Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
Want to volunteer with giant tortoises in the Galapagos Islands? International Volunteer HQ’s Giant Tortoise Conservation project is a unique opportunity to volunteer with the largest living species of tortoise, which is sadly endangered. You’ll get to learn more about these spectacular creatures, while helping care for them at a breeding center that aims to protect and preserve giant tortoise populations in the Galapagos. You’ll also help raise awareness of environmental issues and conservation activities by interacting with visitors, local guides, and park rangers.
The Galapagos Giant Tortoise is the largest living species of tortoise and is an endangered species. As a volunteer on this project you will be supporting the staff and park rangers of the Galapagos National Park in the management, coordination, and maintenance of the Galapagos Giant Tortoise Breeding Center.
This project is well suited to those who want to learn more about these amazing animals and help in the efforts of preserving their numbers. As part of the center’s staff team, volunteer’s responsibilities will include feeding and caring for the giant tortoises, as well as maintaining and conditioning the center and the facilities that the tortoises inhabit. In addition to tasks directly related to giant tortoises, volunteers will support the rest of the staff in other tasks that are considered priority in the center.
An important part of the volunteer work will be the interaction and coordination of visitors to the center, to ensure that the tortoises remain safe, as well as education and awareness about the work at and objectives of the center, the Galapagos National Park and the environmental problems and conservation facing this tortoise species.
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.
Volunteer work duties may vary but generally include:
Please note, a high level of physical fitness is strongly encouraged for this project. Along with the placement work being physically demanding, volunteers also walk 1 hour to and from placement each day.
Additionally, it’s important to note that the breeding center staff do not speak English. A conversational level of Spanish is encouraged to make your experience easier, though this is not a mandatory requirement to join this project.
One final point to note is that this placement is located outdoors. There are sometimes wasps in the vicinity of the breeding center and the tortoise enclosures, and while it’s not common for volunteers to get stung, we recommend you be mindful of this if you have a strong allergy to wasp stings.
As a Tortoise Conservation volunteer in Galapagos, you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
Volunteers need to be 18 years or over to participate on this project independently. If you are under the age of 18 IVHQ offers alternative volunteer projects in Galapagos as well as other opportunities for teens. Visit our High School Volunteer Abroad page to learn more.
All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance and provide a recent criminal background check to IVHQ.
Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.
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Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
My accommodation and host family were perfect and I truly love them. They treated us just like family, and all of the meals they made were good.
For those considering volunteering, just do it. You will not regret one minute. I feel so much stronger now that I stepped out and did it.
This was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. To be so close to some of the world's most amazing creatures, and in particular getting behind the scenes access to help the incredible Giant Tortoises was something I'll never forget. My overall experience was unbelievable and only enhanced by the people I met and interacted with during my time on Isabela.
My host family was amazing! Despite the obvious language barrier, they were very patient with me as I tried to fast track my Spanish language. They couldn't do enough for me and I felt like one of the family. The local staff were always there to help and very approachable. The other volunteers (both at the Breeding Centre and on other programs) were fantastic and we created a strong bond despite various ages and backgrounds.
It has to come back to the people and community of Isabela, from the rangers to the locals and the family that I met during my time on the program. This was the most enriching part of the program and has given me so many positives to take back to my everyday life in the UK. THANK YOU!
I went on several trips to places around the world this year, but nothing touched my heart and soul as much as volunteering in Galapagos Islands did. I have spent this year travelling because I am getting older (I am 54 years old) and I am seeing more friends and family suffering from health conditions that prevent them from doing the things that they said they would get to some day.
It is more than just a vacation where you do something different. It is living in and being part of a community. It is making a positive impact while experiencing personal growth.
I am so proud of all the younger volunteers and interns who are doing this now rather than waiting. I wish that I had done something like this sooner.
This was my first time traveling solo internationally. I felt safe the entire time supported by the confidence in having specific people I could call or reach out to at any time, though I never needed to. I was extremely nervous about taking this plunge and am so incredibly happy I did. The local people and fellow volunteers are now some of my closest friends. If you are hesitant, DON'T BE! We never regret the things we try; only the ones we don't. It was an absolutely amazing experience and I am grateful I actually did it - instead of continuing to say "one day".
I had the most memorable time. The best way to get to know the Galapagos is through volunteering - I feel that volunteers really make a difference on this program.
I was nervous about going to a new isolated place, with limited language skills. The IVHQ and local team made it easy, and I made so many new friends while making a positive impact on an endangered species.
To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.
Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!
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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.
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.
Weekdays
A volunteer day is subject to change depending on your specific placement and the current needs of your project. A typical daily schedule might be as follows:
| 7:00 AM | Breakfast at the volunteer accommodation and walk to project (except for Sustainable Agriculture volunteers). |
| 8:00 AM | Volunteers join local placement staff and begin work on your project. |
| 12:00 PM | Finish up at the placement and head home to clean up and relax. |
| 1:00 PM | Lunch at one of the participating restaurants in town. |
| 2.00 PM | Volunteers have the afternoon free to explore the island, do some local snorkeling or take a surf lesson. Alternatively, if previously discussed with local placement staff, return to the placement to volunteer an afternoon shift. |
| 7:30 - 9:00 PM | Dinner with your homestay family or at one of the restaurants in town. After dinner you will have the remainder of the evening free to relax and use as you wish. |
Weekends
During the weekends, 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 from Isabela, hike active Volcano Sierra Negra, snorkel site Tuneles and see the lava tunnels, visit islet Tintoreras, snorkel local dive spot Concha de Perla with turtles, seals, rays, etc., kayak the bay, rent a bike and visit the ‘Wall of Tears’ along the stunning coastal route passing lagoons, mangroves, and giant tortoises in the wild.
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.
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.
Spots are limited. For a Registration Fee of just US$299 (approximately $299) you secure your spot and unlock all our preparation and training tools.
You don't need to worry about paying your Program Fee until you get closer to your start date.
Duration |
Program FeeDue 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
|
|---|---|
| 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 |
Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.
IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.
| 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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