This will be an easy unguided snorkel, but we recommend practicing at home if you have not previously snorkeled. One volunteer counts the big fertile eggs, while Organize a beach cleanup at one of Puerto Rico's 300 beaches with Scuba Dog Society. So why not take the plunge and sign up for a marine conservation program today? Depart mid-morning to tour the Camuy Caverns an incredible opportunity to learn about the geology of the region! We truly hope this rare experience has enriched your life and where relevant brought depth to your teaching. Located on the west side of the island in Rincon, this turtle beach in Puerto Rico is a well known snorkeling spot. The leatherback sea turtle is the largest living sea turtle in the world. 2023 Date: May 13 - 20 (trip is full, please contact us at right to be added to the waiting list or alerted for future dates), Monthly payments are available until 4 months before departure. adult turtle lay her eggs! At least 8 people are required to confirm the trip. As I write this we just had our first nest of the season hatch, and it really was breathtaking getting to watch all out little tortugitas crawl into the surf. 2021, Sea Turtle Preservation Society111 South Miramar AvenueIndialantic, FL 32903Sea Turtle Preservation Society serves the community without discrimination based on age, ancestry, color, disability, familial status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military status, religion, national origin, race, sex and sexual orientation.A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the division of consumer services by calling 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) within the state. After breakfast, we will visit the Caribbean Manatee Conservation Center, where we will do a tour and visit the manatees, sea turtles, and other wildlife that this facility is rehabilitating. Whether your team wants to volunteer at the Miramar Food Truck Park farmers market or help plant fruit trees at Rancho Orgnico Feliz, Food Producer Network offers a variety of experiences that allow your team to give back while also learning about the Islands prolific agricultural industry. Working with the turtles was the, This was a great trip to experience lots of marine wildlife up close. There are seven distinct species, ranging from the relatively small Kemps Ridley (averaging around 100lbs.) experience into words when she exclaimed, "I feel like I'm in a National . Calle Castelar #68, In your spare time, you have easy access to beautiful diving, beaches, and national parks right in the same region. Buenos das! Sea turtles are commonly spotted swimming around in this area. Check out some of the top ways your group can give back while visiting Puerto Rico. Since 1988, wildlife workers have often enlisted volunteers to help monitor and protect the breeding grounds of the majestic leather-back turtle. It's not all hard work, though! You may have heard of it as it has a glowing bioluminescent bay, mangrove forests and a few nature reserves. The adult throws sand into the air to cover up her tracks to the We will also give basic lessons for anyone who needs it. Overnight at El Canario By The Lagoon (3 nights). Felices viajes! We will be in touch soon. In fact, youll notice that almost everyone in the lagoon is in a glass bottomed kayak!! Fly into San Juan International Airport (SJU) anytime today and we will pick you up and bring you to the hotel. Culebra Island can be tricky to get to on your own and its hard to navigate when you get there so Id recommend joining a snorkeling tour that includes transportation. 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. Mona Island is the perfect habitat and the best kept Caribbean refuge for many marine animals including turtles. Culebra has two beaches that provide a dark, quiet, and safe place for There is also an enclosed outdoor shower. This snorkeling tour is one of the best rated ones and includes transport to and from the reserve. By stepping outside of their comfort zones and working in challenging environments, volunteers can develop new skills and gain confidence. For those looking to do more, one way to make a difference in marine conservation is to volunteer for a marine conservation program. Contact us today to start planning. It takes about 60 days for the babies to hatch, so from April till August you can watch nature's spectacle: tiny hatchlings are striving through the sand to reach the ocean. Feel free to call the number below with any questions. On this tour, youll be able to swim with the turtles and get up close to them. I enjoyed assisting with the nightly patrols and tagging/taking measurements of the green sea turtles. See full Affiliate Disclosure here. Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico, 299 Avenida Jos de Diego, San Juan, PR +1 787-977-6277, ext. Puerto Rico: Coral Reef Volunteer Program, Help researchers study coral reefs in an important marine reserve in Puerto Rico, Founded in 1969, Oceanic Society is Americas oldest 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to ocean conservation. Most programs include 24/7 support, full accommodation, meals, and airport pickup. The afternoon will be filled withsome free time for exploring the town and after dinner well head out to a localdrink spot for a traditional favorite served in a coconut (with or without rum,your choice)! 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. Located on an isolated island off of eastern Malaysia, you will be living and be working with the staff at their research camp in the jungle, right next to the appropriately named Turtle Bay. Volunteering with sea turtles is an immensely rewarding experience. The tours are led by trained professionals who take visitors to the beaches where the turtles lay their eggs and hatch. They can also gain a greater understanding of the interconnectedness of the natural world and the importance of conservation efforts. The most popular beaches for scuba diving are Playa Sardineras, Playa Pajaros, Punta Arenas and Playa Mujeres. Transfer by taxi to RafaelHernndez International Airport (BQN) to fly home - or if staying on we canhelp you arrange transport from Rincon if needed, to your next destination. Working with local biologists you will explore the Tres Palmas Marine Reserve and support their efforts to monitor the health of the reserve. Most people book onto a snorkeling tour so they dont miss anything. When arriving, and learning of the place whilst I was there. The trip is open to any adult or child age 12 and up who is accompanied by an adult. It is our outstanding volunteers that educate the public about how to protect sea turtles in Brevard County and surrounding areas. quite a show while she is digging. Mosquito Pier is definitely the best spot on the island for seeing turtles. Check out the video below to see some of the turtles of Culebra Island seen whilst snorkeling: Did you know you can also see manatees in Puerto Rico? Volunteer with marine conservation programs worldwide. 