Family-Friendly Sea Turtle Rescue Volunteering in Bali - Videos

Take part in a family-friendly edition of one of GoEco’s best sea turtle conservation programs! Help a dedicated team on the isle of Nusa Penida, off the coast of Bali, to care for injured sea turtles until they are ready to be released into the sea again! This program welcomes families with children five years of age and older.

Program Highlights:

Work closely with injured sea turtles and release rehabilitated turtles back into the sea
Contribute to a vulnerable species with important volunteer tasks
Enjoy the turquoise beaches while living on the tropical island of Nusa Penida
Ethical wildlife volunteer tasks and interactions
One of GoEco’s top 10 choices for family volunteering abroad
During your application interview, we will assist build your family volunteer trip.

Your Schedule at a Glance (minimum 8-day commitment):

Day 1, Sunday: Arrive at Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS). The local team will pick you up and transfer you to the hotel accommodation on Nusa Penida Island. Following lunch, volunteers will receive an introduction to the area.
Day 2, Monday: Following breakfast, you will receive an introduction to the program and volunteer at the turtle sanctuary. Volunteers will watch a documentary on sea turtles in the evening.
Day 3, Tuesday: Rewarding volunteer work at the turtle sanctuary.
Day 4, Wednesday: Volunteer work at the turtle sanctuary and beach sports in the evening.
Day 5, Thursday: Volunteer work at the turtle sanctuary in the morning. Afternoon excursion to the beautiful Crystal Bay, followed by a farewell dinner and a bonfire at the beach.
Day 6, Friday: Volunteer work at the turtle sanctuary. Volunteers usually help release sea turtle hatchlings on a Friday.
Day 7, Saturday: On this day, families on the program will enjoy an excursion, including visits to Kelinking View Point, Broken Beach and Angel Billabong.
Day 8, Sunday: Departure day.

*This schedule is subject to change.

Remaining Weeks: Those signing up for more than one week, the schedule from the second week onward includes volunteering work Monday to Friday, with weekends free to explore the surrounding area.

Location of the Project: Bali, Indonesia

Project length: Minimum 1 week

Arrival Airport: Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS)

Volunteer Work: Sea turtle conservation and environmental education

Age: This program welcomes families with children aged five and older

Number of Volunteers: Up to 30 International volunteers and this can increase in high season

Important Note: Families can travel on a tourist visa to Indonesia

What’s Included

Accommodations: Comfortable private rooms to fit your family dynamics and preferences.

Food: The program provides three meals per day during the week, two meals on weekends

Airport Transfers: Included on both arrival and departure days.

Support: Comprehensive and professional pre-departure travel guidance, 24/7 GoEco emergency hotline, experienced local field team

What’s not Included

Flights
Travel health insurance
Lunches on weekends
Personal expenses

Location

This project is based on a beautiful island just off the Indonesian island of Bali, called Nusa Penida. Nusa Penida is a quiet and relaxed island where divers and bird lovers alike can enjoy a day on secluded,white sand beaches along the north and northwest coasts. The surrounding limestone caves and high coastal cliffs make for scenic views in every direction. Hindu temples and cultural sites pepper the landscape and offer exciting views into the local history.

Volunteer Work

Daily Tasks
Daily tasks will include cleaning the tanks, scrubbing turtles, preparing food and feeding the turtles, collecting crabs, cleaning the beach and village area, making conservation awareness signs, making turtle toys and monitoring the progress of the turtles currently in the center.

Nesting season (May-October)
Besides the regular tasks, volunteers will collect turtle eggs brought to the center by anglers who have rescued them from being eaten or taken as pets illegally.

Hatching Season (45-75 days after nesting)
Besides the regular tasks, volunteers will feed and treat the hatchlings until they are strong (8-12 months). They schedule releases for those hatchlings each Friday.

Please Note: Depending on the age and abilities of the kids, the local project coordinator and hatchery staff will assign tasks accordingly. Volunteer activities and schedules can change based on the needs of the project.

