Five (5) Nights with STC's Panama Leatherback Research Program for Two People

This is an exciting way to participate in sea turtle conservation while vacationing in an exotic, tropical location! The black sand beach of Soropta, Panama 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. Sea Turtle Conservancy 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. This trip is redeemable between April 10 - June 24, 2023 (leatherback nesting season in Panama) and some blackout dates may apply if our station is fully booked. Minimum age to participate is 16 years old.

Participants will assist with:

1. 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.

1. 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.

1. Nest inventories

Assist with determination of nest survivorship and hatching success through nest inventories.

What is included:

    STC boat transport to Soropta Beach from Bocas del Toro;

    All meals and accommodations while at STC’s Research Station in Soropta Beach;

What is NOT included:

    Your round trip International Air Transportation to and from Tocumen International Airport at Panama City, Panama;

    Hotel accommodations in Panama City, Panama or Bocas del Toro, Panama;

    Flights between Panama City and Bocas del Toro on Air Panama;

    All in-country transfers between airports and hotels.

    Items of a personal nature, phone calls and tips;

    Passport fees or fees not listed in the program;

    Meals while not at the STC station.

For more details and photos, visit https://conserveturtles.org/leatherback-eco-volunteer-program-images/