3 independent reviews for Greece, turtle volunteering for families
Reviews for Greece, turtle volunteering for families
Emily Pemberton review 30 Aug 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Sleeping on the beach, waking to assist hatchlings starting their journey to the ocean. Meeting like minded people. Being a small part of a very hardworking large team of volunteers. Looking at many aspects influencing behaviour of turtles.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Stay in Argostoli unless you hire a car. Don't stay at the campsite!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, our daughter particularly enjoyed the beach cleans- that immediate impact.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
From our daughter, "I give it 500 stars, I love it".Read the operator's response here:
Hi Emily,
Thanks so much for your amazing feedback on the Turtle and Marine Conservation family trip which you did this summer. Your daughter’s “500 stars” really made us smile!! Great to hear about the aspects you enjoyed most, such as the opportunity to help with hatchlings, and also the feedback on the campsite where you stayed which will help families choosing their accommodation for future years. Thanks again for all your efforts to help with conservation on Kefalonia. Best wishes, Alex
Ella Lloyd review 23 Aug 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Staying up overnight on the beach to watch baby turtles hatch and make their way down to sea for the first time - magical! The organisation that we volunteered with places volunteers overnight on beaches with high light-pollution, to make sure that hatchlings make their way towards the sea, rather than towards the artificial light of beach bars, roads and hotels.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
If you can, book accommodation in Argostoli, rather than the surrounding areas, as all the activities either start from the bridge at Argostoli, or the project minibus collects you from there.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Absolutely. The project is completely committed to sea turtle and coastal conservation, as well as education about the impact humans are having in this environment. By volunteering on this project, you are an extra pair of eyes to spot a problem (we spotted an adult turtle caught in a fishing line and the core team were able to kayak out to it and free it, with the help of drone footage), you are an extra pair of eyes to spot nesting turtle tracks on early morning beach surveys (so that nesting sites can be identified), and also and extra pair of hands to help little ones down to the sea if they lose their way.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
This vacation was an unforgettable experience for our family (2 adults and twin 13 year old boys). The boys LOVED it, even the early mornings (nesting survey has a meeting time of 5.55am)! A very educational, but also completely hands on experience that I would definitely recommend.Read the operator's response here:
Thank you so much Ella choosing to help support our Turtle and Marine Conservation project in Greece on your family vacation. Your help was so valuable
helping to protect the endangered turtles on the island of Kefalonia. It is fantastic to hear that you were able to have memorable experiences helping to rescue
hatchling turtles on the beach at night and tracking nesting turtles. Hope we can help you plan your next volunteering trip! Best wishes, Alex and the
Volunteer team
Tiffany Drake review 18 Aug 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
We loved every moment! Being involved in the rare live daytime hatchling rescue was amazing - both to witness this and know we were directly helping hatchlings that might otherwise have perished in the sunshine before making it to the sea. We also helped support the rescue of an adult turtle which had a fishing hook stuck in its mouth and line around its flipper. The team were brilliant and we felt included and respected as volunteers even though we were only there for a week.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Go for it! You’ll have an amazing time, learn so much, feel you are making a difference, meet great people, love Kefalonia, help make a difference to the conservation of turtles and make memories for life!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, all of these. We were able to talk to tourists who were trying to feed the turtles and help educate them as to why this wasn’t good for them. We did litter picking, the importance of which was highlighted by seeing turtles trying to feed on rubbish. We assisted in hatchling rescues where they would otherwise have been negatively impacted by light pollution from hotels and restaurants or tourists and locals on the beaches. We also supported the team in protecting and monitoring nests, hatchlings and adult turtles. When wearing our blue ‘uniform’ t-shirts it was obvious how much the team are respected by both locals and tourists wanting to know more about the turtles and the work of the organisation.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Five stars! It was such a great experience for us all (my three children aged 11-12 loved it all too). They can’t wait until they are old enough to return independently as part of the volunteer team we have already recommended the project to friends. Thank you for such s brilliant experience!Read the operator's response here:
Hi Tiffany, thanks so much for your amazing review. So great to hear about your family's experience in Greece on our Turtle and Marine Conservation family trip. You really have all made a genuine difference to the important conservation work there on Kefalonia and I'm sure will be an inspiration for other families. The daytime hatchling rescue and getting involved in helping the adult caught in fishing hook/line sound like very special memories that will last a long time! Hope to help with more volunteering trips in the future. Best wishes, Alex and the volunteer team.
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