Five of the world's seven species of sea turtles can be found in the Indian Ocean off Tanzania. The two species hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) and leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) are critically endangered, and the three species green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), and olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) are classified as endangered. Sea turtles have long lives and take 20-30 years to reach adulthood. This makes them particularly vulnerable to human intervention at all stages of life. It is estimated that only one in 1000 juveniles reaches adulthood.

A crucial factor for the survival of the species is increasing the total number of hatchlings. According to the latest scientific consensus, newly hatched sea turtles should not be kept in captivity for even a short time but should be released into the ocean immediately after birth, as they develop their sense of orientation and other important survival skills in the ocean soon after birth. Female turtles cross entire oceans, swimming thousands of kilometers using ocean currents to return to the beaches of the area where they were born to lay eggs after 20-30 years.

Relocation of Turtle Eggs and Hatchery

In collaboration with the NGOs "Under the Wave" and "The Living Ocean," we carry out the relocation of sea turtle eggs in Matemwe/Zanzibar. When nests are found before the eggs can be poached, they are moved to a protected hatchery. Once the baby turtles hatch, they are released into the sea.

Volunteers receive comprehensive training to recognize and safely relocate turtle nests. Since the eggs are often laid in unsafe locations, they must be carefully excavated and moved to the safe space of the hatchery. Participants learn to identify turtle tracks, determine the nest location, and transport the eggs professionally to increase the survival chances of the hatchlings.

To protect turtle nests from poachers, volunteers participate in boat patrols along remote beaches. Equipped with binoculars, they search for turtles, their tracks, or nests. The patrols usually take place at sunrise or at night, when turtles are most active. By identifying nests early, volunteers make a significant contribution to the protection of the endangered species.

Once a turtle nest is found, the biologists from Under the Wave come to the location and relocate the eggs to the hatchery. It is crucial to accurately replicate the depth of the nest when moving it to another location and to handle the eggs correctly. Volunteers can observe and assist with this task.

In the hatchery, the turtle nests are monitored around the clock by cameras and guards. Once new baby turtles hatch, which can happen at any time, even at night, volunteers release them into the sea and ensure that they are not eaten by birds, dogs, or other animals on the beach or that tourists carry them around or step on them.

As a volunteer, you will also maintain the hatchery and enter data such as the number of eggs, dates, and locations of the nests into a database.

Sea Turtle Seasonality

Based on our experience in Matemwe, the peak nesting season for sea turtles is from mid-December to early May. In the 2024-25 nesting season, there were six nests relocated to the Under the Wave hatchery.

The coral reefs found surrounding Mnemba Island and directly off of Matemwe’s coast show a variety of marine life. Intact coral reefs are essential for healthy fish populations, as many fish spawn and juveniles spend time hiding in the reef before heading to the open sea.

Coral reefs in Zanzibar are currently suffering from an increase in water temperatures, – which leads to coral bleaching –, and from unsustainable tourism and fishing practices, such as boats dropping their anchors on the reef, tourists touching and breaking corals, and dynamite fishing.

Coral Farm and PADI Diving Activities

Volunteers who have a PADI Open Water Diver certification can participate in various diving activities (for an additional fee). These include:

• Coral farming: This involves growing corals in the sea with the aim of relocating them back to the reef. You work underwater on the maintenance of coral farming.
• PADI Dive Against Debris: This involves removing underwater debris and contributing your data to the global marine conservation initiative Project AWARE.
• PADI Underwater Naturalist Dive: Learn about symbiosis, underwater ecology, and marine habitats. You will discover creatures you have never noticed before!

If you do not yet have a PADI certification, you can book a 3-day diving course as an extra. You must take theoretical online lessons before you can participate in the diving course, either before your trip or during your stay in Zanzibar.

Dolphin Research

Throughout the year, we can observe different species of whales and dolphins in Zanzibar. Our current research work with Under the Wave aims to study the effects of tourism on the behavior of Pacific bottlenose dolphin communities around Mnemba Island and to collect data needed for the development and implementation of effective conservation strategies to protect these animals and their habitat.

Volunteers participate in weekly observations using small boats to record data on the impact of tourism on dolphins.

Seagrass Research

Seagrass meadows are among the most important carbon sinks on our planet and are therefore essential for climate protection. They also provide habitat for many marine creatures. As a volunteer, you will help collect data on seagrass coverage at various locations off of Matemwe's coast.

Mangrove Restoration

Mangrove forests are critical ecosystems, both for biodiversity and for humanity. They store carbon, serve as breeding grounds for many marine animals, and play a crucial role against coastal erosion. For our mangrove restauration actions, we join members of the community of Fungurefu to plant mangrove seedlings and support them in their efforts to protect the west coast of Zanzibar.

Beach Monitoring

In beach monitoring, you support Under the Wave’s research by observing and documenting human activities along the coast, including tourism, fishing, and shipping. This data helps to identify changes in the ecosystem and develop measures to protect turtles and other marine life.

Environmental Education Program at Schools

As a volunteer, you will be involved in our education program with Under the Wave at local schools in the Matemwe region. The classes consist of lessons, games, excursions, and practical activities. The goal is to raise student’s awareness of marine conservation and to inspire curiosity of marine ecosystems, environmental pollution, and sustainable behavior. Each week we cover different topics, in which you as a volunteer can actively participate.

Permaculture & Sustainable Living

Matemwe Mother Nature Camp’s lush greenery was planned and planted by the local permaculture design firm Greenwave. You can participate in a weekly permaculture tour where you learn more about the self-sustaining, regenerative details of the camp’s design. You can also contribute to the camp’s garden and learn about sustainable cultivation methods. You will have the opportunity to help with the garden's maintenance, learn the basics of permaculture, and gain insights into environmentally friendly practices that are based on natural cycles.

