14 Volunteer Vacations Where You Can Help Animals & Explore Amazing Places

2. Sea Turtle Conservation – Kefalonia, Greece

Wake up to the sound of waves and spend your days helping endangered loggerhead turtles. On Kefalonia’s pristine beaches, volunteers assist with nest monitoring, hatchling releases, and collecting critical data to support marine conservation. Afternoons might involve shoreline patrols, tagging efforts, or educational outreach with tourists. The work is hands-on but gentle, matched by the slow rhythm of island life. Between shifts, you can swim in turquoise waters or explore olive groves and sleepy seaside villages. It's an intimate way to protect ancient species while soaking up the magic of the Mediterranean.