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: £1195 GBP per participant + up to 3 free teacher / staff places 

Duration: 1 week (7 nights)

Dates: Thursday 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

Every year loggerhead sea turtles migrate to Kefalonia to feed and reproduce, with female turtles laying their eggs on the sandy beaches of the island. Unfortunately, the turtle population is now under great pressure from both human and natural threats.

Morning surveys and nest checks 

Starting early in the morning before tourists arrive, you will help survey the beaches of Kefalonia to monitor hatching sea turtle nests, walking along the beach in groups to check turtle nests. If a new potential nest is found, you will help the team to locate and protect the nest. For existing nests, you will help check them and look for any hatchling tracks to make sure they are heading to sea! The team may also collect litter from the beach depending on the schedule.

Evening nest checks (August groups only)

It is important to regularly review the data collected for each nest and check how the nest is progressing. A nest inventory may be required, which involves carefully digging the nest and counting eggshells (hatched / unhatched). You will spend two evenings observing the team carrying out these checks. If live hatchlings are found stuck in the nest, they are released to make their way to the sea!

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.

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
• 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!