The most popular beaches for scuba diving are Playa Sardineras, Playa Pajaros, Punta Arenas and Playa Mujeres. (B,L,D), Enjoy a snorkel outing to practice your newly learned or improved fish ID skills. These programs offer volunteers the opportunity to work alongside ocean experts and contribute to vital research and conservation efforts. Thank you for gifting us all with lifelong memories & experiences. Just watching them from afar is more than enough and will still be something youll remember for life. Certificate of CompletionEvery traveler participating in the trip receives a Certificate of Completion from Discovery Expeditions. After breakfast today, we will transfer to the Adjuntas area up on the islands mountains. Organize a beach cleanup at one of Puerto Rico's 300 beaches with Scuba Dog Society. Browse our current ocean volunteer vacations below. Also, be sure to check out their page on GoOverseas to look at some of the amazing photos past volunteers have shared! adult turtle lay her eggs! (B), For a detailed itinerary, please email expeditions@oceanicsociety.org. Affiliate Disclaimer: This article may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase. In 2017, Chef Jos Andrs launched World Central Kitchen, a project focused on strengthening food security and building resilient food systems throughout the Caribbean and Central America. Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Beach Resort and Spa near Fajardo also runs a program together with the Department of Natural Resources and engages guests to monitor turtles' nesting and hatching. Volunteer Information - Sea Turtle Preservation Society Academic Credit Volunteers aged 16 and 17. It is an especially great opportunity for students interested in biology or conservation, but anyone can have a wonderful time doing important work here! Marine conservation volunteer programs also offer a unique opportunity for personal growth and development. Walking along the beaches at night, in total darkness for four hours at a time, looking for vague turtle-shaped forms in the dark was definitely interesting. Afterwards, your team can bask in the sun at La Esperanza or head down PR-686 to explore some of the north region'smost popular beaches, like Mar Chiquita, Los Tubos, and Mar Bella. All our tours are individually customized to your interests. It's Still Possible to Join a Cuba Expedition in 2020. 4.7 / 5. wildlife refuge area. Your expedition will be led by one or more of the following expert naturalist guides: Franois Baelen / Coral Reef Image Bank, Oceanic SocietyP.O. She puts on Despite the designation of hawksbill and leatherback sea turtles as endangered in 1970, researchers report that their populations are still decreasing. Some can be exploitative and use turtles merely as a means to separate tourists and volunteers from their money. In the afternoon, we will have an optional snorkel to explore the areas coral reefs and look for hawksbills and other ocean wildlife. Show more, You can witness baby turtles hatching in Puerto Rico during the months of May to August. Marine Conservation Volunteer Trips - Oceanic Society Volunteers meet at sunset and spend the night on the beach taking Spring and summer is the best time for turtle watching in Puerto Rico. Volunteers can have a number of different responsibilities, but will almost always be involved in patrolling beaches to find nesting turtles, relocating their eggs to a safe location, and recording turtle identities to help understand their global movements. Turtles in Puerto Rico (4 Different Types) - All Turtles In Rincn we will stay in a two-family home, where each level has 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, a kitchen, living room, wifi, satellite TV and A/C. SEE Turtles has taken more than 1,000 people to work with sea turtle conservation projects around Latin America and every trip saves at least 500 endangered baby turtles through our Billion Baby Turtles initiative. I'd never seen turtles before, and as they're my favorite animals. December 6, 2023 @ 5:30 PM. