My two sons and I had a wonderful experience teaching English in a rural village in China. The program offered the perfect balance for our family: we volunteered in the classroom, experienced cultural activities (from visiting temples and hiking to learning how to make dumplings), and had opportunities to learn and practice our Mandarin. There was always something fun and interesting to do. The other volunteers were very kind, and the local team was extremely welcoming and supportive. We left with many new friendships and great memories. We would definitely recommend the program. If you are hesitant about joining, know that the local team will take care of you, the food will be tasty, accommodations will be comfortable, and everything will be safe. You will have a great time!
Turtle Conservation Volunteer Project in China - Huidong
Purpose
Start dates
Duration
Volunteer hours
Age
Accommodation
Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
This program is ideal for:
Volunteers who have a keen interest in assisting in sea turtle conservation efforts.
Project details
Eager to join a Turtle Conservation project in Huidong, China? International Volunteer HQ’s Huidong Turtle Conservation Project offers a unique opportunity to help protect endangered sea turtles while working alongside experienced conservationists. Volunteers patrol nesting beaches, monitor hatchlings, and assist in rescuing and rehabilitating injured turtles, gaining hands-on experience in marine conservation. Set along Huidong’s beautiful coastline, this project allows you to make a meaningful impact on marine life while developing practical conservation skills.
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
Sea turtles are incredible marine animals, but many species are endangered due to human impact and environmental threats. Huidong’s coastline is an important nesting area, where conservation efforts help protect turtles and improve hatchling survival.
As a Turtle Conservation volunteer, your tasks may include:
- Feeding and preparing meals for the turtles
- Maintaining the cleanliness of turtle enclosures
- Engaging in scientific research initiatives
- Participating in organized beach cleanup activities
- Supporting educational outreach within the local community
Education and research are pivotal components, fostering community awareness of sea turtle and marine life conservation. Volunteers have the opportunity to collaborate with experienced conservationists and university students, aiding in ongoing research efforts and deepening their understanding of these vital ecological matters.
Key Holiday Periods:
- February 1 to 13, 2027
- January 23 to February 5, 2028
Please note that the Turtle Conservation project will be closed during the Chinese New Year holiday period, and all program services, including accommodation, will be unavailable at this time.
Why do Turtle Conservation volunteering in Huidong with IVHQ?
The Turtle Conservation project in China is great for those looking to develop professionally while assisting local communities with their conservation efforts by:
- Getting a hands-on approach into conservation
- Increase conservation efforts for sea turtles
- Provide education to local communities
- Promote the importance of conservation efforts
- Immersing yourself into the local culture
Volunteer requirements
Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate in this program, provide IVHQ with parental consent in order to participate on the program, and may be asked to provide additional documents to the local team.
Volunteers aged 16 or 17 on their start date, if unable to obtain a criminal background check, can provide two character reference letters instead, and will be required to provide IVHQ with parental consent in order to participate on the program, and may be asked to provide additional documents to the local team.
Volunteers must have a moderate level of fitness.
Volunteers aged over 18 on their start date are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ before departure.
All volunteers must speak English and have adequate volunteer travel insurance.
Are you eligible to volunteer?
Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.
Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
China photo gallery
Academic course credit
Academic course credit
Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!
Learn about course creditLocation
Location
Nestled on the southern coast of China, Sea Turtle Bay is located in Huidong County, Huizhou City, Guangdong Province – a scenic gem on a peninsula extending into the South China Sea. It lies approximately 130 km northeast of Shenzhen and around 140 km from Hong Kong. Beyond its stunning beaches, turtle bay plays a vital ecological role. It is the Sea Turtle National Nature Reserve – the only permanent landing and breeding site for green sea turtles along China’s 14,000km coastline. Because of its importance in protecting these endangered turtles, it is often referred to as the “Cradle of Sea Turtles.”
Arrival and orientation
Here’s everything you need to know about arriving in Huidong and starting your Turtle Conservation volunteer program in China.
When should I arrive?
