Trip Details

This Ocean conservation volunteer program is located in South China Sea, an island named Donghai Island, where you can both take care of turtles and learn more about dolphins.

The dolphin conservation is mainly to promote the idea of protecting dolphins in schools, helping the local centre to build its dolphin museum, and rebuilding any housing damage from the annual typhoon.

There are around 20 disabled turtles living in the centre,and in a separate centre nearby there are several healthy turtles which will be released back into the ocean when they fully recover.
At certain times, you may witness the turtle eggs hatching, a beautiful experience, as they are released straight into the ocean when born like nature intended.

If you not only love animals but would like to relax with some coastal sunshine and sand, this is the program for you!

Aims & Objectives

  • Get a hands-on approach to help protect China’s injured sea-turtles
  • Create a safe and clean environment for China’s dolphins.
  • To educate ourselves and others on the importance of ocean conservation

Trip Itinerary

Monday
Zhanjiang City to Donghai Island

  • After breakfast you will transfer to Donghai Island,where you can visit the dolphin and turtle conservation program.
  • Lunch
  • In the afternoon, the staff in the dolphin conservation will give a brief introduction to you about the area.
  • Dinner BBQ night on the beach

Tuesday

  • Start the day with a lovely breakfast.Take a boat out to sea and if you are lucky,you can spot the dolphins. Take part in some fishing while you are on the boat.
  • Lunch at the centre
  • In the afternoon, help the local staff in some construction work for the dolphin museum. Also participate in some building with locals,from typhoon damage.
  • Dinner

Wednesday

  • Breakfast
  • Help the local staff in some construction work for the dolphin museum.
  • Lunch
  • In the afternoon, visit the local school and teach the class in how to protect the dolphins and the importance of Ocean conservation.

Thursday
Donghai island to Naozhou Island

  • After breakfast ,you will transfer with pubic transportation to Naozhou Island.
  • Lunch on the island.
  • In the afternoon,you will visit the turtle conservation and take part in some volunteering.

Friday
Zhanjiang City

  • Breakfast
  • In the morning, enjoy your time on the island and say goodbye to the turtles and your new life long friends. ( If this is your last week with us)
  • After lunch back to Zhanjiang, free time for relaxing.
  • City tour in Zhanjiang.
  • Dinner (self-organized).

**Please note; This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.**

Trip Accommodation

Naozhou Island 

This quiet, rural island gives you a fresh view of the ocean coastline.

Accommodation & Food

This simple guesthouse offers you all the basics for your stay on this special little island. You’ll be bringing your belongings for this stay.

  • Standard Room
  • Persons per room 2-4 (Single-gender basis)
  • Wifi in public areas
  • All meals included
  • Free beverages (Filtered Water)
  • Private Bathroom
  • Air con

Food Arrangements
Being on a fishing island, enjoy plenty of seafood! Vegetarian options also available. Three meals on weekdays,Two on weekends

Facilities
Although a small island, there is restaurants, ATMs and mini mart nearby. A supermarket is in driving distance too.

Sights & Surroundings
We recommend nearby attractions for you to visit in your spare time like Naozhou Tower, Nayanhai Beach, and a special museum called the Arts of Song Dynasty.

 

Donghai Island

Donghai Island is an island in the southeast part of the urban area of Zhanjiang, it is the largest island in Guangdong and the fifth-largest island in China. It has a coastline of 160 km and with one of the longest sand beaches in the southern world at 28 km’s long. Wind and waves are frequent here so many enjoy plunges into in the sea, boat trips or fishing with the locals then eating the seafood on the beach…all of which make visitors reluctant to leave this picturesque region.

Our accommodation is set in a relaxing area that catches the beautiful sunrise, which you can enjoy while resting in the hammocks along the beach or by walking along the walk – on pier. It is close to the fishing village which regularly receives boats to and fro with busy fishermen.

Accommodation & Food

You will be living on the site. You may need to to use squatting toilets during your stay here (a natural, healthier alternative!). Some hammocks are available for your use, and the simple surroundings will encourage a relaxing stay.

Available Room Types

  • Standard Room
  • Persons per room 2 – 6 (Single-gender basis)
  • All meals included
  • Free beverages (Filtered Water)
  • Wifi in public areas

Food Arrangements
Three typical Chinese meals a day are provided and served at the dining hall. Being right next to various fisheries, expect a lot of fresh Seafood served to you, although vegetarian options are also available.

Three meals on weekdays,Two on weekends

Facilities
Being a small Island, there is not much to expect. The fishing village here has some stores within walking distance, but for anything important or necessary, it is a 40 minute drive from Zhanjiang and the Airport.

Sights & Surroundings
Zhanjiang is the typical go-to place during your free time here, and is only 40 minutes away. Very different from Donghai’s simple surroundings, it is a full-on coastal city with much to do and see. Our coordinators like to call it the “Miami of China”!

Please ask your coordinator for help in organising visits to these or any other places.

Trip Country Info

China

Capital: Beijing
Language: Standard Chinese
Currency: Renminbi (Yuan) (CNY)
Time zone: CST (UTC +8)

China covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometers making it the 2nd largest country by land area. It is not only the country with the largest population in the world but it is also one of the largest economies laying claim to being the world’s largest exporter and 2nd largest importer of goods.

It is a country of incredible cultural history boasting one of the earliest ancient civilisations dating back to around 2800 BC. Its landscape is equally rich in diversity, ranging from its forest steppes, its deserts in the north and subtropical forests in the south to its 14,500km long stretch of Pacific Ocean coastline. All of this makes China an incredible and exciting place to be, both in what it has to offer today and the story of its past.

China has solidified itself as a contender for global recognition and as a tourist hotspot.  We have a number of  travel experiences in China from volunteering & gap year travel  to Tours and Paid Teaching.

With an assortment of climates and social structures, it is near impossible to experience all of China in a gap year trip. You can invest yourself and discover a whole new culture and still miss out on a dozen other cultures within arm’s reach while travelling in China, and these programs are dedicated to helping you help others while experiencing the different wonders of the country. Combine adventuring through nature with helping those less fortunate, and you have got yourself a stellar journey ahead of you. If you are looking for a gap year holiday in China, conservation work, an exciting road trip in China,  volunteer work with Pandas, teaching or other work & travel in China have a look at our latest experiences below or contact us for more information.

Please Note TRU are not currently able to accept any volunteers in China due to the current Covid-19 pandemic. We will be sure to update you when it is safe to travel and restrictions ease in China.

Participant Criteria & Requirements

Standard Requirements

No requirements have been provided.

Additional Requirements

No requirements have been provided.

What's included

  • 24/7 support in case of emergencies
  • Accommodation
  • Airport Pick up
  • English speaking coordinator
  • Meals
  • Orientation

What's not included

  • Airport drop off
  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Vaccination
  • Visa