Sea Turtle Conservation in Sri Lanka for Teenagers

• Are you an ambitious high school student with a passion for animals?
• Would you like to spend your summer gaining practical experience that will give an edge to your CV?
• Do you dream of travelling and making new friends from all over the globe?

If you answered yes to all of these questions, this project is definitely for you! You’ll join a team of passionate conservation experts who actively protect and help the local environment through different initiatives.

This conservation project in Sri Lanka is designed by our staff exclusively for teenagers. All activities will take place in groups, follow a set itinerary, and you will be fully supervised throughout. This means you can focus on what matters most: relax, learn, and have fun throughout your trip without worrying about logistics, meals, and other details.

The best part? You don’t need experience for this project. All we ask of you is a willingness to help, an eagerness to learn, and a sense of curiosity!

A typical day on the Sea Turtle Conservation project in Sri Lanka begins with a sense of purpose as you work to protect endangered marine life in the coastal town of Balapitiya. Your day is structured to balance hands-on conservation work with cultural immersion and community outreach.

You will follow a set schedule for the group trip, departing from your accommodation before 9am to begin your initiatives.

Mornings are dedicated to core Conservation Initiatives at the turtle centre. You will spend your time maintaining and cleaning the turtle tanks, feeding and caring for injured turtles, and protecting vital nesting areas. These tasks are essential for the rehabilitation of the turtles before they can be safely released back into the wild.

In the afternoon, your activities vary to provide a well-rounded experience. You might join outreach programmes such as beach clean-ups or participate in the highlight of the project: hatchling releases. Other afternoons focus on community engagement, such as painting educational murals at the centre or attending workshops to raise awareness through creative projects. To cool off, you’ll occasionally enjoy a swim in the pool or participate in traditional Sri Lankan beach games.

Lunch and dinner are provided daily at your guesthouse, where you will also have time to rest, play board games, and bond with your fellow volunteers.

During scheduled excursions, you will explore the natural beauty of Sri Lanka, from the lush Kanneliya Rainforest to the historic Galle Fort or the scenic beaches of Mirissa.

As a conservation volunteer, you’ll work with local experts to protect the local biodiversity, with a focus on sea turtles.

The tasks you will take part in will depend on the season and needs of the centre and community at the time of your travel, but here is an example of what you can expect:

The aim of this programme is to ensure the protection and survival of endangered sea turtles and preserve the local ecosystem.

All species of sea turtles are listed as threatened or endangered in Sri Lanka, and our work helps provide data and insights that help with the protection of these incredible creatures.

Here’s just one example of why this work is crucial:

Different green turtle populations around the world are likely to have different migration paths. If Green turtles in one geographic area become extinct, it may be impossible to replace them with turtles from another area. This is because the new arrivals will lack the inherited instructions needed to navigate within and from their new homes.

The work you will accomplish during your stay, such as protecting the sea turtle eggs and helping the emerging baby turtles, directly prevents these problems.