Visit Giannitsochori, a coastal village, to engage in sustainable projects that assist with the protection of endangered loggerhead turtles. Learn about the nesting process through a first-hand experience while also gaining technical marine conservation skills. Activities could include assembling protective structures, surveying and monitoring nesting sites, and ensuring they are safeguarded from natural predators in the area.

Your contributions support the hatchlings safe journey to the ocean and align with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water, and Goal 15: Life On Land. This is also a way to meet people from around the world and connect with skilled conservationists and local community members.

While in Greece, develop your palate with local dishes before exploring nearby mountain terrain and heading back to your beachside campsite for the night’s nesting activities.

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Program Highlights

Observe and assist in the nesting cycle of the loggerhead turtle.
Travel around Greece.
Hike nearby mountains with panoramic views over the Ionian Sea, taste traditional dishes, learn about the art and culture of Greece, and explore archaeological sites and fortresses.
Connect with local community members and people from around the world.
Develop practical conservation techniques and skills, and contribute towards the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Popular Programs

Volunteer with Turtles

Join conservation efforts along the west coast of Greece, where GVI partners with a local organization to protect loggerhead turtles and their breeding sites. You’ll monitor nests and turtles, build protective structures, and collect data. With your assistance, the growing awareness of these turtles will lead to better protection for them, ensuring more hatchlings join the population each year. This is also an opportunity to traverse archaeological sites and learn about ancient Olympic history.

Teens volunteering on the beach in Greece

Sea Turtle & Marine Conservation for Teens

This is a program for young adults between 15 and 17 years old to collaborate with the safeguarding of endangered loggerhead turtles. You will learn practical conservation skills such as, surveying and collecting data on nesting activity and turtle behavior and building protective structures. Contribute to the turtle hatchlings safe journey to the sea, while supporting the UN SDG Goal 14: Life Below Water, and Goal 15: Life On Land.

Program Reviews

4.95 Rating

based on 20 reviews

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Rating Spread Volunteer

5 rating 95%
4 rating 5%
3 rating 0%
2 rating 0%
1 rating 0%

Impact 4.8
Support 5
Fun 4.85
Value 4.35
Safety 4.9

Good for Students, Solo Travelers, Adventure travelers

Showing 1 - 8 of 20 reviews

I had an amazing time, which left me with the most amazing memories and friends. We learned so much, having lessons every day about Greek mythology, the insects and wildlife around the campsite and learning Greek. In addition to learning, we also explored Greece. We went to Olympia and many temples and castles as well as a waterfall which we hiked to along a cliff. Being in the waterfall after the exhausting hike was the most incredible feeling as the water was so cool against the morning sun and so relaxing. We learnt about the turtles and took part in morning surveys which involved taking measurements and relocating nests, as well as beach cleans.

Pros

Learning about Greek culture
Learning about turtles
Meeting new people

Cons

You don’t get much sleep due to being in a tent and waking up for surveys

Response from GVI

Hey Natascha,

Thanks for your great review!

I am thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your time with us as much as you did. Your hard work and efforts have certainly impacted this project in a meaningful way. So glad that the trip was also a fulfilling experience for you and that you made lovely connections. Please keep on spreading your love for GVI! And obviously, we would love to see you back on base soon!

By GVI on October 13, 2022

Pros

Learning about Greek culture
Learning about turtles
Trying new foods

Cons

You don’t get loads of sleep due to being in a tent and waking up for survey

Response from GVI

Hey Natascha,

Thanks for your great review!

By GVI on October 13, 2022

My time in Greece was a wonderful experience. I spent 4weeks working with the GVI Greece team looking after the sea turtles. I learnt so much while volunteering with GVI and felt like I was making an impact the entire time I was there! I was also able to explore a lot of the local area while volunteering as we had a lot of free time. This was such an eye opening experience that allowed me to realise my passion for conservation.
I would 100% recommend volunteering with GVI, as I will be again in the future :)

Pros

Felt like I was making a difference
Made a lot of new friends
I got to travel while impacting conservation

Response from GVI

Hi there,

Thank you so much for your review! I'm so pleased to hear you learnt so much on your program and realised your passion for conservation through this program! We certainly hope to see you again in the future.

