Book 2+ tours, save up to 10%

Book 2+ tours, save up to 10%

Turtle Conservation: Cape Verde

Turtle Conservation: Cape Verde is a volunteer placement in Tarrafal, from $642 a week per person with a $350 deposit. You join the effort to protect the islands’ nesting sea turtles, hands-on and alongside a local team. Stays run 1-12 weeks and suit travellers aged 18-38. Start dates run from 18 October 2026.

  • 18 Meals (Vegetarian Options)
  • All transport & Accommodation
  • Airport Transfer (Arrivals)
  • No Hidden Charges or Application Fees
  • Meet volunteers from all over the world
  • International Flights
  • Travel Insurance
  • Airport Transfer (Departing)

Incredible experience at Cape Verde's turtle conservation program! Made a difference while meeting amazing people and learning so much. Highly recommend!

Sophia Martinez, Spain 25
from$642Per Week
Pay $350 deposit
  • Length1-12 Weeks
  • Starting PointTarrafal
  • Ending PointTarrafal
  • Airport TransferPick-up only
  • Avg. Group Size6-20
  • Avg. Age18-38
  • No. Of Activities30
  • No. Of Meals18

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Map

Map for Turtle Conservation: Cape Verde

Tour Itinerary

Colorful fishing boats line a sunny beach with clear turquoise water and arid mountains in Cape Verde.
A vibrant street scene with colorful buildings, palm trees, parked cars, and a person walking.
A person with a backpack stands in a town square, looking at a white church with an orange roof in Cape Verde.
People walk on a sunny paved path, passing a vibrant blue building in Cape Verde.
A basic shared room featuring two single wooden beds and standing fans.
Day 1

Welcome to your New Home

Get ready to be greeted with a warm Cape Verdean welcome by our transfer coordinator! Picture this: You step off the plane and make your way to the meeting point, where our coordinator will be eagerly awaiting your arrival. From there, they'll whisk you away to your accommodation while filling you in on all the exciting adventures in store for the next few days. It's the perfect start to your Cape Verde adventure!

  • Meals IncludedBrunch, Dinner
  • Room TypeVolunteer House
  • Activities IncludedAirport Transfer
A large green sea turtle swims gracefully through clear blue ocean water above a sandy seabed.
A diverse group of travellers smiling for a group photo on dark sand with green trees.
Green wire cages protect numbered sea turtle nests in a sandy conservation hatchery in Cape Verde.
Many baby sea turtles crawl across a sandy beach towards the ocean in Cape Verde.
Young people and locals gather on a dark sand beach, observing a conservation activity.
A large sea turtle with a tracking device on a sandy beach, observed by people for conservation.
Day 2 - 6

Turtle Conservation

Through this program you and members of the local community will be working to ensure protection of the female sea turtles by: patrolling the beaches at night during the nesting season; transporting the eggs to a safe hatchery; feeding, cleaning and taking care of hatchlings; educating the community about lessening their impact; and working with the government to improve protection regulations.

  • Meals IncludedBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Room TypeVolunteer House
  • Activities IncludedFeeding, Cleaning, Take Care of Hatchlings
A vibrant street scene with colorful buildings, palm trees, parked cars, and a person walking.
Colorful fishing boats on a sunny beach with people carrying items, backed by dry mountains.
Four happy women stand on a dark sand beach with mountains and boats in the background.
An older woman in a blue headscarf sorts fresh vegetables and fruits at a bustling market.
Day 7

Choose Your Own Adventure!

The weekend is time for you to spread your wings a little, if you’re up for it. We’ve equipped you with some language basics, introduced you to the local cuisine…now lets see where that can get you! You’re free to organise any adventure you care to, or simply chill ahead of the volunteer work. We can offer advice on where to go, if you need it.

  • Meals IncludedBreakfast

Starting Dates

Program Information

Experience the adventure of a lifetime with Backpacking Tours in Cape Verde! Help protect Loggerhead sea turtles by patrolling beaches, operating hatcheries, and educating the local community on marine conservation. Embrace the challenge and make a lasting impact on turtle survival. Dive into an unforgettable hands-on experience while saving these precious marine creatures.

Add up to 12 weeks

Pick from a choice of 5 programs to add to your first week of volunteering.

Optional Extras

$480
$960
$430
$860
$550
$1100
$1650
$495
$750

Turtle Conservation in Cape Verde

Join us in our program to conserve sea turtles on the islands of Cape Verde and be directly involved in making a difference to save the species from extinction.

Your participation in this program will impact the marine ecosystem long-term, with hands-on work with wild nesting sea turtles. You will get the chance to travel to an exotic destination, work on beaches famous for their splendid sands and shimmering seas, and at the same time gain worthwhile fieldwork experience in sea turtle conservation.

As part of this package, you will carry out night beach patrols to dissuade poachers, transport eggs to a certified hatchery, care for newborn Loggerheads and carry out community education programmes.

The dramatic landscape of Cape Verde, an archipelago to the west of Africa, only hints at the exhilaration of visiting this unique ecoregion. Volcanic in origin and experiencing a milder climate than most of Africa, when visiting Cape Verde you may be lucky enough to spot one of the several animal species only found here! Whichever your choice of package, you will certainly help the local communities - human or otherwise!

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I prepare mentally?

Come with an open mind and realistic expectations. Life on a volunteer project is simpler and slower than at home: shared rooms, basic facilities, heat and humidity, and a culture with its own customs. Everyone feels a little out of place at first, and that is normal.

Before you travel, read the programme information we send you. When you arrive, the local team introduces you to the project, the house rules and local customs, and they are there to talk to if you feel homesick or unsure. Most volunteers find the first few days are the hardest, and the rest flies by.

How old do I have to be?

We accept participants aged from 16 and above. Participants under the age of 18 must travel with a parent or legal guardian. There is no upper age limit however, we recommend participants to check with the program options that are available.

Do I need to be fit/in shape for my project?

We should always be healthy and maintain our fitness. However, it depends on the project you choose and you should always be ready to work.

What should I wear? Is there a dress code?

Nothing formal. Pack modest, practical clothes that you do not mind getting dirty. On teaching and kindergarten projects, wear neat, casual clothes that cover your shoulders and knees. On construction and conservation projects, wear hard-wearing clothes and closed shoes you do not mind ruining, plus a hat and light long sleeves for the sun. Vest tops and short shorts are not allowed while you are working.

Away from the project, dress with respect for local customs, especially in villages and at religious sites. Your coordinator will tell you about any local rules when you arrive.

Is airport transfer part of the package?

Your arrival transfer is included. You will be met at the airport and taken to your accommodation, so there is nothing to arrange for the journey in.

The departure transfer at the end, from your accommodation back to the airport, is not included. You can add it as an optional extra in your account, or make your own way.

Once you have booked your flights, log in to your account and add them under Flight Details so we know when you are landing.

What type of food can I expect?

We're all about serving up tasty veggie and non-veggie dishes, made with simple, fresh, and local ingredients. We've got your allergies covered, so no worries there. We've got you sorted with three yummy meals on weekdays, and two awesome meals on Saturdays, Sundays, and Public Holidays.