Overview

Do you love the ocean? As a key member of our Marine Project, you will gain valuable experience in marine conservation. We value teamwork, creativity, and making a meaningful difference. Our project is a combination of science and community action, both aimed at protecting our beautiful marine environments.

Why is this important? So, think about it. Our waters are teaming with life, including colourful coral reefs and majestic whales. However, they face risks such as pollution, overfishing, and climate change. If we do not act quickly, we risk losing these wonderful ecosystems forever.

That is where you come in. By participating in our research, you will become part of a committed community dedicated to understanding and conserving our marine resources. Whether you’re gathering data, raising awareness, or implementing sustainable practices, your contribution is valuable.

Kalpitiya, where our project is based, like much of Sri Lanka’s coastline, is home to a diverse range of marine species and vibrant coral reefs. Here are some of the notable marine inhabitants you might encounter on your internship around Kalpitiya:

  1. Coral Reefs: As a marine conservation intern, you will be able to explore and monitor the health of Kalpitiya’s coral reefs. These undersea habitats support a diverse range of coral species, including hard and soft corals, which provide shelter and food for a variety of marine organisms.
  2. Reef Fish: Your internship will entail investigating the behaviour and ecology of reef fish that live on Kalpitiya’s coral reefs. Each species, from colourful angelfish to sleek barracudas, contributes significantly to the reef ecosystem’s delicate balance.
  3. Sea Turtles: Monitoring and protecting sea turtle populations will be an important part of your internship in Kalpitiya. You will be able to engage in turtle nesting surveys, track nesting activity, and apply conservation strategies to protect these beautiful creatures and their nesting environments.
  4. Dolphins and Whales: As part of your internship, you will help perform surveys to determine the distribution and behaviour of dolphins and whales off the coast of Kalpitiya. Collecting data on species abundance and travel patterns can help conservation efforts to protect these fascinating marine mammals.
  5. Mangrove Ecosystems: Your internship will also include researching the role of mangrove ecosystems in Kalpitiya’s coastal landscape. From completing biodiversity surveys to participating in mangrove restoration projects, you’ll get a personal look at how important these habitats are for marine life and coastal communities.

This training includes our flagship Conservation Career Kick-Starter this tour. The Conservation Career Kick-Starter is a comprehensive programme of training, support communities, and jobs designed to get you hired quicker as a professional wildlife conservationist. Within the programme are three career-boosting elements to turn your dreams into reality. You can read more about the Kick-Starter here.

Important Information:

Accommodation: 

The design of the accommodation is perfect for the climate and terrain in which it is situated; it is very open to the outdoors, which helps to keep the house relatively cool during the hot days and nights and dry during the rainy season. Private accommodation is included in your experience with us.

Facilities on site: 

  • accommodation included,
  • food included,
  • cooking facilities,
  • electricity,
  • local shops,
  • near-by medical centre,
  • refillable drinking water,
  • cold shower,
  • western toilet.
  • Electric fans,
  • mosquito nets,
  • pillows and clean bed-sheets are provided.
  • All meals are freshly prepared every day, and there is a 24/7 tea and coffee station.
  • Vegan and vegetarian meals are provided.
  • There is good mobile phone coverage. Volunteers are advised to purchase SIM cards from local service providers with data for WiFi access. Facilities to charge electronic equipment is available throughout the house.

This itinerary is an example of a two-week program:  We have 2 – 12 weeks available on request.  

Tour:

Monday Day 1:

Morning:

You will have tea & briefing at 5:30am and leave for the boat jetty by 6am.

This morning, you will take part in seabird observations and take 15-minute video recordings.  As part of the data collection, you will be participating in fauna and fouling identification and taking photographs. Water samples will also be collected.

The purpose of this is to:

  • Identify and monitor long-term bird species in the lagoon and their feeding and breeding patterns.
  • Identification of seagrass, species, and distribution.
  • Monitor water quality.

Afternoon:

You will firstly evaluate the seagrasses and other flora and fauna. This is to categorise photos and data sheets for future reference in order to prepare field guides.

In the late afternoon, you will take beach observations along the coastline. This is to observe sea turtles, nests and identify threats. Identification and long-term monitoring of bird species in the lagoon, their feeding and breeding patterns.

Night:

After dinner, you will help with data input and discuss your findings. The input of data helps to understand how research helps conservation efforts.

Tuesday Day 2:

First, you will start by doing beach observations. The purpose of this is to patrol and assess situations that need attention and identify threats, if there are any. Identification and long-term monitoring of bird species in the lagoon and their feeding and breeding patterns helps us identify signs of change and evaluate the threats they pose.

