Volunteers who are passionate about conservation and want to help to stop the decline of critically endangered turtles. You should be happy to do early morning and late night beach patrols.

Project details

Want to help protect highly endangered turtle species in the beautiful Galapagos Islands? International Volunteer HQ’s Sea Turtle Nest Monitoring project is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to support the protection of sea turtles in the Galapagos Islands. You’ll be part of the conservation effort on Isabela Island by collecting data, patrolling beaches, monitoring nests, and much more! This project is only available during the nesting season from January to the end of May.

What to expect and how you'll make an impact

The Green Sea Turtle (species name Chelonia mydas) which nests on Galapagos Islands can be found swimming throughout the tropical and subtropical waters, and with their numbers declining the continued efforts to protect these turtles is an important focus for conservationists in the Galapagos.

As a sea turtle nest monitoring volunteer, the data that you collect will assist the local team in collecting important baseline nesting data that the Galapagos National Park will analyze and apply in the management plan of their beaches. This will allow Galapagos National Park to continue the protection and management of these sea turtles that are in a critical state of conservation at a global level.

This project is only available during the nesting season from January to the end of May. Your specific tasks will depend on the time of the year you volunteer as well as the needs of the project. This project has a minimum duration requirement of 2 weeks. Please note, you should not expect to have any direct physical contact with turtles on this project.

Volunteer work duties may vary but generally include:

Clearing and preparing of nesting area along the beach
Beach patrols looking for nests and signs of sea turtles
Monitoring of already registered nests
Baseline data collection on nests, nest sizes, and beach conditions
Documenting nesting patterns observed and help determine hatching success when nest excavation occurs
Practice of conversational English with the guides of the reserve
As you walk the beach, picking up rubbish and debris to keep the beach clear for the turtles
Removal of Kikuyo (a highly invasive plant that chokes out nature plants) from the turtle nesting area (3 hours per week)
Assist with monthly beach profiling to measure beach erosion to determine the current beach profile

Please note, while the Green Sea Turtle is the only turtle species that nests on Isabela Island, in your spare time if you choose to go snorkeling, you may see additional species of turtle such as Hawksbill. But this species does not nest on Isabela Island.

The Sea Turtle Nest Monitoring project requires a high level of physical fitness. Placement hours are often sporadic throughout the day, with early morning and late night beach patrols where you will be required to walk approximately 2 - 3 hours at a time. In addition you can expect to complete high intensity tasks such as Kikuyo removal (a highly invasive and strenuous weed to remove) to allow for turtle nesting along the shoreline.

Contributes to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #14: Life Below Water

The ocean regulates and drives global systems that make the Earth habitable for humankind. Marine biodiversity is critical to the health of people and our planet. Preserving threatened ecosystems, as well as tackling marine pollution and overfishing through conservation activities is key to saving our ocean.

Why do Sea Turtle Nest Monitoring volunteering in the Galapagos Islands with IVHQ?

As a Turtle Conservation volunteer in Galapagos, you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:

Helping protect critically endangered turtle species
Supporting scientists with data collection and monitoring
Practicing your Spanish and communication skills
Gaining wildlife and marine conservation experience
Immersing yourself fully in the local culture
Discovering the natural wonders of the Galapagos Islands

Volunteer requirements

Volunteers need to be 18 years or over to participate on this project independently. If travelling as a family, volunteers under the age of 18 must be at least 12 years old and accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate in this program. They will be required to provide IVHQ with a parental/guardian consent form and two character reference letters in order to participate on the program, and may be asked to provide additional documentation to the local team. Volunteers need to be able to walk up to 6 miles on the beach in the early morning and late evening. All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance and provide a recent criminal background check to IVHQ.

Are you eligible to volunteer?

Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.

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Who is going?

Group video calls

Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.

