Play your part in saving
endangered sea turtles

The first & only 100% ethical sea turtle project in Sri Lanka

Duration
1-24 Weeks
Accompanied age
5+
Minimum age
16+
Start dates
1st & 3rd Saturday
From
£200

Duration
1-24 Weeks
Accompanied age
5+
Minimum age
16+
Start dates
1st & 3rd Saturday
From
£200

Sri Lanka sea turtle conservation

Quicklinks

Accommodation & meals
Volunteer fees
What's included
Frequently asked questions
TMR Weekend Trips

Come and help on the most exciting sea turtle project in Sri Lanka that is the first of its kind! You will play a vital role in saving critically endangered sea turtles on a 100% ethical project, set up and run by The Mighty Roar.

You, along with other volunteers are urgently needed to help with our worthwhile conservation efforts. You will not only be contributing your time and money to saving turtles within our hatchery and local area but also to gathering essential research data to change how the whole industry is currently run in Sri Lanka!

Our brand new purpose built large hatchery was funded and constructed by previous volunteers and we now need as many people as possible to come and help continue our efforts. Every nest, every egg, every hatchling and every turtle released is crucial to the survival of the species, so why not be part of something special where you can genuinely say you helped sea turtles in Sri Lanka!

Apply now Application process

Background to the sea turtle programme

Unfortunately, sea turtle populations around the world are on a sharp decline due to natural predators and severe human interference. One of the biggest problems in Sri Lanka are human poachers, who mishandle the eggs to sell to turtle sanctuaries or to locals as a source of food or medicine. Another major problem is actually the 40 so called sanctuaries that line the west coast of Sri Lanka. Unfortunately, these projects are set up purely to make money from tourists, with many cruel practices happening day in day out.

We regularly visit many of the sanctuaries nearby, where many hundreds of volunteers from around the world go every year to supposedly help. There is absolutely no conservation happening and nine times out of ten they are actually making the situation worse. Some of the bigger problems include; many healthy sea turtles being confined to very small tanks without being able to swim or dive, thousands of tourists holding turtles (often dropping them), baby sea turtles being kept in tanks for many weeks before being released (therefore using up all of their energy and any hope of survival) and most sanctuaries from what we can tell have a very low hatching success rate and are mainly producing males.

Our aim of the programme is simple; to conserve the critically endangered sea turtles that nest upon the shores of Sri Lanka. We hope to achieve this by:

Educating the local community about the importance of sea turtles and the environment (plastic, littering etc.)
Provide a new income to local poachers (assisting volunteers, tours and many other ideas) to gradually decrease their presence.
Collect vital research data about nesting turtles and our hatchery's success rate to provide to the government to then look at imposing stricter legislations regarding poaching and turtle sanctuaries.
Create a tour permit system whereby former poachers and sanctuary staff take tourists onto nesting beaches in a safe and ethical way - therefore reducing the need for income from traditional sanctuaries.

With five of the seven sea turtle species (Hawksbill, Green, Loggerhead, Olive Ridley and Leatherback) being regularly found along the coast of Sri Lanka, there is no better place to volunteer to ensure these amazing animals have the best chance of survival. Although the nesting season is at its peak from November to May, there are turtles coming ashore regularly all year round!

Working alongside fellow volunteers, our dedicated local team and at times, research biologists, you will get to learn so much about the local environment and sea turtles. All of the research data we gather will be collated and published every year to not only help us improve but we also hope that we can change the current situation in Sri Lanka and in the sanctuaries.

Where will I be volunteering?

You will spend the majority of your days and nights on the nearby beaches working with wild turtles! The first and most important location is Akruala beach. This 2 kilometre stretch of golden sandy beach is a hot spot for sea turtles coming ashore to nest, with over 15,000 eggs collected every year - and it's just a 10 second walk away!

We have identified a further 2 beaches close by that we regularly work on and we hope one day they will be safe havens so the nests can remain on the beach as nature intended. In an ideal world there would be no need for hatcheries and we hope from the work we do and the data we gather, we can eventually make this a reality.

The rest of your time will be spent at our purpose built hatchery, just a 20 second walk from the volunteer accommodation or at the accommodation itself, collecting and correlating any required research data.

What is my role?

You will play an important role and be fully involved in our efforts of trying to save sea turtles in Sri Lanka. You will get hands-on experience with this once in a lifetime opportunity to work so closely with these beautiful creatures. You will leave feeling rewarded after having made such a positive impact on the future survival of sea turtles. Get ready for some unforgettable memories and amazing experiences in this truly beautiful country. Just some of the activities you could be involved with are:

Night beach patrols - One of the main tasks will be to patrol one of three nearby beaches in search of sea turtles coming up to nest. Walking along the pristine sandy beaches listening to the waves crash down is not a bad way to spend your evenings / nights! Seeing a turtle slowly make it’s way out of the sea and up to nest is an amazing experience! You will be responsible for transporting any eggs you come across back to the safety of our hatchery where they will have the best chance of survival. Each shift will generally last 1 to 2 hours and cover a distance of between 1 and 4km.

Hatchery guarding - Looking after the hatchery on a shift like basis, you will be guarding all of the nests from any potential predators. During this period you will be in charge of weighing, measuring and releasing all new hatchlings into the sea.

Releasing baby turtles - By far the most popular and best activity, you will get the chance to release newly hatched babies into the sea. This rewarding activity is of course why we are all here and there is no better experience than knowing you have contributed to the wild sea turtle populations. For the best chance of survival, the babies are released as soon as they hatch at differing locations.

Sea turtle rescue - Our local team and volunteers are always on call in case a sea turtle is in need of rescue. We regularly get calls from local fishermen who have accidentally caught turtles in their fishing nets as well as from locals who have come across a sea turtle who is stuck or in distress. Volunteers will play a vital role in helping these turtles to rehabilitate and then release them back into the sea once they are fit and healthy.

Tank cleaning and refilling - We need to ensure that our two tanks are always clean to make sure any seas turtles currently in our care are happy. Even if we do not currently have any turtles present, we always need to be prepared and ready in case that call comes. Although a relatively simple task, without any kind of pumping equipment and in the tropical heat - it can be quite gruelling!

Beach cleans - Not the most exciting job, but ensuring that the coastline along the project site is clean and tidy will result in more females coming up to lay their eggs – crucial for securing their futures!

On top of the above, you could also find yourself conducting morning census, maintaining the hatchery and any associated equipment and raising awareness within the local community.

What will a typical day look like?

The majority of sea turtle activity actually happens during the late evening / night and in the early mornings. For this reason, most activities generally occur during this time, leaving you with plenty of free time during the day to relax or assist with other programmes.

No two days will ever be the same and at the blink of an eye you could be off to rescue a turtle! Depending on what your group has been scheduled to do for the day, you could be up helping from as early as 6am or on a late night beach patrol until 2am! A typical day may look like this -

6:30am - 7:30am - Morning census
8:00am - Breakfast
9:00am - 10/11:00am - Carrying out any scheduled tasks such as beach cleans, tank cleaning / refilling and feeding any sea turtles in our care. You can also assist on our teaching and childcare programmes if wanted.
11:00am - 1:00pm - Free time
1:00pm - Lunch
2:00pm - Assist with the community teaching class or free time.
7:00pm - Dinner
7:30pm - 12:00am - night beach patrols, hatchery guarding and releasing any newly hatched turtles

Where will I be staying?

We cannot think of anywhere better to stay when volunteering in Sri Lanka! Our volunteer accommodation is just a stones throw away (10 second walk) from a quiet golden sand beach that is lined with palm trees – paradise! It’s the perfect place to come and relax each evening and witness some incredible sunsets. Not only this, but you can snorkel in the crystal clear waters that have an abundance of colourful fish swimming around the coral reef and you may even see a sea turtle swim by!

The touristy backpacker town of Hikkaduwa is just a 10 minute tuk-tuk ride away where you can visit many restaurants and bars that back right onto the beach. A favourite town amongst most volunteers, there are many supermarkets, quirky shops and water activities on offer – including surfing. The fishermen town of Ambalangoda is just another 10 minute tuk-tuk ride away in the other direction and offers a more local and traditional way of life. You can visit markets, devil mask museums and also see the largest laying down Buddha statue.

The accommodation is also conveniently located close to the historic town of Galle and well known beaches including Mirissa and Unawatuna.

Other things to consider

Nesting Season - Sri Lanka is quite unique in the fact that the country has sea turtles nesting all year round - hence the programme having start dates throughout the year. However, the peak sea turtle nesting season starts from the end of November until the end of March, with the peak hatching season running from the start of February until the end of May. Although you will more than likely see sea turtles and hatchlings outside of the peak months, it is not guaranteed and will be less frequent.

Top destination - Sri Lanka is widely considered by our volunteers to be our best volunteer destination. The majority of our feedback suggests that this is due to the superior local support offered by Charith and our local team, the volunteer programmes making a real difference, value for money and accommodation location. With this in mind, we believe that Sri Lanka is the perfect destination for first-time travellers, under 18's and families with younger children.

Helping on multiple projects - Whilst in Sri Lanka and as a sea turtle volunteer, you will also have the opportunity to get involved with all of our other programmes. This unique experience will allow you to assist with sea turtle conservation, but also assist where wanted on our childcare, teaching and dog sanctuary programmes for no additional charge.

