About this trip
Marine Conservation
You need to be Scuba Certified to Participate!
Coral reefs provide various marine animals with food, protection and shelter, but due to various factors, these delicate ecosystems are under threat. Volunteers will use their diving skills to contribute to the preservation of these ecosystems and will gain experience and knowledge that they can pass on to others. In this way volunteers continue to leave a positive impact, even after they have left the project.
As a volunteer on this project you will engage in various marine preservation tasks. These range from survey dives to identification dives and may include whale shark photography. Volunteers will participate in the eradication of the invasive Lionfish species, the data collection of various native species and the assessment of the local coral reef as a whole.
Volunteers can choose how much they want to get involved. All dives are voluntary, so you can choose to relax in our hammocks with a good book, fish from the island, or do a bit of sea kayaking or stand up paddle boarding or immerse yourself in conservation volunteering. The choice is yours!
Invasive Lionfish species tasks: Lionfish are originally from the Indio-Pacific Ocean, but were accidentally released into foreign waters. The lionfish population feeds on key marine life, wreaking havoc on the indigenous Belize Barrier Reef ecosystems. They can lay twenty thousand eggs every four days, which is causing a nearly uncontrollable invasion. Volunteers on this project will partake in the eradication of this devastating, non-indigenous species by assisting with the following tasks :
- Lionfish hunting
- Lionfish spearing
- Lionfish dissection
Native species tasks:
- Lobster surveys
- Queen conch surveys
- Species identification dives
- Whale shark photography
Marine Conservation Education:
- During the volunteer week, the program offers multiple presentations on practical marine conservation. Learn about protecting coral reefs, identifying marine species, and the effects of plastic pollution.
Weekly Beach cleanup tasks:
- Remove harmful plastic and trash from the ocean
- Patrol hundreds of small islands within the Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve to keep beaches clean and oceans healthy
Please note: Specific tasks may vary and are subject to change.
Program Accomplishments
This project is the leader in invasive lionfish removal in all of Belize! In 2019, we removed 7,841. Also in 2019, 11,645 pounds of plastic and trash was removed from the ocean via our volunteer beach cleanups, 454 baby sea turtles were successfully hatched and returned to the sea and 86,400 hours of conservation dives were logged. The local staff also gave 104 presentations to increase awareness and knowledge of reef ecosystems.
The conch population in Belize is endangered from overfishing, but this project has been able to locate two important new breeding grounds. Whale shark photos taken on this project are entered into the public Whale Shark Sightings Database, which is accessed by researchers and scientists for conservation efforts.
Your Awesome Trip Leaders
What’s included
- 15 Dives3 Dives over 5 days, weather permitting
- All in country transportWe take care of all in country transportation, including airport transfers. We do not cover Ubers for your individual outings.
- AccommodationsVolunteers will be on the island Monday through Friday, and will stay in shared cabanas during the volunteering placement.
- MealsBreakfast each day, All meals Monday through Thursday on the Island
- Travel to/from Belize
- Some side tripsWe offer some side trips at additional expense
- Tips and Gratuities
- Travel Health Insurance
- EquipmentYou must bring your own dive mask, booties, fins, and wetsuit. It is very important that you bring these items or you will not be able to dive!
- Personal Expenses
- **IMPORTANT NOTE**Anyone wishing to participate in our optional night dives MUST bring their own dive light/torch. Also, in order to participate in night dives one must be a certified Advanced Open Water diver
- Beach TowelLinens are provided, but not beach towel.
Available options
Itinerary
Get settled in and ready to head to the Island for the week. We will have an evening orientation.