Leatherback Turtles in Soropta Beach
$700 for 5 Nights at STC’s Research Station (Lodging & Meals) and Research Training. Meet in Bocas del Toro, Panama.
The black sand beach of Soropta draws one of the largest nesting population of leatherback sea turtles in the Atlantic Ocean. Weighing up to 1,000 pounds, leatherback turtles are the largest sea turtles in the world.
STC studies have solved many of the mysteries of leatherback turtle reproductive ecology and behavior. Monitoring and tagging at Soropta Beach during the nesting months facilitates monitoring of the nesting population to evaluate the survival status of the species. Eco-Volunteer Participants will work with nesting turtles weighing up to 1,000 pounds and measuring 5 to 6 feet in length.
Eco-Volunteer Participants will assist with:
Nightly beach patrols
Work as part of a nesting survey team to help tag and record data about the nesting turtles. This includes measuring turtles, counting eggs, and marking nests. The presence of tagging teams on the beach also acts as a strong deterrent to illegal hunting and egg collectors.
Morning nest surveys
Walk the beach in the morning to check the status of marked nests and count leatherback tracks and nests from the previous night.
Nest inventories
Assist with determination of nest survivorship and hatching success through nest inventories.
Images of STC’s Leatherback Program & Soropta Research Station.
Eco-Volunteers must be 16 years or older. This experience is ideal for educators, couples, spring breakers, groups, or anyone who is interested in helping sea turtles and making a difference. Discounts are available for groups of six or more. If under 18, must be traveling with an adult.
A passport valid through the date of return is required. Non-U.S. citizens should contact the Panama Embassy for visa requirements. Upon registering, you will be sent a Field Station Manual providing packing tips, travel information, STC policies and site information.
Sea Turtle Conservancy’s research programs are scientific research projects, not guided tours. STC makes every effort to describe field conditions accurately, but fieldwork in remote locations is a delicate business and prone to last-minute change, flexibility is a must. STC’s programs are not package holidays! You will be assisting researchers with scientific field work at a remote field station, and when not working you will have unsupervised free time to relax and enjoy the nature surrounding you.
COVID-19 Update: While STC no longer requires a negative covid test before arriving, we still require proof of Covid-19 vaccination for all eco-volunteers.
All Eco-Volunteers must be in good physical health. It is important that all travelers are aware of the demanding physical conditions before signing up. We need you to accurately evaluate your ability to meet the conditions detailed below in order to safeguard your health and safety, and ensure that you can participate fully and effectively. If you feel you do not meet these considerations, please reconsider taking part in this program.
Phobias to snakes and insects may pose a problem, although encounters with snakes are unlikely. If you are allergic to insect bites, bees or wasps please come prepared with appropriate medication or epi-kit. To avoid dehydration and other heat related you must bring a water bottle in order to stay hydrated during field activities. Diabetics without previous experience of how physical exertion in a hot climate may affect their insulin levels are advised to speak with a doctor.
The minimum age for participants is 18 years old without a parent or legal guardian and 16 years old with a parent or legal guardian.
While there are no extreme physical conditioning or psychological demands, be sure you are able to walk at least 5 or 7 miles of beach each night for 4 or 5 hours. You must have good night vision, you will be walking without a flashlight at night during the patrols. You should be able to carry about a 5 lb pack (backpacks are used to carry the team’s field equipment) while walking on sand. Walking on uneven sand is difficult and not recommended for people with heart conditions, prosthetic limbs, or limited mobility. Phobias about being in the dark may pose a problem. Minor injuries or scrapes due to falls or tripping over obstacles on the beach can occur during nighttime work. Please also be aware that there is a good chance of getting sand thrown on you, with the possibility of getting it in your eyes, by a turtle’s flippers.
This is an exciting way to participate in sea turtle conservation while vacationing in an exotic, tropical location. What makes STC’s Eco-Volunteer program even better is that your money will be supporting sea turtle conservation at one of the most important nesting beaches in the Western Hemisphere. Plus, a portion of your fee is tax deductible!
Nesting season for leatherback turtles runs from March through July each year. Eco-Volunteer Adventures run from April into June, with each session running from Monday to Saturday. Please plan on adding at least 1 day of travel on either end of the session dates listed below for travel to/from Bocas del Toro, Panama.
2023 Leatherback Turtle Sessions
April 10 – 15, 2023
April 17 – 22, 2023
April 24 – 29, 2023
May 1 – 6, 2023
May 8 – 13, 2023
May 15 – 20, 2023
May 22 – 27, 2023
May 29 – June 3, 2023
June 5 – 10, 2023
June 12 – 17, 2023
June 19 – 24, 2023
The costs of running a field station to enable scientists to conduct research are substantial. Some costs are covered by grants, and funds secured by the STC, and some by the fees paid by research eco-volunteer participants.
For the 2023 field season, the fee for a 5-night program is US$700.00 per person.
Group rate also available, please contact STC at stc@conserveturtles.org.
Eco-volunteers will stay at STC’s Soropta Biological Field Station, located in a tropical rainforest setting, and just steps from the black sand beach. There is only one type of accommodation available at Soropta Beach, very rustic.
Housing is dorm-style living, includes bunk beds with up to 4 people per room and a community bathroom. You will need to bring your own mosquito net for sleeping. (STC has some mosquito nets at the station, please check with STC for availability.)
There is no electricity, plumbing or potable water. There are rain barrels that can be used to fill toilets and for showers. If the rain barrels are empty, a well provides water for toilets and to wash. This is a rustic station. Meals, prepared Panamanian-style by a local cook, are served three times a day.
Images of STC’s Leatherback Program & Soropta Research Station.
To reserve your place in one of the above research sessions, contact Sea Turtle Conservancy directly as soon as possible by using our convenient online form. Register Now
To register:
1) Submit the Online Registration Form for initial registration, confirmation of dates, and contact number for travel information.
2) Secure your reservation with a $200 deposit as soon as possible.