Weekends and free time - You will have every weekend off from volunteering and this is the perfect time to explore everything this beautiful island has to offer. You are more than welcome to simply relax around the accommodation and enjoy the nearby beaches, but most volunteers will use this time to travel and see the country. Further down this page you will come across many suggestions and ideas on where you could go. Alternatively, if you are looking to see as much of the country as possible during this time, travel with other volunteers and be accompanied by one of our local team members, then you may be interested in one or more of the organised weekend trips we run.

Apply now Application process

Experience Of A Lifetime

We have just returned from three weeks on the turtle conservation project in Sri Lanka. We did this as a family, with children aged 12 and 10. The experience as a whole was incredible, and I would recommend it to anyone.

We felt completely looked after by the TMR team in Akurala. Ayomi was quick to respond to queries on the group chat, while Chutti and Mammu were always on hand to show us what to do and help when needed.

In terms of accommodation and comfort, the rooms are basic (though all have air conditioning except during the scheduled power cuts), but we only really needed them for sleep and short breaks from the heat. The sense of community within the establishment was amazing. Our kids made friends quickly with kids of the two other families who were there at the same time, and we felt perfectly safe to let them play in and around the restaurant area and the wider complex. The food provided was great. We were given many different vegetables we had never sampled before, cooked in interesting ways, along with chicken and tuna, rice and noodles which were also very good. The kids appreciated the copious amounts of ice-cream provided after each meal!

Days and evenings were never dull. Most of the turtle duties are later on, with night walks along the beach to check for signs of eggs being laid (always accompanied by a staff member), and checking the hatchery for baby turtles. When not volunteering we made frequent tuktuk visits to Hikkaduwa (turtle beach!) and local restaurants/bars, and as well as the weekend trips on offer, we also frequently had the opportunity to do additional things such as a raft ride to see bats on the river and visits to local Buddhist temples. There is sometimes a small extra charge for these things, but well worth it.

More than any other trip I've been on, I really felt part of the community and feel like I learned so much about the place and people. For example after helping with the teaching one day, two of the boys insisted I should see their houses in the village, and I was made to feel incredibly welcome, being shown the house by their families and given coconut to drink. It was little experiences like this that elevated the adventure beyond anything I've done before.

Many thanks to the TMR team!

Paul PearsonSeptember 2022

Many thanks to the TMR team!

Paul PearsonSeptember 2022

Great Experience

Great experience. TMR are a great company, everything went smoothly and communication was always good. The experience we had in Sri Lanka was well organised and valuable. It was all as it had been promised. Accommodation was very basic as you would expect in a developing country. Overall, I can't fault the experience or the company. The local Sri Lankan team were lovely. Totally recommend 😁

Becky PearsonSeptember 2022

Great Experience For The Family

Was a great experience for the family - staff there were amazing with kids.

Neal MyerscoughSeptember 2022

TMR - Highly Recommend!

Just heading to the airport after and incredible 5 weeks withTMR. I travelled with my kids (age 7, 10 and 12) and we have had the most amazing experience. We will deffo be back! We’ve done turtles, kindergarten, teaching, dogs and all the weekend travel experiences. I’d struggle to say what I loved best. Was all amazing. Thank you TMR team! ♥️♥️

Sarah MyerscoughAugust 2022

Amazing Experience

I had a great time in Sri Lanka, the people are lovely and the country itself is amazing! Chuti, Ayomi, Hector, Mamu and sudha were also brilliant, very kind and helpful and I always felt safe in the accommodation, they really made the experience! The weekend trips were amazing i happened to go on the Maldives trip and the cultural triangle trip and both I would recommend!

Beatrice PoultneyAugust 2022

Experience of a Lifetime

Spent a brilliant 4 weeks in Sri Lanka with The Mighty Roar on the Sea Turtle programme. This programme was probably the most structured and I was fortunate to see several green turtles laying at night and release many hatchlings into the sea. Thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The only constructive criticism I would leave is that a minority of volunteers seem to lack responsibility in their daily tasks with little recourse for their lack of input.

Carole DarkinJune 2022

A Great Experience

Had such a good, varied, wild time in Sri Lanka.

The staff look after you well and offer extra activities that we weren’t expecting.

The food is good, luckily i like that cuisine, it is quite samey samey but you can go elsewhere for other meals and cuisines.

The accommodation was fine, nothing fancy but good a/c and a hot shower.

The turtle project was great, we luckily got to see a fee turtles nesting and hatchlings being born, and burying some eggs ourselves. I think it needs a little more organisation though as some people clearly hadnt bothered to keep up with their duties/paperwork etc.

Hannah ByrnesMay 2022

Had such a good, varied, wild time in Sri Lanka.

The staff look after you well and offer extra activities that we weren’t expecting.

The food is good, luckily i like that cuisine, it is quite samey samey but you can go elsewhere for other meals and cuisines.

The accommodation was fine, nothing fancy but good a/c and a hot shower.

Hannah ByrnesMay 2022

The Most Incredible Experience

I stayed in Sri Lanka for 2 weeks doing the sea turtle programme, and I wish I could have stayed for longer ! leading up to the trip Chris answered any questions/concerns I had, and always within 24 hours !!

The country is beautiful and everyone looked after us so well 😊 I loved staying with Charith’s family, it was like having a home away from home. everyone I met I got along with, and I’ve made lifetime long friends 💞 For my first time travelling abroad and all on my own, I couldn’t have chosen a better company to volunteer with!

The sea turtle programme is 100% ethical and everything they are doing is so beneficial to helping the future of the turtles 🐢

Thank you the mighty roar 🦁 I will definitely want travel again with you in the future :)

Alisha GrundyApril 2022

The sea turtle programme is 100% ethical and everything they are doing is so beneficial to helping the future of the turtles 🐢

Thank you the mighty roar 🦁 I will definitely want travel again with you in the future :)

Alisha GrundyApril 2022

4 Weeks at TMR Sri Lanka

I spent 4 weeks at TMR Sri Lanka. Those 4 weeks were 4 of my most enjoyable weeks ever. For my first 2, I did the Turtle conservation program which I really loved. It has a really well organised timetable which gives you the best opportunity to see baby turtles being released and turtles laying eggs on the beach on as many occasions as possible. For my second 2 weeks volunteering I participation in the childcare (kindergarden) project. This, for me, was better than I could ever had imagined, as it was always such a wholesome experience. Whether it was helping the kids colour in, or outside playing with them, they love every minute of you being there and spent the whole time with a massive smile on their faces.

Another reason why I enjoyed TMR so much was because of the amazing people I met. We had some great times in Simple, playing cards after dinner, or taking a trip into Hikkaduwa on an afternoon. I can confidently say that I know I have met people that I will stay in contact with and for sure see again when we get home to England.

As for the local team; Chutti, Mammo and Hector made the experience even more fun and enjoyable. You’d never go a day without them making you laugh, especially Chutti (pineapple, ice cream). I am so grateful for all the hard work that they put in, whilst we are there and behind the scenes.

The manager in Sri Lanka, Mini, is really easy to talk to whether you have any problems, queries, or would just like a chat. Mini really is a massive part of TMR and with her desire to make every day better than the last for the volunteers, and her genuinely being one of the kindest and funniest people I’ve met, she really makes it a better place.

So a massive thank you especially to Mini and the local team for making this an experience that I will never forget :)

Freddie PryceApril 2022

So a massive thank you especially to Mini and the local team for making this an experience that I will never forget :)

Freddie PryceApril 2022

10/10 For Everything

10/10 for everything an unforgettable experience and even more unforgettable peoples special shout out to all the local staff especially Mini

Shannon MacPheeMarch 2022

TMR Sri Lanka

I had an overall amazing experience at tmr in Sri Lanka. I spent my time participating in the sea turtle project where you have to look after varying species of turtles. This is not the only project at tmr they also support childcare and teaching projects for instance. If you disclose that you want to switch around your project this is also relatively flexible. Projects is not everything at tmr in Sri Lanka. It’s a good mix of working time and time that you can explore this beautiful country, or just lay on the beach for a bit.

The part I will probably miss the most is the people I met there. Everyone there has to some extent the same intentions as you, so chances are you will get along with mostly everyone. I’ am not only talking about the volunteers the local staff (hector, mammu, and chutti) were always there for you to make you laugh or if you needed something. Saying goodbye to them for me was one of the harder parts.

The organization on the ground is run by Mini. Genuinely one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. Had an absolutely amazing time thanks to her and the staff.

Tnx Mini xx

Altogether had an amazing time. It’s a real experience and I would recommend it to everyone with an adventurous mindset.

Pop FrenkenMarch 2022

The organization on the ground is run by Mini. Genuinely one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. Had an absolutely amazing time thanks to her and the staff.

Tnx Mini xx

Altogether had an amazing time. It’s a real experience and I would recommend it to everyone with an adventurous mindset.

Pop FrenkenMarch 2022

My New Home

My new home ! I love this program with my whole heart ! Not only were they passionate about doing good and genuinely helping the wildlife and surrounding community, they also care so much about every single volunteer !

Sri Lanka is a beautiful country with so much to offer and the TMR group will tell you all the local tips and tricks to see the nicest places at the best times, the organised weekend trips are a great way to see so much in so little time, there would be no way I could have done so much without the help from the local team.

