Read about my highlights volunteering on the sea turtle conservation programme in Sri Lanka for 4 weeks.
I signed up for a 4-week turtle conservation program in Sri Lanka because I’ve always been passionate about marine wildlife and wanted to do something hands-on that would make a real difference. The support from TMR before I left was amazing - whenever I had a question, they got back to me super fast, which really helped calm any nerves and made the whole process smooth.
When I first arrived in Sri Lanka, it was really late at night, and the heat hit me as soon as I stepped off the plane. But despite the late hour, the team was there to pick us up, and they made us feel so welcome right from the start. The accommodation was great - everyone was incredibly kind, and the food was delicious, which made settling in really easy.
"Every day felt like I was doing something truly meaningful. "
The actual conservation work was so rewarding. I got to do beach patrols, clean up the beaches, bury turtle eggs, release baby turtles into the ocean, and see the turtles at Turtle Beach.
During my free time, I made the most of exploring the beautiful country—visiting places like Galle, Mirissa, and Unawatuna. I even got to go on a safari and took a trip to the Maldives, where I swam with sharks, stingrays, and turtles. Those were some of my favorite memories, along with just soaking in a completely different culture.
There were quite a few other volunteers, and I ended up making friends with everyone. We’ve stayed in touch since coming back, and it’s been great to have those shared memories with people who became close friends. The whole experience was incredible, from the work we did to the adventures we had in our downtime. It was a trip full of unforgettable moments and something I would recommend to everyone.
