Open to all volunteers, the project is perfect for individuals with a passion and advocacy for marine life and creatures. You can gain hands-on experience in making a tangible impact in preserving and protecting our oceans.

Project details

Are you ready to embark on an incredible journey to protect the endangered sea turtles of Indonesia? Join International Volunteer HQ’s Turtle Conservation project in Lombok and volunteer in a Turtle Conservation center to help safeguard these magnificent creatures.

Originally launched in Nusa Penida in 2013, this project has expanded to Lombok to enhance conservation efforts across the island nation. As a volunteer, you can contribute to protecting Lombok’s turtle population while gaining valuable experience in conservation and reptile care.

What to expect and how you'll make an impact

Sea turtles hold immense ecological, economic, cultural, and scientific significance. Indonesia is home to several fascinating turtle species, including the Olive Ridley, Green Sea, Hawksbill, Loggerhead, and Leatherback turtles.

However, these majestic creatures face numerous threats, such as habitat destruction from coastal development, pollution, climate change, and illegal poaching for their meat, eggs, and shells. They are also at risk of accidental capture in fishing gear, significantly impacting their populations.

IVHQ’s Turtle Conservation project is committed to protecting and conserving sea turtles and their nesting habitats through various methods, including providing protective hatcheries, treating injured turtles, conserving beaches from pollution, and collecting vital data to understand the species and their habitats better.

Your tasks as a volunteer will vary depending on the time of year which may include:

Feeding the turtles
Cleaning turtles and their tanks
Catching live food for the turtles
Collecting and monitoring eggs, nests, & building hatcheries
Beach clean-ups & constructing garbage bins for the local community
Creating turtle toys
Assisting with medical treatment for injured turtles
Releasing turtles into the ocean
Conducting Environmental Campaigns for the local community
Construction work at turtle sites, such as building, painting, or renovating turtle tanks
Collecting turtle information, such as carapace length, flipper size, weight, etc.

Depending on the time of year, your tasks may include identifying turtle species, collecting eggs, monitoring nests, or assisting hatchlings as they make their way safely to the sea.

Contributes to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #14: Life Below Water

The ocean regulates and drives global systems that make the Earth habitable for humankind. Marine biodiversity is critical to the health of people and our planet. Preserving threatened ecosystems, as well as tackling marine pollution and overfishing through conservation activities is key to saving our ocean.

Why do Turtle Conservation volunteering in Lombok with IVHQ?

As a Turtle Conservation volunteer in Lombok, you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:

Supporting local efforts to boost turtle populations
Learning about environmental issues and solutions
Getting experience in turtle care and conservation
Immersing yourself in Indonesian culture
Exploring Lombok’s beautiful coastline

Volunteer requirements

All volunteers must obtain the C6B Social Cultural Visa to join the program, regardless of nationality or duration of stay in Indonesia. This visa is not included in your program fee and typically takes up to 15 working days to process. We will provide you with instructions on how to apply once you have registered for your program. You may need to provide a copy of your passport, a color passport photo, bank statements, and flight details.
An exception to the above applies if a volunteer will be in Indonesia for less than 30 days and opts to participate in the Introduction Week, along with one or two weeks of volunteering. In this scenario, the volunteer can join with a tourist visa, which can be obtained upon arrival, for most nationalities.
To respect the local culture and customs in Lombok, volunteers should be aware that they cannot have anything obstructing their face while at their volunteer placement.
Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate in this program.
Volunteers aged 16 or 17 on their program start date must provide IVHQ with parental consent to participate in the program and may be asked to provide additional documents to the local team.
All volunteers aged 13+ are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ before departure. If you are unable to obtain a criminal background check, you can provide two character reference letters instead.
All volunteers are required to 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.

Not sure which program to join?

Get personalized recommendations >

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.

