Hawaii Sea Turtle Trip Overview
Join us this summer on a student trip to Hawaii for some sun, sand, and sea turtles as we explore the Hawaiian islands! From vibrant Honolulu to laid-back Maui, this program covers some of the best highlights of Hawaii including beautiful waterfalls, postcard-perfect beaches, and plenty of adventure!
We partner with a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting Maui’s sea turtles and coral reefs through marine conservation efforts, education, and outreach. Learn about sea turtle conservation and participate in several Hawaiian community service projects to protect green sea turtles and the endangered hawksbill sea turtle. Projects include snorkeling and reef surveying, beach and habitat cleanup, and watching over sea turtles as they bask on the island’s beaches. At the Center, we’ll spend time up close and personal with turtle patients–cleaning and bandaging wounds, taking fluids, massaging their fins, and monitoring their way back to release. The Center serves as the main rescue team for injured or stranded turtles. A call may even come into the Center to help a turtle in distress where you will directly assist with the rescue!
We’ll complement our service projects with plenty of adventure. Walk through bamboo forests to waterfalls, hike to the top of a volcanic crater, take a surf lesson, and more on this incredible student trip to discover the best Hawaii has to offer!
During this program, you will:
- Earn up to 15 hours of service credit helping with a sea turtle conservation project
- Learn about sea turtle and reef conservation and protect the endangered hawksbill sea turtles
- Work up close with injured sea turtle patients
- Learn to surf on the famous shores of Waikiki Beach
- Snorkel with vibrant marine life in the biodiverse Molokini Crater
- Kayak through the cerulean waters of the Pacific Ocean
- Enjoy a traditional Hawaiian feast at an authentic Hawaiian luau
- Take a step back in time and visit Pearl Harbor Memorial
- Hike through lava tunnels to the top of Diamond Head Crater for stunning coastal views
- Zoom over the lush jungle canopies on an adrenaline-pumping zipline tour
- Try scuba diving and explore the world under the ocean’s surface*
- Catch the sunrise from the top of Haleakala Volcano and take a nature tour down through the clouds*
- Play beach volleyball, swim in crystal clear water, and enjoy life under the Hawaiian sun
*This is an optional add-on
Don’t want the fun to stop? Check out our 21 Day Hawaii Island Hopping Adventure & Service or head up to Alaska on the 21 day Hawaii & Alaska Service for more service hours and a truly thrilling summer experience!
Trip Itinerary
DAY 1: DEPART FROM LOS ANGELES (LAX)
DAYS 1-6: MAUI
Maui is truly a Hawaiian paradise with pristine white sand beaches, colorful coral reefs, lush vegetation, and turquoise ocean. Lucky for us, our hotel is right across the street from some of the best beaches on the island! We can hop over any time we like for beach volleyball, relaxation, and a refreshing swim.
Maui is also home to our sea turtle service project. We partner with a local organization dedicated to protecting and researching this endangered species. We’ll learn all about the hawksbill sea turtles and participate in a variety of projects dedicated to sea turtle conservation. Some of these projects include snorkeling and reef surveying to collect ocean data and look for turtles, beach cleanups to protect their natural habitats, and watching over basking turtles on the beach. At the Center, we will work first-hand with injured turtle patients–tending to wounds, taking fluids, and whatever else these gentle friends need on their road to recovery.
Our service work will be complemented with plenty of fun activities, including a boat trip to snorkel in the famous Molokini crater, sea kayaking or scuba diving (optional)!
There will also be an optional excursion to catch the sunrise from the top of Haleakala Volcano and take a nature tour down through the clouds. For those who don’t feel comfortable biking, don’t worry, there is the option to ride down in a vehicle too!
DAYS 7-10: WAIKIKI, OAHU
Oahu is the perfect island for a little bit of adventure! We will take a surf lesson on the famous shores of Waikiki with professional instructors who will have you riding waves in no time. Our hotel is just steps away from the beach, so we will have plenty of time to relax, swim, and enjoy some quality time in the summer sun! For a truly unique experience, we’ll hike through a lava tunnel to the top of famous Diamond Head Crater for breathtaking views of the island.
No visit to Oahu would be complete without a journey to the past to pay respects at the USS Arizona and Pearl Harbor Memorials. Accessible only by boat, this memorial is one of several sites in Hawaii commemorating the attack on Pearl Harbor and honoring those who lost their lives as well as the few remaining survivors.
DAY 11: RETURN FLIGHT TO LOS ANGELES (LAX)
Check out other TFT programs similar to this one!
