Greece

Volunteer work in the turtle project on Crete

Q: How far in advance do I have to register?

Ideally your registration takes place at least 3-6 months before the desired departure date , But also short-term registrations are up 1-2 months before the planned departure is possible. But it could be that your dream project is already booked. In this case we will try together to find a suitable alternative for you.

Directly at the sea
work with wildlife
Surrounded by nature

Climate change, industrial fishing and the destruction of natural habitats have brought sea turtles to the brink of extinction worldwide. Do you want to get involved in the protection of the fascinating reptiles? Then the turtle project on Crete is definitely the right place for you. Here you have the opportunity to do research, education and rescue operations for the endangered animals and to explore one of the most beautiful Mediterranean islands at the same time.

Central Crete

from 18 years

4 - 26 weeks / from €1.490

Wednesday, Sunday

life under water

Conserve and sustainably use oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

Project ID : FA-GR475

As a volunteer
Greece

4 - 26 weeks / from €1.490
to the cost overview

What's the matter?

Your place of work is a non-profit organization that works to protect sea turtles throughout Greece. The established facility has been in existence for almost 40 years and is therefore one of the oldest and most experienced of its kind. To protect the reptiles, the organization relies on three pillars: monitoring the turtles for research purposes, rescuing and caring for injured animals in their own sanctuaries, and educational work with residents and tourists. The non-profit organization is supported in its work by countless volunteers from all over the world every year.

Due to mass tourism, environmental pollution and the destruction of natural areas, more and more turtle habitats are being lost. And fisheries and climate change also make things difficult for the animals. The result: Six out of seven sea turtle species in the world are now threatened with extinction. This makes reptiles one of the most endangered species of all. It is all the more important to do something quickly to protect them. In Europe, the eastern Mediterranean area around your deployment site is of particular importance. Because: Here are the main breeding grounds of many turtle species.

The aim of the organization is to better research the turtles in order to be able to protect nests, (young) animals and habitats more effectively. In addition, as many injured or sick animals as possible should be rescued, cared for and released back into the wild. In order to improve the situation of sea turtles in the long term, raising awareness among the local population and tourists on Crete also plays an important role.

For more information on why turtles are endangered and how you can get involved in their conservation, visit our magazine article on the subject.

Volunteering Turtles Project Crete Tasks

Your tasks as a volunteer

Depending on where your help is most useful, your support may be needed in all areas of the organization. Possible tasks are for example:

Day and night shift surveillance of beaches and hatcheries
Research support: collect and log data
Dialogue with residents and tourists
Awareness raising, awareness raising and fundraising
Development and implementation of practical solutions to protect the turtles, which are compatible with the reality of life of the people on Crete

At your assignment on Crete you will usually work six hours a day. You will then discuss your exact tasks and working hours with your local coordinator. Since the work takes place in different shifts, you may also be busy at night or on weekends. But don't worry, you will definitely have enough free time to explore the island.

You don't need any previous experience or specialist knowledge to work in the sea turtle project. However, you should be a team player and tackle your tasks with a lot of motivation and commitment. Friendliness and a lot of love for animals are also an advantage when working on the project.

Accommodation Catering

all fotos

Volunteer camp

Your accommodation on Crete is a volunteer camp. There is space for up to 20 volunteers in tents they have brought with them. There is a WiFi connection everywhere in the camp, you will also find phones, coin-operated washing machines and free lockers for your valuables. The sanitary facilities are well equipped and the showers have hot water.

From your accommodation, you can walk to your assignment site in 5 to 10 minutes. Shops, restaurants, bars and the beach are all within walking distance. The best way to get to the next town, which is about three kilometers away, is to take the bus. The area around your accommodation is generally considered safe and you can easily get around on foot and by yourself.

