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You’ll be matched with your personal volunteer travel expert who’ll guide you every step of the way.
Meet Your Travel Expert
Receive your welcome pack with everything you need: arrival info, contacts, visa and insurance help, packing tips, vaccines, language basics, and so much more.
Get Ready to Go!
Choose your dream project and apply for free—no commitment, just excitement!
Pick Your Destination & Apply
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Once your dates are confirmed, pay your program fee—choose to pay in full or in easy installments.
Secure Your Spot
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Want to volunteer with turtles on a remote island in Borneo, Indonesia? Our Travel Roots remote island turtle conservation program will allow you to step into a one-of-a-kind conservation experience on a remote island in Borneo—where crystal-clear waters, untouched beaches, and breathtaking biodiversity set the stage for meaningful action.
This is more than just a volunteer placement; it’s a rare opportunity to live and work in harmony with nature, playing a vital role in protecting one of the planet’s most vulnerable species: the sea turtle.
Every year, sea turtles return to Balembangan Island to lay their eggs—but rising tides, human threats, and natural predators place them at increasing risk. Your work as a volunteer is crucial to ensuring their survival. From dawn patrols to nighttime releases, you’ll become part of a dedicated team that’s restoring balance to this fragile ecosystem.
Key Activities Include:
Turtle Census Patrols: Walk the beaches at night, monitoring adult turtles as they come ashore to nest and recording vital data for long-term research.
Hatchling Monitoring: Ensure safe passage for baby turtles by clearing obstacles on their path to the ocean and tracking hatching success rates.
Nest Relocation: Move vulnerable turtle nests to safer locations when faced with flooding or predation risks.
Daily Hatchling Releases: Time releases at dusk to reduce predator exposure and give baby turtles the best chance of survival.
Eco-Island Support: Help maintain the island’s environmental sustainability through beach cleanups, data entry, and general upkeep.
Whether you’re passionate about marine biology, love being outdoors, or simply want to make a real difference, this hands-on program offers a raw, authentic, and inspiring conservation experience.
By volunteering on our Remote Island Turtle Conservation program in Borneo, you will:
Contribute directly to the protection and survival of endangered sea turtles in their natural nesting habitat
Participate in daily hatchling releases, giving baby turtles their best shot at life in the wild
Learn hands-on conservation techniques such as nest relocation, census patrols, and hatchling monitoring
Live on a remote tropical island surrounded by turquoise waters, pristine beaches, and incredible marine life
Experience a true digital detox and reconnect with nature in one of the world’s most secluded settings
Collaborate with passionate local conservationists and international volunteers
Develop valuable skills in marine biology, data collection, teamwork, and eco-living
Make a real impact in a location where your presence is genuinely needed and deeply appreciated
What to Expect: A Day in the Life of a Remote Island Turtle Conservation Volunteer
Life on Balembangan Island is beautifully simple, yet rich with purpose. Your days will be shaped by the rhythm of nature and the unique routines of island conservation. From dawn patrols to evening hatchling releases, each moment brings you closer to the heart of sea turtle protection.
You’ll start your mornings with team briefings and light housekeeping or base tasks, followed by data entry, educational workshops, or helping prep for patrols. Depending on the day, you might assist with environmental clean-ups, update monitoring logs, or tend to camp maintenance tasks like preparing food or checking equipment.
In the afternoons, you’ll help review footage from camera traps, support hatchling welfare, or prepare signage and awareness materials. The remote island setting also offers time to connect deeply with your fellow volunteers, soak in the natural beauty, or simply relax under the palm trees.
As the sun begins to dip, evenings become action-packed. You’ll head out on beach patrols, keep watch for nesting mothers, or assist in the release of hatchlings—an experience you’ll never forget.
Example Daily Schedule
Please note activities may vary depending on the season and turtle nesting patterns.7:00 AM – 8:00 AM: Morning meeting and breakfast
8:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Data entry, base camp maintenance, environmental education work
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Beach clean-up or preparation for hatchling patrols
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Lunch and rest
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Free time, workshops, or assisting with turtle awareness activities
3:00 PM – 5:30 PM: Hatchling monitoring or sea patrol preparations
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM: Dinner and discussion
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM: Evening beach patrols and potential hatchling release
Your Impact as a Volunteer
By volunteering on this remote island conservation project, you are taking direct action to safeguard one of the world’s most vulnerable marine species—the sea turtle.
Your presence supports vital turtle conservation activities, from protecting nesting sites and relocating at-risk eggs to monitoring hatchlings and documenting marine life behavior. Every patrol you walk and every hatchling you release contributes to the long-term survival of sea turtles in this fragile ecosystem.
Beyond wildlife, your efforts ripple through the local community and environment. You’ll raise awareness about marine conservation, help reduce plastic pollution on nesting beaches, and contribute to data-driven research that informs future protection strategies.
This program offers a chance to be part of something truly meaningful—restoring balance to marine ecosystems, supporting grassroots conservation efforts, and deepening your understanding of the delicate relationship between humans and nature.
Whether you stay for one week or twelve, your actions leave a lasting legacy on this island paradise and its endangered inhabitants.
Your Home On A Remote Island
Your stay during the program will be on Balembangan Island, where life is simple, rustic, and immersed in nature—exactly what makes this experience so unique and grounding.
