Turtle volunteering on Tioman Island, Malaysia

Volunteering on this 4 week programme is divided between achieving or improving your scuba dive qualification, carrying out reef checks and assisting with sea turtle conservation. You will have time to relax and have fun as much as developing and learning diving and conservation skills. Working alongside the team will have its own rewards and be personally enriching. You will share your time with like minded people and discover a beautiful part of Malaysia on the stunning Tioman Island Marine Park.

As part of the programme you will gain a PADI Dive qualification enabling you to take part in reef checks which are vital to global marine conservation programmes.

The turtle conservation part of the programme allows you to work directly with the Department of Fisheries, assisting their work in increasing the chances of survival for sea turtles through activities such as: releasing turtle hatchings, cleaning young turtles, feeding and caring for injured turtles and burying and labelling turtle eggs all of which will increase their chances of survival.

In addition to the work you will carry out, your money helps us to carry out research, education programs, and knowledge transfer, whilst at the same time keeping your money in the local area and encouraging ecotourism. The programme is split into 3 stages. You’ll spend one week gaining a PADI Dive qualification taking part in daily dives and classroom learning. For the second part you will be trained as a reef checker and will carry out reef check surveys. This will be followed by the third stage time of taking part in turtle conservation. This will be an experience like no other. Be warned the nights are late and morning early. You can be working up till 2am in the morning collecting eggs and can be up as early as 5am if hatchlings need to be released. The final part of the programme will involve you taking part in vital reef checks.

There will be plenty of free time to explore the island, go snorkelling, play beach volleyball and visit the local villages.

You live in wooden chalets on the beach with other volunteers. You will be given a food allowance so you will be able to sample the amazing culinary delights of Malaysia at the local food stalls.  When not on the turtle conservation night times are free and people often sit around chatting, playing games, or writing their diaries. Then fall asleep to the sound of the night time rainforest chorus or on the beach under the stars.