Involvement Volunteers International WHY we need you in Bali
- Approx 14.3% of the population in Bali live below the poverty line
- Volunteering in this region creates employment opportunities for the local staff & helps invigorate the local economy.
- Many villages lack education and even access to clean water and electricity.
- Bali has been growing in environmental problems such as pollution and freshwater scarcity.
HOW can you help?
- Help protect the endangered sea turtles of Indonesia, on the beautiful island of Nusa Penida
- Assist with local schools, teaching English and environmental education
- Create local campaigns and information leaflets for the community, about environmental awareness
- Look after and care for the injured turtles, with the hope to release them back into the wild
WHAT can you do?
- Clean the turtles tanks, feed them and ensure the centre is clean and tidy
- Learn how to collect turtle population statistics, identify turtle species, collect eggs & monitor nests
- If you're lucky, get to release the baby hatchlings back into the sea!
- Assist in beach cleaning and crab collecting by the ocean
Why Involvement Volunteers International?
- Non Profit Org & Charity with 35+ Years Experience
- 13 Projects to Choose From in Bali
- Social Experiences - Sharing with International Volunteers
- Excellent Safety Record, In-Country 24/7 Support & Emergency Assistance
- 1 Application Fee - Multiple Countries
PROJECT NAME: TURTLE CONSERVATION
LOCATION: NUSA PENIDA ISLAND
START DATES: WEEKLY (SAT/SUN ARRIVALS)
ACCOMMODATION: VOLUNTEER HOUSE
MIN DURATION: ONE WEEK
MIN AGE: 16+
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: C6B Social-Cultural Visa Required, Criminal background check required
Overview
Indonesia is a critical hub for sea turtle conservation, boasting a diverse range of turtle species that inhabit its extensive coastline. The most common species found in Indonesian waters include the Olive Ridley Turtle, Green Sea Turtle, Hawksbill Turtle, Loggerhead Turtle, and Leatherback Turtle.
Indonesia is home to numerous nesting sites where female sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. Beaches in places like Java, Bali, Sumatra, and Papua are vital nesting grounds. Conservation efforts often focus on protecting these sites from human disturbances and preserving suitable conditions for successful nesting.
Sea turtles in Indonesian islands face various threats, including habitat destruction due to coastal development, pollution, and climate change. Illegal poaching for meat, eggs, and shells remains a significant concern, and turtles are also vulnerable to accidental capture in fishing gear, impacting their populations.
Sea turtle conservation is of paramount importance due to the ecological, economic, cultural, and scientific significance these creatures hold. Protecting sea turtles not only ensures the survival of a unique and ancient lineage but also contributes to the overall health and resilience of marine ecosystems worldwide.
Volunteers are needed to help protect the endangered sea turtles of Indonesia. You’ll be wisked away by boat to an island 45 minutes from mainland bali. Depending on the time of year, you’ll be collecting turtle population statistics, identifying turtle species, collecting eggs, monitoring nests or releases hatch lings into the sea.
Life on the island is authentic with the beach literally on your doorstep however volunteers must be prepared for a more basic standard of living with much less entertainment and attractions than on the main land.
Volunteers will also assist the local neighborhood schools with English teaching, environmental education and sports. There are few native English speaking locals so having the opportunity to practice English speaking is very helpful to the community.
Location
Volunteers will stay on the beautiful island of Nusa Penida. Think bright blue waters, private caves, lush jungle, waterfalls, incredible marine life and a laid back vibe. The island is full of adventurous things to do, such as trekking to stunning viewpionts, diving, snorkelling and island hopping. Volunteers stay in a dedicated volunteer house located in the village and only 5 mintues from the harbour.
Project Tasks
- Educate locals on the importance of environmental issues
- Clean, feed and look after various turtle species
- Assist with beach cleaning, collecting crabs and tidying the turtle centre
- Learn valuable knowledge on how to care for turtles and the best way to ensure these animals are looked after
*Please note
All participants for the Education, Teaching, Construction, and Turtle Conservation projects, regardless of the program duration, will now be required to apply for a C6B Social Cultural visa prior to arrival.
Participants who have a Visa On Arrival or an E-Visa on Arrival will not be able to participate in these projects. Participants who only attend the culture, adventure, and yoga weeks will be accepted to join the programs with a Visa on Arrival. The standard visa application process can take 10-15 working days. There is an express service that can complete the visa process in 5 -7 working days.