Galapagos Islands photo gallery

IVHQ volunteers at the Ecological Conservation and Restoration project in the Galapagos Islands

IVHQ Ecological Conservation and Restoration project

Volunteering on the Giant Tortoise Conservation project in the Galapagos Islands with IVHQ

IVHQ Giant Tortoise Conservation project

An IVHQ volunteer teaching English in classroom at the Galapagos Islands

IVHQ Teaching English project

IVHQ sustainable agriculture volunteer working in the Galapagos Islands

IVHQ Sustainable Agriculture project

IVHQ Sea Turtle Nest Monitoring volunteer project in the Galapagos Islands

IVHQ Sea Turtle Nest Monitoring project

Students in the English teaching project at the Galapagos Islands

IVHQ Teaching English project

IVHQ volunteers in the Galapagos Islands digital marketing social media volunteer project

IVHQ Digital Marketing volunteer project

IVHQ Teaching English project

A group of volunteer working together happily on the Giant Tortoise Conservation project in the Galapagos Islands with IVHQ

IVHQ Giant Tortoise Conservation project

Volunteer in the Galapagos Islands at the Ecological Conservation and Restoration project with IVHQ

IVHQ Ecological Conservation and Restoration project

Volunteers in the English teaching project at the Galapagos Islands

IVHQ Teaching English project

View of the school to complete IVHQ teaching english volunteer project at the Galapagos Islands

IVHQ Teaching English project

Volunteers working in the sustainablt agriculture farm in the Galapagos Islands with IVHQ

IVHQ Sustainable Agriculture project

IVHQ Volunteers in the English teaching project at the Galapagos Islands

IVHQ Teaching English project

Volunteers at the Ecological Conservation and Restoration project in the Galapagos Islands with IVHQ

IVHQ Ecological Conservation and Restoration project

IVHQ volunteer work results at the sustainable agriculture farm picking coffee beans in the Galapagos Islands

IVHQ Sustainable Agriculture project

IVHQ Teaching English project

Digital marketing social media volunteer in the Galapagos Islands with IVHQ

IVHQ Digital Marketing volunteer project

IVHQ volunteer grinding coffee beans from the Galapagos Islands sustainable agriculture farm

IVHQ Sustainable Agriculture project

An IVHQ Volunteers in the English teaching project at the Galapagos Islands

IVHQ Teaching English project

IVHQ Volunteers feeding giant tortoise in the Galapagos Islands

IVHQ Giant Tortoise Conservation project

Playground in school at the IVHQ Galapagos Islands teaching english project

IVHQ Teaching English project

Giant tortoise conservation volunteer project in the Galapagos Islands with IVHQ

IVHQ Giant Tortoise Conservation project

Sustainable agriculture and garden IVHQ volunteer project in the Galapagos Islands

IVHQ Sustainable Agriculture project

IVHQ Volunteer with students in the English teaching project at the Galapagos Islands

IVHQ Teaching English project

IVHQ Ecological Conservation and Restoration volunteer project in the Galapagos Islands

IVHQ Ecological Conservation and Restoration project

IVHQers volunteering in the Galapagos Islands giant tortouse conservation

IVHQ Giant Tortoise Conservation project

Volunteer abroad teaching english in the Galapagos Islands with IVHQ

IVHQ Teaching English project

Daily life of a giant tortoise receiving help from IVHQ volunteers in the Galapagos Islands

IVHQ Giant Tortoise Conservation project

IVHQer in the Galapagos Islands teaching english in classroom

IVHQ Teaching English project

IVHQers in the garden volunteering sustainable agriculture project in the Galapagos Islands

IVHQ Sustainable Agriculture project

Group of giant tortoise resting at the volunteer site in the Galapagos Islands with IVHQ

IVHQ Giant Tortoise Conservation project

Students learning with the IVHQ teaching English volunteer teacher in the Galapagos Islands

IVHQ Teaching English project

IVHQ Volunteers monitoring sea turtle nest in the Galapagos Islands

IVHQ Sea Turtle Nest Monitoring project

IVHQ Galapagos Islands teaching english volunteer project plants at outside of the school

IVHQ Teaching English project

IVHQ volunteer monitoring sea turtle nest in the Galapagos Islands

IVHQ Sea Turtle Nest Monitoring project

Giant tortoise conservation IVHQ volunteer project in the Galapagos Islands

IVHQ Giant Tortoise Conservation project

IVHQ teaching english volunteer project in the Galapagos Islands

IVHQ Teaching English project

IVHQ sustainable agriculture and garden project in the Galapagos Islands

IVHQ Sustainable Agriculture project

Volunteer in the Galapagos Islands teaching english with IVHQ

IVHQ Teaching English project

Group of giant tortoise being looked after by the IVHQ volunteers in the Galapagos Islands

