The beaches of southwestern Sri Lanka have served as a sanctuary for sea turtles for several centuries and are an ideal destination for a responsible travel experience. Unfortunately, many factors have led to a sharp decline in turtle populations over recent decades. As a result, turtles have become an endangered species in this part of the world, which has contributed to the development of sustainable tourism.
To help address this threat, the Sri Lankan government has supported the opening of a number of turtle hatcheries.
The main goal of these centers is to ensure the well-being of sea turtles and increase their population through protective measures. These measures include:
The help of volunteers is essential to the sustainability of these hatcheries and to raising awareness among local communities about the importance of turtle conservation.
Our family projects are suitable for children aged 4 and over. Our advisors will provide personalized recommendations based on the age of your children, the destination, and the type of mission.
As in other parts of Asia, the survival of hatcheries depends on tourism activity: if they can generate revenue through visits, conservation activities can continue. Despite the interaction with animals, this is currently the only available option. Without these hatcheries, turtles would likely have disappeared due to intense poaching, egg consumption, and the growing number of predators.
Regulations issued by the Ministry of Fisheries allow hatcheries to keep the animals and eggs until they are ordered to be released. To protect the eggs, hatchery owners collect and keep them until they hatch. It should be noted that tourists must pay to take part in releasing the turtles into the sea. This practice raises ethical questions, although all hatcheries in Sri Lanka follow this method due to the lack of significant changes in release practices.
From Monday to Friday (weekends are free).
This may vary from time to time depending on local conditions in the field, but in general the project is structured as follows:
– For 2–3 days per week, participants work at the hatchery for around 3 hours per day. Typical tasks include cleaning the tanks and the general area, feeding and cleaning the turtles, administering medication to sick and injured turtles according to the team’s instructions, refilling the tanks with seawater to recreate their natural environment, and carrying out other specific tasks when needed.
– One day per week is dedicated in particular to beach clean-ups in the Galle area in order to preserve the local marine ecosystem. This activity is carried out with the support of the Galle municipal authorities, who manage the waste we collect.
– 1–2 days per week are dedicated to raising awareness among local communities. This work involves preparing presentations and visiting rural schools to teach children about turtles and their role in the ecosystem.
– During nesting season (November to May), night camps are organized where groups watch over the beach in the hope of seeing turtles come ashore to lay their eggs.
The conservation center is located around 1 hour by road from the volunteer house.
We encourage you to combine our dog, turtle, and environment projects in Sri Lanka. The needs are ongoing, your help is valuable, and this option allows you to diversify your missions while giving greater impact to your commitment.
In addition to your project, those who wish can choose to take part in a one-week tour to explore the very best of Sri Lanka’s beauty and diversity. From Galle to Sigiriya, via Kandy and Ella, you will discover the southern, central, and western regions of this magnificent tropical island.
Please contact us to find out the departure dates and price.
“This responsible travel experience is perfectly suited to families with young children. It is a fun and engaging way to introduce younger children to the world of eco-volunteering and sustainable projects.”
Arrivals every Saturday
Duration during the week | Budget total mission |
|---|---|
2 weeks | 1190 € |
3 weeks | 1440 € |
4 weeks | 1690 € |
5 weeks | 1940 € |
6 weeks | 2190 € |
7 weeks | 2440 € |
8 weeks | 2690 € |
9 weeks | 2940 € |
10 weeks | 3190 € |
11 weeks | 3440 € |
12 weeks | 3690 € |
A 200€ supplement applies to participants under 18 years old in order to cover the specific logistics and support required for minors, More information on this link Humanitarian Trips for Youth
You will stay in one of the two volunteer houses, located in the Unawatuna area, just a 15-minute drive from the center of Galle and a 5-minute walk from the beach.
These houses have several non-mixed rooms accommodating between 4 and 6 people, and each is equipped with bathrooms. Each house also includes an outdoor area, offering a peaceful place to relax, socialize, or simply enjoy the pleasant climate of the region. In addition, meals are included in the project.
Volunteers will be assigned depending on the availability of each house.
For couples, families, or people who prefer a single, double, or family room, additional options are available at an extra cost. For more information about rates and conditions, please contact us directly.
For days at the hatchery and for beach clean-ups (i.e. 4 to 5 days), it is recommended to wear comfortable, casual clothing (t-shirts, shorts, sandals, flip-flops, hats, sunscreen, etc.), as participants spend long periods outdoors. For the community awareness day (once a week), it is advisable to dress more formally, especially when visiting a school. It is mandatory to wear gowns (provided by the NGO) during teaching sessions in schools.
Freepackers is the exclusive partner in France for this project in Sri Lanka. We guarantee ethical projects with quality supervision, carefully selected and monitored through regular on-site visits. Donations are fully and directly reinvested in local associations, ensuring real and transparent local impact.
For all international projects, Realstep requires participants to take out travel insurance covering accidents, illness, and repatriation, as well as civil liability for professional activities abroad.
For complete protection while studying or interning abroad, you can take out Cap Student insurance online by following this link Student insurance abroad | Chapka Assurances, which will give you a 5% discount.
If you take out another insurance policy, we will ask you to send us a copy of your certificate in English.
Achieve the language level required for your international project with tailored support. The Clic-campus method Free Packers X Clic Campus foreign language training courses combines videoconference lessons and an innovative e-learning platform, offering complete flexibility from the comfort of your own home.
Of course! Whatever your academic track, you can take part.
Our 10th-grade internships abroad cover a wide range of areas that positively impact local communities. You can choose to take part in:
