The NGO now has three sea turtle sanctuaries in Bali! The first two are located in Nusa Penida, a 45-minute speedboat ride from Bali. The sanctuary housed no less than 580 sea turtles at the beginning of 2025. The third sanctuary, under construction since June 2024, has expanded and now shelters about a hundred turtles, with its first successful sea releases!
You will work alongside a local team and help protect Indonesia’s endangered sea turtles. Your role will involve rehabilitating, preserving, and increasing the turtle population by working at our turtle conservation center, which welcomes numerous volunteers as part of sustainable tourism. While the primary focus is conservation and rehabilitation, research is also conducted, workshops are organized, and more. This project aims to protect the animals, meaning it is not a tourist activity and is not open to the public. The animals’ well-being is the highest priority.
Your main tasks will include feeding the turtles, protecting nests, cleaning the tanks, collecting waste on the beach, and even releasing baby turtles back into the sea once they are active and/or treated. Depending on the time of year, as turtles do not nest year-round, you may identify turtle species, collect eggs, monitor nests, or safely guide hatchlings into the sea.
You should be prepared for a more basic standard of living on the island, with only a few shops and activities available!
The “Family” projects are suitable for children from 4 years old. Our advisors will provide personalized recommendations based on your children’s ages, the destination, and the type of mission.
Sunday
Arrival of new participants. After lunch, you will receive an orientation briefing on the beach to familiarize yourself with this exciting new environment. You will also learn more about Nusa Penida and practical locations on the island (supermarket, ATMs, etc.).
Monday to Friday
On Monday, after breakfast, you will attend a presentation on the turtle conservation project and a project briefing to help you understand your role and weekly tasks (rotating in groups of three).
Afterward, you will start participating in activities, about 5 hours a day (10-12 in the morning and 2-4 in the afternoon).
In the evenings, you can join activities with other volunteers, such as campfires or visits to breathtaking beaches with stunning views.
Arrival evey sunday
Duration during the week | Budget total mission |
|---|---|
2 weeks | 1190 € |
3 weeks | 1550 € |
4 weeks | 1950 € |
5 weeks | 2400 € |
6 weeks | 2750 € |
8 weeks | 3650 € |
10 weeks | 4500 € |
12 weeks | 5400 € |
A supplement of €200 applies to participants aged under 18. For more information, meet on the youth area.
The volunteer houses are located in the village of Pejeng Kaja. Students are accommodated in shared rooms with 4 to 8 people. The house is fully equipped: Wi-Fi in common areas, fans, air conditioning, hot water showers, and secure lockers. Local laundries and small shops are located nearby (about 5-10 minutes on foot), and the house is approximately 15 to 30 minutes by car from the center of Ubud.
Meals
Meals are prepared on-site by the team three times a day. Only local food is served. Indonesian cuisine is tasty and very diverse. Typical dishes include Mie Goreng (fried noodles and vegetables), Nasi Goreng (fried rice and vegetables), or Gado Gado (mixed vegetables with satay sauce).
For those who do not eat meat, Indonesian cuisine uses a lot of tofu and tempeh (soybean). Breakfast includes pancakes, fresh fruit, toast, etc. Tea, coffee, and purified water are available at the house. We do not recommend drinking tap water.
You will find restaurants, supermarkets, and ATMs within a 5-10 minute walk from the accommodation, and the project can help volunteers find a taxi to explore the island or enjoy activities like snorkeling, diving, or island tours. Volunteers are well-supported, and everything is set up so that they do not need to rely on transport to go to work.
Family Volunteering
The turtle protection program in Nusa Penida can accommodate families with children. The schedule and assigned tasks are the same as for other volunteers.
In the pricing tab, you will find a two-week rate for a family of 2 adults and 2 children under 12 as an example. We invite you to contact us directly at info@freepackers.com for any personalized quote requests.
– From 16 years old or minors accompanied by an adult.
– Intermediate level of English (understand instructions, able to communicate).
– Copy of passport.
– Have a B211 / C6B visa
