PERHENTIAN TURTLE VOLUNTEERING

If you're looking for a fulfilling and unforgettable experience, consider volunteering with the Perhentian Turtle project. Not only will you get to enjoy the stunning scenery of a tropical island, but you'll also be making a real difference in protecting endangered sea turtles. The project is well-established and works closely with the local community to promote sustainable tourism. As a volunteer, you'll have the opportunity to work with a diverse group of people and participate in various activities such as beach patrols, snorkeling sessions, and collecting underwater images of individual sea turtles. You'll also have some downtime to explore the islands and relax on the beach or in a hammock. This is a chance to make a meaningful impact and have an incredible adventure at the same time.

Project Aim

The Perhentian Turtle Project (PTP) was officially established in 2015 as a sea turtle research and conservation initiative to better understand and protect the sea turtle populations at the Perhentian Islands.

Weekly Program*

The itinerary for this trip includes a series of exciting activities spread over a period of seven days. 

On the first day, the plan is to arrive at Kuala Besu, Terengganu, West Malaysia, and take a boat transfer to Pulau Perhentian Kecil. Here, you will be briefed on the project and taken on a village tour followed by a water confidence session.   

The second day will be dedicated to a turtle ID session, where you will kayak to seagrass feeding grounds, snorkel or free dive to spot feeding turtles, and then get involved in data analysis and updating the turtle database.   

On the third day, you will visit the primary school to meet with village kids and work with the project's Precious Plastic machine. In the evening, you will experience a traditional Malay dinner with a local family.   

Day four will be all about snorkeling, with a tour around the famous spots around the islands. You will spot beautiful corals, turtles, juvenile sharks, and more! Then you will depart for the project's nesting beach in Tiga Ruang ("Three Spaces") and spend the first of three nights patrolling for nesting turtles.  

Days five and six will be spent on night patrols, collecting nesting turtle info, relocating turtle eggs,

*This schedule is a representation of a typical week but may be subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances such as inclement weather.