Sea Turtle Conservation Internships: Intern abroad in Tioman, Malaysia
Develop a well-rounded range of practical conservation skills, focused on Sea Turtle species in Tioman, Malaysia. Sea Turtle Conservation internships are offered in collaboration with an established NGO organization, working in partnership with the Malaysia Fisheries Department, to preserve turtle nesting sites and their surrounding ecosystems. Gain practical insight into year-round operational priorities.
What to expect from your Sea Turtle Conservation internship:
- Support practical conservation efforts to protect sea turtle breeding seasons.
- Receive training and partake in a variety of different research initiatives.
- Gain insight into a range of non-profit organization duties, operations, and advocacy priorities.
- Assist with event management, educational campaigns, and advocacy work for sea turtle conservation.
Your internship abroad host organization:
- Organization for sea turtle conservation
Internship details
The tropical island of Tioman, Malaysia, is well known for its tourism resorts, coral reefs, and marine protected areas (including the marine parks and reserves of nearby islands). Local conservation efforts are multi-faceted, including its flagship turtle conservation via hatchery programs, as well as coral reef rehabilitation, sustainable waste management, recycling programs, and environmental education initiatives.
This is an in-country internship, with accommodation included. You can explore remote Environmental & Marine Sciences internships, if you are looking for an internship program that you can undertake at home.
Sea Turtle Conservation internships in Malaysia provide learning opportunities for students and young professionals seeking practical conservation experience. The program runs annually, from March through September, and activities may be seasonal.
Overall, the mission of the program is to manage threats to the nesting turtle population, and diverse activities related to conservation and awareness efforts are crucial. Interns support through community-based conservation initiatives, working to preserve the precious coastal habitats, raise awareness, and improve the survivability of the region’s sea turtles.
When is the best time to participate in turtle nesting activities?
The internship program commences each year in March, and runs through till the end of September. This coincides with the sea turtle nesting season, which usually commences in March/April, peaking during the months of June, July and August. The likelihood of seeing a nesting turtle is higher with longer stays, as specific wildlife experiences are not guaranteed.
What kind of experience can interns expect?
The internship experience will depend on your chosen duration. Sea Turtle Conservation internships are available from just 2 weeks, providing an introductory educational experience for short-term interns. For interns who are able to commit up to 6 weeks, there is time to cover a more comprehensive introduction to marine biology and field techniques. Interns who are able to join up to 12 weeks will see their experience develop into more leadership tasks, while also having scope to develop more independent research projects and skills.
General tasks can include:
- Nightly beach patrols searching for nesting turtles in order to relocate their eggs to the safety of the hatchery.
- In-water turtle work, e.g. identifying individual turtles to build a database, fish and coral surveys. (Scuba qualifications are not needed for in-water work).
- Developing infrastructure from recycled materials for coral restoration
- Plastic upcycling.
- Educational and community outreach, e.g. outdoor education for school children
Typical Schedule
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Internships begin on the first and third Monday of each month, from March through September. Activities are held flexibly throughout the week, according to conservation priorities and beach patrol schedules. There is one complete day off each week (normally Saturday). Internship schedules are seasonal and subject to change. Plan with seasonality and climate in mind.
What are the career benefits of interning abroad as a Sea Turtle Conservation Intern?
Sea Turtle Conservation interns learn from a qualified and experienced supervisor, and can be involved in:
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Hands-on experience supporting professional marine biologists during nesting and hatching seasons.
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Year-round duties related to non-profit organization, administrative support, educational activities, community outreach, event planning and coordination.
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Data analysis and environmental conservation advocacy.
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Learning related to the biology and ecology of reef-associated corals, fish and invertebrates, threats to these environments, and reef conservation.
Professional development opportunities:
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Develop practical field work skills related to sea turtle conservation.
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Learn about the operations and advocacy work of a conservation non-profit.
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Assist with environmental education initiatives.
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Develop ID skills for marine organisms and the diverse threats evident on coral reefs.
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Gain practical skills and boost your employability, with guidance from Intern Abroad HQ’s Experiential Learning Curriculum to support your learning and cultural intelligence.
