Sarawak Turtle Volunteer Programme 3D2N

Itinerary

Day 1 Kuching – Sematan – Talang Talang Islands (L/D)

0900 hours – Pick-up from hotel in Kuching and proceed by road (approx. 2 hours) to the small coastal town of Sematan. Have an early lunch in a local restaurant / coffee shop and then proceed to the boat jetty. Take a boat to the Talang Talang Islands (40 mins) – part of the Talang Satang National Park. Join Sarawak Forestry’s turtle volunteer programme that allows participants to actively take part in Sarawak’s sea turtle conservation efforts. Talang Besar and Talang Kecil are two small islands that serve as sanctuaries for Green and Hawksbill Turtles. Over 90% of turtle landings are from Green Turtles.

Arrive at Pulau Talang Besar around 1400 hrs. The rest of the day is at your leisure to relax, swim or go snorkeling. Late afternoon or early evening (exact time will be set by park rangers), attend a briefing by a park ranger about Sarawak’s turtle conservation programme before being allocated tasks or areas of responsibility. Duties include beach patrols to locate turtle arrivals, monitoring turtle nesting activity, tagging and measuring turtles, transferring eggs to the hatchery, releasing hatchlings, data recording and other on-site conservation activities. Dinner at the ranger station. Participate in nightly beach patrols and monitor the beach for turtle landings as directed by the park rangers or fixed by the volunteer duty rooster. Overnight at the ranger station.

Note: Everyone on the turtle volunteer programme is expected to help with conservation duties such as monitoring turtle landings. Volunteers can expect a rewarding experience but should bear in mind that the programme is not a beach holiday.

Day 2 Talang Talang Islands (B/L/D)

Turtle volunteer activities as directed by the park rangers – beach patrols to locate turtle arrivals, monitoring turtle nesting activity, tagging and measuring turtles, transferring eggs to the hatchery, releasing hatchlings, data recording and other on-site conservation activities. Overnight at the ranger station.

Day 3 Talang Talang Islands – Kuching (B/L)

After breakfast, free & easy, relax on the beach or go swimming. At 1100 hours board a boat and return to Sematan. Have lunch in a local restaurant / coffee shop in Sematan. Return to Kuching arriving late afternoon. Be dropped off at your hotel in Kuching.

Note: The turtle volunteer programme is for adults (18 years and above). Sarawak Forestry do not allow children to participate in the programme.

Slots

Sarawak Forestry offers a set number of volunteer slots per year. These run from May to September each year. Please let us know which slots you prefer so we can confirm availability. The slots for 2025 are detailed below.