Volun­teering Ecuador: Species Conser­va­tion on the Galapagos Islands

Our programme offers a variety of services included in the price to ensure you have an unforgettable experience. These include placement on the programme, assistance with travel planning, travel insurance, and flight bookings. Before departure, you will receive a certificate of risk cover and a comprehensive information pack. Lunch and dinner are included in the price, served at your choice of participating local restaurants. Your accommodation includes a private en-suite room with AC and access to a fully equipped kitchen.

In addition, you will receive a thorough introduction and education about turtles, tortoises, and conservation measures during the programme. Our highly experienced staff is available around the clock to provide English and Spanish-speaking assistance to ensure you are supported throughout the programme. The Galapagos visa and ferry ticket to and from Isabela Island are also included in the project price.

We're seeking dedicated volunteers with a passion for species conservation. Ideal candidates will demonstrate a strong sense of responsibility, adhere to all animal welfare protocols, and effectively communicate these principles to fellow visitors. The ability to independently gather and document data is crucial, along with the flexibility to adapt to various tasks and conditions throughout the day.
Given the nature of the work, a basic level of physical fitness is essential, as beach patrols covering up to 8 kilometres will be a regular part of your shift as a sea turtle conservation volunteer.

Since those working at the tortoise breeding centre may encounter wasps when handling the tortoise’s food, it is recommended that those allergic to wasps choose the sea-turtle conservation project instead. Proficiency in Spanish is not required but considered to be highly advantageous for effective collaboration with local institutions. For those interested, we offer assistance in improving Spanish proficiency through either online or in-person courses in Quito.

Yes, every Natucate participant must take out suitable international health insurance for the duration of their programme.

In addition, it may be necessary to make certain medical arrangements before travelling. As Natucate cannot give professional medical advice, we strongly advise you to consult your GP about any vaccinations, medication, or other health measures you should consider. You can also find detailed information on health and safety on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

As a volunteer, it is important to bring some essential items:

• Important documents such as passport and copy, flight ticket and copy, credit/debit cards, proof of travel medical insurance and proof of vaccinations.).
• Any necessary medication.
• We also recommend a rain jacket, long-sleeved, light cotton clothing, trainers, and light hiking boots for hiking and exploring in your free time. If you are working at the tortoise breeding centre, you’ll need to bring clothes that you are fine with getting dirty!
• Warmer clothing for May through December
• A flashlight with a red light is necessary for sea-turtle conservation volunteers.

We will send you a detailed packing list after booking.

Volunteers can join the project for four to twelve weeks. If you would like to combine both projects, you will spend a minimum of two weeks at each one.

All participants must be 18 years of age or older.

Before your arrival, you will sign a behaviour agreement form. This is to ensure that all volunteers remain respectful and professional while representing the conservation team on Isabela Island. Volunteers must abstain from drug use of any kind, from public intoxication, and from any type of lewd or excessively loud behaviour. It is important to maintain cultural sensitivity and to always observe local norms and laws.

You organise your trip to the Galapagos yourself, but we are happy to help you with the planning. You fly to either Quito or Guayaquil and continue your journey from there with a domestic flight to Baltra / Seymour Airport (GPS). There, you take a short bus ride to the canal, where you take a ferry to Santa Cruz. From there, you will take an approximately one-hour journey to Puerto Ayora. Then, you take the ferry to the Isabela Island and reach the ferry harbour in Puerto Villamil. This is where your project begins, which always starts on Monday.

Once you arrive in Puerto Villamil by water taxi from your ferry (generally around 5:30 pm), you will quickly pass through bio security and meet with project staff, waiting for you with a taxi. You will take a short drive (3 minutes) to the volunteer house, and they will explain to you along the way where you can find everything you need in town. You will have a chance to settle into your accommodation, unpack, and then meet the staff and other new volunteers at a restaurant for dinner.

The next morning, you will have an induction session to learn all about the organization and work done on the island, and then you will be paired with your project coordinator. Your coordinator will introduce you to your project work, explain the tools used, and you will get started soon after with the project tasks!

There are up to six volunteers at the tortoise project and up to eight volunteers at the sea turtle project.