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval or recommendation by the state. By stepping outside of their comfort zones and working in challenging environments, volunteers can develop new skills and gain confidence. Bahia Beach Resort at the St. Regis hosts leatherback turtle nesting sites. It is important to remember to observe from a distance and not disturb the nesting sites or hatchlings. Snorkel and explore the Tres Palmas Marine Reserve and learn about its importance to the local community. The following day will include training on how to monitor coral reefhealth and search for the presence of coral diseases within the reserve. If you choose to volunteer with sea turtles youll be living and working on beaches in some of the most beautiful and exciting countries in the world! Youll get a cheaper price online compared to if you book in person and usually the best Puerto Rico turtle tours are fully booked on the day. Terms & Conditions Along with sea turtle research, this project is very involved in the local community, and you can expect to help with community education and beach clean-ups as well. Click here for our full terms and conditions. The hawksbill sea turtle population has declined globally by over 80% during the last century. Telephone: 787 742-3516 By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies and similar tracking technologies described in our, Whales, Dolphins, and Biodiversity of Southwest Mexico, Puerto Rico: Coral Reef Volunteer Program, Bahamas: Dolphin Volunteer Research Program, do something every day to support healthier oceans. That evening, we will visit the beach one final night patrol with Vida Marina. June 6, 2023 @ 5:30 PM. Please fill out a Volunteer Application. Additionally, you can reduce your use of single-use plastics, which can harm turtles, and avoid disturbing nesting sites or interfering with baby turtles as they make their way to the ocean. For the best chance of seeing a turtle in Puerto Rico, head to one of the turtle beaches in the list below: Hands down, the absolute best place to swim with sea turtles in Puerto Rico is at Escambron Beach in Guaynabo, San Juan. turtle is the largest living sea turtle in the world. Our marine conservation volunteer programs offer hands-on opportunities for you to participate in marine research and conservation worldwide. After lunch will be open to relax, take a swim, or rest up for one more night on the beach looking for leatherbacks. For those looking to do more, one way to make a difference in marine conservation is to volunteer for a marine conservation program. As pioneers of eco travel, our expeditions have been designed to directly support, By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies and similar tracking technologies described in our, Click here for our full expedition terms and conditions, global research and conservation programs, 5 Volunteer Abroad Programs That Support Ocean Conservation, From Monkeys to Macaws, 15 Photos That Will Move Costa Rica to the Top of Your Travel List, By Land and Sea: Our Ridge to Reef Expeditions Include the Best of Both Worlds, Vamos a Cuba! We will have dinner at a local restaurant and then drive to Playa Grande, where our friends at Chelonia will give a presentation on their work and then accompany us for a beach walk looking for nesting leatherback turtles. PDF Marine Turtle Conservation Project PROYECTO TINGLADO Isla de Culebra Throughout, we will be immersed in the local Puerto Rican culture. This site also consists of a chain of islands with mangroves, lagoons, sandy beaches and coral reefs. A full time local interpreter and cultural guide will accompany this trip. The tours are led by trained professionals who take visitors to the beaches where the turtles lay their eggs and hatch. Leatherback Tracking! - The St. Croix Sea Turtle Project There are many other organizations your team can volunteer with in Puerto Rico, including United Way, Habitat for Humanitys Puerto Rico Chapter, Americas for Conservation + the Arts, and Flamboyn Arts Fund. Cayo Icacos is the largest island here. leatherback turtles - Resaca and Brava beaches. There will be opportunities to learn about local sea turtle nesting populations, to help monitor coral reef restoration sites, and to compare the near shore marine reserve reefs with the offshore remote reefs of Desecheo Island. We can all do something every day to support healthier oceans. The tours are designed to be educational and informative, and visitors are often able to witness the baby turtles as they make their way to the sea. Each species is endangered to a greater or lesser degree, and volunteers are essential to sea turtle conservation around the world. We will then have lunch and then a break to rest. Here are some review highlights about the experience: With programs in multiple countries such as Costa Rica, Bali, and Zanzibar, IVHQ is a great chance to really get hands-on doing work with sea turtles and the local community. We know when and where they will be nesting or foraging, you don't need to be a biologist or speak Spanish, and our trips directly benefit