

Our Turtle Conservation project, based on the beautiful island of Nusa Penida just a 45-minute boat ride from Bali, has been protecting endangered sea turtles since 2013. As a volunteer, you’ll team up with locals to work at the turtle conservation center, contributing to efforts like identifying species, collecting eggs, monitoring nests, and helping hatchlings safely reach the ocean, depending on the season.

The project aims to safeguard sea turtles, particularly loggerheads, by providing hatcheries, treating injured turtles, cleaning up polluted beaches, and collecting data to better understand their habitats. Turtles play a vital role in keeping seagrass beds and coral reefs healthy, which are crucial for many marine species.

The project’s success is tied to local community involvement, helping reduce poaching and empowering residents to protect these incredible animals. While Nusa Penida offers a simpler way of life with fewer amenities, the island’s stunning beaches are at your doorstep. Plus, after working hard to save turtles, you’ll have plenty of time to unwind and enjoy fun activities with fellow volunteers!

Schedule

Monday
After having breakfast, you will see a presentation about the Turtle Conservation project and also receive a project briefing which will help you to understand the dos and don’ts of the project. After that you will engage in the typical activities you are supposed to do throughout the week such as feeding the turtles, cleaning the tanks, catching live food for turtles, and also cleaning the beach. In the evening, you will then see a documentary about Turtles which will help you to widen your knowledge about these amazing creatures.

Tuesday
After having breakfast on Tuesday, you will start cleaning the tanks, feeding the turtles, and collecting seaweed and live food for turtles. In addition, you will also create turtle toys, clean the beach and provide medicine for injured turtles if there are any.

Wednesday
After having breakfast on Wednesday, you will start cleaning the tanks, feeding the turtles, and collecting seaweed and live food for turtles. In addition, you will also create turtle toys and provide medicine for injured turtles if there are any.

In the evening, you will then engage in some sports activities at the beach where you will play either volleyball, badminton, or football.

Thursday
On Thursday, you will have breakfast and start cleaning tanks, feeding the turtles, and collecting seaweed. you will also create turtle toys and provide medicine for injured turtles if there are any.

Thursday night will be a special one for you to enjoy the welcome and farewell dinner by a Bonfire at the beach. This would be a great opportunity to get to know the newcomers and say goodbye to those who are leaving.

Friday
On Friday, after having breakfast, you will feed the turtles and get an amazing opportunity to release turtles into the sea. But please do understand that this opportunity is only if you are leaving the program this week. If you continue another week at the project, you will engage in regular activities at the turtle conservation centre. For those who are leaving the program, there would also be a feedback session regarding the program. After having lunch, you all can engage in activities such as feeding the turtles, cleaning tanks, and measuring the turtle growth.

Other activities you would engage in include cleaning the beach, making garbage bins for the local area, creating a Turtles/Environment campaign for the local area, releasing injured turtles after treatment and cleaning the beach, and turtles site construction work: such as extra turtle tank or wall, painting the walls etc and collecting turtle information such as length of carapace, size of flippers, checking its weight etc.

Please note that the schedule is subject to change depending on weather conditions, local circumstances, and unforeseen events.