Food & Accommodation
Volunteers stay in a dedicated volunteer house located in a peaceful village where you will get to experience the local way of living, as well as enjoy the company of other like minded volunteers.
Bedrooms are shared (single gender), 4-6 people per room, with hot showers, aircon, fans and western toilets. Wifi is included however the speed may not be as fast as you are used to. You can buy a local Sim card for very cheap on the island at various local shops.
3 traditional Balinese meals are provided on weekdays and 2 meals on weekends (breakfast and dinner). Indonesian food is tasty and diverse and volunteers can expect dishes included nasi goreng (fried rice and vegetables), mie goreng (fried noodles and vegetables), or gado gado (mixed vegetables with a satay sauce). For those who do not eat meat, Indonesian cooking uses a lot of tofu and tempeh (soy beans).
Breakfasts are varied and include pancakes, fresh fruit, toast etc. Tea, coffee will be available at the volunteer house. Purified water is available in the volunteer house. We do not recommend that you drink the tap water. If volunteers wish to eat out in Ubud, there are a large numbers of restaurants and local warungs (restaurants) to suit all tastes and budgets. There is also a western café in the village for fresh fruit juices, fresh coconuts and sweet treats. If you have any special dietary requirements, please let us know when you apply so we can make arrangements for you.
*Accommodation may be in our local centre or in close proximity, depending on availability and time of year.
Specialty
Projects
- Turtle Island Conservation
- Balinese Yoga
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1 Week - $475
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2 Weeks - $750
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3 Weeks - $1025
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1 Month - $1390
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2 Months - $2690
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3 Months - $3890
What's Included
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Accommodation
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Meals
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Airport Pickup
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Local Transportation
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1 Day Orientation
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24/7 In-Country Support
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Project Materials & Equipment
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Pre-departure Expert Advice
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Preperation Tools & Checklists
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Certificate of Completion
- Application fee is one off per person (unlimited placements)
- Click Here to convert the below prices to your local currency
- Discounts may apply if travelling in a pair or group!
- All credit card /international fees included in below pricing! 🙂
Testimonials...
FAQ
If you have a passion for the enviornment or would love to learn more about what we can be doing to save these precious animals, then this project is a great fit for you. For anyone who loves animals and being outdoors, close to the ocean, you will love this project!
- Accommodation
- 3 meals p/day & 2 p/day at weekends
- Arrival airport transfer (Sat/Sun arrivals)
- Filtered drinking water, coffee & tea
- 1 day orientation
- Daily transportation to project
- In country 24/7 support & emergency assistance
- Fundraising support
- University course credits (where applicable)
- Certificate of Completion
- Ferry to and from Nusa Penida (only Sunday before project and Saturday after project)
- Airfares
- Travel Insurance
- Tours, Souvenirs & spending money
Programs begin every Monday, and volunteers are required to arrive the day prior, for orientation before the project.
A free airport pickup is included when arriving to Denpasar International Airport (DPS). You must arrive between 06:00 to 12:00 on Sunday (the last boat to Nusa Penida is at 3pm).
If arriving later than 12pm on the Sunday, you may be able to be picked up by the Ubud team and spend the Sunday night at our Ubud accommodation. Then on Monday morning you will be transferred to Nusa Penida by boat. This transfer will incur an extra fee.
We advise you to arrive during the pickup window or before, so your program is not disrupted.
If arriving before the pickup time, you can either wait at the airport until the pickup window or arrange a private transfer and extra nights’ accommodation from us, if arriving before Sunday. Alternatively, you can book your own accommodation in Sanur and meet our local team at Sanur Harbour at 2pm on the Sunday. They will then take you to Nusa Penida by boat.
Journey time from the airport (via road and boat) to your Nusa Penida accommodation takes 1.5 hours.
*Please note
All participants for the Education, Teaching, Construction, and Turtle Conservation projects, regardless of the program duration, will now be required to apply for a C6B Social Cultural visa prior to arrival.
Participants who have a Visa On Arrival or an E-Visa on Arrival will not be able to participate in these projects. Participants who only attend the culture, adventure, and yoga weeks will be accepted to join the programs with a Visa on Arrival.
Applying for a C6B Social Cultural Visa
There are two ways to apply for this visa.
