Turtle and Marine Conservation - Group trip

A fantastic 1 week hands-on educational volunteer experience for schools and other youth groups. This exciting trip is based on the beautiful Greek island of Kefalonia, with pretty beaches, friendly locals and warm crystal blue waters of the Ionian Sea.

Price: £895 per person

Duration: 1 week (7 nights)

Dates: Wednesday start dates in June, July and August

Minimum group size: 20

Maximum group size: 30

Minimum age: 13 years old 

Your group will be part of the amazing work being done to help save the sea turtles of Greece from extinction and help protect coastal ecosystems that are so important for our planet. The group will get involved in a range of conservation activities including surveying turtle nests on beaches, snorkel surveys of seagrass meadows, harbour turtle surveys and coastal clean-ups. These are accompanied by engaging conservation presentations.

This trip requires your group to have their own leaders who are responsible for the overall management and care of the group. The conservation shifts (see example rotas below) are led by the local team who will meet you at the beginning of each shift, so the working element is fully managed by the local staff.

What will we be doing? 

Turtle nesting beach surveys and nest checks

You will help survey the beaches to monitor hatching loggerhead sea turtle nests. Starting early in the morning, teams walk along the beach to check turtle nests and looking for fresh hatchling tracks. 

Harbour survey of adult turtles

You will observe turtles in the harbour and record information about their foraging and social behaviours.

Snorkel surveys of seagrass meadows

You will take part in snorkelling on the surface of the sea. You will wear a life jacket (you don’t need to dive down) and you will be accompanied by two safety supervisors, on the land and sea (on a paddleboard). Seagrass research involves photography and recording GPS, depths and other sea properties. Snorkel shifts will only take place in suitable sea and weather conditions.

Coastal clean-ups

The island is susceptible to plastic pollution and waste which affects turtles, sea birds and many other species. The charity team carry out regular beach and coastal clean-ups which you will help with.

Presentations

You will be given presentations covering the aims of the conservation work, scientific methods you are using, and broader conservation topics like climate change.

Nighttime nest monitoring and protection (August only)

You will spend one night helping to protect the turtle nests against light pollution from bars, hotels etc. which confuses and disorients the turtles. If hatching occurs (due to nature being unpredictable this can't be guaranteed), you will help the hatchlings and release them at a darker part of the beach so they can crawl to the sea on their own. This shift runs through the night.

Photos

You can see photos of the programme, location and accommodation here. 

Itinerary

Here are example rotas. June-July is turtle nesting season and August is a transition between the end of the nesting season and start of the turtle hatching season. 

There is also some free time to relax and enjoy the island or you can add on days before or after the conservation programme to explore further.

Accommodation and meals

Accommodation is provided in shared tents at a campsite conveniently located just outside Argostoli town.

Each tent can sleep up to 4 people, on a single sex basis. Tents are provided with electricity, light, refrigerator, table and chairs. The campsite is set in a shady olive grove and is close to a lovely beach with incredible sunset views, a perfect place to relax at the end of a busy day!

Meals are not provided however there is a restaurant located at the campsite where meals can be arranged. 

Fees and What's Included

The trip fee is £895 GBP per person for the 1 week conservation programme, which includes the following:

Included

• Dedicated Pod Volunteer specialist to support you pre-departure
• Kefalonia airport pick up and transfer to campsite
• Transfer from campsite to Kefalonia airport on departure
• Accommodation (4 person tents provided in campsite, with fridge, table and chairs)
• Training and educational presentations
• Transport to shift locations that are not within walking distance
• Use of research equipment
• T-shirt
• Support from the team onsite in Greece
• 24/7 emergency support from the Pod Volunteer UK team 
• Donation to Pod Environmental Fund tackling climate change
• 100% payment protection through ABTOT 
• Volunteering certificate and reference (on request)

Not included

• Flights
• Travel insurance
• Vaccinations
• Living costs – meals, snacks, drinks
• Free time activities - we can provide suggestions for some simple trips and activities you can do

How to book on

Email us at [email protected] and we can help you plan your trip!