Volunteers should arrive at Hui Dong South Train Station on the Sunday (9am to 9pm) before their program start date, as orientation takes place the following day.
How to get to Gongcheng Train Station
To reach your program location in Hui Dong, you should first fly into one of the following major airports:
- Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)
- Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
- Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport (SZX)
From there, you will take a high-speed train to Hui Dong South Train Station.
Train station pick-up and transfer
When you arrive at the Train Station, a member of the local team will meet you and transfer you to your accommodation.
Your Program Fee includes:
- Train station pick-up on Sunday
- Transfer to your accommodation (approximately 30 minutes)
- Accommodation for Sunday night before orientation
Arrival experience
After arriving at the station and meeting the local team, you’ll be transferred to your accommodation in Hui Dong. This gives you time to settle in, meet other volunteers, and prepare for orientation.
Orientation is hosted by our local team in China. There are two options for the orientation of the China program:
1-day Orientation:
Orientation is hosted by the China team which will allow you to familiarize yourself with the surroundings and the local culture. Orientation is held on the Monday morning, so you will begin volunteering on Monday afternoon. Orientation covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in China – an introduction to China, culture and customs, rules and expectations, health and safety guidelines, a local area tour, travel opportunities, and an introduction to your project and placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing.
5-day Culture Week:
The Culture Week begins on the morning of your chosen start date and runs for the first five days of your stay. It is an excellent way to kickstart your volunteer abroad experience, and it covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in China.
Plus, you’ll learn more about the culture and tick off some must-do experiences, including visits to local villages, temples, bamboo rafting, Dumpling making and more!
If you wish to join the Culture Week, you can add this to your itinerary via your pre-departure checklist once you have submitted your application.
Please note that the Culture Week takes place in Guangxi, so you will need to meet the local team at Gongcheng High-Speed Railway Station. After completing the Culture Week, you will then travel onward to the Turtle Conservation project, which is approximately 3 hours away by high-speed train. This transfer is not included in the program fee; however, the local team will assist you with booking the train tickets.
Volunteer schedule example
First Day
On the first day of the volunteering placement, you will be escorted to the project by our local staff and introduced to the staff at the placement you will be working with.
Weekdays - A typical day would be as follows:
| 7:30 - 8:00 AM | Breakfast at accommodation. |
| 8:30 - 11:00 AM | Volunteering. |
| 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Clean up. |
| 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Lunch. |
| 2:30 PM - 5:30 PM | Volunteering resumes. |
| 6:00 PM | Dinner at accommodation. |
Please note that the schedule may occasionally change due to weather, public or school holidays, or other unforeseen events that could affect your placement. We recommend checking in advance whether your intended travel dates coincide with any public or school holidays.
Weekends
You’ll have your weekends free to enjoy however you wish! It’s the perfect opportunity to explore further - whether by booking sightseeing tours, visiting the stunning Double Moon Bay, trying thrilling parasailing, or discovering the historic Huangshatang High Bridge. Immerse yourself in vibrant night markets, join traditional cooking classes, experience the warm hospitality of the locals, and take part in various leisure activities. Your weekends will offer a wonderful chance to deepen your cross-cultural understanding and create unforgettable memories.
Accommodation and WiFi
Volunteer accommodations are situated in a house approximately two hours from Huizhou. While the village offers limited amenities, ATMs and numerous dining options are within a 20-minute walking distance.
Within the hostel, rooms are shared by up to two volunteers of the same gender. A communal space is available for relaxation outside of individual rooms.
Facilities include hot showers and shared western-style bathrooms. All rooms are air-conditioned, and bedding is provided. Public areas offer Wi-Fi, though signal disruptions may result in limited connectivity. Laundry facilities are readily accessible.
Private room upgrades may be available for an additional cost and are subject to availability. Once registered, you will be able to add these to your file via your Pre-departure Checklist.
Meals
Huidong’s cuisine is served in a traditional Chinese family-style setting, often featuring seafood due to the coastal location.