Education on Sustainable Tourism

Zanzibar's most important economic sector is tourism. Sustainable tourism is an important component of environmental protection. We regularly set up a "Conservation Beach Pop-Up" stand directly on Matemwe Beach, where we inform beach visitors about marine conservation projects and invite them to actively participate in environmental protection measures, such as beach cleanups or workshops.

Ocean Talks

As a program participant, you can attend lectures and discussion rounds led by marine biologists and other experts. Topics include coral restoration, dolphin protection, sustainable fishing, and climate change. Ocean Talks provide valuable insights into current environmental problems and solutions.

Eco Kids Club

The Eco Kids Club is a playful learning opportunity for children from the village of Matemwe. Volunteers organize creative workshops, games, and craft activities related to environmental protection. Topics such as recycling, nature conservation, and marine conservation are taught in an entertaining way. You have the opportunity to promote the environmental awareness of the next generation and strengthen the children's connection to nature.

The Zanzibar archipelago generates over 100,000 tons of waste annually. Due to the lack of suitable disposal systems, the equivalent weight of a Boeing 747 is dumped uncontrolled into Zanzibar's environment every day, polluting it and affecting public health. The amount of waste generated is increasing due to Zanzibar's population growth and "modern living," which brings more plastic and industrial agricultural practices to the island.

Plastics and other waste materials often end up in the sea, where they pose a threat to marine animals. For example, sea turtles can mistake floating plastic bags for jellyfish and suffocate on them when they eat them. Millions of marine animals die when they are caught in abandoned fishing nets that drift in the sea. The decomposition of plastic into microplastics, which are eaten by fish and eventually enter the human body through the food chain, is suspected of causing cancer and other diseases.

Every piece of waste removed from beaches and coastal villages reduces the likelihood of it ending up in a fish or a sea turtle.

Daily Beach Cleanups & Upcycling

Volunteers conduct daily beach cleanups to remove plastic and other waste. The collected waste is sorted and prepared for recycling or upcycling projects. The transformation of waste into new useful products contributes to the reduction of new waste.

CHAKO - Glass Upcycling

CHAKO is a social enterprise that transforms waste materials into high-quality, handmade products. For example, discarded glass bottles are turned into drinking glasses, ashtrays, and lampshades. Waste paper is turned into curtains made of paper beads. Hard plastic recyclables are reshaped into useful household items. Volunteers receive a tour of the workshop and then help with upcycling there.

We bring glass bottles from our accommodations in Zanzibar and those found during cleanups to Chako for upcycling. Volunteers support the organization and learn more about sustainable production at the same time.

Recycle@OZTI - Plastic Recycling

In the Recycle@OZTI workshop, hard plastic is transformed into new everyday products. Volunteers help with sorting, cleaning, and shredding plastic waste. They can also participate in environmental education projects for schoolchildren and teach the importance of recycling.

Ozeankind

The Ozeankind project operates exchange shops where children can exchange collected plastic for school supplies. Volunteers support the children with waste separation and conduct workshops to raise awareness of the environment.

Waste Management

Our Mother Nature Camp has its own waste station, which is also available to the local community. Volunteers help educate residents about waste separation and recycling. Our volunteers also regularly conduct workshops and training on sustainable waste management.

Eco Snorkeling

During Eco Snorkeling, you as a volunteer remove waste from the sea and collect data on the waste. We also look for invasive species such as crown-of-thorns starfish and document our findings, which are then used for solutions. At the same time, this activity offers an opportunity to experience the marine ecosystem up close.

Seaweed Cooperative

Seaweed farming is one of Zanzibar's most important economic activities and contributes to about 90% of Zanzibar's marine export products. The powdered seaweed is mainly used to make medicinal and cosmetic products.

Seaweed farming on Zanzibar is primarily done by women, which provides them with their own income and contributes to their economic empowerment. As a volunteer, you will help the local women’s seaweed cooperative Mama Chumu on their seaweed farms in the nearby town of Kilimajuu.

Local Women's Cooperative

DADA Cooperative, a local women's cooperative produces natural products such as soaps, jams, and chutneys. Volunteers support the women in production, gain insights into environmentally friendly manufacturing processes, and contribute to the economic independence of the cooperative. Through exchanges with the members, they promote social participation and the empowerment of women.

English Club

Volunteers teach English to women and young people to strengthen their communication skills. This improves their chances of employment in the tourism sector. The lessons are conducted through dialogues, games, and practical exercises tailored to the needs of the learners.

Local Crafts & Cooking Class

In crafts and cooking classes, you as a volunteer learn traditional skills from people from the village of Matemwe. These include, for example, weaving with ukili (palm leaves) or preparing local dishes. This promotes cultural exchange and gives you the opportunity to get to know everyday life in a village in Zanzibar.

Sports Activities

Volunteers organize football/soccer games, volleyball tournaments, or other sports activities for children and young people in the village of Matemwe. These shared experiences create trust and strengthen social integration.

Village Planting

Together with residents of the village of Matemwe, we plant trees and other plants to improve the microclimate, prevent soil erosion, and create habitats for animals. This activity contributes directly to environmental protection and the beautification of the village.

Fundraisers

Volunteers support fundraising projects to finance local initiatives. Whether through creative events or campaigns – the funds raised are used, for example, for environmental education projects or sustainable community projects. Participants also develop skills in project organization and public relations.