Are you eligible for this internship?
Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.
Not sure which program to join?
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Academic credit available for all internships
Get course credit from your college or university while completing your internship abroad or a remote internship program. It's a great way to meet your academic requirements and gain valuable experience at the same time.
Learn about course creditProgram fees
Applying for our Sea Turtle Conservation Internship is completely free! The support package covers the assistance we provide in finding your internship and arranging your living accommodations in your host country, ensuring you thrive during your program.
Please note that a deposit of US$499 is required to confirm your place. The remaining balance (minus your initial US$499 deposit) is due at least 60 days before your internship start date.
Duration |
Program Fee |
|---|---|
| 2 weeks | $2,366 Equivalent to $169 /day |
| 3 weeks | $2,669 Equivalent to $127 /day |
| 4 weeks | $2,971 Equivalent to $106 /day |
| 5 weeks | $3,032 Equivalent to $86 /day |
| 6 weeks | $3,142 Equivalent to $74 /day |
| 8 weeks | $3,384 Equivalent to $60 /day |
| 10 weeks | $3,676 Equivalent to $52 /day |
| 12 weeks | $3,918 Equivalent to $46 /day |
- Airport pick-up
- Meals
- Accommodation
- 24/7 in-country support
- Program orientation
- Dedicated support before, during, and after your internship
- In-country guidance for social and tourist activities
- Sourcing and securing your internship placement
- Personalization of your internship plan
- Coaching from your supervisor
- Documented portfolio of your experiential learnings
- Academic credit facilitation
- International reference letter
- Certificate of Internship Completion
- All in-country transportation
- Transfer back to the airport at the end of your internship program
- Visa (if required), flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check
- Personal spending money for snacks, drinks, public transport, laundry, and leisure activities during your free time.
Activities and tourism
During the weekends, free time is available to relax, engage in tourism activities and explore Tioman Island. As the internship activities are held flexibly throughout the week, according to conservation priorities and beach patrol schedules, there is one complete day off each week (normally Saturday). Free time is mostly used to relax - be it relaxing on the beach, going to a cafe or bar, or chilling out at the lagoon. For those looking for more adventure, island adventure snorkel trips are available. There is also the option to trek to a nearby waterfall for swimming (as long as there is supervision). There are several volleyball nets on the beach to enjoy and nearby places offering yoga.
Arrival and Orientation
When are internships in Tioman, Malaysia available?
Sea Turtle Conservation internships in Malaysia begin on the first and third Monday of the month, from March through till the end of September. Interns may choose to spend a minimum of 2 weeks, up to a maximum of 12 weeks. Advance reservation for placement positions is strongly recommended.
When do you need to arrive and check-in?
Accommodation and arrival transportation assistance are included in the Program Fee. The accommodation is covered from the Sunday night before the Monday start date.
The typical port of entry for this program is through the Singapore Changi Airport, SIN. (This is closer than entering via the Kuala Lumpur International Airport). Upon arrival, interns will be met by a pre-arranged driver, providing transportation to either the Mersing Jetty Ferry Terminal, or an overnight accommodation arrangement.
The ferry ticket, for onward transportation to Tioman Island, is included in the Program Fee. This is a digital ticket, which will need to be claimed at the Ferry Ticket Office. Transportation time via the Mersing Jetty Ferry to Tioman Island Ferry Terminal is approximately 2h 30m. Upon arrival at Tioman Island, a private driver will be waiting to transport you to the program accommodation.
The last night of the accommodation is the Friday night of the final week, leaving interns free to depart on Saturday. Requests for earlier pick-up times and/or extra nights of accommodation must be communicated in advance and are subject to availability. Additional cost will be incurred for pick-up requests outside of the scheduled timeframe for this service.
Please note that all participants are advised not to book flights until they have first registered to confirm their participation and internship placement details.
What does the orientation cover?
Orientation covers important details for your internship, including introductions, internship guidance, local culture, transportation, city logistics, rules, emergency contacts, expectations, safety, free time activities, and more. Interns may complete a “swim test” to check ability and confidence, while covering instructions and safety procedures.
