Greece provides an irresistible blend of a hot Mediterranean climate, complex ancient culture, and seas rich with marine life. Set out by boat to discover the tiny jewel bright islands scattered off its shores, and get up close to the local marine life. Enjoy the chance to immerse yourself by camping out near the white sandy beaches whilst protecting one of Greece’s most charismatic sea creatures, the Loggerhead Sea Turtle.
Every year numerous sea turtles are reported stranded throughout Greece, usually caught in fishing nets or injured by speedboats. The chance of survival for the turtles increases if immediate and proper treatment is provided. In this project you'll live and work with other enthusiastic and energetic volunteers, conducting daily monitoring and working throughout the community to raise public awareness. Join this incredibly rewarding project, set against an idyllic backdrop, and discover a world of fragile beauty, helping to safeguard Greece’s exquisite wildlife and exceptional habitats for future generations.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
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Get up close and personal with some breathtaking marine wildlife
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Help monitor and relocate sea turtle hatchlings
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Experience laidback beach life
PROJECT REQUIREMENTS
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Volunteers must be over 18 years of age
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Applications must be received no less than 6 weeks in advance
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Location |
Greece |
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Activities |
Behavioural studies
Awareness campaigns
Tag and Monitor released turtles
Excavation of nests |
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Transport |
Make your own way to the site |
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Accommodation |
Basic beach campsite |
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Before you go |
Pre-departure support &documentation
Travel & medical advice
Advice on visas & equipment
Discounted medical kit
Free Frontier T-shirt |
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In-country |
Accommodation
Project orientation and training
In-country emergency support
24 hour international HQ backup |
What Next? Apply Now!
WHAT DOES THE PROJECT DO?
You will be working closely with state agencies, local authorities and local fishermen in order to mitigate and reverse population reduction of sea turtles. The Greek coastline is an important reproduction area for the loggerhead sea turtle in the Mediterranean, the project is very well established and has been running here since 1983. The primary objective of the project has been to protect the sea turtles and their habitats in Greece through monitoring and research, developing and implementing management plans, habitat restoration, raising public awareness and rehabilitating sick and injured turtles.
Your day to day duties will be dependant upon the current focus of the project at the time of your visit, but could typically involve turtle egg collection, nest excavation, scientific monitoring and tagging of hatchlings and turtles, and educating visitors about the project. You could also get the opportunity to learn about marine flora and take part in organized beach clean-ups. Your days will be long but certainly rewarding.
WHAT WILL I BE DOING?
Frontier volunteers help to support the groundbreaking survey and protection work being carried out. During the first two weeks you’ll prepare for the oncoming nesting season and carry out beach clean ups. Day-to-day volunteers patrol beaches close to camp gathering valuable population data of the endangered marine turtles. During peak nesting season (mid May-mid August) tasks may include morning surveys to look for adult turtle tracks and locate nests, 'caging' or relocating threatened nests and night surveys to observe and tag nesting females. During hatching season (mid July- late October) you will look for baby turtle tracks, monitor hatching nests and tag adult female turtles during nesting. Your role in the excavations of hatched nests helps to determine the hatching success of the species.
The main threat onshore and in water to sea is the rapid mass tourist development, which destroys the suitable nesting beaches and creates in-water threats for the turtles such as speedboats. In addition to daily rescue and treatment tasks the project runs a large Public Awareness (PA) program. Through presentations, you’ll play an integral part in educating locals and visitor about the turtles and the ways they can help to save the Caretta caretta.
The conservation work is being carried out at a number of different sites around Greece and the location of your placement is dependent upon availability at the time of your application and the needs of specific sites. You will be allocated your placement following the submission of your application form but possible sites include:
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Zakynthos
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Kyparissia Bay
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Crete
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Koroni
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Athens (Rescue Centre)
You will be living in tents right next to the beach (apart from Athens placements), and most campsites have a number of facilities. In between shifts you will have plenty of time to relax on camp or enjoy the beach. You will also have one day off a week which varies depending on the work programme assigned to you by your volunteer coordinator.
What Next? Apply Now!
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I ARRIVE?
You will fly into your allocated location and then make your own way to the project site via car, bus or boat. We will provide you with easy to follow instructions prior to your departure to enable you to plan your journey. If you are joining at the beginning of the project, you’ll help to build up the campsite, turning an olive grove into a home for the volunteers who will join the project throughout the summer. Once you have had time to rest the local staff will introduce you to your project and the local area. Your in-country coordinator will be more than happy to help you settle in and acclimatise and you'll feel at home in no time in this friendly, vibrant country.
WHERE WILL I BE STAYING?
Whilst participating in this project you will be staying in a simple ‘homemade’ campsite by the beach, the perfect place to relax after a day’s work. Everything you need is available on the site; cooking facilities, showers and toilets. There is a strong communal atmosphere on camp and every volunteer is expected to make a positive contribution to the up-keep of the camp’s facilities. You will find this cooperative living arrangement is the best way to get to know your fellow volunteers and build long lasting friendships. Volunteers must bring their own camping equipment (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, torch etc.).
WHAT WILL I BE EATING?
A great aspect of this amazing project is that it is self-catered. This is a fun element of travelling away from home as it gives you that added freedom and is a good opportunity to bond with fellow volunteers. The cost of food will be split between the volunteer teams operating at each site, as will the cooking duties, in line with the community living ethos on camp.
What Next? Apply Now!
ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
In your spare time you are sure to want to explore the natural wonders that are found in this remarkable land. Whether it be simply soaking up the sun on the endless miles of untouched bright white shores or donning your flippers to go snorkelling in the clear blue water of the Ionian sea.
Unwind on the weekends with a trip to local towns and experience the famous flamboyant lifestyle of Greece!
