Volunteer with sea turtles in the Maldives
ORP’s Sea Turtle Volunteer Programme in the Maldives is an unforgettable and rewarding experience. You will work hard, but you will also have a lot of fun. And you get to explore one of the most beautiful places in the world.
We now offer sea turtle volunteering opportunities at two locations:
- The Marine Turtle Rescue Centre at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu in Baa Atoll
- The Sea Turtle Health Institute of Maldives at Jawakara Islands in Lhaviyani Atoll
As a volunteer, you will gain hands-on experience working with sea turtles, alongside rare insight into conservation medicine and veterinary care in a real-world setting. You will learn about sea turtle biology and anatomy, the threats these species face, how we treat their injuries, and how you can help protect them.
Working alongside our experienced veterinary team, you will help us return injured and sick turtle patients to health and ensure their safe return to the wild.
By volunteering with us, you play a direct role in conserving these remarkable yet threatened animals, while gaining an experience that stays with you long after you leave.
All volunteering programmes are delivered through our Maldives branch, ORP – Maldives.
What an amazing experience! I am 60 next year and this is the first time I have volunteered with any kind of animal. I love turtles so this was great for me. I would definitely do a similar thing again and I would highly recommend it. It makes you feel good that you are helping even if its only a little bit. If it is something you are considering then DO IT!! You wont regret it. If I was younger I would do this as a job
~ Nicola Selby, volunteer 2025
Who can join ORP’s sea turtle volunteer programme?
Our sea turtle volunteer programme ideally suits those with a passion for and interest in learning about sea turtle care and husbandry, as well as sea turtles and the need for their conservation in general. The programme is open to everyone – no previous experience is needed – however, we do require you to be:
18 years or older
Physically fit
Willing and able to do sustained physical labour, including heavy lifting
A capable swimmer
Competent in English
Willing to work as part of a team
This is a highly rewarding, but very physically demanding volunteer opportunity. You will be doing strenuous work in a hot and humid environment. Daytime temperatures regularly exceed 32 C / 90F and insects are common.
We can accommodate up to three volunteers at the time in each location.
Please note that we do not offer veterinary student EMS placements/externships.
How much does it cost to volunteer with ORP?
In order to sustain and expand our sea turtle rescue work and clinical facilities, and cover your expenses for volunteering, we ask for a modest contribution payment of:
Marine Turtle Rescue Centre
4 Weeks: £2,775 per person
2 Weeks: £1,595 per person
Sea Turtle Health Institute
4 Weeks: £3,325 per person
2 Weeks: £1,895 per person
Your donation will cover:
Visa fees
Accommodation for the duration of your stay
Three meals per day
ORP T-shirts to be worn as your uniform
Please note that your donation does not include:
Accommodation in Malé, should you require
Food and beverages purchased from the resort bars and restaurants
Extra activities such as diving and watersports
Extra days of accommodation at the resort pre and post your volunteering stay
Your contribution also helps fund our internship programme for Maldivian nationals and supports other essential areas of our work to protect sea turtles and their habitats.
Working with ORP and the turtles was a very nice, new and one of the best experience for me. I loved working with all the kind people from different countries and learning much things about turtles. Even it was hard work at the rescue center I enjoyed it a lot and will never forget this incredible time.
~Jennifer, volunteer 2025
Why volunteer with sea turtles & ORP?
Sea turtles have existed on Earth for over 120 million years. They play a vital role in ensuring the health of our oceans. Oceans play a critical role in sustaining human life by regulating the Earth’s climate and providing essential resources such as food, freshwater, and oxygen. Therefore, preserving and protecting our oceans is crucial for the survival of our species. If sea turtles become extinct, the whole marine ecosystem — the planet’s largest — will weaken; To protect our oceans and ourselves, we need to protect sea turtles.
Unfortunately, sea turtles face many threats to their survival. These include bycatch, entanglement in marine debris, illegal harvesting, and destruction of feeding and nesting habitats. As a result, most of the seven remaining species of sea turtles are classified as threatened with extinction.
This is why we at the Olive Ridley Project use a three-pronged approach to protecting sea turtles and their habitats through:
Rescue and conservation medicine
We conduct scientific research and educational outreach activities across all our bases. However, our rescue and conservation medicine efforts are focused especially in the Maldives, where we run the Marine Turtle Rescue Centre, the Sea Turtle Health Institute, and Raa Atoll Sea Turtle Care Centre – a “step-down” space for recovery before release.
Volunteers are essential in the everyday running of our clinical facilities. We would therefore very much like to welcome you to our team. It is your contribution that enables us to provide the best medical care for these threatened species. As a volunteer, you will contribute directly to our conservation efforts and see the results of your positive impact firsthand.
Our sea turtle clinical facilities
Both of our locations are full-service clinical sea turtle hospitals, but they offer completely different day-to-day environments.
The Marine Turtle Rescue Centre (MTRC) is our founding facility. If you are looking for a deeply meaningful volunteering experience in a more relaxed, close-to-nature environment, MTRC is the perfect fit.