The Accomodation is a 10 second walk from the beach and the food is amazing, there are communal areas and also quiet places for you to have downtime, rooms are clean and perfectly located as well has having 24/7 support. I felt so welcomed into their family and every single person there would go so far out of their way to help you !

Chris and Mini will help you throughout the whole process and answer every stupid question you have before during and after. The whole group are the most welcoming family you’ll ever meet and if you’re lucky you might even get a quick cooking lesson from Renu (mum). Hector is the kindest soul who cares for every living creature and will teach you so much about his religion and take you on his exciting daily dog feeds (he will get excited about the chickens and cats too). Mammuh will tell you all the fun facts and stories whilst on your nightly beach patrols and can protect you against anything (great to have on speed dial). Chuttji is the funniest man alive, doubles as a (questionable) doctor and is a great dancer, he will help you in every way possible but don’t trust him because he’s the biggest cheat when playing uno or blackjack. Karu and Suda are the best tour guides in town! Auntie and uncle are the sweetest people going and uncle will never turn down an opportunity to show u all his cats. Charith has done an amazing job with TMR and I would recommend it to literally anyone, I can’t wait to go back I really miss my second family !

Billie WilsonMarch 2022

The Best Experience Of My Life So Far

Would I recommend The Mighty Roar? Oh my GOD yes!

I did the Turtle Volunteer programme for 2 weeks in Sri Lanka and had the most amazing experience that I will never forget.

We stayed with such a gorgeous family who really took care of us and were looked after by the most wonderful team (Mini, Mammu, Chutti & Hector) and I miss them all already.

Chris, the owner of TMR, was so helpful and it was an added bonus that he was out in Sri Lanka whilst I was there so that I could personally apologise for all of my annoying emails!

I made so many new friends and future travel buddies which is an absolute bonus.

I also felt that volunteering truly made a difference in this country and the team really try hard to educate the locals on sustainability too, which is so important.

I'm looking at booking the next project now and have been recommending this to everyone 💕

Hannah McGarrickFebruary 2022

Would I recommend The Mighty Roar? Oh my GOD yes!

I did the Turtle Volunteer programme for 2 weeks in Sri Lanka and had the most amazing experience that I will never forget.

We stayed with such a gorgeous family who really took care of us and were looked after by the most wonderful team (Mini, Mammu, Chutti & Hector) and I miss them all already.

Chris, the owner of TMR, was so helpful and it was an added bonus that he was out in Sri Lanka whilst I was there so that I could personally apologise for all of my annoying emails!

I made so many new friends and future travel buddies which is an absolute bonus.

I also felt that volunteering truly made a difference in this country and the team really try hard to educate the locals on sustainability too, which is so important.

I'm looking at booking the next project now and have been recommending this to everyone 💕

Hannah McGarrickFebruary 2022

Home Away From Home

Home away from home, you really are treated as part of the family & I cannot rate the English & Sri Lankan team enough, nothing is too much trouble for them.

All the projects make you feel like you are truly making a difference. Especially the sea turtle program, where you go on regular beach cleans and night patrols.

You would not regret embarking on this life changing experience.

Paige GoulderJanuary 2022

Home away from home, you really are treated as part of the family & I cannot rate the English & Sri Lankan team enough, nothing is too much trouble for them.

All the projects make you feel like you are truly making a difference. Especially the sea turtle program, where you go on regular beach cleans and night patrols.

You would not regret embarking on this life changing experience.

Paige GoulderJanuary 2022

Turtle Conservation in Sri Lanka

I had the most amazing time in Sri Lanka! The staff was just wonderful, super friendly, warm, giving people! I would do it all over again, a million times, without any doubt.

Unfortunately I only stayed for 1 week and there were no wild turtles around, but nevertheless it was an amazing experience and we ended up having some contact with turtles in a sanctuary.

Would definitely, a million times recommend!

And thank you all you lovely people that took care of me and all the other volunteers during our stay!

You are truly amazing!! ❤

Hoping that one day I'll come back for a little while longer.

Daniela BrançasJanuary 2022

I had the most amazing time in Sri Lanka! The staff was just wonderful, super friendly, warm, giving people! I would do it all over again, a million times, without any doubt.

Unfortunately I only stayed for 1 week and there were no wild turtles around, but nevertheless it was an amazing experience and we ended up having some contact with turtles in a sanctuary.

Would definitely, a million times recommend!

And thank you all you lovely people that took care of me and all the other volunteers during our stay!

You are truly amazing!! ❤

Hoping that one day I'll come back for a little while longer.

Daniela BrançasJanuary 2022

Found My Happy Place

I had the most wonderful time with Charith and his family. Mammu, Karu, Renu, Hector, Mini, Devika and Keerthi are just the most warm and welcoming family ever. Watching the turtle dig the nest and burying the eggs is an experience I will never forget. The facilities are super convenient and the hosts always go out of their way to make the volunteers comfortable. Would highly recommend this experience, I know I have made some fond memories here!

Vaidehi MurthyJanuary 2022

Amazing Experience!

We had such an amazing time at the Mighty Roar in Sri Lanka. Before we even arrived in Sri Lanka we were supported virtually by Chris and Charith in helping us to organize what we needed to ensure that we could get to Sri Lanka safely. We felt the process was very professional and Chris certainly helped with all our concerns surrounding the local UK restrictions around travelling abroad.

When we arrived in Charith was a fantastic host and friend, messaging us to ensure that before we arrived for the volunteering that if we needed any help with anything he was just at the end of a phone.

When we arrived for the week of the volunteering we couldn't have felt more welcomed by Charith's and his family. They made sure that we felt part of the family and had everything we needed whilst we stayed with them. They made sure that we were well feed (with amazingly tasty home cooked food) and we immediately felt at ease.

The volunteering was absolutely fantastic, varied being able to cross over with other projects and we were able to support the local community. We could see the direct impact that COVID-19 has had on the community and the Mighty Roar so understood the importance of our volunteering work the future of all the volunteers to come. We were lucky to be able to go to the local school and nursery to spend time assisting them with hands on tasks and helping to teach English. We were greeted by the school principal and teachers with excitement to be able to work with them for the week. It was such a lovely and unique experience that we will never forget.

In the day time we were able to help beach cleaning and restoring the turtle hatchery which included clearing groundwork, painting and setting up equipment for the nests. During the evenings we were able to experience seeing female turtles coming in from the sea to nest, which was absolutely amazing and we will never forget it.

I would highly recommend the Mighty Roar and wish them all the best for the future. If you would like to volunteer I would highly recommend the Sri Lankan program with Charith as you will have so much fun, experience the real life of Sri Lankan, feel safe and at home.

Samantha ParryMay 2021

Great Time In Sri Lanka

I had a great time in Sri Lanka, I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy it at all as it was my first long haul flight and with no one I knew but the family are extremely welcoming and the volunteers you meet are all 99% in the same boat as you so everyone gets on perfectly.

Depending on what course you do you may find that you have a fair few hours of downtime during the early afternoon or late afternoon so don’t panic that you’ll spend your WHOLE time working there is definitely ample opportunity to visit the local nearby towns for gift shopping or surfing.

Throw yourselves into it have fun and make friends, the more effort you put in the more you’ll get out of it without a doubt.

Cheers everyone at the house and Chris for setting this all up, special love for Mammu

Sam GrayFebruary 2020

Throw yourselves into it have fun and make friends, the more effort you put in the more you’ll get out of it without a doubt.

Cheers everyone at the house and Chris for setting this all up, special love for Mammu

Sam GrayFebruary 2020

Family Volunteering in Sri Lanka

My three teenage children and I spent two weeks over Christmas with TMR in Sri Lanka. It was the most amazing experience that has enriched our lives in so many ways. Charith, his family and his team welcomed us into their home and taught us so much about their work with sea turtles and their beautiful country. We felt so well looked after, especially by Mamu who completely took us under his wing and would even help us cross the road! The whole team were kind, patient and generous with their time and would help us organise anything we wanted to do. The other volunteers became good friends and there was a lovely, cohesive atmosphere amongst the volunteers and the team. I cannot recommend this experience highly enough, whether going in a group or on your own. Sri Lanka is the most beautiful country, the people are so welcoming and have shown such resilience in the face of adversity. We were shown a slice of it by a wonderful group of people who I feel lucky to now call friends. Thank you Chris, Charith, Mamu and your team for facilitating this incredible experience for us. We will be back!

Emma MitchellJanuary 2020

TMR Sea Turtle Conservation

Thank you to everyone in Sri Lanka for making the sea turtle conservation trip such an amazing experience. So many highlights and special moments, but the opportunity to live with Charith's family will stay with me for ever as will all the staff who were always there to answer questions, suggest things to do and help us in every which way. You have such a beautiful country, both along the coast and inland, with kind friendly people. I can't wait to return with my daughters in tow.

Zoe PhillipsJanuary 2020

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a beautiful country with lovely friendly people. We really enjoyed our time volunteering on the turtle programme. Charith and the two main helpers were so helpful and good fun to work with.

We loved the orientation day with the jungle walk and the visit to a temple. A river safari was also organised which we all loved: the countryside was beautiful and we saw a lot of animals.