Location

Central Crete

Crete is located in the south of the Aegean Sea and is the largest Greek island. It offers breathtakingly beautiful nature with high mountains and wild gorges. The island is like a small version of the mainland. You will find beautiful original villages, big cities and mountains here. Blending the old with the new, the mountains with the sea, the island brings together so many comparative advantages that it is now one of Europe's most popular tourist destinations.

The scent of thyme, sage and oregano fills the air due to the cultivation of aromatic herbs. Crete's agriculture is mainly used for wine, olive and fruit growing and you can admire grapevines and olive trees everywhere. The island is one of the largest olive oil exporters in the EU and one of the oldest olive trees in the world can be found near Kavousi in north-east Crete.

Administratively, Crete is divided into four prefectures: Heraklion, Chania, Rethymnon and Lassithi. Heraklion is the island's largest city and its capital - a vibrant city full of students and youth, where the organization is also based.

Here you can combine work with vacation and fun. Your internship or volunteer work will definitely be etched in your memory forever!

Your free time on Crete

On Crete, the island of the gods, you will certainly not get bored. Be sure to take some time after your work on the project to thoroughly explore the largest island in Greece.

Heraklion, Crete's capital, is about twelve kilometers away from your project location. Highlights of the city are definitely its beautiful Venetian harbor, the historic old town and the attraction par excellence on Crete: the palace of Knossos. There you will learn about the most well-known myths surrounding the Minotaur, discover the labyrinth and learn more about the history of the Ionian civilization. By the way: Entry to the palace is free for volunteers under the age of 25. Talk to our project team about this.

Would you like to absorb even more historical knowledge? Then off you go to the Archaeological Museum in Heraklion. The museum is full of finds from the Minoan period. The time is considered the hour of birth of European culture.

You can take another city trip to Chania. It is considered one of the most beautiful cities on the island with its Venetian harbor, a lighthouse, the ancient old town and the Hasan Pasha Mosque.

Crete is also an ideal place for nature lovers with its breathtaking nature, high mountains and deep gorges. The Samaria Gorge is one of the largest gorges in Europe and definitely an ideal place to go hiking in Crete. Equally exciting for hiking is Crete's second largest mountain Pachnes. It lies in the white mountains and impresses with its bizarre lunar landscape.

If you are more drawn to the beach, Crete will not disappoint you either. For example, visit Preveli Beach. The beach is a popular photo opportunity, as a heart-shaped rock juts out of the water. You will find another special feature on the beach of Elafonisi. Here, turquoise water meets pink sand. Definitely a must see!

On-site procedure

Arrival in Crete

You will be picked up at the airport by an RGV team member and taken directly to the deployment site. There you will first get to know the environment, your new place of residence and work as well as your colleagues.

The Turtle Organization team is there for you on site. But our local RGV team also comes by again and again and is available for you at any time.

Orientation program on Crete

The orientation program begins the next day. Here you will learn everything you need to know about working on the project. The team will explain all aspects of their program and activities to you. You will also be instructed in your tasks. Furthermore, the orientation program also contains important information about everyday life on site, cultural features and the house rules.

Your first day in the project

At the beginning of your assignment, your exact working hours will be discussed with you. On the first day you will get to know the employees and the work processes and you will be briefed on your tasks.

Our team is there for you for the entire duration of your stay on Crete. So if you have any questions or problems, you can always contact our team!

Pricing

base fee

€ 1.490, -

4 weeks of participation
extension week

€ 240, - / week

up to 22 weeks respectively

included
Services

Before departure

Individual advice and support from our trained RGV team in Munich
Organization including placement in the project and coordination of your stay on site
Assistance with preparation: visa, health care, travel insurance, etc.
Non-binding flight advice
Travel ABC with packing list for your travel preparation
RGV t-shirt

On site

Orientation program with the team on site
Support and guidance from the on-site team
RGV 24h emergency number
Project t-shirt to wear during on-site activities

Airport transfer on the agreed arrival and departure days
Accommodation in the volunteer camp

After return

Participation confirmation of your voluntary commitment
Reflection course on your experiences abroad
Evaluation sheet and optional feedback discussion

useful additional services

not included
Services

Round trip
Private expenses on site
Excursions with microlight flights
Travel and cancellation insurance
Visa and Vaccinations
All nights outside your agreed accommodation
Public transport and extra transfers

Individual Recommended additional offers
& must-haves

Would you prefer to stay in a single room? Are you vegan or do you have special requests for food? Or do you want to do some cool trips with other volunteers in your free time and explore the country?

