
Protect a wetland of international importance and a coastal complex known as a biodiverse marine paradise!
While everyday tourists tend to overlook the northern reaches of Sri Lanka, Kalpitiya is fast becoming known for its hardcore kitesurfing and all-year-round dolphin visitors. With Kalpitiya established as a diverse marine paradise, it comes as no surprise it is also home to the Sri Lanka Marine Conservation Project.
The underlying aim of this project is to protect a wetland of international importance and a coastal complex which houses a multitude of marine habitats, including but certainly not limited to the Bar Reef, which is home to hundreds of coral and fish species, along with 30+ marine mammal species. Like many oceanic hotspots, the complex comes under threats from exploitative marine tourism, unsustainable fishing practices and severe plastic pollution, so the project is working to integrate scientific research and community-based education to support conservation efforts that restore, protect and preserve coastal and marine biodiversity surrounding Sri Lanka.
As a volunteer, you’ll help gather data on coastal flora and fauna, including dolphins, whales, dugongs, turtles, fish and seabirds! From conducting surveys and species monitoring to undertaking beach clean-ups, you'll experience real field research and witness marine life in its natural habitat. You’ll learn about marine biology, conservation, species identification and behavioural data collection techniques, alongside meeting locals who depend on marine resources for their livelihoods. This project offers a unique opportunity to consult with locals on how their fishing and tourism practices can be made more sustainable, setting influential examples and making a real difference to resident communities and marine life.
While everyday tourists tend to overlook the northern reaches of Sri Lanka, Kalpitiya is fast becoming known for its hardcore kitesurfing and all-year-round dolphin visitors. With Kalpitiya established as a diverse marine paradise, it comes as no surprise it is also home to the Sri Lanka Marine Conservation Project.
The underlying aim of this project is to protect a wetland of international importance and a coastal complex which houses a multitude of marine habitats, including but certainly not limited to the Bar Reef, which is home to hundreds of coral and fish species, along with 30+ marine mammal species. Like many oceanic hotspots, the complex comes under threats from exploitative marine tourism, unsustainable fishing practices and severe plastic pollution, so the project is working to integrate scientific research and community-based education to support conservation efforts that restore, protect and preserve coastal and marine biodiversity surrounding Sri Lanka.
As a volunteer, you’ll help gather data on coastal flora and fauna, including dolphins, whales, dugongs, turtles, fish and seabirds! From conducting surveys and species monitoring to undertaking beach clean-ups, you'll experience real field research and witness marine life in its natural habitat. You’ll learn about marine biology, conservation, species identification and behavioural data collection techniques, alongside meeting locals who depend on marine resources for their livelihoods. This project offers a unique opportunity to consult with locals on how their fishing and tourism practices can be made more sustainable, setting influential examples and making a real difference to resident communities and marine life.
Please note that itineraries are subject to change, and what follows is simply a guideline.
To secure a place on this project, a deposit of $245 is required at the time of booking, with the remaining balance due any time up to 60 days prior to your start date. Select a duration below to view the available start dates.
As a volunteer, you'll stay in a nearby, family-run beach resort in Kalpitiya. Volunteers will be allocated rooms on a twin-share, and same-sex basis (unless volunteering as a couple). Some rooms are equipped with air conditioning, others will have fans. Universal plug points and fresh linen are provided, and the private bathrooms have a western-style toilet and hot showers available. Around the resort, you can settle in a hammock or walk adjacent to the waves in your free time, and with weekends at your leisure, you can always arrange some exciting activities through the hotel (at an additional charge) such as snorkeling, diving, or windsurfing!
Volunteers will have three meals a day provided for them, usually served buffet-style, allowing you to try a mix of local and Western cuisine. You can expect some ethically sourced, fresh fish dishes, though vegetarian and vegan diets can be accommodated with prior notice. Some days, you'll be provided packed breakfasts or lunches to make the most of your time in the field. You'll have access to coffee, tea, and water and can purchase extra snacks or soft drinks in town and store them at the resort. Bon appétit!
For ideal weather, the best time to visit Kalpitiya is during the dry months running from January through to September. Kalpitiya is blessed to have dolphin visitors all year round but the ‘high’ season runs from December to mid-April when the ocean is calmer, and you may be lucky enough to spot rare sperm whales in this period and see large schools of spinner dolphins from the shore. November to March sees the bird migration period, so those who wish to spot some of Sri Lanka’s incredible bird species may want to keep this in mind.
You will need to arrive in Colombo on a Sunday, where you'll be met at the airport and transferred to a hotel in Ambepussa where you'll spend your first night. The following morning (Monday) you will be met at your hotel at 6am by a member of the team and be transferred by a private vehicle to the project site. Please note, departure transfer is not included but can be arranged for an additional fee.
All visitors to Sri Lanka require a visa. Short-stay visas of up to thirty days can be obtained online via the Electronic Travel Authority and can be extended for up to three months at the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Sri Lanka. Please note, your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date you arrive in Sri Lanka.
No specific skills or experience are required to join this project; all we ask is that you arrive with a positive attitude, the ability to work in a team, and a passion for marine wildlife!
The vaccinations required for travel will depend on your medical history. We recommend that you consult with your GP/Doctor regarding your own vaccination needs.