Check what's required to visit Malaysia
Check out the widget below to learn about the visa requirements for the Sea Turtle Conservation internship in Malaysia, based on your country of residence.
Accommodation and WiFi
What kind of accommodation is provided for interns?
Interns in Tioman are accommodated in clean and comfortable, furnished dorm rooms, which are shared by other program participants (all dorm rooms are single sex). The basic dorm rooms provide fans and cold water. Each room has an en suite.
Bedding and furnishings are provided (single bunks), as well as common areas such as lounge, kitchen and laundry facilities. Standard amenities include WiFi, whiteware (i.e. washing machine, stovetop, fridge, microwave) and clean linen (i.e. bed sheets, pillows, towels). Laundry facilities are also available. Laundry and kitchen facilities are managed by onsite staff.
Cleaning is provided ahead of a new occupants arrival. Outside of this, occupants are responsible for respecting common areas, keeping them clean, tidy and comfortable for all guests. Weekly “camp clean” rosters are in place, so that all program participants can share some duties.
Where is the intern accommodation located?
The accommodation is located near the Juara Beach, near the station which hosts the internship activities and hatchery. Juara Beach is nestled along the east coast of Tioman Island. This peaceful village environment has beautiful greenery, spacious beaches, and warm sea waters.
Ferries do not stop directly at Juara Beach and 4WD taxis provide transport from Tekek to Juara, via a paved road that cuts through the island’s central mountain range. This transportation can be booked through resorts in Juara or hailed spontaneously in Tekek. Local hotels offer budget accommodation in traditional chalets, erected along the 2km beachfront or nestled within gardens.
Are private rooms and/or accommodation upgrades available?
Yes. The Program Fee covers standard accommodation in shared dorm rooms. However, there are options available for people wishing to secure a dorm upgrade or private room. Dorm upgrades offer air conditioning and hot water. Each room has 4 bunks (8 person capacity, single gender). Private room upgrades (similar to the standard dorm rooms) have fans and cold water. Each room has an en suite. All requests for room upgrades are subject to availability and must be approved and confirmed in advance.
Meals
Are meals included?
Yes. Internships in Malaysia include three meals per day, prepared by a cook and served at the program accommodation. The accommodation also supplied filtered drinking water.
What kind of meals are provided?
Examples of breakfast dishes include toast with jam and spreads, scrambled eggs and baked beans, egg salad, coffee, tea or Milo.
Examples of lunch and dinner dishes include fried noodles, fried rice, nasi lemak, noodle curry, noodle soup, white rice with either a chicken or beef meat dish (eg. curry, korma, black sauce, thai sweet chilli, soup, etc.) with either tauhu/tofu, egg or tempe variations for the vegetarians and vegetables (broccoli, long beans, salad, cabbage, pumpkin, etc). For each meal, the menu can vary, and beverages such as tea and juice are available.
Adaptability is encouraged, as the meals provided are unlikely to reflect what you’re used to eating at home. All interns are encouraged to budget extra spending money for snacks and treats, according to your usual eating habits. Resorts, restaurants, cafes, and small shops are all within walking distance.
A weekly budget of approximately US$50-US$100 should be sufficient. However, depending on your own spending habits and lifestyle choices, personal budgets can vary.
Can various dietary requirements be catered for?
To an extent. You will be asked to advise of any special dietary requirements (intolerances and/or allergies) in advance. Please be prepared to discuss this with the team in-country as well. Vegan diets cannot be fully accommodated for, so you will need to supplement your meals, according to your own needs and preferences. Please plan in advance for this and budget accordingly.
Essential country information
| Capital | Kuala Lumpur |
| Population | 34.2 million |
| Languages | Malay, English |
| Currency | Malaysian Ringgit MYR |
| Time zone | UTC+08:00 |
Weather and climate:
Tioman Island has a tropical climate, with hot and humid temperatures year-round. The Sea Turtle Conservation internship runs annually, from March through September. The program closes during the wet season, from October through February. Temperatures are generally consistent, averaging 81-89°F daily (27-32°C). May is often the hottest month.
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