Marine Conservation Volunteering in Seychelles

Participants will engage in efforts such as Hawksbill and Green Sea Turtle conservation, wetland restoration, and the preservation of marine biodiversity. With a focus on marine wildlife and habitat restoration, this program offers a unique opportunity for marine conservation volunteers to make a lasting impact while exploring the serenity of Seychelles.

With no more than four participants at a time, you'll join a dedicated conservation team on a remote private island, engaging in a range of activities from fieldwork to data entry.

We seek participants with a strong interest in ecosystem restoration, island and marine conservation, and ecology. Applicants must be quick learners, able to work independently after a brief induction, and in good physical condition to walk up to 5km daily on sandy, hilly terrain. Be prepared for high temperatures (28–32°C) and humidity. Ideal candidates are self-disciplined, responsible, enthusiastic, patient, and work well with others.

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Island and Marine Conservation Activities:

• Marking and monitoring of Green (Chelonia midas) and Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) populations.
• Daily beach patrols, including night patrols (tagging of individuals when needed).
• Excavations of hatched Turtle nests – shell counts of old nests (when needed).
• Marking and monitoring of the Aldabra Giant Tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea) population.
• Finding and recording GPS locations of tortoises for territory identification and movement patterns across the island.
• Monitoring the growth rates of baby Aldabra Giant Tortoises (Aldabrachelys gigantea) within a baby tortoise pen.
• Rehabilitation of the endemic vegetation of North Island, particularly the Takamaka forest.

Habitat Restoration Work:

• Coconut seedling removal in rehabilitated areas.
• Cultivation of seedlings in the tree nursery.
• Planting of indigenous trees in rehabilitated areas.
• Alien vegetation removal, focusing on the three hills on the island.
• Marsh vegetation clearing (dry season only).
• Marking and recapturing the Seychelles Black Mud Turtle (Pelusios subniger parietalis) population to obtain population estimates.
• Locating and recording the GPS locations of White-tailed Tropicbird nests.
• Conducting bird counts around the island and monitoring migrant bird species.
• Snorkelling along the coral reefs of the island to compile a photographic ID database of corals and fish occurring on the reefs and to monitor changes in coral.
• Monitoring beach movement patterns on the three beaches of the island using photographs and Abney levels.
• Collecting and digitizing the oceanic trash that washes onto the beaches of North Island. This data is entered into an online database managed by The Ocean Conservancy to assess trends in global trash movements around the world’s oceans.
• Digitising the field fauna and flora database of North Island.

Other volunteer activities and leisure time:

• Volunteers stay in a two-bedroom cottage by the beach.
• Active six days a week, with Fridays off for rest or exploring Seychelles.
• After work, enjoy swimming, snorkelling or a sun-downer. 
• There are plenty of opportunities for fun, with bicycles paddleboards, and kayaks available to use every day after 4:00 PM.
• Gym and diving options are available for participants.

Important Notes:

• Access to guest beaches and facilities is restricted for volunteers when there are paying guests on North Island. North Island is one of the world’s most exclusive resorts where guests pay a high fee for privacy. 
• You must wear the official island conservation uniform at all times, which will be provided upon your arrival.
• The only exceptions are the staff area or when working in the marsh/bush area, where long pants are permitted (preferably blue to match the uniform). You may wear your own clothes anywhere on the island when no guests are present.

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Seychelles Climate: Seychelles enjoys a warm, year-round climate, with temperatures ranging from 24°C to 32°C. Cooler conditions prevail from November to March with northwest trade winds, while the sea remains calm and humid with winds of 15-22 km/h. Rainfall is heaviest between December and February in short bursts, and the hottest period is from December to April with humidity often above 80%. From May to October, expect drier, cooler weather with stronger winds (19-37 km/h) and livelier seas.

Accommodation: Four marine conservation volunteers will share a 2-bedroom house with a lounge and bathroom. The house has air-conditioning throughout. Participants are responsible for cleaning and promoting sustainable tourism.

Meals: Three meals are provided daily in the staff canteen, including a variety of cereals, eggs, meats, fish, rice, and vegetables. The staff shop is open 4 times a week for snacks, alcohol, and toiletries. Clean drinking water is provided. Vegetarians should bring supplements for a balanced diet, as the island's options are limited.

Internet Access: WiFi is available in the Environment Office, and mobile phone coverage is provided by Cable & Wireless.

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Arrival & Transportation: All volunteers must use the Seychelles Travel Portal for digital travel authorisation to enter the Seychelles. North Island will provide a proof of accommodation letter for the duration of your stay. All volunteers book & pay for their own flights to Mahé, Seychelles.  If overnighting on Mahé Island before your arrival, you must book your own accommodation. North Island will arrange and pay for a taxi from the airport to accommodations within 10 km of Victoria Marine Charter Harbour. Please chat to us about recommended accommodation options on Mahé, that fall within this radius.

Arrival ferry: The North Island staff boat, "Elle," departs from the Marine Charter Harbour in Victoria on Mondays at 08:30 AM, taking about 1 hour to reach North Island. This service is free, and your name will be added to the list for the boat.

Mondays: 08:30 AM depart from Mahé, Marine Charter Harbour, Victoria
Fridays: 05:00 PM return to Mahé, Marine Charter Harbour, Victoria

For arrival, you should book a flight that arrives early Monday morning at Seychelles International Airport or on Sunday for an overnight stay. On Monday, wear shorts and easily removable shoes as passengers disembark onto the beach at North Island via a Zodiac (inflatable boat).

Upon arrival, your luggage will be placed in a rat-proof trailer for inspection before being taken to your beachside stone cottage to settle in.

Overnight Options: Two recommended accommodations close to the Marine Charter Harbour:

• Hilltop Boutique Hotel, Serret Road, St Louis, Victoria
• The Ridge Residence, La Louise

Avoid booking in Beau Vallon or De Quincy as they require longer taxi rides and may cause delays, making you miss the boat. If you choose these, you'll be required to cover the extra taxi cost.

Departure flights: On Fridays, the staff boat departs from North Island at 05:00 PM, arriving at the Marine Charter Harbour. After your stay, you’re free to explore other parts of Seychelles.

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North Island in the Seychelles is a tropical island paradise - a rare sanctuary for those seeking land and marine conservation activities in a gorgeous, unspoiled tropical haven. More importantly, it is a Noah’s Ark Project: a sanctuary where natural habitats are being rehabilitated and where critically endangered Seychelles fauna and flora are being reintroduced and given a place to regenerate. It is very seldom that the opportunity arises to make such a significant and positive impact on a region, a specific area, its wildlife and the surrounding environment.

View our Seychelles North Island photos here: https://www.wildlifeact.com/galleries/north-island-conservation-project

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