Join the Turtle Conservation & Rehabilitation Project in Nusa Penida (Bali) with Abroad Escape for an adventure that you will remember for a very long time!
Join forces with a passionate local crew and dive into hands-on work to protect Indonesia’s endangered sea turtles. With our Turtle Conservation project on Nusa Penida, you won’t just watch from the sidelines—you’ll be part of the action. Depending on the season (since turtles don’t nest all year), you could be spotting and identifying turtle species, collecting and safeguarding eggs, monitoring nesting sites, or guiding tiny hatchlings on their first epic journey to the ocean.
Indonesia is one of the world’s most important hotspots for sea turtle conservation, home to an incredible variety of species cruising its vast coastline. It’s the kind of volunteering experience where every sunrise and every grain of sand under your feet has a purpose.
Why this project belongs on your bucket list
If you’re the kind of traveler who wants more than infinity pools and perfect sunsets (you’ll still get plenty of those), the Abroad Escape Turtle Conservation Project on Nusa Penida lets you plug straight into real, measurable marine protection work. You’ll spend your days helping an on-island team safeguard Indonesia’s endangered sea turtles—from Green and Hawksbill to Olive Ridley, Loggerhead, and even the mighty Leatherback. You won’t just learn about conservation—you’ll live it: monitoring nests, collecting and relocating eggs, caring for hatchlings, and returning them safely to the ocean when the timing is right.
Indonesia is one of the world’s most critical hubs for sea turtle conservation. But turtles here face a cocktail of threats: coastal development, plastic pollution, illegal poaching, fishing gear bycatch, and the climate-driven temperature changes that skew hatchling sex ratios. Your hands, time, and energy help tip the balance back in their favor.
Quick look: What you’ll actually do
Depending on the season (turtles don’t nest year-round), you might be:
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Identifying species and recording data for long-term monitoring.
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Collecting eggs and relocating them to protected hatcheries when necessary.
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Monitoring nests to track incubation and hatching success.
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Releasing hatchlings at dusk to improve survival chances.
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Maintaining tanks and enclosures for injured or recovering turtles.
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Beach-cleaning and anti-plastic patrols—because a clean beach is a safer beach.
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Community outreach with local schools and fishers to build support from the ground up.
The island: Nusa Penida, Bali’s wilder, quieter sibling
Just a 45-minute speedboat ride from mainland Bali, Nusa Penida swaps Kuta’s crowds for rugged cliffs, turquoise water, manta cleaning stations, and palm-fringed lanes. The conservation center sits on this charming, laid-back island, giving you the best combo: meaningful work by day and waterfall hikes, reef snorkels, or scooter explorations by afternoon.
Why sea turtles matter more than you think
1) They keep marine ecosystems in balance
Turtles are both predators and prey, shaping populations of jellyfish and grazing seagrass beds, which keeps them healthy and productive. Healthy seagrass = healthier fish stocks and clearer water. Hawksbills, meanwhile, help control sponge growth on coral reefs, letting corals compete for space.
2) They’re a flagship for ocean health
Turtles are indicators. When their numbers drop, it’s a red flag for broader ocean problems: pollution spikes, habitat loss, warming seas.
3) They drive responsible tourism
Seeing a turtle nest under the stars or a hatchling’s first dash to the sea is life-changing. Properly managed, that awe fuels local economies and funds conservation (and gives you a stronger reason to travel with purpose, not just for pictures).
4) They literally shape beaches
Nesting turtles aerate sand and cycle nutrients from the ocean to the beach. Protect turtles, protect beaches—simple as that.
Threats they’re up against (and how you’ll help counter them)
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Habitat destruction from unregulated development → You help monitor nesting beaches and push for protection through local advocacy.
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Plastic & marine pollution → You’ll be part of regular beach cleans and data logging to inform policy.
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Illegal egg harvesting & poaching → The project’s long-term engagement with local communities has slashed poaching rates, and your presence helps keep momentum (and visibility) high.
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Fishing gear bycatch → Education with local fishers and encouraging turtle-safe practices is key.
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Climate change → By tracking nest temps and success rates, you support strategies to mitigate skewed sex ratios and overheating nests.
Click here for more info on this wonderful project and how you can join!