IVHQ Giant Tortoise Conservation project

Weekend exploring Galapagos Islands with IVHQ

Exploring during an IVHQ weekend

IVHQ volunteers explore Galapagos Islands during an IVHQ weekend

Exploring during an IVHQ weekend

IVHQ volunteers weekend in the Galapagos Islands

Exploring during an IVHQ weekend

IVHQ volunteers weekend activity in the Galapagos Islands

Exploring during an IVHQ weekend

Weekend activities in the Galapagos Islands as an IVHQ volunteer

Exploring during an IVHQ weekend

What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience

Laurie Miller

25 Feb 2025

I would not hesitate to recommend IVHQ to anyone who wants to volunteer and feel that they are making a difference in the lives of animals for people in different countries.

I will forever be grateful for the experience I had volunteering for the sea turtle nesting monitoring program on Isla Isabela! I was able to witness the entire circle of life - from the females coming up on shore, laying their eggs, baby turtles hatching and making it back to the sea! I also assisted with an excavation of the nest the babies had hatched from and took part in gathering the data as far as how many viable eggs hatched, and tracked the different stages of development of the unhatched eggs. It was an amazing trip I will never forget! And I am looking forward to volunteering again in the near future for another program.

The experience humbles you and gives you such a great education about different cultures, the fragile conditions some endangered species are in and that you can make a difference!

...

Cathy Striegel

04 Feb 2025

I felt very comfortable and felt IVHQ provided what I needed pre-departure. I recommend others just do it! You will learn so much and your help is needed. The people are kind and helpful.

...

Samuel Bundy

03 Feb 2025

I learned so much from the culture and the other volunteers from around the world. I recommend giving it a try. It will change your life.

...

Susi Garvin

27 Jan 2025

I would highly recommend staying with a host family. It's a way to understand more about the local culture and customs and a great way to practice Spanish.

...

Deborah Thornton

24 May 2024

It was interesting to be part of a program to monitor turtles and to see what is done to help protect these animals. The people I met as part of this were great and it was nice to have a group of colleagues with whom I could discuss things. The local team was great and my host Mum was a very good cook, providing us with a delicious variety of food.

...

Patrick Neve

21 May 2024

Through IVHQ's thorough advice pre-departure and the local team's support on the ground, I gained a much better understanding of how volunteer programs work as well as knowledge about Green Turtles. My host family were fantastic and it was hard to say goodbye! The meals were one of the highlights, with lots of different traditional dishes. I would advise anyone thinking of volunteering to embrace the different culture and food and make the most of the volunteering work itself. It’s not all glamorous and some work is hard and tedious. But it’s for a short period of time and it adds a lot of value.

...

To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.

Academic course credit

Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!

Learn about course credit

Location

Volunteer Abroad in the Galapagos Islands with IVHQ

Location

The IVHQ Galapagos volunteer program is based in Puerto Villamil, a small port village located on the southeastern edge of Isabela Island in the Galapagos Islands. This is where orientation and general administration is carried out by our local team. Volunteer placements are located within walking distance around Puerto Villamil with the exception of the Sustainable Agriculture project, which is a 30 minute bus ride outside the village to the highlands.

Arrival and orientation

The Galapagos volunteer program begins every Monday and you need to arrive on Isabela Island on your Monday chosen start date.

After you have registered for the program, please book your travel into Seymour Galapagos Ecological Airport (GPS) on Baltra Island. From here you can either catch a ferry boat to Isabela Island (this ferry trip is included in your program fee) or take an island hopper plane from Baltra Island to Isabela Island with EMETEBE airlines (this flight is not included in your program fee).