By GVI on November 14, 2022

I am a fourth year Biology Student at the University of St. Andrews. I chose to take part in a GVI program over the summer as a way to create a positive impact and meaningful change, whilst still having fun during my holidays! I loved that the program allowed me to get real hands on experience in turtle conservation. You learn how to do everything really quickly even if the initial PowerPoint lessons sound confusing. The communal living situation was really fun, and even though you are together all the time, it is very easy and normal to go off for some alone time each day! Overall very chill, relaxed and fun vibes, you will make some of the best memories and meet some of the best people from all over the world! Everyone I know that was there for only 2 weeks wanted to stay longer which speaks for itself!

Pros

meet people from all over the world
hands on experience in turtle conservation
explore a new culture

Cons

tented accommodation so quite warm at night initially, nut you soon acclimatise
lots of mosquitos, so bring lots of bug spray
limited clothes washing facilities

Response from GVI

Hey Rachael,

Thanks for your great review!

I am thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your time with us as much as you did. Your hard work and efforts have certainly impacted this project in a meaningful way. Wishing you all the best in your studies.

Please keep on spreading your love for GVI! And obviously, we would love to see you back on base soon!

By GVI on September 23, 2022

Greece was a unique experience,
If you're looking for an organized, fun and helpful trip while traveling around Greece then this trip is perfect for you ! I had a chance to volunteer in Greece and help protect turtle nests. The best part about this trip was being able to relocate the eggs if we felt they were endangered. I got to hold them and carry them to a safer place, it was such a wholesome experience. For volunteer work, we also got to do beach clean ups that were both necessary and fun because we would turn them into competitions as to who would get the most trash. After each beach clean up, we would look through the garbage and reuse some things like glass bottles for flower pots and other rubbish as decoration, it was so creative ! While other people were doing other surveys (morning walks to protect the nests) other people would make bamboo turtle tunnels to protect the nests from light pollution. I would 100% recommend this trip because it was not only fun but also worth every penny, I loved getting to know all the teens that were with me that came from all over the world and we got to discuss so many things and have open minded conversations about anything. As a group, we also got to be immersed in Greek culture by visiting places like Olympia and tasting different food and beverages local to Greece. Making these friends was so fun and it felt like I had known them forever :)

Pros

Experience to traveling alone for teens
Building your resume and gaining cultural knowledge
Meeting new friends and having the time of your life

Cons

You have to enjoy camping life

Response from GVI

Hey Soleia,

Thanks for your great review!

I am happy to hear that you enjoyed your time with us and had such a beautiful experience. Your hard work and efforts have certainly impacted this project in a meaningful way. I hope you keep the fantastic connections you have made. Please do keep on spreading your love for GVI! And obviously, we would love to see you back on base soon!

By GVI on August 23, 2022

I had the best time in Greece working with GVI at the turtle conservation program. It was amazing to experience the nesting and hatching season and to learn how to collect the data. In total I’ve been at the program for 8 weeks and I have learned so much about sea turtles, conservation and GVI. I have met so many new people from all over the world and have made friends for life here. I had the best summer and I will definitely do another program with GVI. will highly recommend this program and GVI in general.

What was your funniest moment?

The funniest moment was when I found my first nest, I was digging and digging and then I fell in the hole and felt the satisfying poke and found the nest.

First morning survey in the hatching season

Response from GVI

Hey Caitlin, thanks for your review! AMAZING NEWS to hear that you had such an unforgettable time with us at GVI! We'd love to see you come back and continue to make an impact.

By GVI on September 7, 2021

I had an amazing time learning about bad working with sea turtles and their nests in Greece. The program was 2 weeks long; and throughout the experience I learned so much about how much good people can do for the environment and local animals. While I was there, I helped protect nests from predators, observe the tagging of mother sea turtles, and meet some amazing volunteers from around the world that I intend to keep in touch with. Overall, I had a great time and I highly recommend this GVI program.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?