conservation efforts. You may have heard of it as it has a glowing bioluminescent bay, mangrove forests and a few nature reserves. Local Communities: $605 of the tour price. The fund is seeded annually with money earned from our expeditions, and supplemented by donations from Oceanic Society travelers. From then until the end of October, your team has the opportunity to witness the magic of the turtles nesting, hatching, and mad dash to the sea by volunteering with Para La Naturalezas sea turtle patrol. Today after breakfast, we will join our friends at Vida Marina for a beach dune restoration activity. There are five species of sea turtles in the archipelago, and two of these species, in particular the hawksbill turtle and the leatherback turtle, are endangered. Working with sea turtles is an ideal volunteer vacation. Full time professional Discovery Expeditions tour escort and local interpreter and cultural guides from the National Park Service and Government of Puerto Rico; tour of the Las Cabezas de San Juan Natural Reserve and El Faro (lighthouse) (Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico); local sea turtle logistics coordinator (Rosa Fiel, Proyecto Tinglar Dorado) and marine biologist/sea turtle expert; Tour of BioBay by expert marine biologists (Pure Adventure). We will visit the citys highlights including the San Felipe Castle, La Perla, and more. Our group of 12 or so had. You must have a valid U.S. passport (not expiring in the next 6 months). From April through June, wildlife fans can volunteer for a turtle-egg protection project on Culebra. It is our outstanding volunteers that educate the public about how to protect sea turtles in Brevard County and surrounding areas. Thank you! volunteer gets to hold the turtle's back flipper so the eggs can be clearly Meet The Team Turtle Trunks (For Teachers in Brevard County). Puerto Rico's Department of Natural Resources seeks volunteers annually from April through June to monitor the nests, make sure they are secured from predators, and count eggs. Franois Baelen / Coral Reef Image Bank, Oceanic SocietyP.O. Late afternoon, we will visit the Luquillo area which has a variety of options to choose from local Afro-Caribbean food in the area (dinner not included today). another counts the small infertile eggs. The sea turtles are most commonly seen around the coral reefs of the nature reserve. If your team feels called to directly connect with and impact local children and seniors, Puerto Rico Renace can make that happen. We're a nonprofit organization that protects sea turtles through conservation travel and volunteer tours, our Billion Baby Turtles, Too Rare To Wear, & Sea Turtles & Plastic programs, our education programs, and by promoting inclusivity in the sea turtle community. Best Time to See Baby Turtles in Puerto Rico 2023 - Rove.me Make an impact in the local community by working with youth and senior groups through Puerto Rico Renace. Volunteers can also learn new skills, gain valuable knowledge, and make a meaningful difference in the world. Itinerary: For an Unforgettable Incentive Trip, Head North, 12 Uniquely Puerto Rican Excursions for Your Incentive Group, Itinerary: Plan a West Coast Incentive Group Escape, Itinerary: 4 Days in Puerto Rico's Enchanting East Region. Every year, the team donates thousands of eggs for incubation in corrals, or nesting sites, which are prepared by their team of AES volunteers. Youll find Mosquito Pier is on the north side of the island. At least 8 people are required to confirm the trip. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Volunteer with marine conservation programs worldwide. Working with the turtles was the, This was a great trip to experience lots of marine wildlife up close. Taking a sabbatical was the best decision of my life. Additionally, there are several Puerto Rican groups participating in monitoring the turtles, like Yo Amo al Tinglar, Tortugueros de Culebra, Playas pal Pueblo, Chelonia, Tortugueros del Sur, and the Culebra Sea Turtle Project. Here are a few quotes from alumni to tell you more: With a perfect 100% score from three GoOverseas reviewers, IVSs sea turtle project in Ecuador is a great place to get some hands-on experience working with sea turtles in the field. My friend went there recently and told me he saw 5 turtles all in one spot! GET THE BEST OF PUERTO RICO DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. It is illegal to touch or disturb sea turtle nests or hatchlings, and it is important to keep a safe distance to avoid causing stress or harm to the turtles. Swim with sea