4.7 / 5. The temperature will be hot (high 80's to low 90's) with humidity but all accommodations offer air conditioning, as well as our private vehicle. Casa Cuna San Juan We will have dinner at a local restaurant and then drive to Playa Grande, where our friends at Chelonia will give a presentation on their work and then accompany us for a beach walk looking for nesting leatherback turtles. If corporate social responsibility is a priority for your team, round out your incentive trip with a volunteer day with a local non-profit organization. Feel free to call the number below with any questions. The main turtle watch As pioneers of eco travel, our expeditions have been designed to directly support, By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies and similar tracking technologies described in our, Click here for our full expedition terms and conditions, global research and conservation programs, 5 Volunteer Abroad Programs That Support Ocean Conservation, From Monkeys to Macaws, 15 Photos That Will Move Costa Rica to the Top of Your Travel List, By Land and Sea: Our Ridge to Reef Expeditions Include the Best of Both Worlds, Vamos a Cuba! Entrance fees to all program sites and activities listed on the itinerary, some meals (see itinerary), Opportunities for free time on the beach and hiking in a rainforest and swimming in a tropical waterfall (La Mina Falls, El Yunque). Based in San Juan. Embark on a kayaking excursion led by a Pure Adventure marine biologist on the Bioluminescent Bay. You may have heard of it as it has a glowing bioluminescent bay, mangrove forests and a few nature reserves. Follow their progress north! By participating in a marine conservation volunteer program, you can contribute to vital research and conservation efforts, help protect endangered species, and promote sustainable practices. This area is known for its bioluminescence, which makes for a magical experience. Volunteers are divided into 3 groups: teachers, facilitators and administrators. From beach cleanups to helping underserved communities, theres no shortage of ways to have a positive impact on our Island. Dramatic sea cliffs make the Royal Isabela Golf Course one of the most scenic in Puerto Rico. 2023 Oceanic Society. Desecheo is a small, uninhabited island that is a National Wildlife Refuge and a prime location for scuba diving and snorkeling. As a volunteer, your responsibilities are to assist the technologists working for the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) of Puerto Rico by patrolling a nesting beach. Then we recommend volunteering with the World Central Kitchen (WCK) Food Producer Network during their visit. One volunteer counts the big fertile eggs, while Afterward, well head for Dorado Beach to begin our nesting patrols, which will last until 1:00am. Airfare and baggage fees (to be purchased at the discretion and responsibility of each participant), Customs and immigration fees at airports or border crossings, Various meals or drinks listed as on own in the itinerary when the group is dispersed for self-exploration. endangered We will see lots of sea turtles in a variety of ways, on nesting beaches, in the water, and more. Volunteers have played an important role in Oceanic Society's work since our founding in 1969, and we invite you to lend your hand as a volunteer with one of our programs. Volunteer sea turtle groups in Puerto Rico are authorized by the PRDNER to conduct certain sea turtle monitoring and management activities. She puts on Here are some quotes from alumni who loved the program: La Tortuga Feliz has a 96% overall rating from Go Overseas users and a standout score for impact, a 9.8 out of 10. In Puerto Rico, youll get the chance to meet 3 different species of turtle: hawksbill, leatherback and green sea turtles. It's Still Possible to Join a Cuba Expedition in 2020. In All of these turtles are either threatened, endangered, or critically endangered. This will be an easy unguided snorkel, but we recommend practicing at home if you have not previously snorkeled. Is your team ready to roll up their sleeves and help a local farmer? Contact Us, Customizable World Travel for Groups Since 2003, Day One: Flight from DCA, Arrival and Welcome Dinner, Day Three: Historic Old San Juan & Leatherback Sea Turtle Nesting Patrol, Day Four: Reserva Natural de Las Cabeza de San Juan & Bioluminescent Bay, Day Five: Rio Camuy Caverns and The Arecibo Observatory, Puerto Rico Immersive Ecology & Social Studies, Puerto Rico: Sea Turtle Nesting and Immersive Ecology & Social Studies, Professional General Liability and Errors and Omissions Insurance Policy ($10,000,000), Private bus transportation and driver between sites in Puerto Rico and shuttle service to and from the airport, Hotel accommodations based on double occupancy (5 nights total), Option for graduate credit from an accredited university, Dominican University Click Here, Course alignment with National Science Standards and Common Core, Recommended resources/teaching materials (age appropriate books, lesson plans, and online resources). Private motor coach with professional driver & all transfers provided. Sea turtles are commonly spotted