The Sea Turtle Health Institute (STHI) serves as our primary professional training centre and clinical research hub. With a larger capacity for patients, staff, and veterinary trainees, we highly recommend STHI if you are considering a future in veterinary medicine and want to dive deep into clinical conservation.
The Marine Turtle Rescue Centre
The Marine Turtle Rescue Centre opened in collaboration with Coco Collection in February 2017. It was the first such facility in the Maldives, staffed with a veterinary surgeon and equipped with full surgical facilities and seven patient tanks. Today, the Marine Turtle Rescue Centre is an advanced teaching facility that serves as a leading resource for sea turtle conservation medicine in the region.
The Sea Turtle Health Institute
The Sea Turtle Health Institute (STHI) opened in partnership with Jawakara Islands Maldives in early 2026. It is our flagship campus for clinical care, professional training, and ocean health research, all guided by the One Health model that connects the wellbeing of animals, humans, and ecosystems. In addition to the regular patient tanks, STHI has an intensive care unit (ICU) in the critical care area located at the back of the facility away from public eye, providing quiet, focused care to the most vulnerable patients. This marks the first sea turtle ICU in the Indian Ocean region.
Together, these facilities capture our vision of a ‘Sea Turtle University’ – a hub for advanced clinical efforts, research, and professional training, that stands amongst the most comprehensive facilities for sea turtle conservation medicine in the world.
The Clinics
Our clinics are comprehensively equipped with a full blood laboratory, radiography, endoscopy, ultrasonography, Class 4 laser, and full surgical suites. Since the opening of Marine Turtle Rescue Centre, we have treated over 290 turtle patients. Approximately 60% have been successfully treated and released back into the ocean – an outcome that is excellent by wildlife medicine standards and that we continue to improve upon. The majority of our patients are olive ridleys (Lepidochelys olivacea); however, we do see hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) and green (Chelonia mydas) turtles as well.
Our current turtle patients
Most of our patients arrive with complications related to two types of conditions: entanglement in marine debris and Buoyancy Disorder. As a result, our veterinary team has become highly experienced at treating these conditions. In addition to conventional therapies like surgery, we use several medical modalities to maximise treatment success. These include regenerative (blood- and cell-based therapies) and integrative (cold-laser, acupuncture, and targeted external weight therapy) medical approaches.
By joining ORP’s Sea Turtle Volunteer Programme, you will have an opportunity to observe these modalities among others. You will also have a front-row seat to what it takes to rehabilitate injured sea turtles and run a sea turtle rescue centre.
Life as a volunteer
During your time as a volunteer, you will be assisting the veterinary team with many aspects of sea turtle care and husbandry, as well as the running of the facilities and educational outreach activities. These may include observing surgeries and other clinical procedures as well as assisting with:
- Diet preparation for and feeding of turtle patients
- Providing enrichment to turtle patients
- Documenting behavioural observations in patients
- Guiding tours of the facilities for visitors
- General maintenance of the facilities, patient tanks, and other equipment
- Data collection
- Releasing patients who have recovered
- Making ghost net bracelets
Please note:
All activities are subject to change due to the medical needs of our turtle patients, staff and visitor safety, seasons, and weather conditions.
We keep physical contact with our turtle patients at a minimum since it causes them stress; do not expect to be constantly interacting with patients.
In your free time, there will be opportunities to go snorkelling and explore the magical underwater world of the Maldives. You can also soak up some sun on the beach and marvel at the famously beautiful Maldivian sunsets. Watersports are available at an extra cost. Post dinner, you may attend some of the entertainment activities for staff, use the staff sports facilities and gym, or just chill out with your fellow volunteers. Guest restaurants and watersports activities are available at extra cost, subject to availability.
To work with ORP was one of the best decisions ever made. I could finally really do something for conservation, to help wild animals and spread awareness about these creatures. To be a part of an international team following their passion to help sea turtles & marine life was so inspiring! I was able to build new friendships there & learned not only a lot about sea turtles but also about myself. Always grateful!
~ Julia Fredrich, volunteer 2024
Volunteer dates 2026
Our volunteer slots fill up quickly, so don’t delay – bookings are on a first-come, first-served basis. Available volunteer dates for 2026 are listed in the application form according to which facility you prefer.
How to reserve your volunteer slots for 2026
- Download and read the Volunteer Information Brochure:
The brochure contains everything you need to know about our 2026 volunteer programme. We encourage you to review it carefully before applying, as our two facilities offer very different experiences, environments, and learning opportunities. This will help you determine which programme is the best fit for your interests, goals, and expectations. - Submit your application:
Fill in the Volunteer Application Form. Available dates are listed in the form according to the facility you prefer. We recommend choosing a four-week stay for the most rewarding experience. - Pay your deposit:
If your application is approved, we will send you a payment link. Pay your deposit within 48 hours to secure your slot. Please note: the deposit is non-refundable. - Complete your booking:
After your deposit is received, we will ask for additional details and your balance payment. The balance is due at least 60 days before arrival. If payment is not received on time, your slot may be offered to someone else.
Get priority access to 2027 volunteer dates!
Already planning for next year? Sign up now to get exclusive early access to our 2027 volunteer schedule this September – before spots open to the public.