turtles and other marine life on this snorkeling activity located only minutes from Old San Juan. We will spend an hour or so planting native vegetation to help stabilize the dunes as well as a nearby mangrove. All rights reserved. PDF U.s. Fish & Wildlife Service Caribbean Ecological Services Field Office Prepare for yet another day of geological wonders! Whether your team wants to volunteer at the. Participate in turtle research and more in Puerto Rico with SEE Turtles. Scuba Dog Society is a local nonprofit that organizes various beach cleanups throughout the year. The average adult weighs 500 to 1600 pounds. One of the most highly-rated programs on this list of great sea turtle volunteering opportunities is offered by Global Leadership Adventures in Costa Rica for teens aged 14-19. Visitors are encouraged to join guided turtle watching tours led by trained professionals to ensure a safe and educational experience for both humans and turtles. Their biggest eventInternational Coastal Cleanuphappens every September and is part of a global movement that includes 90 countries and more than six million volunteers. I have changed so much as a person in that I am more open-minded and open to trying new things. 3-5 hours volunteering per day. And volunteering is a fantastic teambuilding activity! Feral pigs on Mona dig up nests and eat eggs and hatchlings. 500 to 1600 pounds. This is how you get a room in exchange for work around the world. To educate, inspire, and empower our community to pursue perspective-changing travel. The Oceanic Society is a registered organization. Volunteer in Costa Rica This park is the most important area in the entire west half of the Caribbean for the nesting of the green turtle.Volunteers participate on the sea turtle preservation including monitoring and registering nesting patterns, record keeping of eggs, moving eggs to the hatchery, beach patrols, freeing of the newborns to the ocean. On this tour, youll be able to swim with the turtles and get up close to them. Sea Turtle | Posada Biodiversity Amigos de las Tortugas Marinas (ATMAR), a community-based turtle conservation organization in Puerto Rico, is seeking volunteers to assist with monitoring leatherback and hawksbill turtles during the 2018 nesting season (May to August): Volunteering with sea turtles is an immensely rewarding experience. The famous Caribbean trade winds gently buffet these two islands, but the weather is warm and balmy just about every day of the year. Simply get in touch with a member of our staff to craft your ideal trip. Overnight: El Canario By The Lagoon. Puerto Rico uses volunteers to assist in identifying and helping the turtles. The accommodation is walking distance to the marine reserve and located in aquiet, residential neighborhood. The programs chosen by Go Overseas below are all excellent and have been vetted by our previous volunteers, and there are many other great programs the world over! As sea turtles are flagship species, by studying them and the threats facing their survival . This beach resort has its own stretch of beach where a variety of turtle species come to lay their eggs. If youre a sea turtle enthusiast (like me) then youre in the right place. We will then a have farewell dinner with the group in the city followed by an optional night on the town. Evening group dinner and briefing with local research partners. Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Beach Resort and Spa, Snorkeling Tour to Cayos de la Cordillera, Puerto Ricos best horse riding locations, where to go whale watching in Puerto Rico, Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Beach Resort and Spa, Where To See Turtles In Gran Canaria Complete Guide, Where To See Manatees In Puerto Rico 2023 Guide, Where To Swim With Dolphins In Puerto Rico 2023 Guide. Maximum group size is 10. One of the many reasons Puerto Rico is a top destination for group incentive travel is its more than 200 miles of pristine coastline and nearly 300 beaches. Hatching season is a special time of the year in Puerto Rico. Proceeds from the program fees go back toward conservation with the potential for up to 500 turtle hatchlings per participant to be saved at nesting sites. Our boat will take us to snorkel some of the reefs around the island, and we will compare fish communities and coral heath between Desecheo (offshore) and Tres Palmas (near shore). This stunning crescent shaped beach is well known for its coral reefs which bring with them an array of marine life including sea turtles. Meals BLD, Day 6: In-Water Turtle Monitoring and Bioluminescence