Volunteers are accommodated in one of two shared rooms at the conservation monitoring post. The side room contains three beds equipped with cots and space to store personal belongings. The back room, typically used for group volunteers, is an open space where mattresses are laid out as needed.
Facilities are basic but functional. The kitchen is modest, with a two-burner stove and a nearby dining area. You’ll also find a spice storage box and simple washing area for dishes. Meals are prepared and shared communally, adding to the sense of connection and camaraderie.
Two bathrooms are available onsite: one upstairs with a toilet, and a downstairs bathing area for bucket showers. While amenities are simple, the location and purpose more than make up for it—you’ll be waking up steps away from the beach, surrounded by ocean breezes and the sounds of the jungle.
This back-to-basics lifestyle is part of what makes the experience so authentic, helping you unplug, reset, and focus fully on the conservation mission at hand.
History
This unique conservation project was founded on November 4, 2021 by Muhammad Ardian with a powerful mission: to protect and preserve the fragile marine ecosystems and endangered turtle species around Balembangan Island. With a deep-rooted belief that humans and nature must live in harmony, this grassroots initiative focuses on real impact and community-driven action.
Mission & Vision
The vision is to foster a sustainable future by safeguarding sea turtles and promoting marine conservation in one of Borneo’s most remote and ecologically rich areas. By combining scientific monitoring, local stewardship, and volunteer involvement, the project aims to restore balance between humans and the marine environment—ensuring that future generations can enjoy thriving coastal ecosystems.
Program Fees & What’s Included
Program Fees (€)
Due to the remote location and boat transfers, a minimum stay of 15 days is required.
Duration Total Price (EUR) Approx. Daily Rate
15 Days €855 €57/day
30 Days €1,500 €50/day
45 Days €2,050 €45/day
45+ Days Contact us for extended stay pricing and discounts
✅ What’s Included
✅ All meals (3 per day) on the island
✅ Accommodation at the conservation post
✅ Return boat transfer from the mainland
✅ Full orientation and training from local staff
✅ Use of monitoring and research equipment
✅ 24/7 support and emergency assistance
✅ Welcome pack full of useful program info
✅ Domestic airport or bus station transfers
✅ Expert guidance from experienced conservation professionals
✅ Full support before, during, and after your placement
✅ Certificate of completion
✅ 100% Cancellation Money-Back Guarantee
✅ And so much more...
Your Investing in Turtle & Marine Conservation and Yourself
Your program fee is more than just a payment — it’s an investment in your growth, conservation skills, and the future of marine life.
By volunteering on our Remote Island Turtle Conservation program in Borneo, you’ll gain:
Practical conservation and fieldwork skills, including turtle monitoring, hatchling release techniques, and marine data recording
Experience living and working in a remote off-grid setting, surrounded by nature and away from modern distractions
A deeper understanding of marine ecosystems and sustainability, with hands-on involvement in vital protection efforts
Renewed purpose, independence, and confidence, knowing you’re actively safeguarding endangered sea turtles for future generations
Your program fees help directly support:
Daily patrols, data collection, and hatchling protection on Balembangan Island
Equipment and tools for safe turtle handling and nest relocation
Meals, water, transport, and facilities for both volunteers and conservation rangers
Maintenance of the conservation post and infrastructure improvements
Long-term operations that ensure the island remains a safe haven for sea turtles
Where You'll Be: Welcome to Balembangan Island, Borneo – one of the last true frontiers of marine conservation.
Nestled off the coast of Malaysian Borneo, Balembangan is a small, secluded island brimming with natural beauty and ecological significance. With no roads, no shops, and no noise—just the sounds of waves, rustling palm trees, and the occasional turtle crawling ashore—this is conservation in its rawest, most authentic form.
The surrounding waters are rich in marine life, from coral reefs to tropical fish species, but the island’s true stars are its nesting sea turtles. Balembangan offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature’s rhythms and be part of the vital efforts to protect these gentle creatures.
Why Borneo?
Borneo is one of the most biologically diverse places on Earth. While much of the island is known for its rainforests and orangutan populations, the marine environments are equally spectacular—and tragically under threat. Participating in turtle conservation here means you’re contributing to a globally significant mission.
The Setting
Life on Balembangan Island is simple, remote, and beautiful. Volunteers live at the island’s turtle monitoring post, surrounded by white sand beaches and dense tropical greenery. Expect no Wi-Fi, limited electricity, and total immersion in nature. It’s the perfect escape for those craving digital detox, adventure, and meaningful impact.
Life on Balembangan Island is refreshingly simple—off the grid and immersed in nature. While the primary focus is conservation work, your free time offers the chance to reconnect with yourself, explore your surroundings, and enjoy the calm beauty of island life.
During your downtime, you might:
Swim and snorkel in the crystal-clear waters surrounding the island
Watch unforgettable sunsets each evening from the beach
Read, journal, or relax in the hammock with the sounds of nature all around
Join beach clean-ups or help create educational materials with staff
Explore the island’s trails and observe its unique flora and fauna
Share stories and meals with rangers and fellow volunteers under the stars
There’s no nightlife here, no distractions—just the rhythm of the tides and the quiet satisfaction of knowing your efforts are making a real impact.
For those seeking more adventure before or after the program, you can extend your travels on mainland Borneo and experience jungle treks, orangutan sanctuaries, river cruises, or cultural exchanges with local communities.
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