After breakfast, for the rest of the morning, you will participate in a beach clean-up. In the afternoon, you will be sorting the photos from the field visits and, in the late afternoon, observing along the coastline for sea turtles, nests, and threat identification.

In the evening, we will record the data and discuss the findings of the day.

Wednesday Day 3:

This morning, you can participate in dolphin and whale watching. We will head out by boat and identify species, observe them, and record their behaviours.

After lunch, you will be species mapping, identifying species, their locations, and mapping them.

After dinner, you will help with data input and discuss your findings. The input of data helps to understand how research helps conservation efforts.

Thursday: Day 4

This morning, you will be taking beach observations along the coastline and taking a 15-minute video of birds. After breakfast, you will then sort photos and information, cataloguing the photos and data sheets for future reference in order to prepare field guides.

In the afternoon, you will be species mapping, identifying species, their locations, and mapping them.

In the evening, you will take beach observations along the coastline. This is to observe sea turtles and nests and identify threats. Identification and long-term monitoring of bird species in the lagoon, their feeding, and breeding patterns.

After dinner, you will help with data input and discuss your findings. The input of data helps to understand how research helps conservation efforts.

Friday Day 5:

This morning, you will be taking observations in the mangroves in canoes. This is to monitor the water quality and observe the mangrove ecosystem. This data will then be sorted and recorded for future reference.

In the afternoon, you will participate in a weekly summarisation of the data collected and discuss the findings.

Saturday Day 6:

Day Off

Sunday Day 7:

Day Off

Monday Day 8:

The first thing you will do is participate in beach observations. Later in the morning, you will be monitoring marine debris in the lagoon. This is conducted every two weeks, alternatively on both sea and lagoon beaches. Measuring the accumulation of marine debris over a two-week period helps us understand factors contributing to increased or decreased marine debris.

After lunch, you will be sorting the photos and information and filing this for future reference. Later in the afternoon, you will take observations along the coastline of sea turtles and their nests and identify threats.

After dinner, you will help with data input and discuss your findings. The input of data helps to understand how research helps conservation efforts.

Tuesday Day 9:

This morning, you will start by visiting local fish landing centres. This will contribute to a community survey on large and small-scale fishing.

After lunch, you will be sorting the photos and information and filing this for future reference. Later in the afternoon, you will take observations along the coastline of sea turtles and their nests and identify threats.

After dinner, you will help with data input and discuss your findings. The input of data helps to understand how research helps conservation efforts. 

Wednesday Day 10:

This morning, you can participate in dolphin and whale watching. We will head out by boat and identify species, observe them, and record their behaviours.

After lunch, you will help organise and analyse the data collected, including the videos of birds and recordings of their behaviour.

In the late afternoon, you will be lagoon monitoring by canoe, observing and collecting water samples.

After dinner, you will help with data input and discuss your findings. The input of data helps to understand how research helps conservation efforts.

Thursday Day 11:

This morning, you will be taking beach observations along the coastline and taking a 15-minute video of birds. After breakfast, you will then sort photos and information, cataloguing the photos and data sheets for future reference in order to prepare field guides.

In the afternoon, you will be species mapping, identifying species, their locations, and mapping them.

In the evening, you will take beach observations along the coastline. This is to observe sea turtles and nests and identify threats. Identification and long-term monitoring of bird species in the lagoon, their feeding, and breeding patterns.

After dinner, you will help with data input and discuss your findings. The input of data helps to understand how research helps conservation efforts.

Friday Day 12:

This morning, you will take part in seagrass associated fauna and fouling identification and take photographs. You will take observations on marine mammals and sea turtles, seagrass and flora monitoring in the lagoon, seabird observations, and collecting water samples.

In the afternoon, you will participate in a weekly summarisation of the data collected and discuss the findings. 

Saturday Day 13:

Day off

Sunday Day 14:

Day off

Highlights:

  • Cultural integration
  • Data/statistical skills
  • Field research skills
  • Gain a qualification or credit
  • Scenic location
  • Community awareness projects
  • Interactions with marine life in its natural environment
  • Habitat restoration/management
  • Species identification training
  • Conservation Career Kick-Starter Course

Inclusions:

  • Conservation Career Kick-Starter Course
  • Conservation Training
  • 100% financial protection & security with TTA
  • Responsible Travel
  • All Meals Whilst on the Program

Exclusions:

  • International flights
  • Travel insurance (mandatory)
  • Optional excursions
  • Sri Lanka Tourism Visa
  • Expenses of a personal nature.

Reserve your place or ask a question