On our project we hand feed the rescue turtles, cleaned out their tank, cleared the beach and best of all took part in the night beach patrols watching for the female turtles coming inland to lay. We were only there for a very short week but were lucky to see one turtle come up lay.

In our free time we shopped and fed the turtles at Hikkaduwa, sunbathed, spend the day in Galle, took part in a quiz the volunteers organised and helped paint graffiti on a local wall (!) We made some great new friends, especially our roommate!

A week isn't very long and most of the volunteers were there for 4-8 weeks but it was still long enough to see the lovely country and appreciate the work that The Mighty Roar does.

I highly recommend them, and say that our project is best suited to those under 40 as there is some quite physical work involved

Sally MayDecember 2019

We loved the orientation day with the jungle walk and the visit to a temple. A river safari was also organised which we all loved: the countryside was beautiful and we saw a lot of animals.

A week isn't very long and most of the volunteers were there for 4-8 weeks but it was still long enough to see the lovely country and appreciate the work that The Mighty Roar does.

I highly recommend them, and say that our project is best suited to those under 40 as there is some quite physical work involved

Sally MayDecember 2019

Sri Lanka Turtles

I arrived from Sri Lanka a couple of days ago after three weeks Volunteering with the turtles. I cannot explain into words how amazing this experience is from watching turtles lay eggs on the beach and protecting them from local poachers, to feeding and cleaning out the large tanks and also completing beach cleans and chatting with the locals whilst doing this. The caring, kind, informative and support from the team there is fabulous. From the food (which I loved) to local information and learning about Sri Lankan and Buddhist cultures and lifestyle. I would go back in a shot. Mammo, tutti, hector, charith, renu and Karu are just such genuinely lovely people of touched my heart and made my experience even more special. I have wonderful memories and can’t say thank you enough.

Sammy JadeDecember 2019

Just Fabulous, these guys are gems

Just fabulous - recommend without reservations for any age.

We had an amazing time staying at TMR. Charith and his family couldn't have been more welcoming and accommodating. As an older than average couple at around the half century we opted for a private room, which gave us plenty of space, air con and a private bathroom. The food was wonderful, authentic and plentiful. We learnt a lot about marine conservation generally and turtle specifically from Mia, the resident expert, and really enjoyed getting an understanding of real Sri Lankan life from Karu and the gang. We had plenty of time to explore on our own but were able to contribute enough to feel satisfied we'd earnt our keep :-) We actually booked some onward travel in Sri Lanka before we left - definitely wouldn't bother next time as the family can get it all sorted for you at much better rates.

I've only just come across this review request, so my experiences are 9 months old, but I can't imagine that the Mighty Roar will have done anything except get better!

Tamsin BrownbridgeDecember 2019

Just fabulous - recommend without reservations for any age.

I've only just come across this review request, so my experiences are 9 months old, but I can't imagine that the Mighty Roar will have done anything except get better!

Tamsin BrownbridgeDecember 2019

The most amazing time in Sri Lanka

I’ve had the most amazing Sri Lankan experience, which was all thanks to the down to earth, kind hearted people who take care of the Akurula sea turtle project and accommodation. I was very nervous about travelling alone for the first time but Charith and his family made me feel so welcome! They go above and beyond to make sure you are comfortable and happy. I’ve already started to make plans for next year as this was the best adventure I have ever been on.

Thank you Mighty Roar

Alexandra-Rose HikinsDecember 2019

Thank you Mighty Roar

Alexandra-Rose HikinsDecember 2019

2 weeks in Sri Lanka

Just finished my 2 weeks volunteering at TMR with turtles. Back at home now and missing Sri Lanka, the weather(!!?), the experience and the wonderful people I met and worked with on my journey. It really was the best experience I have had. If there’s one piece of advise I can give, that’s just do it. You will never regret it. It’s something that will open your eyes, make you laugh and smile, maybe make you cry, yet it will inspire you and stay with you for ever. I hope to come back next year and continue all the awesome work that has been done so far by all volunteers.

Jason CowsillDecember 2019

Turtle conservation in Sri Lanka

I had the best time in Sri Lanka on the turtle conservation project. From the moment I was met at the airport I felt safe and welcome. The accommodation is lovely it is basic but beds comfortable and bathroom nice you really dont need anything more and the location is great just opposite the beach which was lovely for having a swim and a sunbathe. The food was lovely and there was a mixture of rice, noodles and pasta along with different types of curry. There are 2 towns either side of the accommodation each about 10 minutes in a tuk tuk, Hikkaduwa is good for restaurants and gift shops along with good beaches, I only really went to ambalangoda for the supermarket. The turtle project itself was fantastic and releasing the hatchlings into the sea was a truly amazing experience. The beach patrols on a night time were also great and Mamu and Tuti were very knowledgeable about the turtles. Beach cleans were also good to do and was really nice to be thanked by the Sri Lankans on the beach for doing them. I also took the weekend trip to the Maldives which was simply out of this world, the local island we stayed on was beautiful and the hotel we stopped in was great. We took trips to snorkel and swim with sharks, dolphins, turtles and mantas which is something I will never forget. Charith and his family were so kind and helpful and it really felt like a home from home, I met so many great people there and can't thank the Mighty Roar enough for an amazing experience I will definitely be going back!

Lydia RackhamSeptember 2019

Amazing experience in Sri Lanka

Really enjoyed my time in Sri Lanka. The food was delicious and the accommodation was in a really convenient place. Made some amazing friends and tried things of which I'd never tried before. Definitely would recommend, and would love to do a another project with the mighty roar again!

Edward GumSeptember 2019

Turtles in Sri Lanka

Had a week on the turtle experience in Sri Lanka and was just gutted it wasn’t more. They are doing such good things for the good and doing things correctly. Very welcoming and always on hand to help and the people you meet are just amazing and all like minded. Will be 100% going back at some stage and also spent an extra few weeks travelling Sri Lanka which is now my favourite travelled country.

Danny BoysSeptember 2019

Sea Turtle Conservation

The sea turtle conservation program was honestly one of the best experiences of my life! Charith and his family were so friendly and welcoming, it made the place have an amazing feel to it. The accommodation is basic but very clean and the air conditioning was life saving. Even though I was only there for a week I managed to go on two additional trips with the mighty roar which were really cheap comparing to other places offering the same trips. I would definitely recommend going if you are thinking about it!

Joesph HitchesSeptember 2019

Sri Lanka turtle project

In October 2018 me and my boyfriend completed 1 week at the turtle project in Sri Lanka but we wished we had stayed longer!! Charith and his family were very welcoming and friendly. Even though we were only there for a week we went on trips to Ella and Galle which were amazing. Our accommodation was basic but clean and comfortable. I really enjoyed the food because it allowed me to try local cuisine that wasn’t too spicy. Would definitely recommend it was an amazing experience!

Katie BodenSeptember 2019

Turtle project volunteer

I went on the turtle project and had a great time, even though it was off season I saw over 100 hatchlings and helped save a few full grown turtles. There was a lot more free time than I expected so didn’t plan much but I made many friends and we went out to Hikkaduwa, Galle and Marissa on a few different days so the time wasn’t wasted. Karu set up many trips during the week which you could choose to go on and it was great fun. I also did the hill country and safari weekend trip which was a lot of fun and a good experience but we weren’t told how cold/rainy it would be! Also the safari was a bit disappointing as we didn’t see many animals but was still worth it. The accommodation at the mighty roar site was basic but comfortable, the beds were nice, room was clean and showers were fine - the air con was a god send! Overall I would definitely do this again and highly recommend any other volunteers to take part.

Katie HaynesAugust 2019

Most amazing experience of my life

This was the most amazing experience of my life! Being 18 and travelling alone was the scariest thing but the whole experience was made so comfortable by Chris and Charith! Charith and his family were so welcoming and having the chance to stay in a safe place with some really good food was perfect. I’m even wanting to go back again, I did the sea turtles project but got the chance to help teach English to the children too which is very rewarding. You get lots of time to do your activities but also lots of time to travel to local places and explore and relax on the stunning beach

Tegan WinterAugust 2019

Fantastic time in Sri Lanka

My teenage daughter and I travelled 5 -19th July 2019 to the Sea Turtle project in Sri Lanka. We had a fantastic time! Charith and his family were so welcoming, informative and a lot of fun. I was really impressed as to how "hands on" the project was and how much responsibility volunteers were allowed to take on. We were lucky to see hatchlings released and a turtle lay eggs on the beach on two separate nights. The Full Moon celebrations were fantastic to be a part of, serving in the local community.

Food at the volunteer accommodation was lovely and there was always lots of it! Fresh bottled water was constantly available. Beds and rooms were comfortable. It was great to go on a trip over a weekend. This was a great way to see more of Sri Lanka and some of the famous sights such as The Nine Arch Bridge at Ella and Worlds End at Horton Plains, so breathtaking.

These are experiences we will remember for ever! Thanks so much to everyone that made our trip amazing. UK Office Team, Charith & family, Mammu and the local team and of course our fellow travellers who quickly all became friends.

Lisa SweetingAugust 2019

Sea turtle conservation in Sri Lanka

This project allowed children and my youngest daughter Lucy was 15 at the time, as well as offering a one week programme – we only had time for the Maldives trip and a week’s volunteering so it was perfect for us. The whole set up was so professional, from start to finish.

