Volunteer Abroad with Turtles: Save the Turtles

Devote yourself to animal welfare in Europe, Africa and Central America as a volunteer and support research and the protection of endangered sea turtles as part of an international team of volunteers! Get involved in wildlife conservation and support conservation efforts to save endangered sea turtles.

Whether working in turtle rescue centres, monitoring nesting beaches or protecting sensitive marine habitats, volunteering to help endangered turtles offers nature lovers the opportunity to make a direct contribution to species conservation.

With Natucate, you can turn this desire into reality and actively help to protect endangered sea turtles and preserve their habitats.

Plan your journey in turtle conservation and contact us!

Volunteering with sea turtles

By taking part in our sea turtle conservation projects in Africa, Europe and Central America, you make a valuable contribution to the research, protection and long-term survival of endangered marine turtles. Our projects include, for example:

• Sea turtle conservation in Costa Rica
• Sea turtle protection in Greece
• Species conservation in the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
• Island Conservation work on North Island, Seychelles

As a volunteer, you will patrol designated stretches of beach alongside fellow volunteers from around the world. Your aim is to locate sea turtle nests, monitor them, and help ensure that newly hatched turtles reach the ocean safely.

To support the development of artificial nesting sites and turtle rescue centres in suitable locations, you will also be involved in recording data related to the nests. Beach clean-ups and various habitat restoration activities are further key responsibilities during your volunteering placement in Africa and Latin America – all of which contribute to the recovery and preservation of the turtles’ natural environment.

Plan your adventure in turtle conservation now and contact us!

Uniqueness of sea turtles

Sea turtles are distributed all over the world’s tropical and subtropical waters, deep in the ocean or in coastal areas. During nesting season, they return to the beach where they were born to lay their eggs – to do so, they often cover an incredible distance, swimming thousands of miles across the ocean. There are numerous obstacles for hatchlings, weighing only 20 grams, that only about one in 1000 survives to adulthood.

As some of the oldest vertebrates on earth, turtles – both on land and in the ocean – live on earth for around 200 million years. They can adapt to shifting circumstances and were able to defy all kinds of challenges in the course of earth history.

Why its relevant to save sea turtles

But the era of humans weighs heavy on these fascinating creatures which have been tough enough to survive dinosaurs. Climate change, environmental pollution, habitat loss and poaching have driven them to the brink of extinction. More than 60% of all turtle species are considered as critically endangered.

Particularly when they return to the beach to lay their eggs, the animals and their nests face severe threats. During nesting season, it is quite easy for poachers to kill the adult turtles for their meat or carapaces and to steal and sell the eggs which are considered a gourmet food in many places. But also habitat destruction due to the construction of hotels or other economic projects as well as (plastic) pollution of oceans and beaches play their part in the shrinking of turtle populations.

Sea turtle rescue: Not only for the sake of the turtles themselves but also because of their important role in healthy ecosystems, extensive conservation measures for these wonderful animals are indispensable. Helping turtles, either as part of a sea turtle volunteer vacation or as an entire gap year in Costa Rica or the Seychelles – as part of a sea turtle sanctuary / hatchery or monitoring program: Natucate gives you the chance to join fascinating conservation volunteer programs and to become active as a sea turtle volunteer. Learn more about our sea turtle rescue programs.

FAQ – Volunteering with Sea Turtles

1. What does volunteering with sea turtles involve?

Volunteering with sea turtles involves working on conservation projects dedicated to the research, monitoring, and protection of endangered turtle populations. Volunteers patrol beaches, document nests, assist at turtle rescue centres, and help hatchlings reach the sea safely. Throughout the project, volunteers work closely with conservation organisations, researchers, and international teams.

2. Why is protecting sea turtles so important?

More than 60% of turtle species are currently classified as threatened. Major threats include climate change, pollution, habitat loss, poaching, and coastal development in nesting areas. Sea turtles play a key role in marine ecosystems: they maintain healthy seagrass beds, stabilise food webs, and influence the quality of coastal habitats. Protecting them is therefore essential for preserving marine biodiversity.

3. In which countries can I volunteer with sea turtles?

Natucate offers turtle conservation projects across Africa, Central America, and various islands. Popular destinations include Costa Rica, the Seychelles, the Galápagos Islands, and Greece. While tasks, ecosystems, and turtle species vary by location, all projects focus on the active protection of endangered sea turtles.

4. What tasks do volunteers carry out?

Typical responsibilities include:

• Beach and night patrols to locate nests
• Monitoring and protecting turtle eggs
• Assisting hatchlings to reach the ocean safely
• Collecting data for research and artificial nesting sites
• Supporting turtle rescue centres
• Beach and coastal clean-ups
• Habitat restoration activities
  These tasks provide valuable hands-on experience in wildlife conservation, species monitoring, and practical environmental protection.

5. What qualifications or skills are needed to volunteer with sea turtles?

You don't need any special prior experience. Motivation, reliability, and an interest in species and marine conservation are most important. Some activities, such as night-time beach patrols, can be physically demanding, so a basic level of fitness is beneficial. On arrival, all volunteers receive thorough training and guidance from experienced conservationists.

6. How does volunteering help save sea turtles?

Your involvement directly contributes to the survival of individual turtles and entire populations. By monitoring nests, caring for hatchlings, removing litter, and recording biological data, you protect turtles during critical stages of their life cycle. At the same time, you provide valuable information to support long-term conservation strategies and improve artificial nesting programmes.