Support Turtle Protection

location
4 - 26 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Great 4.4  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Good response rate

Highlights

  • Participate in an exciting volunteer project which is dedicated to protecting endangered sea turtles and contributing to their conservation and preservation
  • Learn about their unique behaviors, habitats, and conservation efforts
  • Join beach patrols during evening and night shifts, actively conducting searches for female turtles and their vulnerable nests, ensuring their protection from poachers and predators

Highlights

  • Participate in an exciting volunteer project which is dedicated to protecting endangered sea turtles and contributing to their conservation and preservation
  • Learn about their unique behaviors, habitats, and conservation efforts
  • Join beach patrols during evening and night shifts, actively conducting searches for female turtles and their vulnerable nests, ensuring their protection from poachers and predators
  • Connect with passionate volunteers from around the world, forming meaningful friendships and establishing lifelong connections through shared experiences
  • Embrace the Greece lifestyle, surrounded by beautiful flora and fauna, actively participating in wildlife protection and creating unforgettable memories


  • Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    Families
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    Climate change, fishing and habitat destruction have pushed sea turtles to the brink of extinction. Join the turtle project on Crete to protect these beautiful reptiles.

    Your placement is with a non-profit organisation that is committed to the protection of sea turtles throughout Greece. The established organisation has been in existence for almost 40 years, making it one of the oldest and most experienced of its kind. To protect the reptiles, the organisation ...

    About the program

    Your placement is with a non-profit organisation that is committed to the protection of sea turtles throughout Greece. The established organisation has been in existence for almost 40 years, making it one of the oldest and most experienced of its kind. To protect the reptiles, the organisation relies on three pillars: Monitoring the turtles for research purposes, rescuing and caring for injured animals in its own sanctuaries, and educating local residents and tourists. Every year, the non-profit organisation is supported in its work by countless volunteers from all over the world. You'll work with wildlife experts and veterinarians to protect the turtles on the Mediterranean Sea.

    Due to mass tourism, environmental pollution and the destruction of natural areas, more and more turtle habitats are being lost. And fisheries and climate change are also taking their toll on the animals. The result: six out of seven existing sea turtle species worldwide are now threatened with extinction. This makes the reptiles one of the most endangered species of all. This makes it even more important to do something quickly to protect them. In Europe, the eastern Mediterranean region around your place of work is of particular importance. This is where the main breeding grounds of many turtle species are located.

    The aim of the organisation is to better research the turtles in order to be able to protect the nests, (young) animals and biotopes more effectively. Furthermore, another aim of the project is to rescue, rehabilitate, and release as many injured or sick animals as possible back into their natural habitat. In order to improve the situation of the sea turtles in the long term, it is important to raise awareness among the local population and tourists on Crete.

    Your volunteer work place is located in the south of the Aegean Sea. Crete is the largest Greek island. It offers breathtakingly beautiful nature with high mountains and wild gorges. The island is like a small version of the Greek mainland. You will find beautiful villages, big cities and mountains. Due to the cultivation of aromatic herbs, the scent of thyme, sage and oregano is in the air. Crete's agriculture is mainly used for wine, olive and fruit growing and you can admire vines and olive trees everywhere. The island combines the old with the new, the mountains with the sea and it is now considered as one of the most popular European travel destinations.


    Typical day

    Depending on where your help is most useful, your support may be needed in all areas of the organisation.

    Potential tasks are for example:

    • Monitoring beaches and hatcheries in day and night shifts
    • Supporting research: collecting and recording data
    • Dialogue with local residents and tourists
    • Educational ...

    Typical day

    Depending on where your help is most useful, your support may be needed in all areas of the organisation.