We would 100% recommend The Mighty Roar; we have even looked at doing another project in the next year. It is a great way of meeting new people and visiting somewhere new at a reasonable cost. I would also say do the additional activities and weekends that are on offer. You get to see new places in a safe way too. We would both absolutely recommend the Maldives trip too – possibly a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Jennie BaylissJune 2019

Just returned from turtle conservation

Just returned from turtle conservation in Sri Lanka - we were really looked after before trip and during. We learnt so much and experienced so much. I still watch videos on Facebook and will the baby turtles to make it into the sea! We arrived at the airport at the crack of dawn, The Mighty Roar made pick up so easy - really helpful when travelling with children (or on your own!). Accommodation is basic (you're in Sri Lanka and not a 5 star hotel!),beds were really comfortable, food was mainly Sri Lankan (you could go to local town for more choice). We are hoping to return!!!!

Alison ThurleyJune 2019

The Mighty Roar Sri Lanka was insane

The Mighty Roar Sri Lanka was insane! The family, locals and volunteers were amazing. It was 6 weeks of great memories, cool experiences and so many new friends! Can't wait to go back!

Imogen BendallJune 2019

Amazing place!

I had the best 2 weeks staying with Charith and his family, everyone was so welcoming and friendly (including the cats Pudding and Sphinx). My days were very varied, some days I would have early beach patrol (checking the beach for tracks that may have been missed during the night), painting posters/boards for teaching in the afternoon, burying turtle eggs, making nets to go over where we buried the turtle eggs, beach night patrols (seeing turtles laying the eggs on the beach) and hatchery shifts (checking if any eggs have hatched and then setting the hatchlings free).

I absolutely loved teaching the children everyday, as exhausted as I was, I just couldn’t not go and see them everyday. I have never taught before so it was a challenge for me at first, but was definitely a great experience.

I haven’t volunteered anywhere else apart from Sri Lanka, but I would definitely recommend this company to anyone considering it, everything runs so smoothly, there’s always someone there for you to talk to if needed and all the staff are so nice.

Karen GreenMay 2019

What an amazing trip!

Our visit to Sri Lanka on the Sea Turtle volunteering program, was nothing but incredible (other than a little hot and sweaty) The team were welcoming and helpful from the start, and made sure we were able to make the most of our trip from the get go, helping us to book any extra trips out. I'd never though of volunteering on the teaching side whilst there, but after the first visit to the school, we were absolutely hooked. This is definitely a program, that if you're willing to dive head first into, and get totally stuck into, will reward you in a million and one ways. The coordinators, family, children, other volunteers, and of course turtles, made this a holiday of a lifetime, and I cannot thank The Mighty Roar enough for allowing us to have this opportunity.

Catherine MillsMay 2019

3 weeks in Sri Lanka

I had 3 weeks in Sri Lanka and it was incredible from day one a massive warm Welcome from Mia, Simon, Chris, the current volunteers and most importantly Charith and his Amazing Family. On the first full day we had a tour of the local area which was so so nice!!! The beach across the road is like something off a post code A thing I was wary of before coming out was poachers on the beach when we where also on their (we always had a family member or friend with us so we were never on our own at night) , we came across them many times on our visit, no weapons or aggression just friendly locals trying to make a bit of money.

We went in the hope to see plenty of sea turtles and Hatchlings and we were fortunate enough to see loads of them more than I was expecting if I am honest it was incredible. The food was always awesome but quite similar every week if you want a change it’s only a 15minute tuktuk ride from hikkaduwa which has really good

Unfortunately we where in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday when the events happened but I can’t stress enough how safe the family and even the locals made us feel for the rest of our stay so I can’t thank them enough. It was amazing been part of such a big project and exciting to see the visions on where it is heading, I can’t wait to get back out there hopefully I won’t have to wait too long

Thomas WoodMay 2019

Such an amazing experience and so…TMR

Such an amazing experience and so rewarding. Not only are you part of a team but you become part of The Mighty Roar family. We travelled as a family for 2 weeks, on the turtle project which was lots of fun with everyone having the chance to get involved as much or as little as possible.

The food can be quite repetitive, but if you fancy something different you don’t need to go very far.

Sri Lanka is such a beautiful country I would recommend it to anyone, such friendly people.

Paul CollinsMay 2019

The food can be quite repetitive, but if you fancy something different you don’t need to go very far.

Sri Lanka is such a beautiful country I would recommend it to anyone, such friendly people.

Paul CollinsMay 2019

An insane 3 weeks in Sri Lanka

An insane 3 weeks in Sri Lanka , we were well looked after and treated as family. I would definitely recommend TMR to solo travellers who want to meet new people and have new experiences.

Sophie WeeksApril 2019

4 weeks in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka, it gets in your blood. So here we are three months on from my trip to Sri Lanka where I spent the best 4 weeks of my life. A real sense of achievement and I still get excited talking about it now. There is no better feeling in the world than watching a hundred or so baby turtle hatchlings scrambling along the shoreline to the sea, the determination and drive to reach the ocean, it never gets old. I would recommend to anyone and everyone.

Martin MillerApril 2019

Turtles in Sri Lanka

That was my first volunteering experience abroad and on my own, and I really loved it. I would definitely recommend it and will certainly do it again. I wish I was there longer but I still got to enjoy Sri Lanka and was lucky enough to see turtles and hatching in a short period of time. Everybody was really nice and helpful. Thank you for everything.

Julie Bailly-MaîtreFebruary 2019

I had 3 weeks in Sri Lanka

We travelled to Sri Lanka as a family with my 8 year old son, never having volunteered before and not knowing what to expect. I can honestly say we had the best experience!

The Mighty Roar allowed my son to be actively involved in all the tasks from beach cleaning to releasing hatchlings which was an fantastic experience for all of us. Sri Lanka is an amazing country but the The Might Roar made it special for us.

If your looking for a feet up lounger holiday where you can take a selfie with a Turtle then this is NOT for you, however,if you’re looking for an adventure which involves some rewarding work with great people and an incredible host family this really is for you. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the Turtle experience with The Mighty Roar to anyone just go with an open mind and get involved.

Loretta RidgwayJanuary 2019

We travelled to Sri Lanka as a family with my 8 year old son, never having volunteered before and not knowing what to expect. I can honestly say we had the best experience!

Loretta RidgwayJanuary 2019

Accommodation & meals

More details

It’s the perfect place to come and relax each evening and witness some incredible sunsets. Not only this, but you can snorkel in the crystal clear waters that has an abundance of colourful fish swimming around the coral reef and you may even see a sea turtle swim by!

For all wildlife lovers, there are regular sightings of sea turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs just metres away from the accommodation! Our local team will happily come on walks late into the evening or wake you up in the night so you can witness this magnificent experience.

Our spacious and comfortable volunteer accommodation is set on a large plot of land where you will be staying in one of our purpose built houses. Surrounded by the jungle on one side and the beach on the other, you have the best of both worlds! You can sit back and relax outside under the sun while drinking from a King Coconut that grow on the many palm trees around the accommodation or top up your tan over at the beach.

Everyone comes together to eat their delicious meals outside under a traditional shelter where you can all share stories and you’ll even be able to hear the waves crashing down. This is also the perfect place for impromptu parties and BBQ’s where you can socialise into the night looking up at the dark starry sky.

You will be sharing a room with up to 5 other volunteers in comfy bunk beds (all bedding and mosquito nets are provided). All rooms have the added luxury of air-conditioning and modern en-suite bathrooms. If you’re lucky you could be staying in one of the bedrooms that have a small balcony where you can look far into the jungle and you can even see the sea!

Wi-Fi is available throughout the accommodation although this can be intermittent. Our local team are more than happy to provide laundry services at a small charge.

The backpacker town of Hikkaduwa is just a 5-minute tuk tuk ride away where you can visit many restaurants and bars that back right onto the beach. A favourite town amongst most volunteers, there are many supermarkets, quirky shops and water activities on offer – including surfing.

The accommodation is also conveniently located close to the historic town of Galle and famous beaches including Mirissa, Unawatuna and Ambalangoda. There are also great bus and train links that allow you to easily explore the rest of the country.

Meals

This is your chance to live life like a local and try some mouth-watering local cuisine! Freshly prepared and cooked each day, you will get to try many traditional Sri Lankan dishes as well as some western home comforts.

All meals are provided at our volunteer accommodation and are included within the programme fee (except at weekends, please budget £2 per meal). All volunteers come together each meal time to sit outside, socialise and eat – the perfect time to share stories.

Here is an example of some of the meals you can expect:

Breakfast – Toast, omelette, string hoppers, fresh fruits, tea, milk
Lunch – Rice, vegetables, chicken, fish, dhal, curry, poppadoms
Dinner – Noodles, rice, pasta, hoppers, vegetables, curry

We are able to cater for several dietary requirements, including vegetarian, vegan and gluten free. Please state any requirements when applying.

Volunteer fees

More details

All of the below prices exclude the £179 registration fee. The total price payable is the below programme price + the £179 registration fee, as will be confirmed in the application process. To find out exactly what's included as part of fees, please click the What's Included box on the programme page.