Lombok photo gallery

IVHQ Turtle Conservation volunteer project in Lombok, Indonesia

IVHQ Turtle Conservation project

IVHQ Construction & Renovation volunteer project in Lombok

IVHQ Construction & Renovation project

IVHQ Teaching volunteer project in Lombok

IVHQ Teaching project

IVHQ Turtle Conservation project

IVHQ Lombok, Indonesia Turtle Conservation volunteer project

IVHQ Turtle Conservation project

Construction & Renovation volunteer project in Lombok with IVHQ

IVHQ Construction & Renovation project

IVHQ Bali Health Education volunteer project in Indonesia

IVHQ Health Education project

IVHQ Turtle Conservation volunteer project in Lombok

IVHQ Turtle Conservation project

IVHQ Lombok Construction & Renovation volunteer project

IVHQ Construction & Renovation project

Teaching volunteer project in Lombok with IVHQ

IVHQ Teaching project

IVHQ volunteer on the Construction & Renovation project in Lombok

IVHQ Construction & Renovation project

Turtle Conservation volunteer project in Lombok with IVHQ

IVHQ Turtle Conservation project

IVHQ volunteer Health Education project in Indonesia, Lombok

IVHQ Health Education project

IVHQ volunteers on the Construction & Renovation project in Lombok

IVHQ Construction & Renovation project

IVHQ volunteer on the Teaching project in Lombok

IVHQ Teaching project

IVHQ volunteer on the Turtle Conservation project in Lombok

IVHQ Turtle Conservation project

Volunteers on the Construction & Renovation project in Lombok with IVHQ

IVHQ Construction & Renovation project

IVHQ Lombok volunteer working on the Construction & Renovation project

IVHQ Construction & Renovation project

IVHQ volunteers working on the Lombok Construction & Renovation project

IVHQ Construction & Renovation project

IVHQ Lombok Turtle Conservation volunteer project

IVHQ Turtle Conservation project

What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience

Gabriella Georgius

08 Dec 2024

Even if things don’t go to plan the team will make sure everything will be ok and is there to support.

...

Alexandra Barker

08 Dec 2024

I would tell people who are hesitant that I got to learn about a new culture, whilst knowing I was safe and had people I could trust and rely on in the country whilst I was there.

...

Hào rán Lǐ

02 Sep 2024

You will gain a lot of experiences that you have never had before, so don't hesitate.

...

Beatrice Maiocchi

08 Aug 2024

This program helped me getting out of my comfort zone, by solo travelling for the first time, and I got to meet so many new people and had the opportunity to learn so many new things. This is the best experience I've ever had in my life. I had no expectations at all at the beginning, because I knew that it would have been great anyway.

...

To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.

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 credit

Location

Location

Based in Senggigi, our volunteer programs in Lombok put you in a picturesque seaside town that offers a perfect blend of light-sand beaches, lush rainforests, and a bustling collection of cafes, bars, and restaurants lined along the beach promenade.

Experience tropical life through a series of activities from sunbathing, swimming, and water sports. The calm waters are ideal for snorkeling, allowing you to explore vibrant coral reefs and colorful marine life just a short distance from the shore.

For volunteers seeking cultural experiences, Senggigi offers easy access to nearby Sasak villages, where you can immerse yourself in the island’s rich heritage. Looking to explore further? Senggigi serves as a convenient base for day trips to nearby attractions such as the stunning Gili Islands or the majestic Mount Rinjani.

Arrival and orientation

The Lombok program orientation begins every Monday, and volunteers need to arrive at Lombok on the Sunday before their program start date. After registering for the program, please book your flights to arrive at Lombok International Airport (LOP) on the Sunday before your program orientation. Your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee. Please note that airport pick-up is only available between 6 AM and 8 PM.

Upon your arrival at the airport, you will be greeted by our local team. The airport is located an hour’s drive from the volunteer accommodation. If other volunteers are arriving within a few hours of your flight, the local team will wait and transfer volunteers together to the accommodation. Your Program Fee covers your accommodation and includes the night before your program orientation.