swimming around in this area. Threats like overfishing, plastic pollution, climate change, and others have taken a tremendous toll on ocean health. Just imagine: full moon, desolated beach and in front of you a big leatherback turtle covering her nest. is documented before the turtle returns to the ocean. As mentioned above, all the various sea turtles around the world are endangered. We are pleased to offer volunteer opportunities with sea turtles, coral reefs, dolphins, and more. 2023 Discover Puerto Rico. Species Classroom. By stepping outside of their comfort zones and working in challenging environments, volunteers can develop new skills and gain confidence. Photos courtesy of Vida Marina and Chelonia, Photo credits:Hal Brindley, James Richard, & Latin American Sea Turtles, SEE Turtles, 5605 Southeast Rural Street, Portland, OR, 97206, United States, Promoting Inclusivity in the Turtle Community, Sign Up For Our Turtles & Plastic Newsletter. You must have a valid U.S. passport (not expiring in the next 6 months). This turtle beach in Puerto Rico is well known for its crystal clear waters and coral reefs that are filled with an abundance of interesting marine life including tropical fish, sea turtles and rays. Please note: turtle hatching season runs from February to August. The famous Caribbean trade winds gently buffet these two islands, but the weather is warm and balmy just about every day of the year. POSADA La Hamaca. Larger leatherback and green turtles prefer to lay eggs on the beaches of the island of Culebra, which still has many isolated spots, like Zoni, Resaca, and Brava. 500 to 1600 pounds. Meals: BLD. volunteers can gather around the turtle to observe her laying eggs. In Puerto Rico, leatherback nesting trends decreased as much as 5% annually from 1990 to 2017. (B), For a detailed itinerary, please email expeditions@oceanicsociety.org. We will also participate in volunteer activities restoring beach dunes and mangroves, and visit a manatee conservation center, take two kayaking trips, participate in cultural activities, and more. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. We will then have lunch and then a break to rest. Its been a pleasure seeing you almost every year, and witnessing your leadership & kindness. Puerto Rico uses volunteers to assist in identifying and helping the turtles. Culebra has two beaches that provide a dark, quiet, and safe place for December 6, 2023 @ 5:30 PM. In the northern town of Manat sits the peaceful and secluded Playa La Esperanza. Bahia Beach Resort at the St. Regis hosts leatherback turtle nesting sites. Steps Beach, also known as Tres Palmas Marine Natural Reserve, is another great spot in Puerto Rico where you can see and swim with sea turtles. The department's website is www.800helpfla.com. Well then venture a very short distance to The Arecibo Observatory, the site of the worlds largest single-dish radio telescope. This stunning crescent shaped beach is well known for its coral reefs which bring with them an array of marine life including sea turtles. Marine Conservation Volunteer Trips - Oceanic Society Volunteer For Turtle Watch - Puerto Rico - Travel Brain The groups take to the beach at sunrise, when the turtles are more likely to hatch, and patrol typically ends just before noon. ready to lay eggs, she goes into a hypnotic trance. While we loved guiding this private tour, it is purely an example of what can be possible and we will tailor your day to day program to your interests. Puerto Rico Sea Turtle Adventure Join us for our first trip to the wonderful island of Puerto Rico! turtle is the largest living sea turtle in the world. These beaches are known to be nesting sites for sea turtles, and during hatching season (typically from May to August), you may be able to witness baby turtles making their way to the ocean. These trips are ideal for individuals, couples, school groups, and families with older kids (generally 8 years and up depending on the trip). Working with sea turtles is an ideal volunteer vacation. This project collects important biological information on turtles returning to Culebra's beaches to nest. Puerto Rico: Coral Reef Volunteer Program - Oceanic Society As pioneers of eco travel, our expeditions have been designed to directly support our mission. *For those interested in a little local nightlife, taxis and company can be organized to La Placita de Santurce for a relaxed dinner at the popular Jose Enriques. Check out some of the top ways your group can give back while visiting Puerto Rico. * Please note: We give 100% refunds on any trips that we need to cancel and our cancellation fees (when travelers need to cancel) can be used on any future trip, no expiration or penalties. Fly into San Juan International Airport (SJU) anytime today and we will pick you up and bring you to the hotel. Simply get in touch with a member of our staff to craft your ideal trip. Every year, the team donates thousands of eggs for incubation in corrals, or nesting sites, which are prepared by their team of AES volunteers. Each species is endangered to a greater or lesser degree, and volunteers are essential to sea turtle conservation around the world.
