Help a community-based sea turtle protection program on a tropical South Pacific Island

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Program Overview
Life on the Program
Program Details
Volunteer Testimonials

Program Overview

Take part in vital sea turtle conservation by the turquoise waters and golden sands of Vanuatu, known as the ‘happiest place on earth’. This grassroots effort to protect sea turtles is run by the inhabitants of Tasiriki Village on Moso Island. Moso Island is home to a nationally significant nesting beach and foraging grounds for Hawksbill turtles.

Whilst on the island you will live and work with the warm and friendly local community. You will be immersed into village life and have the opportunity to explore the stunning beaches, forests and snorkel the reef in your free time.

Life on the Program

The survey work takes place, from early evening to early morning, on the other side of the island, approximately one hours walk (4km) through the lush rainforest. The nesting beach is about 2.5km long so you should be prepared to walk up to 13km a day over mixed and uneven terrain.

You will share traditional bungalows right on the water with your fellow volunteers. The locals will encourage you to learn about their culture, history, food, music, language, dance and other aspects of their lives. The pace of life is slow in Vanuatu with a very laid back way of life, so adjust to ‘island time’ and relax if things don’t go to plan!

On Fridays most volunteers visit Port Vila on Efate Island to shop, relax and catch up on emails.

Program Details

Project life will vary depending on the time of the year but below is a list of tasks required each season;

Measuring beach and dividing into sectors
Reef surveys
Capturing and tagging turtles on the feeding grounds (please note tagging is done by trained staff but you may assist)
Helping with construction projects
Night beach patrols
Nest excavations (to determine nest success)
Monitoring and assisting the emergence of hatchlings

Most of the survey work takes place at night so you have time in the day to help the community with other projects such as beach/reef/village clean ups, collect fire wood, help at the kindergarten or primary school.

Volunteer Testimonials

Megan Rowland, Australia

The program was a great way to make new friends and to learn about a different culture was very interesting. It was great to see the turtles nesting and hatchlings at night on the beach. It was also a great experience to live without electricity and things that we take for granted at home. I like the idea of helping a good cause and getting to do it in a group of like-minded people and to learn about the place you are travelling to more in-depth than a regular holiday.

The entire village mothered us to bits and we were spoilt rotten! I was lucky enough to see 12 Hawksbill turtles and 2 Green turtles. The food was delicious and I just had the most amazing time...

Marie Tearle, United Kingdom

The entire village mothered us to bits and we were spoilt rotten! I was lucky enough to see 12 Hawksbill turtles and 2 Green turtles. The food was delicious and I just had the most amazing time imaginable. My goodbyes at the end of the trip were rather emotional, I cried buckets!! The generosity of the people, their ever smiling faces and enduring friendship will stay with me forever. May the project go from strength to strength; it was a truly amazing experience!!

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