Sea Turtle Conservation in Sri Lanka School Trips
Projects Abroad
Currently endangered, sea turtles need your help to ensure their survival and repopulation.While other green turtles can be found around the world, they all follow different migratory paths. This means relocating groups may be impossible as they wouldn’t have the inherited instructions needed to navigate within and from their new homes.
With the help of volunteers, we can work to prevent this from happening and help the population of green turtles thrive.
While on this programme, your group will also develop a wide range of key employability and personal skills while exploring a new country. Discover history, culture, and traditions as you explore Colombo and Kandy, visiting impressive and important religious and UNESCO World Heritage sites.
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Example Itineraries for our 2026 trips
Day 1: Arrival and Induction
On arrival day, a Projects Abroad staff member will be waiting at Colombo Airport (CMB) to collect your group and take you to your accommodation in Balapitiya by minibus.
After you have settled into the accommodation, you will receive culture awareness training to get an insight into Sri Lankan culture, customs and traditions, and better understand the people who will work by your side during your time here.
Days 2-6: Conservation work
Working at the Galbokka Sea Turtle Conservation & Research Center, help conservationists with their work towards the protection and survival of endangered sea turtles as well as the preservation of the local ecosystem.
The project's tasks include:
> Helping bury the sea turtle eggs in a safe, dedicated area to rescue them from poachers.
> Conducting daily checks on the eggs to check their hatching time and help the emerging baby turtles.
> Washing the sea turtle tanks and refilling them with seawater.
> Preparing food to feed the turtles.
Days 7-8: Weekend trip
Leave first thing on Saturday morning to travel to Dambulla, a beautiful city in central Sri Lanka, full of history, six hours away.
On arrival, you will head to the Dambulla Royal Cave Temple and discover its incredible murals, breathtaking views, and over 150 Buddha statues. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991, this site has been sacred for two thousand years and is a must-see during your trip. In the afternoon, head to Sirgiriya, another UNESCO World Heritage Site considered one of the "Eight Wonders of the World" by the local community.
The following day, Minneriya National Park will be waiting for you. There, you will embark on an elephant safari aboard a jeep. Test your wildlife identification skills as you spot the species residing in this sanctuary, such as deer, monkeys, and colourful bird species.
Days 9-13
After a week of conservation work, your group will have found its rhythm in the research centre and developed a good understanding of the importance of the jobs you have taken on. Take time to reflect as a group on the positive long-term impact of your efforts here, and know you have made a real difference.
As your understanding of the pressing conservation issues in Sri Lanka grows, put together a presentation to teach the local community what you have learned. Discuss why coastal conservation is so crucial and why we need to secure turtle eggs from poachers. This outreach work aims to raise awareness in the community and emphasise the importance of preserving local ecosystems.
On your final day of work, thank the staff for their support and head out for a farewell meal at a local restaurant.
Day 14
After two weeks of hard work, it’s time to say your final goodbyes to the Projects Abroad staff before heading to the airport for your flight home.
It’s been an amazing journey for you and your students. You’ve all developed a deep connection with the Sri Lankan community and now have a better understanding of the country's culture, history, and conservation efforts.
As you leave Sri Lanka, know you are always welcome back! We look forward to hearing what amazing things you all achieve in the future.
On arrival day, a Projects Abroad staff member will be waiting at Colombo Airport (CMB) to collect your group and take you to your accommodation in Balapitiya by minibus.
After you have settled into the accommodation, you will receive culture awareness training to get an insight into Sri Lankan culture, customs and traditions, and better understand the people who will work by your side during your time here.
Days 2-6: Conservation work
Working at the Galbokka Sea Turtle Conservation & Research Center, help conservationists with their work towards the protection and survival of endangered sea turtles as well as the preservation of the local ecosystem.
The project's tasks include:
> Helping bury the sea turtle eggs in a safe, dedicated area to rescue them from poachers.
> Conducting daily checks on the eggs to check their hatching time and help the emerging baby turtles.
> Washing the sea turtle tanks and refilling them with seawater.
> Preparing food to feed the turtles.
