Volunteer with sea turtles in the Maldives
ORP’s Sea Turtle Conservation Volunteer Programme in the Maldives offers a unique and rewarding experience. You will work hard, have fun, and explore one of the most beautiful places in the world.
We offer volunteering opportunities at two locations:
- The Marine Turtle Rescue Centre in Baa Atoll
- The Sea Turtle Health Institute of Maldives 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.
Our sea turtle conservation volunteering programme is delivered through our Maldives branch, ORP – Maldives.
“I loved every minute of my time at the Sea Turtle Health Institute. It’s an incredibly well-equipped facility caring for injured sea turtles, and I got to learn so much from the team about sea turtle health and medical treatment, from observing procedures to helping with the day-to-day husbandry care. Watching the turtle patients slowly improve was one of my favourite parts. And beyond the clinic, it’s a beautiful island to spend your free-time on, snorkelling, diving, and just hanging out with the wonderful team.“
~ Amelia Stanford, volunteer 2026
Who can join ORP’s sea turtle volunteer programme?
Our sea turtle conservation volunteer programme is open to anyone with an interest in sea turtles, their conservation, and learning about their care and husbandry. No previous experience is required, but volunteers must 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 three to six volunteers at the time, depending on the location.
Please note that we do not offer veterinary student EMS placements/externships at this time.
How much does it cost to volunteer with ORP?
We ask each volunteer to make a contribution towards their placement, which covers the costs of hosting them and contributes towards the operation of our sea turtle rescue and clinical facilities, conservation work and capacity-building efforts. It also supports other essential areas of our work to protect sea turtles and their habitats.
2027 contribution
The contribution is the same at both locations:
- Four weeks: £2,815 per person
- Two weeks: £1,635 per person
2026 contribution
If you are booking a 2026 placement, the contribution depends on your chosen location.
Marine Turtle Rescue Centre (MTRC)
- Four weeks: £2,775 per person
- Two weeks: £1,595 per person
Sea Turtle Health Institute (STHI)
- Four weeks: £3,325 per person
- Two weeks: £1,895 per person
The higher 2026 STHI contribution reflects the availability of single accommodation. From 2027, STHI accommodation will be shared, and the contribution will therefore be the same at both locations.
Your contribution covers:
Return domestic flights from Malé to the facility where you will be volunteering
Visa fees
Accommodation for the duration of your stay
Three meals per day
Your contribution does not include:
International flights to and from Malé
Accommodation in Malé, should you require
Food and beverage purchased from the resort restaurants and bars
Extra activities such as diving and watersports
Extra days of accommodation at the resort before or after your volunteering placement
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 – could 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 offer a deeply meaningful volunteering experience, with opportunities to gain hands-on experience in sea turtle rescue and conservation medicine as part of our clinical teams. Our work in conservation medicine is guided by a One Health approach, recognising the interconnected wellbeing of animals, people and ecosystems.
The Marine Turtle Rescue Centre (MTRC)
Our founding facility in Baa Atoll, the MTRC is a smaller, close-knit centre with capacity for up to five turtle patients at a time. We primarily treat moderate cases, giving volunteers the opportunity to work closely with the veterinary team and gain experience across day-to-day clinical care. We can welcome up to three volunteers at a time.
The Sea Turtle Health Institute (STHI)
The STHI is our larger, purpose-built facility, with its own dedicated campus and a bigger clinical team. It can accommodate seven turtle patients and is equipped to manage more complex cases. We can welcome six volunteers at a time, providing the opportunity to experience a larger clinical environment and work alongside a wider team.
Whichever location you choose, the core sea turtle conservation experience is the same, the main differences are the size and capacity of each facility.
Our current turtle patients
Since the opening of Marine Turtle Rescue Centre, we have treated more than 300 turtle patients. Approximately 60% have been successfully 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.
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 treatments such as surgery, we use a range of medical therapies and treatment approaches 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 therapies and treatment approaches. You will also have a front-row seat to the work involved in treating injured sea turtles and running a sea turtle “hospital”.
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
- 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 are available at extra cost, subject to availability and pre-booking only.
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
Volunteer dates 2026
We still have a few places available between now and the end of 2026. If you would like to join us this year, check the remaining dates in the application form and book your place while availability lasts.
How to reserve your volunteer place for 2026
- Download and read the Volunteer Information Brochure:
The information brochure contains everything you need to know about our 2026 Volunteer Programme. Please read it carefully before applying to make sure the programme is a good fit for your interests, goals, and expectations. - Submit your application:
Complete the 2026 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. Please pay your 20% deposit within 48 hours to secure your place. The deposit is non-refundable. - Complete your reservation:
Once we have received your deposit, we will ask you to provide some additional information and pay your remaining balance. Your balance contribution is due at least 60 days before your arrival. If we do not receive your payment by the deadline, your place may be offered to someone else.
Volunteer dates 2027
Applications are now open for our 2027 Sea Turtle Conservation Volunteer Programme. Our volunteer places fill up quickly, so we recommend applying early. Places are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Available 2027 dates are listed in the application form according to your preferred facility.
How to reserve your volunteer slots for 2027
- Download and read the Volunteer Information Brochure:
The information brochure contains everything you need to know about the 2027 programme. Please read it carefully before applying to make sure the programme is a good fit for your interests, goals and expectations. - Submit your application:
Complete the 2027 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. Please pay your 20% deposit within 48 hours to secure your place. The deposit is non-refundable. - Complete your booking:
Once we have received your deposit, we will ask you to provide some additional information and pay your remaining balance. Your balance contribution is due at least 60 days before your arrival. If we do not receive your payment by the deadline, your place may be offered to someone else.
We look forward to welcoming you and sharing the experience of working alongside our sea turtle rescue and conservation team!