During your stay on Isabela Island, you will be accommodated in the volunteer house with other volunteers. Here you will have your own room with a private bathroom, equipped with air conditioning, hot water, and drinking water. Sheets and towels are provided, and the rooms are cleaned weekly. A washer and dryer are also available for the volunteer’s use, free of charge. Most of the accommodations also have a veranda to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. You can prepare your breakfast and snacks in the fully equipped kitchen.

Yes, of course! Please be sure to let us know directly when you make your booking who you would like to be accommodated with.

You prepare your own breakfast at the volunteer accommodation. You will be served lunch and dinner in one of the various local restaurants; your bill will be paid later by the project team and is therefore included in the price. It is important to note that since the Galapagos are in such a geographically isolated location, almost all food must be imported from the mainland. A ship carrying food comes to Isabela Island every 2 weeks, so you will notice that selection in restaurants and supermarkets may dip towards the end of the two weeks.

Yes, you can prepare this yourself at breakfast, and every restaurant offers vegetarian options for your lunch and dinner.

There are always staff on site who speak English, and most of the volunteers also communicate with each other in English. Nevertheless, Spanish is more than helpful, and the project assignment offers a great opportunity to expand your language skills. The team on-site at the breeding centre and the park rangers speak limited English, so a basic knowledge of Spanish is recommended.

The Galapagos Islands are home to a variety of unique animal species, including the famous giant tortoises, sea lions, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, Galapagos penguins, red-footed penguins and many more. However, the work as a volunteer is mainly focused on the protection and care of the Galapagos Giant Tortoises and Green Sea Turtles, which play a key role in the islands' ecosystem.

Puerto Villamil is a very small beach town where just about everything can be reached by foot. Volunteers in the sea turtle conservation project will walk about 15 minutes from the volunteer house to the beach, whereas volunteers at the tortoise breeding centre will walk 20-30 minutes each work day to get to the centre. Volunteers have the option to rent a bike, but this can get expensive.

There are a host of incredible options to explore the islands during your free days: Many volunteers take advantage of offers for surf lessons, while others opt for a kayaking trip around the bay, or head to Las Tintoreras for world-class snorkelling and watching nesting iguanas. You can rent a bike and travel along the coastline, stopping at intermittent lagoons, beaches, and mangroves.

A volunteer favourite is the day excursion to Los Tuneles: taking a boat ride to an exclusive snorkelling spot where you can observe the formation of lava tunnels as they hit the water and even observe the mating dance of the blue-footed booby if you’re lucky! Hiking the Sierra Nevada Volcano is another beloved full-day excursion, where you will hike past lava fields and through fertile, lush vegetation up to the volcano’s impressive crater.

Yes, you will have regular contact with your team and the local staff, who will be your contacts on site. The project office is located just 100 meters from the volunteer house, and you will be in a WhatsApp group with all volunteers and staff to facilitate quick communication. You can also get in touch with the Natucate team at any time.

Additional costs include breakfast, expenses for snacks, leisure activities, and excursions. You will also have to pay a $20 USD fee for your Tourist Transit Card upon arrival in the Galapagos Islands. On Isabela, there are two ATMs, but they are frequently out of service. It's advisable to bring an ample amount of cash, particularly in smaller denominations, as only a limited number of shops and restaurants accept card payments. For those interested in joining tours and planned excursions, allocating approximately $600-700 for the initial two weeks of your stay is recommended. Around $200 USD per additional week should suffice to cover additional activities, snacks, souvenirs, or evening beverages.

There is WiFi available in the volunteer house and project office. However, if you would like to purchase a SIM card, you will need to do that on mainland Ecuador, as only residents can purchase them on the Galapagos. Claro is the recommended provider. Otherwise, you can arrange an international phone plan with your current cell provider.

The Galapagos Islands have a subtropical climate with mild temperatures all year round. The months from June to November are slightly cooler and drier, while the months from December to May are warmer and wetter.

Isabela Island tends to have a drier climate compared to some of the other islands but retains the general subtropical characteristics of the Galapagos. The seasons can be similar, with cooler and drier conditions from June to November, and warmer and wetter conditions from December to May. However, local variations, such as wind patterns, temperature fluctuations, and rainfall, are possible.

All volunteers are in a WhatsApp group with the project staff so that you can easily reach project leads in the case of an emergency. If you need to go to the clinic, a staff member will accompany you by taxi. If you have a more serious health concern, you may need to return to mainland Ecuador for treatment.