While vacationing with your loved ones in a Tioman beach chalet, why not persuade them to volunteer with you at the Juara Turtle Project! From March to October every year, many tourists staying at properties such as Berjaya Tioman Resort join the volunteer program and experience the beauty and the necessity of a thriving ecosystem.
The Project
It started as a five-year conservation project by the Fisheries Department in Malaysia in 2001, with the sole intention of protecting the turtle nesting sites and the surrounding ecosystems. Today it functions as an NGO which has expanded their services to coral rehabilitation, animal welfare, and waste management.
The Tioman Island
Ranked as one of the world’s gorgeous islands, Tioman Island is a popular honeymoon destination as well. It consists of several villages, waterfalls, and well-preserved coral reefs, which makes the island an ideal location for diving.
How to Reach Juara
The most popular way of reaching Tioman Island, commonly known as “Pulau Tioman” in Malaysia, is to take a ferry from the port town of Mersing. By getting down from the ferry in Tekek and hiring a truck, one can reach the beautiful village of Juara.
Volunteering
Volunteering at the Juara Turtle project includes a variety of activities such as daily beach patrols, relocation of turtle eggs to the hatchery, collecting data on nesting turtles. You can also participate in beach clean-ups, maintenance activities, and gardening. Releasing turtle hatchlings to the sea should be a quite rewarding experience.