Most volunteers arrive in mainland Ecuador on Sunday and spend this night in either Quito or Guayaquil. On Monday they then travel from mainland to Baltra Island, and then onward to Isabela Island. When you arrive on Isabela Island you will need to walk a few minutes up from the pier to the ABG (Biosecurity Agency) office where you will be met by a member of the local team who will transfer you to your accommodation (also included in your program fee) and then have a small town tour. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and begins from your Monday arrival through the morning of your last Sunday.

On Tuesday, orientation is hosted by our local team in Galapagos and runs for half a day, after which you will be taken to your placement. Orientation covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Galapagos – Introduction to Galapagos, Galapagos Customs, Rules and Expectations, Safety, Travel Opportunities in Galapagos, Introduction to your Project and Placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing.

Volunteer schedule example

A volunteer day is subject to change depending on the specific needs of the project at the time a volunteer is visiting. The Sea Turtle Nest Monitoring project runs 7 days per week and volunteers will always have 2 days in a row off, however, this may not be over the weekend.

Volunteers on the Turtle Nest Monitoring project can expect to work for 4 - 5 hours a day. A typical daily schedule might be as follows:

6:00 - 9:00 AM	Morning shift volunteer work commences at first light.
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM	Kikuyo (invasive weed) removal, baseline data collection, rubbish collection.
8:00 PM - 1:00 AM	Night shift volunteer work commences.

Please note, these timings are approximate and may vary depending on the needs of the placement.

Any time outside of the scheduled placement work volunteers are free to relax, rest, eat, explore the island, do some local snorkeling, or take a surf lesson.

Weekends During their assigned “weekend”, volunteers have spare time and usually just relax or take the opportunity to explore other parts of Isabela Island and other Galapagos islands such as the nearby Santa Cruz.

There is a dive site with great diving just off Isabela Island, hiking on the active Sierra Negra Volcano, snorkel sites including Tuneles where you can see the lava tunnels, tours to islet Tintoreras, local snorkel and dive spot Concha de Perla with turtles, seals, rays, etc., kayaking on the bay, renting a bike and hiking to the ‘Wall of Tears’ along the stunning coastal route passing lagoons, mangroves, and giant tortoises in the wild.

Accommodation and WiFi

Volunteers are accommodated in a homestay with a local family, which is an incredible and unique cultural immersion experience. Volunteers can expect to share a twin room with one other volunteer or have their own private room if there is capacity; each bedroom has its own bathroom.

Isabela Island is very remote and it is important that volunteers are aware that internet reception is very spotty. There is WiFi in the office and in a few restaurants/cafes in town. Visitors cannot purchase a SIM card in Galapagos, only residents. Volunteers can purchase a SIM card on the mainland before traveling to the island, or use an international phone plan that covers them abroad. The Internet is too poor to expect to watch Netflix or have video calls while on the island.

Meals

Volunteers are provided with three meals per day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). Breakfast and dinner are provided at the homestay and volunteers can expect fresh fruit, fried eggs, bread and cooked green plantains. Lunch is provided at local associated restaurants and volunteers will have a variety of menu items to choose from. Lunch and dinner meals will include protein (meat, fish), rice and some veggies (varied depending on the season) and meals often start with a soup and include a natural drink.

There is filtered water available in the local teams office and in homestays, and volunteers are requested to bring a reusable water bottle with them.

If you have any special dietary requirements, please let us know so we can make arrangements for you. However, we need to stress the point that you should not expect to eat as you normally do at home. We will do our best to see that you are well taken care of, but as a volunteer, there is a need to be flexible.

Volunteer accomodation

IVHQ accomodation for the volunteers in the Galapagos Islands

Volunteer accomodation

IVHQ volunteers homestay bedroom

Bedroom environment at the homestay for IVHQ volunteers in the Galapagos Islands

IVHQ volunteers homestay bedroom

IVHQ volunteers homestay rooms in the Galapagos Islands

IVHQ volunteers homestay bedroom

IVHQ volunteer homestay bedroom in the Galapagos Islands

IVHQ volunteers homestay bedroom

IVHQ Galapagos Islands homestay volunteer bedroom

IVHQ volunteers homestay bedroom

Bathroom environment at the homestay for IVHQ volunteers in the Galapagos Islands

