Along the wild beaches of Oaxaca, where endless shorelines meet the horizon and the breeze carries stories of jungles, mangroves, and vibrant oceans, a powerful and hopeful call emerges: to protect wildlife. At Tartarukus, we believe volunteering is not just a kind gesture — it’s a transformative experience that connects cultures, knowledge, and hearts with one shared mission: to protect what still lives and breathes.
🐢 Sea Turtle Conservation in Mexico: The Top 3 Projects You Can Join
Every year, thousands of sea turtles arrive on Oaxaca’s beaches to nest — a breathtaking natural event threatened by egg poaching, pollution, and habitat loss. In response, Tartarukus supports the top 3 sea turtle volunteer projects in Mexico, located in three key sanctuaries:
1. Ventanilla – Conservation in the Heart of the Mangroves
Nestled between mangroves and coastal jungle, Ventanilla combines turtle conservation with environmental education. Volunteers patrol beaches, protect nests, and work side by side with the local community leading the efforts. Activities also include caring for rescued white-tailed deer, monitoring American crocodile nests, and birdwatching in this rich ecosystem.
2. Chacahua – A National Park Full of Biodiversity
Located within the Lagunas de Chacahua National Park, this project takes place in over 14,000 hectares of protected lagoons, mangroves, and coastline. Volunteers help with hatchling releases, night patrols, data collection, nest clean-ups, and community engagement. This is a truly immersive experience in one of Mexico’s most biodiverse areas.
3. Escobilla – Witness the Magic of a Mass Arrival
Escobilla is one of the world’s few beaches where arribadas occur — a phenomenon in which thousands of olive ridley turtles come ashore to nest at the same time. This only happens at 12 beaches globally. Volunteers here witness massive night patrols, participate in large-scale hatchling releases, and live with local families to experience their traditions up close.
🌍 International Volunteering in Mexico: A Journey of Connection
Volunteering abroad is not just about helping — it’s about learning, connecting, and growing. Tartarukus welcomes volunteers from all over the world to Oaxaca, inviting them to engage deeply with nature and culture. Whether you’re traveling solo, with friends, or as part of a group, this is a chance to see the world differently and make a lasting impact.
🏝️ Beaches and Nature Reserves That Need Our Protection
Oaxaca’s stunning beaches and nature reserves are not just beautiful destinations — they are vital ecosystems. Every nest protected, every beach cleaned, every tree planted is an act of love for the planet. Volunteers dive into these landscapes to care for them — and are often transformed by the experience themselves.
🧑🏽🌾 Community-Led Conservation with Deep Roots
At Tartarukus, we believe that conservation only works when local communities are at the center. Born from this ideal, our work is rooted in respect, collaboration, and sustainability. From Ventanilla to Chacahua, Escobilla, Manialtepec, and El Gavilán, we support community-based projects that strengthen local identity and economies through environmental education and responsible tourism.
✈️ Volunteering Tourism: Travel with Purpose
Volunteering tourism is a way to travel consciously. Unlike extractive tourism, it encourages experiences where you give more than you take. At Tartarukus, we promote responsible travel, where every volunteer becomes part of the solution — helping to protect sea turtles and support resilient communities.
🌱 Final Words: Every Step Matters, Every Hand Helps
Volunteering with sea turtles in Mexico is more than just a trip — it’s a lifestyle. It’s learning to slow down, to observe, to care. It’s releasing a tiny hatchling into the ocean and realizing that part of you is going with it.
Join us at Tartarukus and become part of this beautiful movement of care, connection, and change.
Because protecting wildlife in Oaxaca is also about protecting the best of humanity.
Book your spot for the volunteering trip with the coordinator!
