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Thailand Sea Turtle Conservation Adventure
General Information | Location & Weather
Volunteer in Thailand in your gap year, year out or career break
Thailand has continued to be one of the most tempting destinations for those who are seeking a combination of enchanting natural surroundings, alluring culture, and incredible biodiversity. Breathtaking silvery beaches lapped by warm, crystal clear waters are complemented by friendly locals, mouthwatering local delicacies, and an ancient and fascinating historical heritage rooted in Buddhist origins. In its waters live a fantastic array of marine creatures and snorkelling and scuba diving in Thailand is a truly unforgettable experience. However, some of the island's most charming marine creatures- sea turtles- are under threat. Join our conservation programme and help contribute to the continuing protection of these wonderful animals, whilst enjoying all the fun of a gap year or year out abroad!
Project Dates & Contribution:
- Departs January, February and March
- Duration minimum 2 weeks
- Costs £1295 for 4 weeks, additional weeks £250
Before you go: Extensive pre-departure support, travel & medical advice and documentation, equipment advice, discounted medical kit, Frontier T-shirt.
In-country: Airport pickup, Accommodation, food, internal ground transfers and in-transit accommodation, local orientation and comprehensive project training, project equipment and materials, in-country emergency support and 24 hour international HQ backup.
or 
Minimum age 18+.
Project Details
Transportation
You will be met at Phuket Airport by a friendly member of the in-country team, and then transported to the project site. All your in country travel is included in the project contribution.
Accommodation
Whilst you are volunteering on this incredible project, you will be living the authentic Thai lifestyle, staying in a small, charming village in the north of the island. The original village was destroyed almost entirely in the tsunami, and has been rebuilt in a safer location through charity donations. By staying in the village and eating local produce, you are supporting the continuing rejuvenation of the community.The houses you are staying in are clean but basic, with a kitchen, toilet and three rooms. Electricity is only available in the evenings.
Food
Whilst staying on the project, you will enjoy the luxury of having your meals cooked by a local staff member, who will rustle up some of the tantalizing delicacies that form the basis for Thai cuisine. Some dishes to look out for are; fragrant steamed rice, exquisite vegetable curries made with locally grown produce, or freshly caught seafood. Whilst you are sure to enjoy the delicious range of food that will be provided for you, make sure you stock up on luxuries that you can't live without, such as hot chocolate, before you set off for the project site.
Work
The work on the project is multifaceted, combining a programme of practical conservation work with extensive conservation education agendas. In parallel to the scientific work that is being carried out, an educational programme has been instigated in local schools and communites, making this an ideal project for those who wish to contribute to a sustainable conservation strategy. The work involves;
- monitoring and patrolling beaches
- conducting behavioural observation on turtles feeding
- assist nest hatching
- collecting a variety of data on the beach
- preparing materials for school education programme
If this is your first time doing conservation work, don't worry! It will only take a short while for you to feel totally at home on camp and confident with the science work. Although the work is intense you'll find that living in such a beautiful and inaccessible environment alongside friends who share your passion for conservation will be the experience of a lifetime!
 | This is a Frontier Supported Project |
Staff & Volunteers
You'll find your team to be a fun, dynamic mix of ages and experiences, with members who all share a passion about travelling in developing countries and saving endangered life. Your staff will be young, friendly individuals who are highly experienced in their field and many have also volunteered on a Frontier project earlier in their career.
Extras
In your spare time you can explore the local area and absorb Thailand's captivating culture. Explore golden temples, with their ancient Buddhist carvings and magical atmosphere. Try some more adventurous activities, such as mountain biking through the stunning landscape, white water rafting, diving, sailing or sea canoeing. Enjoy a Thai massage, which really will give you a new sense of serenity! As you can see, there will be no shortage of ways to occupy your time off.
Project aims
The fate of sea turtles in Thailand is looking bleak as it currently stands. The three species that are found here are all suffering population declines, in particular the Olive Ridley turtle, which scientists predict may be extinct by 2010. This theory underlines the pressing need for addressing this issue, and hence the turtle conservation project has been founded here. The annual decrease in turtle nests has come about through a range of significant factors, including high levels of egg harvesting in the last 20 years, the consumption of turtle meat, the hunting of turtles for their shells, and habitat destruction through natural and human causes.
The project has been running here since 1996, and is very well established. The project is fully registered at the National Research Council in Thailand, and has combined an extremely thorough conservation strategy with effective education programmes in local communities. The project has actually resulted in the elimination of egg poaching activities by local people, and some turtles which local fishermen have caught in their nets have even been donated back to the project.
Working towards sustainable conservation
Your environmental education and awareness-raising work will focus on encouraging indigenous people away from harmful practices such as harvesting turtles, and encourage marginalised communities to recognise that rational use of these resources are key to their preservation for the future. You will live the Thai lifestyle, and will be making a significant contribution to the recovery of the region from the devastating after effects of the tsunami. The project staff have worked closely with local communites to aid them in their recovery and to build towards a sustainable strategy for the biological and economic stability of this incredible place. This truly is an incredible chance to make a difference, whilst having an unforgettable experience that you will never forget!
Learn more about Thailand here!
Alternatives
Why not have a look at our other projects in South East Asia? We have other projects in Thailand and Cambodia and run a South East Asia Ethical Adventure Trail!
What next?
If you like the sound of the Sea Turtle Conservation Adventure in Thailand, then request a callback from one of our travel advisers or use our online booking form to apply now and secure your adventure of a lifetime!
Frontier supported projects and Frontier group projects are run in partnership with in-country NGOs, small community based organisations, local research institutes, academic organisations and conservation agencies. Project descriptions and information are supplied directly by our partners or field staff and are accurate at time of publishing.
We aim to keep information up to date and accurate, however, the nature of our projects and in particular the fact that they are constantly evolving and developing in response to changing needs means that project activities, travel schedules, tour itineraries and daily timetables can change overnight and without notice.