The Great Turtle Project

I had a wonderful time in my 3 weeks at The Great Turtle Project. Dudley, his family and the other staff were all very friendly and kind, also helping to arrange trips for our weekends off. I visited Udawalawe National Park, went whale watching and to other nearby towns of Galle Fort, Mirissa, Benthota and Hikkaduwa. Working on the project was a real education and privilege, learning about the turtles and their needs, seeing baby turtles hatch, releasing them into the ocean and interacting with the resident turtles. I also enjoyed giving tours of the project to visitors. Whilst I was there we built an extra hatchery area which was hard work in the hot weather but very rewarding. The food and accommodation was great and air conditioning in the bedrooms was very welcome. It was a great way to sample the local food and also meet many other volunteers from other countries. I also had the opportunity to dress in a traditional sari. I would highly recommend this project for volunteers, it was so rewarding, very educational, a beautiful location and I fell in love with sea turtles. I hope to return one day. A couple of suggestions -... I had a wonderful time in my 3 weeks at The Great Turtle Project. Dudley, his family and the other staff were all very friendly and kind, also helping to arrange trips for our weekends off. I visited Udawalawe National Park, went whale watching and to other nearby towns of Galle Fort, Mirissa, Benthota and Hikkaduwa. Working on the project was a real education and privilege, learning about the turtles and their needs, seeing baby turtles hatch, releasing them into the ocean and interacting with the resident turtles. I also enjoyed giving tours of the project to visitors. Whilst I was there we built an extra hatchery area which was hard work in the hot weather but very rewarding. The food and accommodation was great and air conditioning in the bedrooms was very welcome. It was a great way to sample the local food and also meet many other volunteers from other countries. I also had the opportunity to dress in a traditional sari. I would highly recommend this project for volunteers, it was so rewarding, very educational, a beautiful location and I fell in love with sea turtles. I hope to return one day. A couple of suggestions - the pre-departure information included details about the use of a swimming pool but this was not available when I was there and appeared to be a permanent change. Secondly, the information also stated a requirement for clothes covering shoulders, knees and feet for going into communities to teach English to local children. We did teach local children but it was done at the villa and there was no requirement for these clothes so I did feel I had brought quite a few things that I didn't need, apparently going into the community to teach English hasn't been done since covid. It might be worth updating the information for volunteers. (Show More)

We had an amazing experience at The Great Turtle Project. Lots of fun and laughter with the other volunteers, some really hard work in the sun, met visitors from all around the world. The work Dudley and the team do is so important: everything is done to protect the turtles and their welfare, but they also do everything they possibly can to ensure that the volunteers have the best possible experience. They also went out of their way to support our travel experiences at weekends, getting us safe transport, excellent accommodation and access to the best experiences.

I stayed 16 days at The Great Turtle Project and had the best time in both safe and caring environments. The owner was totally devoted to the project and the volunteers, always making sure of that we were alright. The project is founded on good ethical ground, based on both science and experiences during nearly 40 years. There has been close to 6000 volunteers at the project, and people in all ages keep returning to the place. The work was demanding some physical strength when making new turtle nests and cleaning the old one. Also caring for the oldest turtles and cleaning the pools needed physical power, but being more than one we made it pretty easy together. The accommodation is functional, sharing rooms with single beds for 2 persons. There are toilets and shower at each room and a living room for dining and social activities. We were served 3 meals a day and never felt hunger - there very plenty of food and it always tasted exciting and well, served in the most delicious way. We were at the most 7 persons in age 21 - 65. I felt immediate friendship based on warmth and respect from everyone.... I stayed 16 days at The Great Turtle Project and had the best time in both safe and caring environments. The owner was totally devoted to the project and the volunteers, always making sure of that we were alright. The project is founded on good ethical ground, based on both science and experiences during nearly 40 years. There has been close to 6000 volunteers at the project, and people in all ages keep returning to the place. The work was demanding some physical strength when making new turtle nests and cleaning the old one. Also caring for the oldest turtles and cleaning the pools needed physical power, but being more than one we made it pretty easy together. The accommodation is functional, sharing rooms with single beds for 2 persons. There are toilets and shower at each room and a living room for dining and social activities. We were served 3 meals a day and never felt hunger - there very plenty of food and it always tasted exciting and well, served in the most delicious way. We were at the most 7 persons in age 21 - 65. I felt immediate friendship based on warmth and respect from everyone. I was the first Norwegian to visit this project, and I surely hope some more folks from Norway will come along after me. The Great Projects (England) felt responsible in charge and proactive, easy in communication and quick in responding. I will gladly operate as a contact person for those who might be considering doing the same project having any questions ahead of their journey to The Great Turtle Project, Sri Lanka. Finally it is well spent money - both on your own personal travel socially, mentally and physically, and in assisting Mr. Dudley (Commander in Chief!) financially to keep up and keep going! This is marvellous and important work. Commander - I salute you! :) (Show More)