Authenticity is engrained in everything we do. Eat, stay, and travel like a local.
Travel with us and discover why we are consistently winning awards for Top Youth Travel Organization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do we stay?
Students stay in centrally located, safe, and well-supervised accommodations in each city.
They are well suited to facilitating group supervision and usually within walking distance of the main attractions. We do not use large, impersonal chain hotels on the outskirts of cities; we prefer to select smaller, family-run hotels where we establish personal relationships with the owners.
In Oahu, we stay at a great hotel right in the center of vibrant Waikiki that is walking distance to all of the shops, restaurants, and best of all, just a few blocks from Waikiki Beach! In Maui, we stay at a centralized hotel right on the beach.
For safety reasons, we do not publish the names of the accommodations we use. We do not feel it is safe to publish the name of a hotel where a group of teenagers is staying abroad. After registering, participants and parents are given access to our secure parent website where you will be able to see the names of all of the accommodations for a program.
Students stay in centrally located, safe, and well-supervised accommodations in each city.
They are well suited to facilitating group supervision and usually within walking distance of the main attractions. We do not use large, impersonal chain hotels on the outskirts of cities; we prefer to select smaller, family-run hotels where we establish personal relationships with the owners.
In Oahu, we stay at a great hotel right in the center of vibrant Waikiki that is walking distance to all of the shops, restaurants, and best of all, just a few blocks from Waikiki Beach! In Maui, we stay at a centralized hotel right on the beach.
For safety reasons, we do not publish the names of the accommodations we use. We do not feel it is safe to publish the name of a hotel where a group of teenagers is staying abroad. After registering, participants and parents are given access to our secure parent website where you will be able to see the names of all of the accommodations for a program.
What is unique about the USA for Older Teens Hawaii Sea Turtle Service & Adventure trip?
Our work with our service partner allows us to get up close to the amazing sea turtles of Hawaii! On Hawaii Sea Turtle Service & Adventure, you will work first-hand with turtle patients, assisting the team with bandaging wounds, fin massages, and anything else the turtle may need. Truly a once in a lifetime opportunity!
Our work with our service partner allows us to get up close to the amazing sea turtles of Hawaii! On Hawaii Sea Turtle Service & Adventure, you will work first-hand with turtle patients, assisting the team with bandaging wounds, fin massages, and anything else the turtle may need. Truly a once in a lifetime opportunity!
What is included on the USA for Older Teens Hawaii Sea Turtle Service & Adventure trip??
Tuition cost includes ground transportation; accommodation; chaperones and guides; program-related activities and admissions; taxes and tips; all breakfasts and dinners.
Not included in cost (this is not intended to be an exhaustive list): airfare; lunches; visas and visa application fees; personal and medical expenses; activities and admissions that are not program-related or referenced in the itinerary; beverages other than filtered water at meals; participant expenses that are outside of the program description, such as excess baggage fees and damage to hotels; expenses related to unforeseen circumstances, such as transportation strikes and natural disasters.
Tuition cost includes ground transportation; accommodation; chaperones and guides; program-related activities and admissions; taxes and tips; all breakfasts and dinners.
Not included in cost (this is not intended to be an exhaustive list): airfare; lunches; visas and visa application fees; personal and medical expenses; activities and admissions that are not program-related or referenced in the itinerary; beverages other than filtered water at meals; participant expenses that are outside of the program description, such as excess baggage fees and damage to hotels; expenses related to unforeseen circumstances, such as transportation strikes and natural disasters.
What is the food like on this program?
The food on this program is authentic, delicious, and a central part of the cultural travel experience.
We prioritize eating at local, authentic establishments rather than Americanized chains, encouraging students to sample the local specialties wherever we go. We fully accommodate all dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten allergies, and other restrictions.
The food in Hawaii involves plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, and of course, seafood! Some typical foods we will have the chance to try are poke bowls, acai bowls, poi, and breadfruit.
Of course, we are always willing and able to accommodate vegetarians, vegans, gluten allergies, and other dietary restrictions.
The food on this program is authentic, delicious, and a central part of the cultural travel experience.
We prioritize eating at local, authentic establishments rather than Americanized chains, encouraging students to sample the local specialties wherever we go. We fully accommodate all dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten allergies, and other restrictions.
The food in Hawaii involves plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, and of course, seafood! Some typical foods we will have the chance to try are poke bowls, acai bowls, poi, and breadfruit.
Of course, we are always willing and able to accommodate vegetarians, vegans, gluten allergies, and other dietary restrictions.