Duration1 week

2022£200

2023£200

Duration2 weeks

2022£380

2023£380

Duration3 weeks

2022£530

2023£530

Duration4 weeks

2022£680

2023£680

Duration5 weeks

2022£830

2023£830

Duration6 weeks

2022£980

2023£980

Duration7 weeks

2022£1130

2023£1130

Duration8 weeks

2022£1280

2023£1280

Duration9 weeks

2022£1430

2023£1430

Duration10 weeks

2022£1580

2023£1580

Duration12 weeks

2022£1880

2023£1880

Duration16 weeks

2022£2480

2023£2480

Duration20 weeks

2022£3080

2023£3080

Duration24 weeks

2022£3680

2023£3680

What's included

More details

The fees you pay go towards the structure and support put in place in order to provide you with an organised and safe environment in which to volunteer. The programme fee goes directly to our local team in Sri Lanka and is used towards the following:

- Airport pickup
- Accommodation
- All meals on volunteering days
- Transport to projects
- In-country orientation
- 24-hour in-country support

The registration fee that you pay to confirm your place on the volunteer programme is retained by our team in the United Kingdom. This fee is used towards the following:

- 24-hour UK based emergency support
- Unlimited telephone and email support
- A comprehensive volunteer handbook
- Assistance with all aspects of your trip
- 100% financial protection
- Regular programme inspections
- Certificate of completion

What's not included

There are still some parts of your trip that will need to be funded by yourself, these include:

- Flights to Colombo
- Travel insurance
- The transfer back to the airport
- Visa
- Criminal background check
- Spending money

Frequently asked questions

More details

What are the requirements to be a volunteer in Sri Lanka?

The Mighty Roar welcomes volunteers from all nationalities, religions and backgrounds. No previous experience or qualifications are required to volunteer and we look forward to hosting everyone who is willing to come and help make a difference and bring lots of positive energy.

We ask that all volunteers have a good level and understanding of English, although it does not need to be your first language. You of course do not need to speak the local dialect, but you will find learning a few words will go a long way.

You must be able to provide a clean criminal background check in advance of volunteering with us abroad. We're afraid we are generally unable to accept anyone who has any previous convictions, but please do get in touch so we can discuss this further.

Volunteering abroad can at times be both physically and mentally challenging, therefore we ask that all participants be fit in both areas. If you do have any medical / mental health conditions that you believe may affect your time volunteering, then these must be declared to us during the application process. If you have any questions regarding your suitability, then please do not hesitate to contact us.

Are there any age restrictions to volunteer in Sri Lanka?

If you are hoping to volunteer with us in Sri Lanka, then you will need to be at least 16 years old on the programme start date. If you are travelling to Sri Lanka as a family (with at least one person being aged 18 years or over), then we are happy to welcome anyone from 5 years and up on the programme start date. Generally the average age range for our programmes is 16 - 25, although this is by no means definitive.

None of our programmes have an upper age limit and in the past we have hosted participants of all ages. We find that age does not play an important part of volunteering abroad, as everyone has travelled for the same reason and to make new friends. However, in saying this, we have found at times that our more mature participants have perhaps expected a higher level of accommodation or structure. We cannot stress enough that all volunteers should remain open minded and flexible.

When is the best time of year to volunteer in Sri Lanka?

Over the years we have hosted many volunteers across all of our programmes in Sri Lanka and have obtained lots of feedback from everyone. The comments suggest that if you are looking for a large social experience then volunteering during the European summer months of June to August will provide the best experience. During this time we host our peak numbers across all projects and this is when we will be at total capacity in terms of the accommodation and numbers at the projects.

Conversely, volunteering outside of these months will typically provide the greatest opportunity to become fully immersed at the projects and within the local community and give you the chance to build a greater bond with our local team. You will of course still make many new lifelong friends along the way too!

I am really interested in volunteering in Sri Lanka, when should I apply?

You are more than welcome to apply at any time for any of our programmes, with start dates available at least two years in advance. We recommend that you apply as soon as you know it is something you 100% want to do, to ensure the best chances of availability on your chosen dates. Many of our programmes have limited capacity and at times these spaces can get filled very quickly - this is particularly true for our peak period between June and August.

We generally recommend applying at least 60 days in advance to give you ample time to ensure everything has been arranged. However, if you are looking to volunteer sooner than this, then it should not be a problem. Please do get in contact if you have any concerns about arranging any essentials within a shorter timeframe.

Once you have applied and confirmed your place on the programme, then it is possible to amend your start date and / or duration. Any changes need to be made at least 60 days prior to your start date and are subject to availability.

What duration would you recommend volunteering for?

This is of course down to personal preference, however, on gaining feedback from previous volunteers we believe 3 to 6 weeks is the ideal amount of time to volunteer for. Not only will you be able to get fully involved with all aspects of the programme and integrate yourself within the local community, but you will also have many opportunities to explore everything Sri Lanka has to offer on the weekends. We regularly have volunteers come for 1 to 2 weeks that tell us they wish they stayed for longer.

What date should I arrive and leave Sri Lanka for my volunteer programme?

You should arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo (CMB) on your selected start date, being the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month. You will be met by one of our local team members or an appointed driver who will be holding a named sign and will take you to our accommodation 2-3 hours away.

The programme ends on a Saturday of your final week and you should depart the accommodation on this day. Our local team will be happy to help organise any onward journeys or take you back to the airport, but please note this is not included within the programme fee.

Can I volunteer with TMR if I live outside of the UK?

Yes of course! Although The Mighty Roar is located within the United Kingdom, we welcome participants from all around the world. Over the years we have hosted many volunteers from across the globe, including USA, Germany, France, Canada, Australia and more. We wish for everyone to have an equal opportunity to travel and help make a difference, no matter where you are from.

Can I volunteer abroad with my friends / parents / partner?

You are of course more than welcome to travel and volunteer with your friends, family members and / or your partner. If required, we can ensure that you stay within the same accommodation and volunteer at the same project - so that you are together as often as wanted. Our volunteer accommodation is on a single-sex basis, so if you are wanting to share a a room with someone of the opposite sex, we will do our best accommodate this. However, it would be dependent on space and logistics at the time.

Why are TMR's volunteering fees so much more affordable than other organisations?

The Mighty Roar was founded with the aim to make all of our volunteering programmes as affordable and accessible as possible, allowing this once in a lifetime opportunity to all travellers. If you really want, we will even allow you to compare our pricing with other organisations, charities and not-for-profits where you will find us significantly cheaper.

How can we do this I hear you ask? Well, it’s pretty simple really! We do not need big fancy offices, lots of employees or massive monthly overheads. Our small family team work from a cosy farm office and we have done away with out-dated glossy brochures, an unnecessary high street shop or plush office and because we are passionate about what we do, we don't need 10+ staff to handle all of the operations.

Can I talk to previous volunteers and others who will be volunteering in Sri Lanka at the same time as me?

Each and every destination we operate in has its very own dedicated Facebook group where you can talk with past, present and future volunteers. This is the perfect place to ask any questions from previous volunteers and to also talk with other volunteers who will be volunteering at the same time as you.

You can request to join the Sri Lanka Facebook group by clicking here.

Will I be able to travel whilst volunteering in Sri Lanka?

There will be plenty of opportunities for you to travel while volunteering in Sri Lanka. In fact, we actively encourage you to do so! Not only will you have several hours of free time every weekday to explore the local area, but you will also have the weekends off - allowing you to head further afield. Our local team are able to provide you with recommendations and details of any weekend opportunities and travel tips to help you plan any independent adventures. Please feel free to also browse some of our own recommendations further down on the programme page.

The Mighty Roar also operate a number of amazing weekend trips every month that allow you to explore the country as a group with your new-found friends. The structured itinerary along with our local team accompanying you ensures you travel in a safe manner and allows you to see as much as possible during your free time. You can view all available weekend opportunities here.

Is it safe to travel to Sri Lanka? What support will I receive?

While we can never guarantee your volunteer experience will be 100% trouble free, we have taken all of the necessary precautions to minimise all risks and to ensure all programmes are as safe as possible. Our helpful and knowledgeable UK team are with you throughout your whole journey, from answering questions about programmes, through the application process, providing pre-departure information, support while in-country and to answer any questions you may have on your return home.

A member of our UK team visit each and every volunteer programme we offer on a regular basis to rigorously check all aspects of the project - something generally not done by most other organisations! We experience every programme just like a volunteer would, from staying within the accommodation, helping on the projects, eating the meals provided and travelling the local area. By doing this, not only can we ensure everything is safe and running as planned, but we can truly tell you what to expect and can provide informed recommendations and advice about anything relating to your trip.

As part of our commitment to your safety, we monitor the stability of all of our volunteer destinations on a daily basis. We are in communication with the local embassies and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and we are also in constant contact with our overseas teams to ensure we can identify and act upon any problems immediately.

Every volunteer programme we offer has a co-ordinator and several key team members who will be in charge of ensuring your whole trip runs smoothly. Our local teams are made up of highly experienced individuals who have hosted international volunteers for many years. Everyone will be introduced to you during your orientation and it's these amazing people that will be on hand to answer any questions, deal with any issues and to help make any travel arrangements. Over the duration of your programme, we are sure that the local staff will also become your new best friends and will make your experience even more enjoyable!