IVHQ volunteers homestay bathroom

IVHQ homestay environment in the Galapagos Islands

Typical volunteer lounge

IVHQ volunteer kitchen in the Galapagos Islands

Typical volunteer kitchen

IVHQ volunteers bathroom in the Galapagos Islands

Typical volunteer bathroom

IVHQ volunteer having dinner with homestay in the Galapagos Islands

Volunteer dinner with homestay

IVHQ volunteer lunch in the galapagos islands

Typical volunteer lunch

IVHQ volunteer dinner in the galapagos islands

Typical volunteer dinner

Dinner provided at the homestay for IVHQ volunteers in the Galapagos Islands

Typical volunteer dinner

Typical volunteer dinner

Example of IVHQ Galapagos Islands volunteer dinner provided at the homestay

Typical volunteer dinner

IVHQ Galapagos Islands volunteer dinner provided at the homestay

Typical volunteer dinner

Example of dinner provided at the homestay for IVHQ volunteers in the Galapagos Islands

Typical volunteer dinner

Pricing

USD
- United States Dollars - $
- Australian Dollars - AU$
- Brazilian Reals - R$
- British Pound Sterling - £
- Canadian Dollars - CA$
- Chinese Yuan - CN¥
- Euros - €
- Hong Kong Dollars - HK$
- Mexican Pesos - MX$
- New Zealand Dollars - NZ$
- Singapore Dollars - SG$
- Swiss Francs - CHF
- UAE Dirhams - AED

Duration	Program Fee Due 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you. USD United States Dollars - $ Australian Dollars - AU$ Brazilian Reals - R$ British Pound Sterling - £ Canadian Dollars - CA$ Chinese Yuan - CN¥ Euros - € Hong Kong Dollars - HK$ Mexican Pesos - MX$ New Zealand Dollars - NZ$ Singapore Dollars - SG$ Swiss Francs - CHF UAE Dirhams - AED
2 weeks	$1,430 Equivalent to $102/day
3 weeks	$1,950 Equivalent to $93/day
4 weeks	$2,470 Equivalent to $88/day
5 weeks	$2,990 Equivalent to $85/day
6 weeks	$3,510 Equivalent to $84/day
8 weeks	$4,550 Equivalent to $81/day
10 weeks	$5,590 Equivalent to $80/day
12 weeks	$6,630 Equivalent to $79/day

All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$299 (approximately CA$455) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
Program Fees for the Galapagos Islands program are non-refundable once inside 30 days of the program start date. Any changes or cancellations within 30 days of the program start date are subject to a US$500 late change/cancellation fee.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Transient visa (for all volunteers aged 18+ - this visa is specific to Galapagos National Park only)
Local pickup
Return ferry from Santa Cruz to Isabela island
Accommodation
24/7 in-country emergency support
In-country program orientation
Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
Personalized preparation tools, guides and check lists
Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
Comprehensive in-country day to day support and guidance
Certificate of International Volunteer Service

Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.

Transit Control Card
Water taxis
Bus transfer from airport to ferry dock
Return bus from ferry to the airport when your program finishes
National Park Entry Fee (only required for volunteers under the age of 18)
Flights
Visa (if required), travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check.
Personal spending money for snacks, laundry, public transportation, drinks and leisure activities during your free time.

Check what's required to visit the Galapagos Islands

Safety and support

A smiling volunteer traveller wearing a traditional Andean poncho stands in front of the breathtaking Rainbow Mountain in Peru. The landscape features vibrant red, yellow, and green hues across the mountains, with a small lake visible in the background.

Safety and support

IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.

All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.

Learn more about IVHQ's safety

Essential country information

Capital	Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristóbal
Population	2,500 on Isabela Island and 33,042 across the Galapagos Islands
Languages	Spanish
Currency	US Dollar (USD)
Time zone	UTC-06:00

Weather and climate: Galapagos can be divided into three Climatic regions. The Pannonian Plains in the north have a continental climate of cold winters and hot summers, the mountainous Dinara Region in Central Galapagos has an alpine climate and the Adriatic coast, where our volunteer program is based, enjoys a Mediterranean climate of cool, rainy winters and hot, dry summers.

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