Volunteers receive breakfast, lunch, and dinner on weekdays, excluding Thursday evenings, and brunch and dinner on weekends.
Breakfast options include soybean milk, dumplings, noodles, steamed stuffed buns, porridge, and fried rice. Lunch and dinner may consist of seafood, stir-fried pork, chicken, duck, vegetables, or tofu.
Throughout your stay, fresh fruit, tea, and filtered drinking water will be provided. Please be aware that tap water is unsafe for consumption; bottled water is easily accessible in China.
Inform us of any dietary restrictions, and the Local Team will strive to accommodate them. Flexibility is necessary, and please understand meals may differ from your usual diet at home.
Pricing
Spots are limited. For a Registration Fee of just US$329 (approximately $329) you secure your spot and unlock all our preparation and training tools.
You don't need to worry about paying your Program Fee until you get closer to your start date.
|
Duration
|
Program Fee
Due 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
|
|---|---|
| 1 week | $520 Equivalent to $74/day |
| 2 weeks | $920 Equivalent to $66/day |
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$329 (approximately $329) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
- A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
- Meals
- Airport pickup
- Transport to and from your placement each day
- Accommodation
- 24/7 in-country emergency support
- In-country program orientation
- Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
- Personalized preparation tools, guides and check lists
- Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
- Comprehensive in-country day to day support and guidance
- Discounts on travel, tours, and experiences
- Certificate of International Volunteer Service
Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.
- Return to the airport when your program finishes
- Flights
- Visa (if required), travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check.
- Personal spending money for snacks, laundry, public transportation, drinks and leisure activities during your free time.
Popular tours & experiences in Huidong
Take your volunteer experience to the next level with these popular tours and experiences. Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Huidong program.
Walk backwards in time along the Great Wall and stare down an army of Terracotta Warriors before leaping into the future of Shanghai’s incredible high-rise towers on this fast-paced tour of China’s highlights. With the perfect blend of guided activities and free time to explore on your own, this adventure is made for those who want to get a taste of China in a short amount of time.
Learn more about Chinese Culture and tick off some must-do experience!
Want your own room during your volunteer experience in Guangxi? Book a private room upgrade for your duration on the program.
Check what's required to visit China
Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important you monitor this right up until you depart for your trip.
Safety and support
Safety and support
IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.
- All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
- All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
- All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
- All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Essential country information
Essential country information
| Capital | Beijing |
| Population | 1.4 billion |
| Languages | Standard Mandarin |
| Currency | Chinese Yuan (CNY) |
| Time zone | GMT+8 |
Weather and climate
The climate of China is extremely diverse; subtropical in the south to subarctic in the north. Xi’an has a continental temperate climate with four distinct seasons; dry winters, a warm but variable spring, hot, wet summers and cool and rainy autumn. The warm season lasts from May to August with an average daily high temperature above 26°C (78.8°F) and monsoon rains are heavy and frequent. The cold season lasts from December to February with an average daily high temperature below 9°C (48.2°F). The coldest time of the year is mid-January, with an average low of -7°C (-19.4°F) and high of 3°C (37.4°F).
What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience
It was an amazing experience! I met wonderful people from all across the world, from the local staff to the other volunteers, to the students we were teaching. I discovered linguistic and cultural differences and learned how to overcome them to form the most beautiful friendships and connections.
Even if you aren't a language learner who is embarking on this voyage to conquer the Chinese language, if you enjoy trying all sorts of new activities and experiencing new phenomena, you will never be disappointed by the novelties China has to offer every single day. From the children, to the food, to the gifts you will receive, to the cities you will walk through, and the mountains you will climb, only a desire to show some little students how they can be able to speak with you is needed to emerge from this program successfully.
Coming from this journey, I have double my previous knowledge of the Mandarin language, Chinese friends (young and old) with whom I still stay in touch, experience with Chinese culture and the celebrations and traditions that pepper the year with family gatherings and festivals, a brand new palate for Chinese food (real Chinese food), a greater understanding of the second world power on the globe, and countless stories that still come back to me every day.
To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.
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