With the majority of our programmes, a member of our local team or a trusted appointed driver will be waiting for you at the airport for when you arrive. Over the first day or two you will be given a full orientation that will cover things like emergency procedures, how to use the local transport, the do's and don'ts, local cultures and health and safety information.

Please do not forget that our UK office is available 24/7 in case of any rare emergencies, on the number provided within the volunteer handbook. Both our UK and international team's contact details can be passed onto friends and families and to ensure everyone has peace of mind.

When do I pay for my volunteer programme? Can I pay in instalments?

In order for you to confirm your placement on one of our programmes, you need to pay the registration fee of £179. Your remaining balance for your programme fee and any weekend trips and / or optional extras is then due no less than 60 days prior to your programme start date. if you're applying within 60 days of your programme start date then the remaining balance will be due no later than 7 days after your initial application.

When paying for your remaining balance, this can be made in one lump sum or split into several smaller instalments - just as long as the balance is clear 60 days prior to your programme start date. If you have chosen to take travel insurance through The Mighty Roar, then this must be paid in full before the policy can be processed and made live.

We accept payments via BACS (bank transfer) or through our website using all major debit and credit cards. All details required to make payment will be outlined in our email communications with you and they can also be found within your online account once you have confirmed your place.

Can I use the programme as part of my university or college placement?

Yes, it is generally possible to use the majority of our programmes as part of your university or college placement. Since all placements have different requirements and parameters, we recommend that you speak to a member of our UK team to ensure that your chosen volunteer programme will be suitable. Any school / college / university representative is more than welcome to contact us to discuss further the suitability of our programmes and to ensure they are satisfied with all aspects of the trip.

Our UK and in-country teams are able to complete and sign-off any paperwork that is required before your volunteer placement begins, during your trip and upon your return. The Mighty Roar regularly receives college and university students on our programmes and have built up strong ties with many leading universities.

Can I fundraise to pay for my volunteering trip?

Although we do our best to keep our programme costs as low and as affordable as possible, when you add flights, travel insurance and spending money you may find that you need a little financial help. The money you and other volunteers pay for the programme goes towards the overall structure of the project and includes your accommodation, meals, airport transfers and support from our UK and local teams.

Consequently, a large number of our volunteers decide to fundraise for their upcoming trip. We find that the best way of letting all of your friends and family know about your volunteer adventure is to create an online fundraising page. The Mighty Roar have teamed up with GoGetFunding who are an online crowd funding website that many of our volunteers have used and have recommended in the past. You will be able to create a personalised fundraising page of your own where you can tell everyone exactly what you are doing and why you need some extra money (the more detail you go into the better), set financial goals and upload lots of pictures.

You can read some more advice about fundraising for your upcoming trip here.

How much spending money will I need?

It is very difficult for us to give an exact figure for how much spending money you will need to take with you. The amount you spend is totally dictated on what you plan on doing during your free time and at the weekends. We recommend that you budget between £50 and £100 per week for general expenses and some independent travel. However, if you plan to travel every weekend and take part in many activities then you should budget accordingly. If you are on a tight budget, then we have had many volunteers come and not spend that much at all.

Will I need any vaccinations and / or malaria tablets to volunteer abroad?

As we are not medical experts and have no qualifications or experience within this field, we are unable to give any advice about what vaccinations you should or should not have. It is important for you to consult with your local doctor or travel clinic to find out which vaccinations are needed / recommended. They will generally ask where abouts you will be travelling to and what activities you will be involved in. Additional information can be found on the NHS Fit For Travel website.

Who are the the local team in Sri Lanka?

Our programmes in Sri Lanka are run by a dedicated and experienced in-country local team. Charith, Mamu, Karu, Renu and their colleagues are in charge of providing the overall structure for your stay, including the accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, in-country orientation and 24/7 emergency support.

All local staff have been fully vetted by our UK team and over the years we have built up a strong relationship with them. The local team provide a great framework for you to enjoy a unique volunteering experience with us in Sri Lanka and they are sure to become your good friends, giving you a unique insight into Sri Lanka.

Can I arrange a private room?

Our volunteer accommodation in Sri Lanka involves sharing a room with other participants on a same-sex basis. However, when we are not operating at full capacity, you may have the option to have a private room - although this is not something we can guarantee.

Can you cater for my dietary requirements?

Our local team will do their best to cater for any dietary requirements you may have. Any dietary requirements should be provided on your application and re-iterated to the local team on arrival into the country. It is important that if you have any concerns for major requirements, that you raise these with our UK team before confirming your place on the programme.

It is important to note that we cannot guarantee that we can cater for all requirements. Consequently, there may be instances where you need to purchase alternative ingredients or arrange dinner plans at a third party restaurant at your own expense.

What will a typical week in Sri Lanka entail?

Day 1 (Saturday) - Arrival & Hikkaduwa

Welcome to Sri Lanka! Our local team member will meet you in the airport arrivals hall and will be holding a sign with your name on. If there are no other volunteers arriving on a slightly later flight, you will head off to our volunteer accommodation. Depending on traffic, the journey can take between 2 and 3 hours.

If you arrive in the morning or early afternoon, you will have the rest of the day to settle in and meet everyone. We recommend heading to the nearby tourist town of Hikkaduwa to see the beaches and to relax in one of the beach bars / restaurants.

Day 2 (Sunday) - Orientation, Temples & Waterfalls

After breakfast, our local team will give you an orientation. During this talk, you will learn about do’s and don’ts, the local culture and religion and important information about the accommodation and programmes.

Shortly afterwards, you will have the opportunity to purchase water and snacks before heading off on a walking tour of the village.

Commonly referred to as the “Jungle Temple Walk”, we will head inland through the jungle. Here you will get to see how the locals live, cross over the train tracks (getting the mandatory sitting on train track photo!) and being taught about all of the things growing around you. We will get the unique opportunity to be shown around an ancient and important Buddhist temple. You’ll get to learn all about Buddhism and see how monks live. The walk will then take you back to the coast, where you can enjoy the nice views as you walk along the track.

Everyone will then enjoy a buffet lunch outside in our large eating area.

As a group we will then hop onboard The Mighty Roar bus to travel to some beautiful waterfalls located in the middle of the jungle! Along the short trek to the waterfalls, you should keep your eyes out for monkeys swinging above you! Here you will get to take some photos of the falls as well as go for a swim in the naturally formed pool at the top – what a great introduction to Sri Lanka!

Days 3-7 (Monday-Friday) - Volunteering

You will start your volunteer work on Monday morning. Depending on which programme you are helping on will dictate your working hours. Please see the programme descriptions above for a full breakdown. Should you need anything whilst at the project, remember our local team are always on hand to assist.

Days 8-9 (Saturday-Sunday) - Weekend

The weekends are free for you to explore everything Sri Lanka has to offer. We strongly recommend you check out our organised weekend trips, that offer an action-packed itinerary. If preferred, you can spend your time at the volunteer accommodation and enjoy relaxing on the beaches nearby.

The Following Weeks

Your next week(s) will follow a similar pattern, with volunteering from Monday to Friday and then free time Saturday and Sunday.

Our local team are there to support you throughout your stay. If you need advice about your travel plans or just someone to talk to then they are there for you.

Last Day (Saturday)

On your last week, Saturday is your official last day with The Mighty Roar. If you wish to stay longer then please discuss this option with our local or UK team.

If you are heading home then we can take you back included within the programme fee and costs around £45 per car – this can be split with anyone else travelling south.

Where will I be volunteering in Sri Lanka?

Our volunteer accommodation is conveniently located between Hikkaduwa and Ambalangoda. With the palm tree lined beaches just a 20 second walk across the road, you can spend your evenings relaxing and watching the sunset. Most amenities are a short drive away and are easily accessible by tuk tuk - costing just a few pounds.

Hikkaduwa is a 10 minute drive south and has a string of mellow beach bars and restaurants, good diving and surf schools as well as many activities and excursions. You will spend most of your free time here on the beaches and at the funky bars, leaving the weekends to head further afield!

Ambalangoda is just 6 kilometres in the other direction and is normally overshadowed by Hikkaduwa. Famous for its production of devil masks and dances, there are many random things to see and do. The town has a rich Buddhist history and has the longest sleeping Buddha statue measuring 35 metres.

All amenities are nearby, including ATMs, hospitals, restaurants (serving local and western food), as well as good transport links to the rest of Sri Lanka – including a bus and train station.

What is the weather like in Sri Lanka?

For such a small island, Sri Lanka’s climate is rather complicated! With several different weather patterns bringing monsoons to different parts of the island at different times, it can all seem a little confusing.

However, there is one thing we can be sure of, it’s going to be hot! Being located very close to the equator, its warm tropical climate makes the average year-round temperature of 28 degrees with a humidity level of around 85%!

Our programmes are based on the South West coast of Sri Lanka. You will find the hottest temperatures and the best blue skies between December and March and generally the wettest months are May, June and July - but don’t let this put you off! The rain normally comes in short sharp bursts and after 20-30 minutes everything is back to normal!

As we have all come to expect from living in England, the weather is simply unpredictable. You should expect both rain and sunshine, no matter what time of the year you head to Sri Lanka.

One thing you can be sure of, Sri Lanka is a great place to visit no matter what the weather is doing!

