On Cousin Island, just off the coast of Praslin, hawksbill turtles have been nesting under scientific watch since 1970 — one of the longest continuous marine conservation programs in the world. The species is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, and every nest counted, every hatchling guided to the sea, feeds into a dataset that shapes regional protection policies.
The Marine Conservation Society Seychelles and Nature Seychelles recruit volunteers for three-month stints on Cousin Island, one of the most crucial hawksbill nesting sites on the planet.
This article walks you through the two main ways to get involved: the experienced-conservationist track on Cousin Island and the all-levels program on North Island. Both put you on the front line of sea turtle monitoring, but they differ in duration, prerequisites, living arrangements, and day-to-day work. By the end you’ll know which fits your background, your schedule, and your tolerance for dormitory life.
Volunteering with sea turtles in Seychelles is genuinely hands-on conservation, not a packaged eco-tour. The Cousin Island program suits experienced fieldworkers who can commit three months and live without meals included. North Island’s program welcomes first-timers, runs four to eight weeks, and includes accommodation and food — but caps at four volunteers per session, so early booking is non-negotiable. Either way, you’ll log real data that feeds into international policy.
Conservation-career seekers
Gap-year volunteers
Experienced field biologists
Below you’ll find a side-by-side comparison of the two programs, followed by detailed breakdowns of daily life, the application process, and the practical logistics of getting to these remote islands.
| Program | Location | Duration | Experience required | Meals included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCSS / Nature Seychelles | Cousin Island | 3 months (Oct 2025 – Apr 2026) | Yes — previous turtle monitoring experience | No |
| Wildlife ACT | North Island | 4–8 weeks (year-round) | No — training provided | Yes — buffet-style, vegetarian options |
Cousin Island — The Experienced-Conservationist Track
Cousin Island is a globally significant nesting site for the hawksbill turtle, and the monitoring program run by the Marine Conservation Society Seychelles in partnership with Nature Seychelles has been collecting data here since 1970. This isn’t a beginner-friendly introduction to marine biology — candidates must have previous experience monitoring sea turtles, excellent physical fitness for long walks on sandy beaches under tropical sun, and a good level of English for working with the international team. Training in marine biology or tropical conservation is considered advantageous, and valid travel insurance is mandatory.
The program’s long data history means your work contributes directly to a dataset that informs regional and global conservation policy for the species. If you’re a marine biology graduate or a seasoned field technician looking for a posting that carries weight in the conservation community, this is the track that will stretch you. The isolated living conditions and variable work rhythms demand flexibility — but the trade-off is a level of fieldwork responsibility that shorter programs rarely offer.
North Island — The All-Levels Program
North Island tells a different story. Once a coconut plantation, it was transformed through the Noah’s Ark restoration project that began in 1997 after Wilderness Safaris acquired the island. Non-native plants and animals were removed, thousands of endemic seedlings were nurtured in on-site nurseries, and key species such as the Aldabra giant tortoise were reintroduced. Today the island serves as a sanctuary for critically endangered species and a model for marine and terrestrial restoration in the Indian Ocean — it received the National Geographic World Legacy Award for Conserving the Natural World and the Seychelles Energy Globe Award.
Beyond turtle monitoring, the programme includes snorkel-based surveys of reef fish and corals, removal and cataloguing of marine debris, regular beach clean-ups to protect nesting turtles and hatchlings, beach profiling for long-term coastal monitoring, and invasive vegetation clearing alongside nursery maintenance. One full rest day per week leaves time for snorkeling, kayaking, cycling, or simply relaxing on the beach. A small island shop opens periodically for snacks and basic supplies, and sustainability practices like waste sorting are part of daily life.
Daily Life and Conservation Impact
Both programs share a similar rhythm: early mornings and evenings on the beach, data collection and entry during the middle of the day, and a tangible sense that each nest counted makes a difference. The scale of that impact is visible in the numbers. Between January 2025 and mid-2026, 404 sea turtle nests were recorded on North Island alone. In 2025, volunteers collected 925.191 kilograms of ocean waste from the island’s beaches. The 2026 green turtle nesting season began on 31 March, and by the time the latest report was compiled, 121 green turtle nests had been recorded, 26 relocated to safer areas, and at least 305 hatchlings safely released.
Sea turtle nests recorded on North Island between January 2025 and mid-2026.
Ocean waste removed from North Island beaches in 2025 by volunteers.
One of the most exciting developments in 2026 was the deployment of a satellite GPS transmitter on a nesting green turtle named Angelina — the first satellite tracking device ever attached to a green turtle in the Inner Islands of Seychelles. The transmitter was provided by Dr. Scott Whiting, and the attachment and deployment were trained by Dr. Jeanne Mortimer. Angelina has since laid two clutches, and the device continues to transmit data that will inform migration corridors and habitat protection.
The conservation work extends beyond turtles. On North Island, the Environmental Team monitors Aldabra giant tortoises — 156 individuals now live on the island, including 23 juveniles in a dedicated enclosure. Four juvenile tortoises were released near the Bernica hiking trail in April 2026. The black mud terrapin, an endemic Seychelles species, has been the subject of intensive monitoring: 782 capture events representing 585 unique individuals, with 380 newly captured turtles marked through carapace notching and colour coding. In the nursery, over 800 saplings of endemic and native species were potted and 160 trees planted across the island, while 903 invasive coconut sprouts and beach creeper liana were removed.
How to Apply — Two Routes, Two Processes
The application process differs significantly between the two programs, reflecting their different requirements and capacities. Both require early action — the Cousin program has a formal selection process, while North Island caps at four volunteers per session and regularly fills weeks in advance.