The most unfamiliar thing about the trip was travelling by myself for the first time. It was a really interesting experience that I learned a lot from, and I think I gained a lot more independence from it.

Response from GVI

Hey Jenna, thanks for your review! I'm thrilled to hear you had such a positive experience with us and enjoyed your time on base as much as you did. We'd love to have you back on base sometime soon!

By GVI on August 2, 2021

I volunteered with GVI as part of the U18s program in Greece for two weeks. During the weekdays, we would have morning surveys where we would find and protect turtle nests, and night surveys where we would assist in tagging mother turtles. All the staff were amazing and so kind! I also made such great friends with the other participants. We all especially enjoyed the cultural trips at the weekend where we visited the local cities of Kalamata and Olympia. I would 100% recommend this trip to Greece with GVI!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?

We mainly ate traditional Greek food which I wasn't used to eating!

Response from GVI

Hey Scarlett, thanks for your review! I'm thrilled to hear you had such a positive experience with us and enjoyed your time on base as much as you did. We'd love to have you back on base sometime soon!

By GVI on July 28, 2021

Questions & Answers

Can you do this if you are 18?

Yes

By Grazel Gueta on May 24, 2019

Is this programme available for families with young children from 10 to 12 years old?

Hi Biro, Unfortunately, the youngest age we can accept is 14 years old. The GVI Team

By GVI on February 26, 2019

How old do you have to be in order to register? How much does it cost?

Hi Alexa, We accept participants on our programs from the age of 15 and up. There are teen programs for students aged 15 - 17 which you can see here: https://www.gviusa.com/volunteering-for-teens/ , and programs for individuals aged 18+. Each program has a specific fee, which you can see here: https://www.gviusa.com/find-a-program/ Please do submit an inquiry on our website and one of our...

By GVI on November 28, 2018

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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

I stumbled across GVI quite by accident; a poster in my department's computer lab advertised another conservation charity that undergoes similar work for a higher price. Inspired by this, I had a look around for similar schemes, and GVI stood out for its range of projects and locations. Although they operate globally, Greece is the only location within my budget for flights of theirs - and to work with sea turtles? A dream I never considered could come true!

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

GVI is rather good for assistance - immediately upon signing up, you are assigned an email contact who helps you through the set-up and documentation on their side of things. Whilst you must acquire funding on your own and make your own way to Greece, you are met at the airport and everything you need is provided for in camp - even if you've dietary requirements or other such considerations.

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What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

Know what kind of living standards you can stand. If you hate sleeping in tents and eating home-cooked food, then this will not be a brilliant excursion for you. If you do not like bugs, can't stand the heat or have no tolerance for early mornings, then beware. If you suffer any of these but want to overcome them, on the other hand, this is a brilliant way to do so!

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

Whilst it does catch odd hours, the overall pace is gentle - several days in a week will see you on the morning or night shifts, which are a patrol of the beach either ~5-10 am or ~11 pm-5 am. Here, you see the turtles and protect/collect data from any new nests; this can be an awesome experience, especially during hatchling season!

After this, you get a long rest until afternoon activities, which vary day by day; sometimes you'll do upcycling for the camp, or turtle resource management, or front a kiosk in the next village along where you educate tourists on the importance of the work.

About once a fortnight, you'll be on base duty, which is to cook and clean for the entire camp! In the evenings, activities such as nest checks (beach patrol again) and putting out shading to protect upcoming hatchlings are common and only a few hours long.

Weekends are entirely free time; you can explore the country or kick back and relax as you please.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

I was very afraid of not fitting in, and not being good enough - I'm not very sociable by nature and often do struggle with tasks for a variety of reasons. However, at the camp, I found that the welcoming and kind nature of every staff member encouraged me to be more engaged and talkative, which helped me get to know my fellow volunteers and make some good friends.

What meaningful impact does this work have?