Kayaking. Turtles lay eggs a few times during the same season in the sand as deep as 3.3 feet (1 m). February to August. That evening after dinner we will have a presentation by Vida Marina on their work and then visit a nesting beach to look for and work with leatherback turtles. It also includes transport from mainland Puerto Rico to Culebra Island and back which is super handy. Mosquito Pier is definitely the best spot on the island for seeing turtles. Other beaches on the island where you can see sea turtles include Zoni Beach, Playa Resaca, Flamenco Beach, Playa Carlos Rosario and Playa Brava. GLA offers a number of different service-learning opportunities, and one of their best is the Sea Turtle Initiative. The day is not quite over yet! From mixology classes with local rum distillers to salsa lessons and historical tours, immerse your attendees in the vibrant culture of Puerto Rico. You, sitting there in the sand, staring at her and safeguard a big plastic bag with turtle eggs. Please note that this is simply a sample itinerary to give you an idea of what we've done before and what we could create for you. time is from April to early June. Steps Beach, also known as Tres Palmas Marine Natural Reserve, is another great spot in Puerto Rico where you can see and swim with sea turtles. Photos courtesy of Vida Marina and Chelonia, Photo credits:Hal Brindley, James Richard, & Latin American Sea Turtles, SEE Turtles, 5605 Southeast Rural Street, Portland, OR, 97206, United States, Promoting Inclusivity in the Turtle Community, Sign Up For Our Turtles & Plastic Newsletter. The return is quite After breakfast today, we will head out for an easy kayaking trip to explore the areas reefs with glass bottom kayaks. By participating in a marine conservation volunteer program, you can contribute to vital research and conservation efforts, help protect endangered species, and promote sustainable practices. Working with sea turtles is an ideal volunteer vacation. With a score of 9.6 out of 10 for support, and a 94% score overall from 79 GoOverseas alumni, Fuze Ecoteers sea turtle project in Malaysia is an excellent way to help with turtles in a unique and exotic location. Take a boardwalk through mangroves and above Laguna Grande, and get to know the different beach types before visiting the Fajardo Lighthouse. experience into words when she exclaimed, "I feel like I'm in a National One of the best places to see the sea turtles here is at the La Parguera Nature Reserve where youll find a well-developed and extensive coral reef. Participants can also learn surfing and go ziplining during their time in Costa Rica, making it a great mix of volunteering and fun. For eight days, participants will help with sea turtle research while exploring the local scenery and enjoying sightings of other wildlife such as sharks, whales, and dolphins. After the past year, we know your group is ready to meet in person and spend time really getting to know each other. The turtle watch is truly an incredible experience. We will visit their solar community center and forest for a hike and see a presentation about how this community is working to better the lives of Puerto Ricans including hurricane response. Show more, You can help protect baby turtles in Puerto Rico by volunteering with local conservation organizations that monitor nesting sites, participate in beach cleanups, and educate the public about the importance of turtle conservation. quite a show while she is digging. In fact, youll notice that almost everyone in the lagoon is in a glass bottomed kayak!! Volunteer in Puerto Rico | IVHQ | #1 Rated Programs 2023 & 2024 Contact Us, Customizable World Travel for Groups Since 2003, Day One: Flight from DCA, Arrival and Welcome Dinner, Day Three: Historic Old San Juan & Leatherback Sea Turtle Nesting Patrol, Day Four: Reserva Natural de Las Cabeza de San Juan & Bioluminescent Bay, Day Five: Rio Camuy Caverns and The Arecibo Observatory, Puerto Rico Immersive Ecology & Social Studies, Puerto Rico: Sea Turtle Nesting and Immersive Ecology & Social Studies, Professional General Liability and Errors and Omissions Insurance Policy ($10,000,000), Private bus transportation and driver between sites in Puerto Rico and shuttle service to and from the airport, Hotel accommodations based on double occupancy (5 nights total), Option for graduate credit from an accredited university, Dominican University Click Here, Course alignment with National Science Standards and Common Core, Recommended resources/teaching materials (age appropriate books, lesson plans, and online resources).