What is the dress code at the projects?

We ask that all volunteers take the approach of a smart and responsible image during your time in the communities and on projects. It is best to also take some older clothes that you don't mind getting dirty.

Generally, it is best to avoid tight and very short clothing and anything that may have offensive slogans on it. It's recommended that you take some nicer clothes for weekends or any free time you may have.

We do not wish to impose strict regulations, however we do ask that you respect the local culture and do your best to adhere to the clothing guidelines within the volunteer handbook.

Are there any public holidays that would affect the project?

We aim to communicate as clearly and accurately as possible all holidays that may affect project availability and closures. However, holidays can often be sporadic or prone to change. We ask that you be flexible with regards to holidays and generally a holiday would offer a unique experience to enjoy in the festivities. Some programmes may not be affected by certain holidays, so if you would like to confirm any details please just let us know.

As it stands we do not foresee any public holidays that will alter the programme’s opening dates.

How do I arrange my flights to Sri Lanka?

You will need to arrange your flights to and from your chosen destination and we will happily assist wherever required. When you first sign up to volunteer with The Mighty Roar you will gain access to your pre-departure volunteer handbook that will have all of the important arrival and departure details, including correct airports, dates and times.

We recommend using a flight comparison website like Sky Scanner. Not only will you be able to see the range of prices, but you can also see what airline and route / duration is best for your requirements and budget. Although we recommend booking your flights as early as possible to help ensure you secure the best price and required dates, it can also help to monitor the price over the course of a few weeks to see what the average is.

There may also be times when changing your flight dates by a day or two provides substantial savings, so this is always worth checking and bearing in mind. We may not be able to accommodate you within the volunteer accommodation outside of your selected dates, but can provide hotel recommendations etc...

If you are unsure about anything regarding your flights then please just get in contact with us. We are more than happy to check over your preferred flights to ensure they are correct with the requirements of your programme before you book them.

We strongly recommend that you do not make any flight and / or third party travel arrangements until your place has been confirmed via email by The Mighty Roar. Please note that we cannot accept standby flights, all flight details provided to us must be fully confirmed.

Do you offer travel insurance?

Whether you are travelling for 1 week or 6 months, having adequate travel insurance that covers your entire duration abroad is an essential and compulsory part of your adventure. Although The Mighty Roar does everything in their power to ensure each and every trip is safe, inevitably things can and do go wrong. Therefore, having a travel insurance policy in place will help you with any problems you may encounter during your time away.

We have teamed up with Endsleigh to create an affordable and comprehensive travel insurance policy specifically for The Mighty Roar volunteers. You can be safe in the knowledge that you have full protection if needed and that our polices cover all of your volunteering activities.

If you would like to purchase your travel insurance through TMR then you can easily add this on when applying under the optional extras page. Alternatively, you can contact us today to add this onto your existing application. Please do not contact Endsleigh directly, as they will be unable to assist.

We recommend that you organise your travel insurance as soon as you confirm your place. This will ensure that your pre-departure cancellation starts from the day you are accepted and will cover you should you have to cancel your trip for an insured reason (such as illness).

You should ensure that your travel insurance covers you for the total duration of your trip i.e. from when you depart your home country to the day you return. It is important to note that our travel insurance is inclusive of your start and end date. For example, if you are volunteering for one week, from Saturday to Saturday, this is in actual fact 8 days and you will need to take out 2 weeks insurance to be fully covered.

For further information about our travel insurance, please click here.

How do I obtain a criminal background check?

In order for you to participate in any of our volunteering programmes, you will need to present to us a clean criminal background check (also known as a DBS or Police Check). This must be submitted and approved no less than 21 days prior to your programme start date. A criminal background check is a mandatory requirement for all volunteers aged 16 and over. We are unable to provide any exceptions to this, which is why it is important that you apply for one as soon as possible – at least 6 weeks prior to your start date.

If you already have a criminal background check that has been issued within 18 months of your programme start date, then you are more than welcome to provide this.

If you don't have a valid DBS check then you will need to apply for one. UK volunteers need to apply for a "Basic Disclosure" through the government website here. This costs £23 and can take up to 15 working days to process.

For international participants, we recommend you obtain a Police/Criminal Background Check through your local police station or official governmental body.

When will I receive my volunteer handbook?

All volunteers will receive a comprehensive volunteer handbook that provides all of the information you need to prepare for your upcoming trip. This includes details on what to pack, how to obtain a visa, what to expect and so much more. With this in mind, it is really important that you read through the volunteer handbook carefully.

You will receive your volunteer handbook once you have confirmed your place by paying the registration fee. We will send an email entitled 'Welcome to TMR', which will include a link to your online account where you can access the handbook and other important details. Please note, all material is sent via email and hard copies cannot be sent.

Things to do in Sri Lanka

TMR Weekend Trips Beaches Hill Country Points Of Interest

Sri Lanka travel stories

Teaching in Sri Lanka

March 2022

Volunteering in Sri Lanka is a must do for everyone! I was a teacher there for 4 weeks, where I was able to plan and teach the sweetest kids from the local village, meet many other amazing volunteers and bond with the whole local team. If you're looking for an experience like no other, then head to Sri Lanka!

Malachy's story

Creating memories in Sri Lanka

January 2022

I spent 12 weeks in Sri Lanka with The Mighty Roar and I honestly enjoyed every second of it! My time in Sri Lanka was way more than just volunteering. I made some amazing friendships, travelled around the whole island and learnt so much.

Emma's story

Volunteering in Sri Lanka with my partner

April 2019

Our visit to Sri Lanka on the Sea Turtle program was nothing but incredible (other than a little hot and sweaty). Our 3 weeks was amazing from day one, with a massive warm welcome from everyone.

Catherine's story

Conserving sea turtles in Sri Lanka

April 2019

There is no better feeling in the world than watching a hundred or so baby turtle hatchlings scrambling along the shoreline to the sea, the determination and drive to reach the ocean, it never gets old.

Martin's story

Teaching and turtles in Sri Lanka

January 2019

I went to Sri Lanka in January 2019 to volunteer on the sea turtle program, but was also able to help teach English. I had a huge sense of fulfillment from both projects in completely different ways.

Esther's story

Volunteering with my family in Sri Lanka

August 2018

My family and I chose to volunteer in Sri Lanka last August for 3 weeks. We wanted to introduce the children to volunteering so that we could all help give something back to a local community.

Sue's story

Sea turtle conservation in Sri Lanka

July 2018

My daughter and I volunteered with sea turtles last August and we would 100% recommend The Mighty Roar; we have even looked at doing another project in the next year.

Jennie's story

A month helping turtles in Sri Lanka

July 2018

I have just come back from spending 4 weeks at The Mighty Roar in Sri Lanka and I can honestly say it was the best experience of my life.

Courtney's story

The real Sri Lanka Experience

June 2018

Seeing all of Sri Lanka and meeting the amazing people there could have not been any more perfect. An incredible 3 weeks that I will never forget.

Samantha's story

Play your part in saving endangered sea turtles

Sri Lanka sea turtle conservation

Quicklinks

Background to the sea turtle programme

Where will I be volunteering?

What is my role?

What will a typical day look like?

Where will I be staying?

Other things to consider

Further Information

Experience Of A Lifetime

Experience Of A Lifetime

Great Experience

Great Experience

Great Experience For The Family

TMR - Highly Recommend!

TMR - Highly Recommend!

Amazing Experience

Amazing Experience

Experience of a Lifetime

Experience of a Lifetime

A Great Experience

A Great Experience

The Most Incredible Experience

The Most Incredible Experience

4 Weeks at TMR Sri Lanka

4 Weeks at TMR Sri Lanka

10/10 For Everything

TMR Sri Lanka

TMR Sri Lanka

My New Home

My New Home

The Best Experience Of My Life So Far

The Best Experience Of My Life So Far

Home Away From Home

Home Away From Home

Turtle Conservation in Sri Lanka

Turtle Conservation in Sri Lanka

Found My Happy Place

Found My Happy Place

Amazing Experience!

Amazing Experience!

Great Time In Sri Lanka

Great Time In Sri Lanka

Family Volunteering in Sri Lanka

Family Volunteering in Sri Lanka

TMR Sea Turtle Conservation

TMR Sea Turtle Conservation

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Turtles

Sri Lanka Turtles

Just Fabulous, these guys are gems

Just Fabulous, these guys are gems

The most amazing time in Sri Lanka

The most amazing time in Sri Lanka

2 weeks in Sri Lanka

2 weeks in Sri Lanka

Turtle conservation in Sri Lanka

Turtle conservation in Sri Lanka

Amazing experience in Sri Lanka

Turtles in Sri Lanka

Turtles in Sri Lanka

Sea Turtle Conservation

Sea Turtle Conservation

Sri Lanka turtle project

Sri Lanka turtle project

Turtle project volunteer

Turtle project volunteer

Most amazing experience of my life

Most amazing experience of my life

Fantastic time in Sri Lanka

Fantastic time in Sri Lanka

Sea turtle conservation in Sri Lanka

Sea turtle conservation in Sri Lanka

Just returned from turtle conservation

Just returned from turtle conservation

The Mighty Roar Sri Lanka was insane

Amazing place!

Amazing place!

Play your part in saving
endangered sea turtles