As GVI work in partnerships with local groups - in this case, Archelon, an Athens-based conservation group - they are able to make an honest attempt to hand projects to locals rather than necessitate a cycle requiring international volunteers forever. They identify problems with clear (albeit not easy), realistic endpoints and provide helping hands to tackle them. In Greece, this is evident from the highest recorded number of turtle nests for some time being laid on the beaches GVI helps protect; in other bases, similar targets are worked toward. Real change is implemented.

Madison Errington

2015 Alum

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

What is your favorite travel memory?

Travel brings up such a variety of experiences from connecting with others, to experiencing solitude in nature, to dancing without inhibition when the moment strikes. So many of my memories abroad are ones that I can vividly recall without effort, having transformed me in ways that are often hard to describe. However, if I were to pick one it would have to be trekking from Kalaw to Inle Lake in Myanmar; with verdant green rolling hills, inviting families willing to share a meal, and small villages to stop for a cup of Lahpet tea along the way.

Which destination is most underrated? Conversely, which is most overrated?

Due to Colombia's recent history it is only just emerging as a popular travel destination. With a population that is progressive and inviting, an environment that is overwhelmingly diverse, and a culture that is exploding with palpable energy, Colombia has long been one of my favorite countries to visit. It's hard to pick a place that is overrated, as we all interact with destinations through our own lenses. However, I personally found Sihanoukville, Cambodia to be a place littered and destroyed by tourism. With so many people pouring in for a loud party on the beach little of the places original beauty is intact.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

I personally believe that a company's success stems from effective and transparent communication. All staff members need to be engaged in both the details and the overall direction of the company. In addition, information passed on to the companies audience should be honest, genuine, and straightforward. Creating a dialogue and keeping everyone involved in the conversation is key to meeting and surpassing goals.

What unique qualities does your company possess?

GVI is a company of passionate and talented individuals. Travelers at heart everyone is motivated intrinsically to help others experience the world in a meaningful and mutually beneficial way. Driven by our own connection to the companies mission and value means that GVI is a company with a lot of heart.

Describe a time when you felt especially proud to be part of your current team.

Visiting our marine conservation base located on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula and participating in their bike racing event in order to raise money for Fiji (after it was devastated by Cyclone Winston) was a particular highlight. Seeing the effort that our field staff had put into organizing the event, the success that our volunteers had in raising money for relief efforts, and the amount of pure positivity and energy that everyone brought to the day was nothing short of inspiring.

Mac Healy

Volunteer Coordinator

Location

Location:

Greece

Currency:

Euro

Weather:

Jan-Mar

61 F / 27 F

Apr-Jun

88 F / 41 F

Jul-Sep

91 F / 54 F

Oct-Dec

75 F / 30 F

Airports:

Athens

( ATH )

Heraklion

( HER )

Thessaloniki

( SKG )

If pastitsio and gyros aren't enough of a reason for you to go to Greece; then the stunningly blue waters, the medieval cities, and picturesque white houses with blue roofs should do the trick. Every island has a different vibe and will be well suited for a variety of travelers.

About GVI

GVI is an award-winning organisation that tackles critical local and global issues through our travel-based volunteer, internship, fellowship and apprenticeship programs as well as online courses, and virtual programs. At GVI, we believe that long-lasting impact is locally-led, which is why our programs are run in partnership with local...

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Program Details

Pricing

Program Highlights

Volunteer with Turtles 

Sea Turtle & Marine Conservation for Teens 

Response from GVI

Response from GVI

Response from GVI

Response from GVI

Response from GVI

Response from GVI

Response from GVI

Response from GVI

Alumni Interviews

Alyn McKenzie

Why did you choose this program?

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

What meaningful impact does this work have?

Staff Interviews

Tyler Protano-Goodwin

What is your favorite travel memory?

Which destination is most underrated? Conversely, which is most overrated?

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

What unique qualities does your company possess?

Describe a time when you felt especially proud to be part of your current team.

Volunteer with Turtles

Sea Turtle & Marine Conservation for Teens