- Apply at an Indonesia embassy in your home country
- Apply via a certified visa agency based in Bali
1. Apply at an Indonesia embassy in your home country
Some of the Indonesian embassies accept applications for C6B visas for Indonesia. However, please contact the nearest embassy to get more information.
2. Apply via a certified visa agency based in Bali
Multiple visa agencies in Bali can assist with the application for a C6B visa. This still needs to be done before arrival.
Documents required for visa application:
- Scanned Passport ID – Ensure a clear image with no cropping, and hands should not be visible in the photo.
- Arrival and Return Flight tickets
- Bank statement last 3 months (Minimum 1500-2000.00 USD) – Colour scan, clear photo
- A latest passport photograph (color) (clean, half body, neat clothing)
- Standard Visa fee and visa Processing fee 3,850,000.00 IDR. ( USD 275 / 250 Euros) The standard visa application process can take 10-15 working days.
- Express Visa fee and visa processing fee 4,500,000.00 IDR ( USD375 / 300 Euros ) The express visa application process can take 5-7 working days.
Sunday
Welcome day. You will have lunch and receive a short introduction on the beach to familiarise yourself to your new home! After that, you will get to know more about Nusa Penida, local area, supermarkets, ATM etc.
Monday
After having breakfast, you will see a presentation about the Turtle Conservation project and also receive a project briefing which will help you to understand the dos and don’ts at the project. After that you will help on the project, feeding the turtles, cleaning the tanks, catching live food for turtles and cleaning the beach. In the evening, you will then see a documentary about Turtles which will help you to widen your knowledge about these amazing creatures.
Sunday
Welcome day. You will have lunch and receive a short introduction on the beach to familiarise yourself to your new home! After that, you will get to know more about Nusa Penida, local area, supermarkets, ATM etc.
Monday
After having breakfast, you will see a presentation about the Turtle Conservation project and also receive a project briefing which will help you to understand the dos and don’ts at the project. After that you will help on the project, feeding the turtles, cleaning the tanks, catching live food for turtles and cleaning the beach. In the evening, you will then see a documentary about Turtles which will help you to widen your knowledge about these amazing creatures.
Tuesday
After having breakfast on Tuesday, you will start cleaning the tanks, feeding the turtles and collecting seaweed and live food for turtles. In addition, you will also create turtle toys, clean the beach and provide medicine for injured turtles if there are any.
Wednesday
After having breakfast on Wednesday, you will start cleaning the tanks, feeding the turtles and collecting seaweed and live food for turtles. In addition, you will also create turtle toys and provide medicine for injured turtles if there are any.
In the evening, you can enjoy sports activities on the beach, such as volleyball, badminton or football.
Thursday
On Thursday, you will have breakfast and start cleaning tanks, feeding the turtles and collecting seaweed. You will also create turtle toys and provide medicine for injured turtles if there are any.
On either, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday you will visit an amazing location called the Crystal Bay which has a breathtaking view. Your local coordinators will decide the day in which you visit this exotic location.
Thursday night will be a special one for you to enjoy the welcome and farewell dinner by a bonfire at the beach. This would be a great opportunity to get to know the newcomers and say goodbye for those who are leaving.
Friday
On Friday, after having breakfast, you will feed the turtles and get an amazing opportunity to release turtles into the sea. But please do understand that this opportunity is only if you are leaving the program this week. If you continue another week at the project, you will engage in the regular activities at the turtle conservation centre. For those who are leaving the program, there would also be a feedback session regarding the program. After having lunch, you all can engage in activities such as feeding the turtles, cleaning tanks and measuring the turtle growth.
Other activities you would engage are as below:
- Cleaning the beach
- Making garbage bins for the local area
- Creating a Turtles/Environment campaign for the local area
- Releasing injured turtles after treatment and clean private beach
- Turtles site construction work: such as extra turtle tank or wall, painting the walls etc.
- Collecting turtle information such as length of carapace, size of flippers, checking its weight etc.
- Visit Tanah Lot temple – A famous Hindu temple perched on a rock formation on the coast of Bali.
- Explore Ubud – A cultural hub in the center of Bali known for its art galleries, museums, and traditional crafts.
- Try surfing at Kuta Beach – One of the most popular beaches in Bali with great waves for surfers of all levels.
