Trinidad's Leatherback Sea Turtles (trip)

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Trinidad's Leatherback Sea Turtles

  • Port of Spain, Trinidad And Tobago
  • Volunteer Vacations
“The best part of the expedition was interacting with the Nature Seekers. The people really make the expedition and they… ”
Matura Beach , Trinidad , scientific research , wildlife surveys , endangered species , wildlife protection , Trinidad And Tobago

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Period offered: April-July. The provider (view their profile) can provide you with specific departure dates, final prices, and other information.


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from $2,795* per room12 DaysApril-July
Simple accommodations Exertion level: 6
Operator: Earthwatch Institute 10 people max
This tropical island off the coast of Venezuela is known for its vibrant ethnic diversity and rich cultural events. It is also the site of one of the most important nesting beaches for endangered leatherback turtles, enormous reptiles that can weigh a ton and dive deeper than many whales. Each year, more than 2,000 female leatherbacks haul themselves onto Matura Beach to lay their eggs.

With leatherback populations declining more quickly than any other large animal in modern history, each turtle is precious. You can help an internationally acclaimed community organization, Nature Seekers, patrol this nesting beach and collect information on visiting and (depending on the season) hatching turtles. Take this opportunity to get up close to what's been called "the last living dinosaur,” while helping prevent its extinction.

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Locations visited/nearby

Matura Beach , Trinidad , scientific research , wildlife surveys , endangered species , wildlife protection , Trinidad And Tobago

3 testimonials about this trip

  1. Reviewer: Tara located in Bellaire, TX USA
    The best part of the expedition was interacting with the Nature Seekers. The people really make the expedition and they all have so much to offer and they are very kind. The Maturan Community was vital in the enjoyment of this trip. I loved the nightly patrols and working up close and hands on with the turtles. I appreciated the amount of trust the Nature Seekers had in us during field work. And I enjoyed many of our recreational trips, particularly the Rio Seco waterfall.
  2. Reviewer: Susan located in Lawrence, KS USA
    It's somewhat difficult to sort out the multi-layers of this wonderful experience: The mission itself, the excitement of being a part of something that makes a difference to this planet. . . Working with like-minded people. Working with young students, an inspiration and hope for the future. Most of all, I believe was the opportunity to get to know the people of Matura on a personal level. The cross-cultural experience with the transparency and authenticity of the Nature Seeker Staff and guest house staff was humbling and a reminder of priorities in life, what is essential, what one can do without.
  3. Reviewer: Lucas located in Port Townsend, WA USA

     

    We were allowed hands on field work with the turtles and were encouraged to become involved as much as possible. Working with animals such as these was absolutely amazing. Learning how conservation field work is organized and how Nature Seekers was formed was very inspirational. On top of the expedition work the individuals of Nature Seekers were great at finding daily activities for the volunteers and listened well to all concerns.

1 testimonial about the provider, Earthwatch Institute:

  • Reviewer: L. Reifschneider located in St. Louis, MO USA
    Elephant conservation is what drives my travel destinations. However, I always come home counting the blessings of new friends and an understanding of a culture and way of life I possibly would otherwise have never been introduced to. Through the Earthwatch projects I participate in, I am learning just how big and wonderful this world is.

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Itinerary

On the Expedition

Help save the world's largest turtle from extinction, working side-by-side with leading scientists and a local conservation group, Nature Seekers.

Each night under swaying palms and bright tropical stars, your team will patrol sections of the beach with the staff and volunteers of Nature Seekers. In peak season, you may find as many as 150 sea turtles nesting each night. At every encounter, you’ll tag, measure, and weigh these turtles—which can grow as long as 2 meters/6.5 feet and weigh up to 900 kilograms/2000 lbs!--and collect other data crucial for local and worldwide conservation efforts. Since green and hawskbill turtles also nest in the area, you may record some data on them, as well.

After sleeping late in each morning, you can spend your afternoon visiting the howler monkeys in a nearby forest, swimming in the river, hiking the local trails, or bird watching. You will also enjoy getting to know the people of this friendly Caribbean island.

Meals and Accommodations

You’ll share double rooms and enjoy the modern conveniences of flush toilets and showers in a large and comfortable guesthouse next to the Nature Seekers office. Hearty home-cooked meals of traditional fare, including Trinidadian chicken and beans in brown sauce, are bountiful and delicious. The guesthouse is a 20-minute ride through the Matura forest from the field site, so keep your eyes open each day to spot owls, fireflies, frogs, and a whole range of jungle wildlife!
About the Research Area

Trinidad is the southernmost island in a chain of islands stretching from Florida to Venezuela. The island is separated from Venezuela by the Gulf of Paria, one of the finest natural harbors in the world. The Gulf of Paria is entered from the north by the Boca del Dragon (Dragon’s Mouth) and from the south by the Boca de la Sierpe (Serpent’s Mouth).

Matura is a rural village located in the east-northeast of Trinidad. The area has a thick forest with sandy, gravelly soil. Several rivers and a fishing spot can be found nearby. Matura Beach, a protected area, is 3 miles/4.8 kilometers from the village. It has an array of wildlife, both plants and animal, and a tropical climate. As a small village, Matura is a friendly place and people can wander about freely.

The area has a wealth of intrinsic natural resources and attractions that rank high among the destination sites in Trinidad and Tobago. The beautiful Rio Seco Waterfall is at the end of an amazing two-hour hike through a pristine forest featuring pawi, toucans, orange-winged parrots, red howler monkeys, otters, and many other species. But by far the most popular environmental resource in the area is the nesting activity of the endangered leatherback turtles.

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