Turtle and Marine Conservation - Group trip

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

Price: £1395 GBP per participant + up to 3 free teacher / staff places 

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 management and care of the group. You will be met on arrival and supported by a specialist Pod staff member based in Kefalonia during your trip, as well as the conservation team who run all the conservation activities.

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.

Itinerary

Here is a typical itinerary which shows the conservation programme you'll be involved in as well as free time activities!

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. 

Accommodation

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

Each tent can sleep up to 4 people. Tents are provided with electricity sockets and a light. 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

Meals are included and here are typical examples of the food you will have:

• Breakfast – items are provided for you to make your own breakfast, such as cereals, milk, yoghurt and fruit
• Lunch and dinner – meals are normally served at the open-air campsite restaurant including dishes such as baguettes, pizza, pasta, burgers, souvlaki (kebabs), chips, Greek salads!

Vegetarian options are available. Unfortunately it’s not possible to cater for vegan diets or those with nut / gluten / dairy allergies on this trip.

There is drinking water available at the campsite.

Fees and What's Included

The trip fee is £1395 GBP per participant. We include up to 3 free teacher / staff places depending on group size (1 free staff place per 10 participants).

Included

• Dedicated Pod Volunteer specialist (based in the UK) to support you pre-departure
• Pod support staff member in Kefalonia - who will meet you on arrival, meet with you daily and be on call to support you throughout the trip
• Kefalonia airport pick up and transfer to campsite
• Transfer from campsite to Kefalonia airport on departure
• Accommodation - tents for students (4 students per tent) + 2 tents for staff members
• Meals - self-catering breakfast (ingredients provided), lunch and dinner at the campsite restaurant
• Training and educational presentations
• Transport to shift locations that are not within walking distance
• Use of research equipment
• Visit to the Melissani and Drogarati caves (half day coach trip)
• Visit to olive oil mill including olive oil tasting
• 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 

Not included

• Flights to Kefalonia (normally £400-£500 GBP per head)
• Travel insurance
• Vaccinations
• Living costs - snacks, drinks
• Equipment - participants will need to bring their own mask & snorkel

Photos

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

How to book on

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

It's best to book this trip at least 12-24 months in advance due to limited availability, this is a very popular trip!