Example of a 1-Week Family Volunteer Itinerary

Meals: B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner

1 Week Family Tour	Meals	Morning	Afternoon	Evening
Day 1: Sunday	Dinner only	Arrival	Arrive at Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) transferred to the hotel accommodation on Nusa Penida Island and introduction to the area.	Settle at the accommodation
Day 2: Monday	B/L/D	Introduction to the program and volunteers at the turtle sanctuary.	introduction to the program and volunteers at the turtle sanctuary.	Volunteers will watch a documentary on sea turtles in the evening.
Day 3: Tuesday	B/L/D	Volunteer work at the turtle sanctuary.	volunteer work at the turtle sanctuary.	Free time
Day 4: Wednesday	B/L/D	Volunteer work at the turtle sanctuary	volunteer work at the turtle sanctuary.	beach sports in the evening.
Day 5: Thursday	B/L/D	Volunteer work at the turtle sanctuary	visit the beautiful Crystal Bay on a relaxing excursion	Farewell dinner and bonfire at the beach
Day 6: Friday	B/L/D	Volunteer work at the turtle sanctuary.	Releases are scheduled for hatchings each Friday.	Free time
Day 7: Saturday	B/L/D	Enjoy an exclusive excursion, including visits to Kelinking View Point, Broken Beach and Angel Billabong.	enjoy an exclusive excursion, including visits to Kelinking View Point, Broken Beach and Angel Billabong.	Feedback session
Day 8: Sunday	Breakfast Only	Departure

Please note that the schedule is flexible and may be subject to change. Your family is also welcome to just play with the children and take part in fun cultural exchanges.

Holidays: While the project remains open throughout the year, activities and volunteer schedules may vary on the holidays. The educational awareness classes, where volunteers conduct outreach to local schools, do not take place during school holidays. For specific dates, please consult with our placement coordinators.

Living Arrangements

Internet icon Internet: Free Wi-Fi is available.

Laundry icon Laundry: There is a laundry service available nearby, for an additional fee.

Accommodations icon Accommodations: Sea turtle volunteers stay at a simple yet comfortable resort on Nusa Penida. Standard rooms come with bunk beds and shared bathrooms. Families, included in their program fee, receive a private room. Various accommodation options are available for families based on availability and the age breakdown of family members. Families with young kids are provided with a spacious private double/triple en-suite room featuring AC/fan. Larger families (4+) are accommodated with two rooms. The property offers amenities such as a garden, communal living area, and a swimming pool.

Food icon Food: At the volunteer center, we primarily offer a mix of Western and Indonesia cuisine, focusing on vegetarian dishes like rice and vegetables. We also provide safe, filtered drinking water. While vegetarian meals are very common and can easily be accommodated. You also have the option of using the kitchen facilities to cook for yourself or dine at local restaurants. Your family will receive three meals a day, with brunch and dinner provided during weekends, unless otherwise stated in your pre-departure information pack. We understand children can sometimes be picky eaters, and we will do our best to accommodate their preferences. During your application, please inform us of any allergies or dietary requirements you or your children may have. This way, our team leaders and coordinators can make the preparations and special arrangements for you.

Requirements

Good level of English
Police clearance
Genuine interest in turtles and conservation education
Good level of physical fitness
Flexible and open-minded
Children must be at least five years old
All participants must bring along with them 4-5 COVID-19 self-test kits (average 1 per week) to cover their stay.

Travel Highlights

There is plenty to do on Nusa Penida, but there are also some great places to visit outside the island. Just 45 minutes on a speed boat will get you to the mainland of Bali, where you can immerse yourself in the local culture and historical and archeological sites. You can also spend your time surfing, diving or exploring the lush rice terraces and volcanic hillsides. Bali has something to offer every visitor. Divers can also visit Sanur, an east coast town, where you can dine in amazing restaurants and biking through the lovely scenery.

Culture Week (Highly Recommended):
This week-long introduction is a perfect opportunity to meet fellow volunteers and surround yourself with the local Bali community! Before you begin your volunteer project on Nusa Penida, you will enjoy an exciting orientation in Penestanan Kaja village (just five minutes from Ubud center) that will provide an introduction of Bali culture, such as a walking tour of the local markets, attending a Balinese traditional dance show, taking Balinese language classes, taking part in painting and flower classes, and visiting famous temples. The orientation runs from Monday through Friday, giving you the weekend to relax or explore the area on your own before you start work on your project.

Program Add-Ons:
Consider joining one or more of these special programs to add another dimension to your experience in Bali:

Yoga and Mind Week: Learn about yoga and meditation practices to improve your health and well-being.
Bali Adventure: Enjoy an adventure-filled week of trekking up volcanoes, cycling through town and enjoying a relaxing massage at the end of the week.

Please note that there is an additional fee for these programs. Prices are available upon request.