Days 7-8: Weekend trip
Leave first thing on Saturday morning to travel to Dambulla, a beautiful city in central Sri Lanka, full of history, six hours away.
On arrival, you will head to the Dambulla Royal Cave Temple and discover its incredible murals, breathtaking views, and over 150 Buddha statues. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991, this site has been sacred for two thousand years and is a must-see during your trip. In the afternoon, head to Sirgiriya, another UNESCO World Heritage Site considered one of the "Eight Wonders of the World" by the local community.
The following day, Minneriya National Park will be waiting for you. There, you will embark on an elephant safari aboard a jeep. Test your wildlife identification skills as you spot the species residing in this sanctuary, such as deer, monkeys, and colourful bird species.
Days 9-13
After a week of conservation work, your group will have found its rhythm in the research centre and developed a good understanding of the importance of the jobs you have taken on. Take time to reflect as a group on the positive long-term impact of your efforts here, and know you have made a real difference.
As your understanding of the pressing conservation issues in Sri Lanka grows, put together a presentation to teach the local community what you have learned. Discuss why coastal conservation is so crucial and why we need to secure turtle eggs from poachers. This outreach work aims to raise awareness in the community and emphasise the importance of preserving local ecosystems.
On your final day of work, thank the staff for their support and head out for a farewell meal at a local restaurant.
Day 14
After two weeks of hard work, it’s time to say your final goodbyes to the Projects Abroad staff before heading to the airport for your flight home.
It’s been an amazing journey for you and your students. You’ve all developed a deep connection with the Sri Lankan community and now have a better understanding of the country's culture, history, and conservation efforts.
As you leave Sri Lanka, know you are always welcome back! We look forward to hearing what amazing things you all achieve in the future.
Which Curriculum Subjects do we cater for?
Conservation Wildlife Animal Care
Students taking part in our Sea Turtle Conservation Programme in Sri Lanka will work alongside experts to ensure the survival of precious wildlife species, completing tasks such as:
> Helping bury the sea turtle eggs in a safe, dedicated area to rescue them from poachers
> Conduct daily checks on the eggs to check their hatching time and help the emerging baby turtles
> Taking part in the night patrol on the beach of Galbokka to look for endangered sea turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs.
> Planting mangroves
Community Projects
Your group will engage with the local community through conversations as they raise awareness of sea turtle conservation and the preservation of local ecosystems through presentations. Inspire the next generation of conservationists to ensure that sea turtles are protected and monitored long after you return home!
What size groups do we cater for?
All group sizes of 5 or more. Free staff place with every 9 students.
Access for visitors with disabilities?
Disabled facilities can be offered on request.
Visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN)?
Visitors with special educational needs can be catered for on request.
Anything else?
Projects Abroad provides an individualised service and schedule planning, which is backed up by excellent pre-departure preparation and by a dedicated and highly experienced local team in each destination.
We aim to provide a challenging and rewarding experience for every student, promoting self-belief, resilience, leadership, teamwork, reflection, and a new perspective on the world.
Get in touch today! Our partnerships team is happy to answer any queries and guide you through the process of booking the school trip of a lifetime!
We aim to provide a challenging and rewarding experience for every student, promoting self-belief, resilience, leadership, teamwork, reflection, and a new perspective on the world.
Get in touch today! Our partnerships team is happy to answer any queries and guide you through the process of booking the school trip of a lifetime!
Who are Projects Abroad?
Projects Abroad arrange challenging, meaningful, educational, and safe overseas service and internship programmes.
We have been taking students overseas since 1992 and work in over 20 developing and emerging countries across Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Key to our work is the dedicated in-country staff whose diverse skill sets, local knowledge and love of their community allow us to develop relevant, immersive and worthwhile schedules for school trips which give the students responsibility and teach them to see the world through a different lens.
We offer programmes in community development, conservation, construction, education, sports, empowerment, human rights, and healthcare, among many others. These projects are designed to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, broadening the student experience to see the contribution of a few to a movement for global change.
All school trips are individualised. We realise that each school has its own goals and interests, and the students have their own passions. We work with the school to develop a tailored itinerary that reflects their values and allows the students to make a connection with the community in which they serve.
Teacher Checklist
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