    Potential tasks are for example:

    • Monitoring beaches and hatcheries in day and night shifts
    • Supporting research: collecting and recording data
    • Dialogue with local residents and tourists
    • Educational work, sensitisation and fundraising
    • Development and implementation of practical solutions for the protection of turtles, which are compatible with the reality of life of the people on Crete

    At your placement on Crete, you will usually work six hours a day. You will discuss your exact tasks and working hours with your local coordinator. As the work takes place in different shifts, you may also have to work at night or on weekends. But don't worry, you will have enough free time to explore the island.

    A typical shift could be like this:

    8 AM: Breakfast
    9 AM: Monitoring beaches
    12 PM: Lunch
    1 PM: Research: Collecting and recording data
    4 PM: Free time

    You don't need any previous experience or special knowledge to work in the sea turtle project. However, you should be a team player and approach your tasks with a lot of motivation and commitment. Friendliness and a lot of love for animals are also an advantage for working in the project.


    Free-time activities

    You certainly won't get bored on Crete, the island of the gods. Make sure you take time after your project work to explore Greece's largest island.


    Heraklion, Crete's capital, is about twelve kilometres away from your project location. Highlights of the city are definitely its beautiful Venetian ...

    Free-time activities

    You certainly won't get bored on Crete, the island of the gods. Make sure you take time after your project work to explore Greece's largest island.


    Heraklion, Crete's capital, is about twelve kilometres away from your project location. Highlights of the city are definitely its beautiful Venetian harbour, the historic old town and the sightseeing attraction on Crete par excellence: the Palace of Knossos. There you will learn about the most famous myths surrounding the Minotaur, discover the labyrinth and learn more about the history of the Ionian civilisation. By the way: For volunteers under 25 years of age, the entrance to the palace is free of charge. For more information, please contact our project team.


    You want to soak up even more historical knowledge? Then head to the archaeological museum in Heraklion. The museum is full of finds from the Minoan era. This period is considered the birth of European culture.

    You can take another city trip to Chania. It is considered one of the most beautiful cities on the island with its Venetian harbour, a lighthouse, the ancient old town and the Hasan Pasha Mosque.


    Crete is also an ideal place for nature lovers with its breathtaking nature, high mountains and deep gorges. The Samaria Gorge is one of the largest gorges in Europe and definitely an ideal place to go hiking in Crete. Equally exciting for hiking is Crete's second largest mountain, Pachnes. It is located in the white mountains and impresses with its bizarre lunar landscape.


    If you prefer the beach, Crete will not disappoint you. Visit Preveli Beach, for example. The beach is a popular photo motif because a heart-shaped rock juts out of the water. Another special feature is the beach at Elafonisi. Here, turquoise water meets pink sand. Definitely a must-see!


    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 18 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (basic level)

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Other Skills

    You should be a team player, motivated and committed person.

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday

    What's Included

    What's Included

    Services by Rainbow Garden Village

    The fees include consultation, organisation, support, airport pickup and accommodation at the volunteer camp

    Airport Pickup at Heraklion Airport

    You will be picked up at the airport by a team member and taken directly to your placement. 

    You can arrive either on Wednesdays or on Sundays. 

    Accommodation

    Your accommodation on Crete is a volunteer camp. There is space for up to 20 volunteers in tents that you bring yourself. There is a Wi-Fi connection throughout the camp and you will also find telephones, coin-operated washing machines and free lockers for your valuables. The sanitary facilities are well equipped and the showers have hot water.

    From your accommodation, you can walk to your work site in 5 to 10 minutes. Shops, restaurants, bars and the beach are all within walking distance. The best way to get to the next town, which is about three kilometres away, is to take the bus. The area around your accommodation is generally considered safe and you can easily get around on foot and on your own.

    Internet Access

    Good access at the project site

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Food & Beverages

    Food, snacks or beverages are at extra costs.

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Heraklion Airport (HER) in Heraklion. We assist you to find cheap flights to Greece. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Greece provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in Greece you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Greece. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    You will be picked up at the airport by a team member and taken directly to your placement. There you will first get to know the surroundings, your new place of residence and work, and your colleagues.

