The Belize Barrier Reef, spanning 190 miles, is the second largest reef in the world. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is home to seven
protected areas, and is an important
habitat for many threatened and endangered marine species. These include the manatee, numerous sea turtle species, spotted eagle rays, the American crocodile, and a variety of
sharks, including the gentle whale shark.
On a small,
private island off the coast of Placencia, a team of ocean-loving biologists and diving fanatics established a marine conservation NGO that has been protecting the Belize Barrier Reef since 2006. The project has two main objectives,
conservation through education and conservation through action, and as
a volunteer
on this project, you’ll be heavily involved in both. Through a series of educational presentations followed by
biodiversity identification dives, you’ll learn the ins and outs of coral reef ecosystems, from the creatures
that visit and live within, to the health
of the reefs themselves and how to protect this fragile ecosystem.
You’ll also learn about invasive species from their introductions, the threats they pose, and what happens to unbalanced ecosystems, to the chain reaction they cause. Specifically, you’ll learn about the destructive and invasive lionfish that have become a significant threat to
reefs throughout the Caribbean. You will learn how to
spearfish and safely extract lionfish, and record data on
the removed numbers.
Ready to make a real difference by protecting and preserving the Belize Barrier
Reef and the chance to
live true island life in paradise? Join us now!
Dive Certifications and Courses Offered on the Island
In order to participate in our program, one must be a certified scuba diver. Not certified? No worries, many of our volunteers come to the island to learn to dive. Looking to further your dive credentials? Many of our volunteers come to our island to further their diving certification status. Regardless of your diving level, our island is a wonderful place to learn with calm, clear waters and little current. Our volunteer trips are for both non-experienced and experienced divers - all levels of divers are welcomed.
We have many dive courses available to help you develop your scuba skills and marine conservation knowledge while on the island volunteering with us. Below is the price our program charges for each PADI certification course and approximately how long it will take you to complete the certification course on the island. Approximate time to complete the course is based on your aptitude, understanding, and your ability to complete the PADI requirements for the course.
PADI Certification Courses Offered on the Island
- Open Water Certification – $225 USD (3 days)*
- Advanced Open Water Certification – $275 USD (3 days)*
- Rescue Diver Certification – $325 USD (1 week)*
- Divemaster Certification – $750 USD (4 week minimum stay)*
PADI Specialty Certification Courses Offered on the Island (One must be open water certified before taking any PADI specialty courses below)
PADI Specialties with a Marine Conservation Focus
- Coral Reef Conservation – $175 USD (1 day)
- Fish Identification – $175 USD (2 days)
- Invasive Lionfish – $175 USD (2 days)
- Shark Conservation – $175 USD (2 days)
- Underwater Naturalist – $175 USD (2 days)
PADI Specialties with a Diving Skills Focus
- Deep Diver – $175 USD (3 days)*
- Emergency First Response – $175 USD (1 day)*
- Underwater Navigator – $175 USD (3 days)*
- Underwater Photographer – $250 USD (2 days)*
*Please Note: The PADI Open Water, Advanced, Rescue, Divemaster, Deep Diver, Emergency First Response, Underwater Navigator, and Underwater Photographer courses require the PADI eLearning prior to arrival. All other courses do NOT require the PADI eLearning prior to arrival. You must be a fully certified open water diver before taking any PADI specialty courses.
In order to be certified on the island, you will need to complete the PADI eLearning portion of your course (Open Water, Advanced, Rescue, Divemaster, Deep Diver, Emergency First Response, Underwater Navigator, or Underwater Photographer) prior to your arrival to our island. With PADI’s online eLearning, you will complete the classroom/theory portion of your course online before your arrival. PADI charges from $125 to $225 USD (cost varies depending on course) for the eLearning and the cost is paid to PADI via their website. A link to register for PADI’s online eLearning will be sent to you upon registration and you must complete the eLearning before your arrival. This link will affiliate you with ReefCI and lets us know you are registered and taking the course with us. After completing the eLearning, you must print out your eRecord (or snap a picture of it on your phone) and bring it with you to the island for our instructors. Once on the island, you will complete the required in-water training portion of the course with ReefCI. The cost paid to ReefCI for the in-water portion of your course depends on which course you are taking with us. (see our prices above)
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