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Volunteering

The Last of the Ancient Mariners

Endangered Turtle and Dugong Habitat Conservation and Research in Thailand

Contribute to dugong and turtle habitat monitoring along Trang’s biodiverse coast.

Durations: 2 - 12 weeks
Fieldwork hours35 hrs of fieldwork per week
Participant ratio1:6 staff to participant ratio
GVI experiencesIncludes GVI Experiences
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Travel flexibility, because life happens! Modify your booking, even up to 48 hours before departure. T&Cs apply.

Program information

Join a marine conservation initiative in Trang, Thailand, focused on protecting dugongs, sea turtles, and their coastal habitats. You’ll take part in snorkel-based surveys, collect data on seagrass meadows, and learn how to identify key species – contributing to research that supports long-term ecosystem protection.

Overview
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Life on Base
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Program overview

Along Thailand’s Andaman Coast, seagrass meadows stretch just beneath the waves – vital feeding grounds for endangered dugongs and nesting areas for sea turtles. Here in Trang, you’ll join a community-led conservation effort to help protect these species and their habitats.

You’ll conduct snorkel-based surveys, identify individual turtles and dugongs, and document the health and distribution of seagrass beds. Your work supports ongoing research into marine species behaviour, migration patterns, and the ecological role of seagrass in coastal resilience. You’ll also contribute to habitat mapping and environmental education alongside local conservation groups.

Life on base is slow and intentional – you’ll live just a short walk from the ocean, surrounded by mangroves, coral-rich shallows, and limestone cliffs. Free time might mean kayaking in quiet coves, visiting Trang’s coastal markets, or learning local conservation practices from community members.

By supporting this program, you’ll be contributing to UN SDG #13, Climate Action, UN SDG #14, Life Below Water, and UN SDG #15, Life on Land, working to protect critical coastal ecosystems and the species that depend on them.

 

Highlights

 

 

Monitor the habitats of endangered species
Monitor the habitats of endangered species
Help monitor dugongs and sea turtles through snorkel surveys and data collection in seagrass-rich coastal waters.
Live by the Andaman Sea
Live by the Andaman Sea
Wake up near the shoreline in Trang, surrounded by mangroves and limestone cliffs.
Be part of the real deal
Be part of the real deal
Contribute to ongoing environmental projects that address critical challenges aligned to the global UN SDGs.
Join ethical initiatives
Join ethical initiatives
Join local conservation partners and qualified professionals to ensure your efforts are highly ethical, meaningful and sustainable.
Experience unreal adventures
Experience unreal adventures
Venture outside typical travel itineraries to get exclusive access to extraordinary remote habitats, rare species and unique ecosystems.
Make friends for life
Make friends for life
Share epic experiences with like-minded, passionate changemakers from all over the globe.
Enjoy a hassle-free, safe trip
Enjoy a hassle-free, safe trip
With expert local staff and 24/7 support at every step –  you can relax and enjoy the experience stress-free.
Take a break
Take a break
Disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with nature, yourself and your purpose.

Activities

Some of the example typical activities you could participate in on this program.

 

Snorkel-based surveys
Snorkel-based surveys
Collect data on seagrass health and marine species during snorkel-led monitoring in coastal habitats.
Turtle and dugong ID
Turtle and dugong ID
If you’re luck enough to spot them, contribute to species behavior research by recording rare sightings of dugongs and turtles.
Seagrass monitoring
Seagrass monitoring
Document the distribution, density, and condition of local seagrass beds – a key food source for dugongs.  
Habitat mapping
Habitat mapping
Support drone-based and georeferenced mapping of marine and coastal ecosystems for long-term research.
Mangrove surveys
Mangrove surveys
Gather data on mangrove species composition and ecosystem health in coastal zones.  
Plastic waste audits
Plastic waste audits
Assist with shoreline cleanups and help categorise plastic debris to support local waste reduction efforts.
Environmental education
Environmental education
Support outreach campaigns and education sessions that raise awareness of local marine conservation issues.
 Fieldwork training
Fieldwork training
Learn how to conduct ethical marine surveys, identify species, and follow conservation data protocols.

Skills

  • Data collection
  • Data entry
  • Environmental education
  • Marine conservation
  • Public awareness
  • Species identification

Partners

Some of the partners we work with on base.

Rajamangala University
Bo Hin Farmstay
Rajamangala Aquarium Trang
Phuket Marine Biological Centre

Program details

 
Included in your program, at no extra cost.

Make the most of our unique programs with these exclusively curated local adventure and wellness experiences.

Offered once a month, expand your adventure with GVI Experiences. These are just some of the activities offered on your program!
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Enjoy a Meditation and Hatha/Yin Yoga class
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