Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
Support the Galapagos National Park in the operation and maintenance of plant nurseries that are located in the Highlands of Isabela Island. Volunteers play a key role in the conservation of Isabela Island’s endemic plant species, threatened by invasive plant species, pollution, and climate change, with key focuses being on research, restoration, and education.
You will have the unique opportunity to assist in horticulture restoration projects within the purpose built nursery, where you can expect to assist National Park Rangers with tasks including, but not limited to:
Volunteers gain experience in landscaping and ecological restoration through their support of the National Park Rangers through the cultivation of the endemic and threatened Scalesia plant. Additional species you’ll work with include the giant daisy tree (Scalesia pedunculata), rodilla de caballo (Volkmeria mollis), the button mangrove (Conocarpus erectus), and the cats claw (Zanthoxylum fagara).
This project requires a high level of physical fitness and comfort working outdoors with sun and warm temperature exposure.
While Spanish is not required to join this project, you are encouraged to come with a basic to intermediate level to aid in the placement work.
As an Ecological Conservation and Restoration volunteer in Galapagos, you’ll be adding value to the environment and local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
Volunteers on this project must be 18+ and must speak fluent English. It is recommended that volunteers have a basic to intermediate level of Spanish in order to communicate with fellow workers, the local community and homestay families.
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.
I have a lot of experience with other cultures and travel but I would say to someone new at this that they should be reassured that they are supported every step of the way. It is a great first step to take in experiencing new horizons!
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!
My time volunteering in the Galapagos Islands was incredible and I didn't want to leave! I thoroughly enjoyed learning about organic and sustainable farming and I could tell how appreciative the family on the farm were to have me there helping them out, which felt very rewarding. My advice would be not to hesitate! You will not regret taking part in this incredible program.
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.
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.
To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.
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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 socialising.
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:
| 6:30 AM | Breakfast at the volunteer accommodation and walk to the bus stop. |
| 7:00 AM | Bus to placement site where volunteers join a local farmer and begin work on your project. |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch provided by your host at your placement site. |
| 2:00 PM | Return to town via bus, then volunteers have the afternoon free to explore the island, do some local snorkeling or take a surf lesson. |
| 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 £248) 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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