If you are traveling in Indonesia before your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up at a prearranged destination in Lombok, on the Sunday before your orientation. Alternatively, you can make your way to the volunteer house.

Orientation is hosted by our local team. There are two options for orientation on the Lombok program.

1-day Orientation:

This begins on your selected start date and covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program. You will have an introduction to the Lombok Program and the local staff, Indonesian customs, rules, expectations, and safety. This will be followed by a project-specific meeting that will cover all the details of your volunteer placement.

5-day Introduction Week:

The Introduction Week begins on the morning of your chosen start date and runs for the first five days of your stay. It will cover everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Lombok. You’ll learn more about the culture and get to tick off some must-do Indonesian experiences, including cooking classes, culture lessons, a city tour, a pottery workshop, language lessons, and a visit to one of the most sacred temples in Lombok. The Introduction Week also allows you to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing.

Volunteer schedule example

Weekdays

Start times and daily workload depend on the project you are volunteering in, with some beginning in the morning and some in the afternoon. A typical schedule is as follows:

7.00 AM - 8.00 AM	Breakfast at the volunteer accommodation.
8.00 AM	Travel to placement to join local placement staff and begin work on your project.
12.00 PM	Lunch. Volunteers either eat lunch at the volunteer accommodation or, in some cases, at their placement.
1.00 PM	Afternoon placement work begins.
4:00 PM	Afternoon placements usually end. Volunteers are free to return to the volunteer accommodation, plan for the following day’s activities, or use their free time as they wish.
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM	Dinner at the volunteer house.

Weekends

Volunteers have the weekends as their free time. There is no shortage of things to do in Lombok, or further afield, in the motor vehicle-free Gili Islands! Volunteers can fill their free time with snorkeling, visiting beaches, diving, surfing, trekking at the famous Mount Rinjani, and visiting historical temples and handicraft villages.

Volunteers can make travel arrangements once in Lombok, with the advice and guidance of the local team.

Accommodation and WiFi

You’ll be staying in a volunteer house which is a 10-minute drive from the Senggigi town center.

Living conditions are comfortable and volunteers can expect to share a dormitory-style room with up to five other volunteers. These bedrooms are separated by gender and have air conditioning. Each room has a shared ensuite bathroom, with a hot water shower and western toilets.

There is a pool, an outdoor garden, and a dining area for volunteers to socialize and enjoy their meals together.

There is WiFi available at the volunteer accommodation. However, we recommend purchasing a local SIM card with data.

The volunteer house has a 10:00 PM curfew every night. We ask volunteers to please be considerate and reduce noise after this time.

If you wish to arrive earlier than your recommended arrival date or spend extra nights after your program, we can arrange additional nights of accommodation for you. The rate is $72 per person per night and includes meals. You can book extra nights via your profile after registration, subject to availability.

Private room upgrades are also possible at an additional cost. These are subject to availability and you can request to book an upgrade once you have registered for the program.

Meals

Volunteers are served a mixture of Indonesian and Western dishes and volunteers can expect meals like:

Mie Goreng (fried noodles and vegetables)
Nasi Goreng (fried rice and vegetables)
Gado Gado (mixed vegetables with a satay sauce).

For vegan and vegetarian volunteers, Indonesian cooking uses a lot of tofu and tempeh (soybeans) as an alternative.

Breakfasts are varied and include pancakes, fresh fruit, toast, tea, coffee, etc. Purified drinking water is also available in the volunteer house; we do not recommend drinking tap water in Lombok.

On weekdays you’ll get three meals a day, but during the weekend and public holidays, only breakfast and dinner are provided. If volunteers wish to eat out, there are numerous local restaurants to suit different tastes and budgets.

If you have special dietary requirements, please let us know when you apply so that we can make arrangements for you. However, it’s essential to prepare for some flexibility due to the possible limits of resources at this location. We will do our best to see that you are well taken care of.

