Malaysia’s stunning natural treasures aren’t just for gawking at—they’re worth rolling up your sleeves for. From planting coral in Terengganu to patrolling beaches for turtle protection, these hands-on conservation programmes blend adventure with real environmental impact.
Whether you’re an experienced diver or a first-time conservationist, these experiences will add meaning to your travels while preserving Malaysia’s natural beauty for future travellers.
Plant a coral
1. Coralku @ Pulau Lang Tengah, Terengganu
Coralku is a research-driven coral restoration and conservation non-profit enterprise. They offer individuals the chance to join their scientists on a coral planting dive session at Lang Tengah island. During the session, visitors will do a coral reef star and learn about the process of coral restoration.
Interested to book a dive? Send them an inquiry to check for availability!
Protect sea turtles
2. Bubbles Turtle Conservation @ Pulau Perhentian Besar, Terengganu
Starting March through to October 2025, join the Experiential Program with Bubbles Turtle Conservation on the idyllic island of Perhentian Besar.
From hatchling releases to beach cleans, beach patrols and supporting egg relocation, you’ll get hands-on experience and gain practical skills like data collection, water safety, and habitat assessment. You’ll also develop an in-depth understanding of what it means to be a conservationist.
Fees: From MYR1,200 per person for 6D5N
3. Pulihara @ Lang Tengah, Terengganu
To ensure that their migratory population of turtles can continue using the island as a breeding ground for generations to come, Pulihara organises volunteer programmes to prevent poaching on Lang Tengah Island. Volunteer activities include night-time beach patrols, egg collection, nest monitoring, and reef surveys.
Fees: From USD450 (Non-Malaysian) / MYR850 (Malaysian) per person for 1 week
4. Sarawak Forestry Corporation @ Pulau Talang Besar, Sarawak
The island of Talang Besar in Talang Satang National Park is one of the most important sea turtle nesting sites in Southeast Asia. Visiting requires special arrangements with Sarawak Forestry, and permission is only granted to bonafide researchers, students, conservation organisations, and people participating in the Sea Turtle Volunteer Programme.
Open from May to September, this conservation-driven programme enables volunteers to experience beach patrols to locate turtle arrivals, monitor nesting activity, tag and measure turtles, transfer eggs to the hatchery, release hatchlings, record data, and other on-site conservation activities.
Fees: MYR1,000 (Non-Malaysian) / MYR450 (Malaysian) per person for 3D2N
Survey reefs
5. Reef Check Malaysia @ Multiple locations
Are you a certified diver? You can help protect and save the coral reefs in Malaysia! One of the best ways to get involved in Reef Check’s conservation programmes is to join a survey trip. There is, however, one caveat — to do so, you’ll first need to get certified as an EcoDiver. Learn more about the course and certification here.
EcoDiver Certification Fees: MYR1,200 (Peninsular Malaysia) / MYR1,350 (East Malaysia) per person
Reef Check Survey Dives: Free*
*Does not include: Equipment rental, accommodation, transportation, meals
Plant a tree, conserve a mangrove
6. Mah Meri Cultural Village @ Pulau Carey, Selangor
Take a day trip to Carey Island (approximately one hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur) and immerse yourself in an initiative aimed at restoring and enhancing the island’s coastal environment and biodiversity.
Among other hands-on activities, volunteers are given the opportunity to plant Nyireh Batu, mangrove mahogany trees, which protect shorelines from erosion, enhance water quality, and act as carbon sinks, combating climate change.
Fees: MYR95 per person
Take a walk on the wild side; save tigers
7. MYCAT (Malaysian Conservation Alliance for Tigers) @ Sungai Yu, Pahang
The CAT Walk is the only conservation program in the world where members of the public can be directly involved in protecting the Malayan Tiger in its natural habitat. Embark on an adventurous guided hike through the Sungai Yu Ecological Corridor, a known poaching hotspot.
You’ll assist MYCAT and the local authorities in looking for signs of illegal activity, deactivating snares and traps, reporting possible wildlife crimes, and identifying signs of wildlife. Your presence also serves to deter potential illegal activities like poaching, illegal mining, and encroachment.
Fees: From MYR210 per person
Look after endangered species
8. Project Borneo @ Kuching, Sarawak
Based at the Matang Wildlife Centre, join Project Borneo for an unforgettable and rewarding 2- or 4-week experience caring for orangutan, sun bears, hornbills, sambar deer, clouded leopards, and many other endangered species indigenous to Borneo.
Learn more about the volunteer programme here.
Fees: £1280 (14 days) / £1865 (28 days) per person
If time permits, here are some longer-term volunteer programmes:
9. Global Environment Centre @ Multiple locations
Global Environment Centre (GEC) is an award-winning non-profit organisation based in Malaysia, working on environmental issues of global importance, with a strong focus on river basins, wetlands, biodiversity, and climate change.
Gain inside knowledge about current environmental issues in Malaysia, get hands-on training and experience in various fields, widen your perspectives, and develop new skills by getting involved in their conservation programmes, which include forest and coastal, peatland, and river care. Check out their website for more information.
10. Gibbon Conservation Society @ Raub, Pahang
Spend a minimum of 4 weeks with Malaya GReP (The Malaya Gibbon Rehabilitation Project) in Raub and get first-hand experience conserving and rehabilitating gibbons! You’ll learn about primate behaviour, jungle skins, wildlife tracking, and behavioural data collection and analysis.
Fees: MYR3,500 (Non-Malaysian) / MYR600 (Malaysian) per person for 4 weeks
11. Langur Project Penang @ Penang
The Langur Project Penang is a citizen science-driven outreach and primate conservation enterprise focusing on the ecology, behaviour, and road ecology of urban monkeys. They aim to develop recommendations for humane and sustainable strategies to promote coexistence between humans and non-human primates through a number of ongoing projects in Penang.
Selected applicants will be mentored in fieldwork, outreach, and educational approaches as part of the volunteer position, which requires a commitment of at least once a week, for a minimum of three months’ volunteering period.
Fees: MYR300 (deposit) per person