With us, you benefit from a variety of optional additional services that you can add individually to your booking, depending on your preferences.

" Round Trip
Cheap flights with our flight partner thanks to volunteer rates.

" Insurance
Benefit from the 4 in 1 ERGO travel insurance.

Personal development introductory course

Free of charge

Two tools to get you started on your personal development

RGV FAQ
to the project

How far in advance do I have to register?

Ideally your registration takes place at least 3-6 months before the desired departure date, But also short-term registrations are up 1-2 months before the planned departure is possible.

But it could be that your dream project is already booked. In this case we will try together to find a suitable alternative for you.

Can I travel with a friend or in a group?

Yes! On request we enable a double room if you for two with a friend or a friend, or an apartment or other suitable accommodation for groups.

We are very happy to enable our participants to go on a project and share accommodation with friends. Shared accommodation is usually possible both in the volunteer house and with the host family, although the room in the volunteer house may also be shared with other participants. In some locations there is also the option of sharing an apartment.

When registering, please always mention the person(s) traveling with you!

Can I combine projects?

Yes! You can combine projects at one location, at different locations, but also in different countries. It is also possible to combine a project with a trip. You can specify your desired combination directly when registering.

Combination options at a glance:

Combine programs in one country
Combine programs across countries
Combine a program with a language course
Combine a program with ours Adventure & Trips

There are a few things Project combinations to note: The minimum length of stay per project must be observed and you may incur additional costs for country combinations, for example for an intermediate flight.

What are the project fees used for?

Although we are a non-profit organization, there are costs associated with volunteering abroad. Find out here, why volunteering requires money and what your project fee is used for.

Do I need a visa?

As an EU citizen and from Switzerland, you do not need a visa for a stay of up to 90 days. If you want to stay longer than 90 days, you have to apply for a residence permit in the first month at the location.

What language skills do I need for the project?

In order to be able to communicate well with the team on site, you should definitely have good English skills.

What are the requirements for the environmental project?

No special prior knowledge is required to participate. Motivation, good health, the ability to work in a team, fun working outdoors and an interest in environmental issues are important.

What do I have to bring?

Please bring your own tent and camping equipment.

General FAQ about volunteer work

Ready to volunteer in Greece? Start your adventure abroad with Rainbow Garden Village!

Rainbow Garden Village has been offering volunteer work and internships abroad since 1999. What started as a small student initiative in Ghana has now grown into an organization with over 250 projects around the world.

You can be sure that your work as a volunteer will be an unforgettable experience. Bring your commitment and your knowledge to do good locally - and at the same time benefit from the unique experiences that will promote your personal development.

Become part of our RGV community!
We look forward to you.

RGV Your way
to the volunteer

1
Choose your volunteer project and register online.

2
We will review your application and confirm your participation.

3
Prepare for your assignment online or in our preparatory seminar in Munich.

4
Here we go! During your volunteer work, we will support you at any time with our on-site team.

Gallery Impressions &
Impressions

Volunteers drop a turtle in the Mediterranean Sea

Treatment of a turtle in the project on Crete

A turtle is weighed in the project on Crete

More projects you too might be interested

Are you not sure yet? Think about whether a spontaneous assignment as a volunteer abroad is the right choice for you or whether you would like to Voluntary social year (FSJ) abroad want to decide.

With RGV you achieve flexible volunteer work in different countries worldwide. Maybe there is one too Internship abroad the ideal choice for you to gain valuable experience abroad.