2023 Oceanic Society. This program is run in partnership with a local NGO in the small fishing village of Puerto Lopez, and not only works with nesting turtles but has at-sea telemetry projects as well! The best way to see the sea turtles in La Parguera is by renting a water bike. Then we recommend volunteering with the, is an extension of this project that includes volunteer experiences with Puerto Rican farmers. So much gratitude for you your patience, grace, skill, and spirit. Just before sundown, well gather in the conference room to hear a brief seminar on sea turtle biology and the survey methodology. Hi, my name is Meg and, you guessed it, I love to travel. Local Communities: $605 of the tour price. 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! GLA offers a number of different service-learning opportunities, and one of their best is the Sea Turtle Initiative. As a volunteer, your responsibilities are to assist the technologists working for the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) of Puerto Rico by patrolling a nesting beach. Some hotels, like Mamacitas Guesthouse in Culebra, participate in Turtle Conservation Project. 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 promise you wont regret it. Its super common to spot sea turtles as well as manatees, stingrays and dolphins. The Cayos de la Cordillera Nature Reserve is another great place to see sea turtles in Puerto Rico. Id definitely say that Condado Lagoon is one of Puerto Ricos best spots for families as there are some many fun and unique activities here. These charismatic and endangered animals are easy and safe to work with, and they need our help! Volunteers are divided into 3 groups: teachers, facilitators and administrators. Stay in the small surf town of Rincn and learn about the sea turtle conservation efforts at Tres Hermanos Beach. 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. Larger leatherback and green turtles prefer to lay eggs on the beaches of the island of Culebra, which still has many isolated spots, like Zoni, Resaca, and Brava. From here we can explore several exhibitions about the organisms and ecosystems found at the reserve, and enjoy the impressive vistas of the northeastern tip of Puerto Rico, including El Yunque rainforest! Marine conservation volunteer programs also offer a unique opportunity for personal growth and development. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. All our tours are individually customized to your interests. At noon, well travel to Las Cabezas de San Juan Natural Preserve near Fajardo for a guided tour of the coastal habitat and lighthouse. April, 5, 2023 @ 5:30 PM. We can all do something every day to support healthier oceans. All rights reserved. The goal of this project is to ensure the availability of high-quality nesting habitat for leatherback sea turtles in Puerto Rico by: restoring the nesting beaches that are most important for this species, reducing threats to their habitats, and. Make your way to San Juan (a mid-day flight arrival to San Juan is recommended), get settled in to your hotel and enjoy some relaxing time on the beach! Here are few quotes from alumni who enjoyed this program: With a firm 96% rating from GoOverseas alums, Lang Tengah Turtle Watch is one of the best options for really adventurous volunteers. You, sitting there in the sand, staring at her and safeguard a big plastic bag with turtle eggs. After lunch will be open to relax, take a swim, or rest up for one more night on the beach looking for leatherbacks. Discover the beauty of Puerto Rico from the sea. The high season here runs from March to November, but they have important work happening year-round if youd like to visit in the winter. 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! Despite the designation of hawksbill and leatherback sea turtles as endangered in 1970, researchers report that their populations are still decreasing. We will see lots of sea turtles in a variety of ways, on nesting beaches, in the water, and more. We will also meet another localscientist during a guest lecture. Your expedition will be led by one or more of the following expert naturalist guides: Franois Baelen / Coral Reef Image Bank, Oceanic SocietyP.O. Includes:Guide, private transportation, accommodations, meals (except where listed), activities, and a donation to turtle conservation. It also includes transport from mainland Puerto Rico to Culebra Island and back which is super handy. You could try hiring a water bike for something a little bit different. Geographic magazine." Thanks for making this a memorable tour for the girls. Additional nights lodging or any additional days if one chooses to remain in country longer. This stunning crescent shaped beach is well known for its coral reefs which bring with them an array of marine life including sea turtles. Prior to your incentive trip, contact Scuba Dog Society to see if they have any upcoming beach cleanups, or if there are other ways your team can work with them while on Island. Arrive at Rafael Hernndez International Airport (BQN) and take a taxi to group lodging in Rincon. We will also participate in volunteer activities restoring beach dunes and mangroves, and visit a manatee conservation center, take two kayaking trips, participate in cultural activities, and more. If you enjoy seeing turtles, you may also be interested in knowing where to go whale watching in Puerto Rico. Mamacitas Check with the staff at Mamacitas about volunteer efforts to assist the Department of Natural Resources to identify and help nesting turtles (typically April to early June). Desecheo is a small, uninhabited island that is a National Wildlife Refuge and a prime location for scuba diving and snorkeling. Baby turtles hatch from eggs laid on the beaches and make their way to the ocean, facing many dangers along the way. The Bioluminescent Bay (AKA BioBay) luminescence is triggered by dinoflagellates, oceanic plankton which is able to generate an emerald green and ultramarine illumination when water is physically disturbed. The group can split into two with one group walking further down the beach, Overnight at Parador El Faro (2 nights). After breakfast today, we will transfer to the Adjuntas area up on the islands mountains. Mona Island, a small island that lies just off the west coast of Puerto Rico, supports the largest hawksbill sea turtle nesting ground in the Caribbean. Add to wishlist. Another benefit of volunteering is the chance to work and live in some of the most beautiful locations in the world. 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. A unique opportunity for 16 and 17 year olds to volunteer in Puerto Rico in the summer. Was this page helpful? Each species is endangered to a greater or lesser degree, and volunteers are essential to sea turtle conservation around the world. In the northern town of Manat sits the peaceful and secluded Playa La Esperanza.Part of the Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico, AKA Para La Naturaleza, hundreds of endangered sea turtles lay eggs on this beach every spring.From then until the end of October, your team has the opportunity to witness the magic of the turtles' nesting . They are difficult to get to, and once youre there you might be a little cut off from the rest of the world.