    You can arrive Wednesdays and Sundays.

    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program fees

    4 weeks (min. stay) 1,490€
    5 weeks 1,730€
    6 weeks 1,970€
    7 weeks 2,210€
    8 weeks 2,450€
    9 weeks 2,690€
    10 weeks 2,930€
    11 weeks 3,170€
    26 weeks (max. stay) 6,770€
    Average fees 316€/week

    Program fees

    316€ per week 4 - 26 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    4 - 26 weeks

    Deposit

    The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


    Final Payment

    Your final payment will be agreed with Rainbow Garden Village during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


    Meet your organization

    Rainbow Garden Village

    Great 4.4 rating (25 reviews)

    Non-profit - founded in 1999

    Verified by Volunteer World

      Good response rate

    Coordinated by

    Steffen

    Spoken languages: English, Spanish, German

    About the project

    Rainbow Garden Village specialises in worldwide volunteer placements and has been sending volunteers on impactful, life-changing trips since 1999.

    Meet your organization

    From Africa to Asia and Europe to Latin America and Oceania - through volunteering or internships our participants gain unique impressions and experiences abroad. Rainbow Garden Village (RGV) offers sustainable projects in more than 30 countries worldwide in various fields, such as social work, teaching, animal welfare, environmental protection, medicine, etc..

    While our participants are engaged in their project, they broaden their horizons and become more open-minded. They strengthen their personal skills, grow from the challenges in their volunteer projects and also improve their language skills. Countless new impressions, experiences and special moments round off the stay abroad - and lead to a return with many exciting stories in the luggage!


    25 reviews · rating4.4

    Katharina Höfner rating5

    2024 at Veterinary Clinic Assistant

    Ich habe mich während meines Aufenthalts absolut wohl gefühlt! Da ich schon Vorkenntnisse durch meinen Beruf als TFA hatte, konnte ich mich sehr gut einbringen und durfte super viel helfen! Das Team hat mich herzlich aufgenommen und mir Vertrauen geschenkt. Ich bin sehr dankbar, dass ich diese ...
    Lara N rating5

    2024 at Kindergarten in Crete

    I am sharing my incredible experience with volunteer world. The program gave me the opportunity to volunteer in greece, meet other volunteers from other countries, to gain work related knowledge, & to experience the lifestyle in the beautiful island of crete. The program was very organized from the ...
    Eliot Jacquemin rating3.8

    2024 at Penguin Sanctuary

    J'ai beaucoup apprécié ce projet. L'organisation fut globalement assez bonne, je n'ai pas eu de soucis. J'ai appris énormément de choses sur les pingouins et les défis qu'ils doivent combattre au quotidien, c'était très inspirant. ..
    lena Illenseher rating2.4

    2024 at Support a Horse Riding Academy in Crete

    Zuerst das Positive: Der Stall an dem ich gearbeitet habe ist sehr gut gepflegt und man hat sich wohl gefühlt. RGV hat sich bemüht, Probleme der Teilnehmer wahrzunehmen, in dem es wöchentliche Meetings gab. Das Apartment liegt nah am Strand. Es wurden Ausflüge angeboten (kostenpflichtig) Der ...
    Swenja G rating5

    2023 at Street Children

    Now I would like to tell you about my time in Ghana: I lived in Accra for 6 weeks and worked in the street children project there. In the time before my departure, I mainly took care of my health care (vaccinations and tablets against tropical diseases) and read the pages about the country, culture, ...
    Maria S rating5

    2023 at Street Children

    I was there for 8 weeks as a volunteer in a street children's project in Accra. My goals for this stay abroad in Ghana were to get to know a new culture, improve my English language skills and learn to appreciate my own home country. I can happily say that I achieved all three goals. Working in ...

    Location

    Europe > Southern Europe > Greece > Heraklion

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    Contact Steffen
      Good response rate
    English, Spanish, German

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