Volunteer Abroad Greece: Sea Turtle Conser­va­tion

In order to participate in this project, you must be at least 18 years old, fit to bicycle long distances every day across hilly terrain (sometimes in high heat), and willing to share accommodation with other volunteers.

From the get-go, we will be assisting you by reserving your placement in the project, helping you to make your travel arrangements and coordinate your arrival, helping you with travel insurance, supplying you with a packing list, and offering regular support before, during and after your time abroad. Transportation is included from the Kefalonia airport or from the Argostoli bus station to the project site, but you must cover the costs involved in arriving at these meeting points.

Every volunteer project with Natucate requires travel insurance, but we can help you with this. It is important that you are fit and healthy, but certain medical conditions would not necessarily prohibit you from participating. We ask that you let us know what pertinent medical conditions you have so that we and our project partners can make sure to respect and support your needs.

You will receive a detailed packing list before departure, but there is no special equipment you need, just sensible clothing and footwear for days and nights working on the beach, plus the basic travel essentials. It is strongly recommended that you bring a red light and dark, warm clothing for the night shifts.

Projects run for two weeks at a time. However, you are welcome to do two projects in a row (to total four weeks)—a chance to experience working at both sites if you’d like. Staying for longer than four weeks depends on project availability, but may be possible.

Great question! Turtle conservation work is all about time. The project in Argostoli is open from April to October, so here volunteers will work with the sea turtles at various life stages from mating (April - mid-May) to nesting (mid-May – late July) to hatching (late July – late October). The work activities vary from season to season to optimally support and protect the sea turtles in relation to the specific reproductive stage. The project in Lixouri runs from June to October and will focus primarily on activities related to nesting and hatching turtles.

You will either fly into Kefalonia International Airport or Athens International airport. Volunteers must arrange and pay for their own airfare. If you fly to Athens, you will take an airport bus to the main bus station, and a second 6-7 hour-long bus ride to Argostoli. From there, you will be picked up by a staff member and driven to your project site. If you arrive at the Kefalonia airport, you will be picked up directly by a staff member and taken to the project site. We will help you along the way to make sure you coordinate your travels to arrive punctually at the meeting point.

The Lixouri project site is located in the centre of a small and charming harbour town. You will have direct access to all amenities including a grocery store, ATM, cafes, and restaurants. You are within walking distance from the ferry port and can reach Argostoli centre in 30 minutes by boat (€3 each way). Although both project sites use a bicycle as the main form of transportation, in Lixouri, you can expect to cover more distance (about 8km to the nesting beaches). The Lixouri site operates during the nesting and hatching season (mid-May until mid-September) and carries out night shifts from May to July to observe and tag nesting adult turtles. Since the accommodation is located in town, the volunteers do not have a connected green space to spend their free time. However, two large communal kitchens and communal bathrooms make for more spacious sleeping arrangements for the volunteers, as these facilities are not located directly in the bedrooms like in Argostoli.

Although Argostoli is a much larger town than Lixouri, the Argostoli project site is located in a rural area near the airport. The location is optimal for volunteers since they are within close biking distance of the nesting beaches (1-5km away). Volunteers can still reach Argostoli center (about 7km away) but will generally need a taxi to do so during free time. Argostoli operates for a longer period, covering the mating season to hatching season, and is open from April through October. Night surveys only occur in Argostoli during the hatching season (mid-August-October) and serve as a "hatchling rescue" shift. The accommodation consists of several small apartment-like rooms with a private bathroom and kitchenette for every 4-8 volunteers. There is a large common area on the upstairs patio and a large yard with hammocks for volunteers to spend their free time.

Both project sites have harbour shifts as well, and for the Argostoli volunteers, this is a good opportunity to make use of the amenities in town when needed.

On arrival day, you will be given a 45-minute-long welcome orientation where project staff will explain their mission and methodology and how teams and work shifts will be assigned for the week ahead.

Every week you have five to six project days, and depending on that, one or two days off. Each workday is scheduled differently to involve a variety of tasks and trainings. Your schedule (rota) will be posted before the start of each week. You will have several breaks throughout the day.

Working hours can vary and you might have long days. However, there are standard shift times that typically run mornings (05:00-12:30), late afternoons (16:00-20:00) or throughout the night (21:00-06:00). You are usually scheduled for 1-2 of these slots during your working days. Through the hot summer months, work generally takes a break from 13:00-16:00, giving volunteers a chance to take a dip in the sea, relax and re-charge.

Your main activities include biking most mornings to the beach at sunrise to look for fresh turtle tracks and marks and protect any new nests. Volunteers will continue to monitor nests and be vigilant to any possible threat. After hatching, volunteers study the nests to draw conclusions on reproductive success.

In Lixouri, you can expect your group to be around 22 volunteers and 4 team leaders. In Argostoli, there will be approximately 34 volunteers and 6 team leaders.

Both project accommodations are rented apartments with shared sleeping quarters. You will sleep on a bunk bed in a room of four volunteers and share a bathroom and shower as well. A kitchenette is available in or near the bedroom for volunteers to cook their food, and there is a large patio and balcony for group gatherings and meals.

There is no AC, but there are ceiling fans in each room and volunteers have reported that the area is cool enough at night that it is comfortable to sleep.

You must buy and prepare your food independently, although many volunteers choose to cut costs by sharing food and cooking responsibilities with a group. If you are working at the Argostoli field station, we will help you order your first supply of groceries to be waiting for you in the apartment upon arrival. If you are in Lixouri, you will have access to a supermarket within a short walking distance of the apartment.

Each dorm-room is equipped with a kitchenette, including a mini-fridge and the basics necessary to prepare your meals (small oven, hot plates and cooking utensils).

Since you will be buying and preparing your own meals, volunteers with all dietary restrictions are welcome.

You will be working with a team of international researchers and volunteers. Therefore, English is the primary language spoken on site.

Each day you will have a significant block of free time. In the hottest summer months, this is generally from 13:00-16:00. Additionally, your two free days per week.

The island is yours to explore! Take a dip in the sea, explore the nearby towns, check out some local music and indulge in the local cuisine! The ferry between Argostoli and Lixouri runs every 30 minutes and takes 25 minutes. You are welcome to explore all around.

You will have multiple contacts on site. Team leaders are always present and available.

You can account for 40 - 60 euros per week in grocery costs, and more if you plan to dine out. Extra activities are important to budget in if you would like to explore a bit in your free time. Laundry costs 3 euro per load. At both sites, there are ATM’s just a short walk away.

There is limited WiFi available in communal areas at the volunteer accommodation, so it is recommended that you have a SIM card that functions in Greece or buy one at the airport to stay in contact with friends and family at home.

The days can be very hot in the summer, but the nights can be quite chilly. It is recommended to bring light clothes for working during the day, and some warmer layers for the evening.

As all volunteers are at least 18, alcohol is allowed except during shifts. Smoking is prohibited in the accommodation.

Before departure, you must provide us with an emergency contact to be consulted in the event of an emergency. The staff on site will take care of you appropriately for the situation.