Volunteer accommodation swimming pool in Lombok with IVHQ

Accommodation pool

IVHQ volunteer accommodation swimming pool in Lombok

Accommodation pool

Volunteer accommodation

IVHQ volunteer shared room in Lombok accommodation

Typical bedroom

Volunteer shared room in Lombok accommodation with IVHQ

Typical bedroom

Typical IVHQ volunteer shared room in Lombok accommodation

Typical bedroom

IVHQ volunteer accommodation shared room in Lombok

Typical bedroom

Typical volunteer accommodation shared room in Lombok with IVHQ

Typical bedroom

Private room upgrade

IVHQ volunteer accommodation dining area in Lombok

Volunteer dining area

Volunteer accommodation dining area in Lombok with IVHQ

Volunteer dining area

Typical meal

Volunteer dining area

Volunteer accommodation front door in Lombok with IVHQ

Accommodation entrance

Volunteer accommodation hallway in Lombok with IVHQ

Accommodation entrance

Volunteer accommodation

IVHQ volunteer bathroom in Lombok accommodation

Typical bathroom

Volunteer bathroom in Lombok accommodation with IVHQ

Typical bathroom

Volunteer accommodation bathroom in Lombok with IVHQ

Typical bathroom

Pricing

USD
- United States Dollars - $
- Australian Dollars - AU$
- Brazilian Reals - R$
- British Pound Sterling - £
- Canadian Dollars - CA$
- Chinese Yuan - CN¥
- Euros - €
- Hong Kong Dollars - HK$
- Mexican Pesos - MX$
- New Zealand Dollars - NZ$
- Singapore Dollars - SG$
- Swiss Francs - CHF
- UAE Dirhams - AED

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. USD United States Dollars - $ Australian Dollars - AU$ Brazilian Reals - R$ British Pound Sterling - £ Canadian Dollars - CA$ Chinese Yuan - CN¥ Euros - € Hong Kong Dollars - HK$ Mexican Pesos - MX$ New Zealand Dollars - NZ$ Singapore Dollars - SG$ Swiss Francs - CHF UAE Dirhams - AED
1 week	$605 Equivalent to $86/day
2 weeks	$795 Equivalent to $57/day
3 weeks	$1,140 Equivalent to $54/day
4 weeks	$1,480 Equivalent to $53/day
5 weeks	$1,780 Equivalent to $51/day
6 weeks	$2,070 Equivalent to $49/day
8 weeks	$2,600 Equivalent to $46/day
10 weeks	$3,120 Equivalent to $45/day
12 weeks	$3,640 Equivalent to $43/day

All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$299 (approximately $299) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Lombok generally find US$100 to be sufficient for weekly expenses, including transport and miscellaneous spending.
Any changes or cancellations within 14 days of your start date are subject to a US$150 late change/cancellation fee.

Meals
Airport pick-up
Transport to and from your volunteer placement each day
Accommodation
24/7 in-country 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
Discounts on travel and tour add-ons
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 add-ons & experiences in Lombok

Take your volunteer experience to the next level with these popular add-ons and experiences. Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Lombok program.

Lombok Introduction Week

Learn more about the Indonesian culture and tick off some must-do Lombok experiences.

$417

Airport Drop off

Enjoy a stress-free ride from your accommodation to the airport, organized by the local team.

$72

Extra night of accommodation

Arriving early or departing a few days after your program has finished.? Book your extra nights of accommodation.

From $72

View all add-ons & experiences

Check what's required to visit Lombok

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.

Learn more about IVHQ's safety

Essential country information

Capital	Mataram
Population	3,963,842
Languages	English, Sasak
Currency	Indonesia Rupiah (IDR)
Time zone	UTC+08:00

Weather and climate

The climate in Lombok, Indonesia is tropical which is hot all year round, with their dry season from June to September and rainy season from November to March. Temperatures are high and uniform throughout the year, and are slightly higher from October to March and a bit lower from June to September, when the southeast monsoon blows. April is the hottest month in Lombok with an average temperature of 28°C (82°F) and the coldest is July at 26°C (78°F).

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