Send your candidacy via email to [email protected] with a detailed motivational letter, an updated curriculum vitae, and a recent passport copy. The selection team conducts a first evaluation phase, creates a shortlist, and verifies travel insurance before confirming placement. The program is open to candidates with previous sea turtle monitoring experience and runs from October 2025 to April 2026. Three-month slots are October–December, November–January, December–February, or February–April. Read the full volunteer announcement from Nature Seychelles for detailed requirements.
Visit the Marine Conservation Volunteering page on the Wildlife ACT website and complete the volunteer form with your preferred dates. Accepted applicants receive a Letter of Invitation and detailed travel guidance. Early booking is strongly advised because only four volunteers are accepted per session. Sessions run year-round and last four to eight weeks. No prior conservation experience is required. Check the Wildlife ACT guide to volunteering in Seychelles for the full breakdown of dates and requirements.
The project is also supported through donations on GlobalGiving, where suggested contributions range from $10 for endemic seedlings to $250 for a week of intensive sea turtle nesting and hatchling monitoring. Even if you can’t volunteer in person, these donations directly fund patrols, nest relocations, and the satellite tracking programme.
If you’re planning a trip to Seychelles beyond volunteering, you might also be interested in sustainable eco-tours and responsible travel tips for the islands, or a luxury catamaran adventure guide for exploring the archipelago between volunteer shifts.
Choosing the Right Program — Practical Considerations
The decision between Cousin Island and North Island comes down to your experience level, the time you can commit, and how much structure you need in your daily life. The table below distills the key differences into a quick reference.
Meals are not included in the Cousin Island program — you’ll need to budget for groceries and prepare your own food in the shared kitchen. On North Island, meals are included, but the small island shop only opens periodically for snacks and basic supplies, so stock up on Mahé before you depart.
| Factor | Cousin Island | North Island |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum commitment | 3 months | 4 weeks |
| Experience required | Previous turtle monitoring | None — training provided |
| Group size | Varies (dormitory) | Max 4 volunteers |
| Accommodation | Dormitory, shared kitchen | Shared cottage with AC |
| Meals | Not included | Included, buffet-style |
| Physical demand | Long walks on sand, tropical sun | Up to 5 km/day on patrols |
| Program since | 1970 | 1997 (Noah’s Ark project) |
- Cousin Island demands prior experience and a three-month commitment but offers the deepest scientific pedigree — the dataset goes back to 1970.
- North Island welcomes first-time volunteers, caps at four per session for close mentorship, and includes meals and air-conditioned accommodation.
- Both programs require good physical condition, valid travel insurance, and a flexible attitude toward isolated island living.
- Apply early — North Island sessions fill quickly, and the Cousin program’s selection process involves a shortlist and insurance verification.
Before You Go — Seychelles Turtle Conservation Volunteering
Do I need a marine biology degree?
Not for North Island — Wildlife ACT provides full training and no prior experience is required. For Cousin Island, previous sea turtle monitoring experience is mandatory, and training in marine biology or tropical conservation is considered advantageous.
What’s the minimum age to volunteer?
The research doesn’t specify a minimum age for either program. Given the isolated living conditions, physical demands, and independent travel requirements, both programs are best suited to adults or mature gap-year students. Contact the organisers directly to confirm age policies.
How do I get to the islands?
You book your own flight to Seychelles International Airport on Mahé. For North Island, a pre-arranged taxi takes you to overnight accommodation on Mahé (The Ridge Residence or Hilltop Boutique Hotel), and a staff boat departs Marine Charter Harbour every Monday at 08:30. The ferry returns you to Mahé on Fridays.
What’s the biggest downside?
Isolation and limited social life. Cousin Island volunteers live in dormitories without meals included, and the work follows a dawn-and-dusk patrol schedule that can be exhausting. North Island offers more comfort but only four volunteers per session, so you’ll spend most of your time with the same small group. If you need constant connectivity or variety, this isn’t the right fit.
Can I volunteer for less than four weeks?
Not through these programs. The Cousin Island track requires a three-month commitment, and North Island’s sessions run four to eight weeks. Shorter experiences aren’t available — these are serious research programmes, not drop-in activities.
Why This Work Matters
Every nest logged, every hatchling counted, every kilogram of waste removed from the beach feeds into a conservation framework that extends far beyond Seychelles. Hawksbill turtles are listed as Critically Endangered, and the data collected by volunteers on Cousin and North Islands directly informs the IUCN Red List assessments and regional protection strategies that determine the species’ future. You’re not just a helper — you’re a data collector in a scientific program that has been running for over five decades on Cousin and for nearly three decades on North Island. If you’re looking for a volunteer experience where your contribution is measurable, your days are structured by the tide rather than a timetable, and your presence genuinely moves the needle for an endangered species, this is it. Start your application early, pack for humidity and sand, and prepare for the most meaningful fieldwork you’ll ever do. For more ways to explore the islands between shifts, check out budget-friendly adventures in Seychelles.
References
Green Technology Investments. “Volunteers Are Looking For To Save The Sea Turtles In The Seychelles — How To Apply And All The Required Requirements.” Green Technology Investments, 2025. ↗
Wildlife ACT. “How To Volunteer For Sea Turtle Conservation In Seychelles — Everything You Need To Know.” Wildlife ACT Blog, 2025. ↗
GlobalGiving. “Protect Sea Turtles and Ecosystems in Seychelles — Project Reports.” GlobalGiving, 2026. ↗
If you’re planning a longer stay in Seychelles, the island’s top scuba diving sites offer a different way to experience marine life between volunteer shifts, and the hidden hiking trails with secret waterfalls provide a rewarding inland counterpoint to beach patrols. For a broader look at responsible travel across the archipelago, the sustainable Seychelles eco-tours guide rounds out the picture nicely.
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