- Visit the Tegallalang Rice Terraces – A beautiful and iconic rice terrace located in the Gianyar Regency.
- Go snorkeling or diving at Nusa Lembongan – A small island located southeast of Bali with crystal-clear waters and diverse marine life.
- Hike Mount Batur – An active volcano located in the north of Bali, offering stunning views from the summit.
- Watch a traditional Balinese dance performance – Bali is known for its unique and beautiful dance traditions.
- Relax at a beach club – Bali has many luxurious beach clubs with pools, restaurants, and stunning ocean views.
- Visit the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary – A nature reserve and temple complex in Ubud where you can interact with hundreds of friendly monkeys.
- Dolphin watching in Lovina – Take a morning boat trip from Lovina Beach to spot dolphins swimming and playing in the ocean.
- Visit the Banjar Hot Springs – A natural hot spring located in Lovina where you can relax and soak in the warm mineral water.
- Take a cooking class – Learn how to prepare delicious Balinese dishes and immerse yourself in the local culinary culture.
- Visit the Munduk Waterfall – A picturesque waterfall located in the Munduk village surrounded by lush greenery and a great spot for hiking.
*Please note
All participants for the Education, Teaching, Construction, and Turtle Conservation projects, regardless of the program duration, will now be required to apply for a C6B Social Cultural visa prior to arrival.
Participants who have a Visa On Arrival or an E-Visa on Arrival will not be able to participate in these projects. Participants who only attend the culture, adventure, and yoga weeks will be accepted to join the programs with a Visa on Arrival. Going through an online agency is the easiest way to obtain the visa.
For information on holidays and any programs affected, please see the following link: ID – Holidays – All Programs
Indonesia has to be one of the most interesting countries in the world for cultural learning for its diverse and sophisticated art forms, such as painting, sculpture, woodcarving, handicrafts, and performing arts. Indonesia has around 300 ethnic groups, each with cultural identities developed over centuries, and influenced by Indian, Arabic, Chinese, and European sources.
Millions of small farmers, farm workers and fishers are unable to tap into the opportunities offered by years of economic growth. They are often geographically isolated and lack access to basic infrastructure and support.
Bali is a Hindu Island, Balinese traditional cultures are still present, making the island charming and beautiful. Traditional Balinese clothing worn by women covers their shoulders and knees, especially, when they go to the temple and when they have a ceremony day.
IVI have a variety of programs designed to immerse volunteers into the local lifestyle in order to experience the unique culture, build life long relationships and benefit the people that need it the most.
Bali is situated just south of the equator. It has a hot and tropical climate year round.
The wet season is from November to March, and the dry season from April to October (although there may still be some showers) The rains usually only last for a few hours, so you will usually still get some sunshine during the day.
The rainy season brings about humidity and it is generally hot year round, from 20 to 30 degrees. Cooler temperatures can be found up North in the mountain regions.
Bali culture is incredible, rich in tradition and spirituality which focuses mainly on art and religion, with the two often expressed through each other. Many Balinese people are an artist of some kind and spend their leisure time working on hobbies and artwork that have been passed down through generations.
Many public areas, homes and paddy fields are decorated by detailed paintaings, intricate carvings, fine weaving, statues and various artworks. Life in Bali is very much communal and centered around local villages with the community institution or ‘Banjar’ responsible for many aspects of life. The Balinese have a word, “Niskala” which means that which cannot be sensed directly, but can only be felt within.
30 Years Non Profit Experience
IVI is an Australian charity & non profit organisation founded in 1989 and is one of the pioneers of overseas volunteering successfully placing over 20,000 volunteers globally.
Affordable Volunteer Travel
We’re not motivated by shareholder profits. Our fees are fully transparent to ensure maximum benefit where it is most needed.
Safe & Responsible Projects
All projects include a dedicated 24/7 in-country management team, operational & risk assessment & overseas support contact. All projects are personally inspected to ensure very high quality.
Work Experience & University Credits
We place thousands of Uni students and can assist you with course credits and in-field experience points. Many of our project coordinators are qualified practitioners in their respective fields allowing unique in-field supervision and Uni accreditation options
Check out this amazing blog with step by step info on how to raise funds for your overseas volunteer experience to help maximize your impact abroad. Guide to Fundraising
Weekends & Extra Tours
