Marine Conservation Expedition with PADI Training

location
2 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Excellent 4.8  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate

Volunteer project with the highest quality. This project sets unprecedented standards in quality - an unparalleled level of excellence.

Highlights

  • Explore the vibrant coral ecosystem of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef in the Caribbean Sea.
  • Gain or enhance diving skills with PADI Open Water course, including theory, confined water and open water dives (programs over 8 weeks).
  • Advance your diving skills with PADI Advanced Open Water, exploring various dive types including deep, navigation, naturalist and night.
  • Master species identification, surveys, and data collection for Mexico's marine species research inventory.
  • Assist in underwater surveys of coral reef ecosystem indicator species using standardised protocols.


Especially good for

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
50+

About the program

Gain PADI certifications while diving in the spectacular waters of Mexico to collect valuable data on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.

Join GVI’s Marine Conservation Expedition in Mexico and be part of the team restoring the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System. Learn scuba-diving and coral reef research to protect Mexico’s Caribbean coast, in line with UN SDG 14: Life Below Water. Your data will aid local authorities in ...

About the program

Join GVI’s Marine Conservation Expedition in Mexico and be part of the team restoring the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System. Learn scuba-diving and coral reef research to protect Mexico’s Caribbean coast, in line with UN SDG 14: Life Below Water. Your data will aid local authorities in sustainable coastal decisions. 

Explore the Riviera Maya's unique ecosystems and help protect endangered species like the Hawksbill sea turtle. Join beach cleanups to tackle marine plastic pollution and educate the local community on conservation. Begin your journey with professional training, earning your PADI Advanced Open Water certification and becoming a certified PADI Coral Reef Restoration Diver (CRRD).

Our Puerto Morelos research station is just 80 metres from the beach. Experience a laid-back atmosphere away from large resorts and bustling casinos.

Puerto Morelos, the oldest port community in the Mexican Caribbean, boasts the northernmost tip of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, the world's second-largest barrier reef. This biodiverse haven is teeming with marine life, from sea turtles and rays to bottlenose dolphins and West Indian manatees. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Yucatan Peninsula, Puerto Morelos offers diverse ecosystems, ranging from lush jungles and coastal dunes to coral reefs and cenotes. 


Typical day

Get ready for a day packed with marine conservation, diving adventures and delicious Mexican food!

Example of a typical day:
06:30 Start your day with breakfast while enjoying the ocean view and maybe spot our friendly local coati.
07:00 Pitch in with base duties and gear prep for the day.
10:00 Learn ...

Typical day

Get ready for a day packed with marine conservation, diving adventures and delicious Mexican food!

Example of a typical day:
06:30 Start your day with breakfast while enjoying the ocean view and maybe spot our friendly local coati.
07:00 Pitch in with base duties and gear prep for the day.
10:00 Learn about marine conservation and the coral reef system.
12:00 Indulge in tasty Mexican dishes, mostly vegetarian, prepared by a local chef.
14:00 Dive into the ocean for coral reef surveys to support local initiatives.
17:30 Dinner time! Gather with the group to chat and plan tomorrow's adventures.
18:00 After dinner, unwind at the town square with coffee, shopping, or soaking up the Caribbean vibes.

Free-time activities

While volunteering with GVI, you'll have opportunities to explore the surrounding area and venture further afield during weekends. Here are some travel options to consider:

Weekend trips:

  • Snorkelling with whale sharks.
  • Bull shark diving.
  • Mayan ruins exploration.
  • Eco adventure parks visits.
  • Cenote ...

Free-time activities

While volunteering with GVI, you'll have opportunities to explore the surrounding area and venture further afield during weekends. Here are some travel options to consider:

Weekend trips:

  • Snorkelling with whale sharks.
  • Bull shark diving.
  • Mayan ruins exploration.
  • Eco adventure parks visits.
  • Cenote adventures.
  • Diving and snorkelling in the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System.
Further travels:
  • Visit other Latin American countries.
  • Enjoy hiking and rock climbing adventures.
  • Spot whales on the west coast of Mexico.
Every four weeks, you can enjoy cultural immersion through GVI Experiences. These are included in your program at no extra cost.
Examples of activities may include: 
  • Learn to cook traditional Yucatan food.
  • Visit a Mayan ruin.
  • Take a beach yoga class.
  • Dive through the cenotes.
  • Stand-up paddleboard at sunrise.
  • Climb rock formations in the jungle.
  • Learn the unique geography of the Yucatan Peninsula.
  • Explore the ancient city of Coba.

Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (fluently)

Criminal Background Check

required

Required Documents

PADI Medical form and Medical Form

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Other Skills

All participants joining for 4 weeks must be PADI Open Water certified before joining the program and should be able to walk 200m over uneven ground carrying their dive equipment. Training is provided online 8 weeks prior to program start through self paced training materials.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

What's Included

What's Included

Services by GVI

WHAT'S INCLUDED

  • 24-hour emergency phone
  • 24-hour in-country support
  • Access to Alumni Services and Discounts
  • Airport pick-up (unless otherwise stated)
  • All necessary project equipment and materials
  • All necessary project training by experienced staff
  • Community work workshop
  • Coral reef ecology
  • First Aid & CPR training
  • Live and work in a protected reserve surveying deserted reefs under GVI’s research permit
  • Location orientation
  • Long term experienced staff
  • Meals while on project (except on work placements for long term internships)
  • PADI Coral Reef Research Diver Distinctive Speciality
  • PADI Open Water (for 8 and 12 week volunteers) and Advanced Open Water
  • Real hands on experience and learn about the challenges marine conservation has in this region
  • Safe and basic accommodations (usually shared)
  • Transfer to base location
  • Use of O2 equipment workshop
  • Welcome meeting

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

  • Additional drinks and gratuities
  • Extra local excursions
  • Flights
  • International and domestic airport taxes
  • Medical and travel insurance
  • Personal dive kit, e.g. mask, fins, wetsuit, timer, DSMB and reel, slate, etc.
  • Personal items and toiletries
  • Police or background check
  • Some equipment is not included
  • Visa costs (where necessary)

Airport Pickup at Cancun International Airport

Airport pick up is provided from Cancun International Airport within a specific time period. 

Accommodation

In our volunteer housing, you'll share dorm-style rooms with four beds, ideal for making connections with other participants. We have shared spaces like a communal kitchen, work area and lounge for hanging out. Bottled water is provided for cooking and drinking, keeping our environmental impact low. Outside of volunteering, we enjoy playing beach volleyball, and you can easily explore the other side of town on foot.

As part of the team, you'll help out with base duties such as cooking, cleaning and maintaining equipment.


Food & Beverages

You'll prepare breakfast in groups with options like cereals, pancakes, eggs and porridge. Lunch and dinner are provided on workdays, while you cook your own meals on weekends.

This is a great way to enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine and immerse yourself in the local culture. Your meals will reflect traditional Mexican ingredients and cuisine, primarily consisting of a vegetarian diet with occasional meat options.

If you're looking for a change of pace, you can also dine at local restaurants, located within walking distance of the base, during weekends (at your own expense).

Internet Access

Limited access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Cancun International Airport (CUN) in Cancun. We assist you to find cheap flights to Mexico. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Mexico provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in Mexico you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Mexico. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

2024

  • 23 Nov 2024
  • 07 Dec 2024
  • 21 Dec 2024
2025
  • 04 Jan 2025
  • 18 Jan 2025
  • 01 Feb 2025
  • 15 Feb 2025
  • 01 Mar 2025
  • 15 Mar 2025
  • 29 Mar 2025
  • 12 Apr 2025
  • 26 Apr 2025
  • 10 May 2025
  • 24 May 2025
  • 07 Jun 2025
  • 21 Jun 2025
  • 05 Jul 2025
  • 19 Jul 2025
  • 02 Aug 2025
  • 16 Aug 2025
  • 30 Aug 2025
  • 13 Sep 2025
  • 27 Sep 2025
  • 11 Oct 2025
  • 25 Oct 2025
  • 08 Nov 2025
  • 22 Nov 2025
  • 06 Dec 2025
  • 20 Dec 2025

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

2 weeks (min. stay) 3,745€
3 weeks 4,195€
4 weeks 4,645€
5 weeks 5,145€
6 weeks 5,695€
7 weeks 6,145€
8 weeks 6,595€
9 weeks 7,095€
10 weeks 7,645€
11 weeks 8,145€
12 weeks (max. stay) 8,695€
Average fees 1,298€/week

Program fees

1,298€ per week 2 - 12 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

2 - 12 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with GVI during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

GVI

Excellent 4.8 rating (221 reviews)

Agency - founded in 1998

Verified by Volunteer World

  Very high response rate

Coordinated by

Bianca

Spoken languages: English

About the project

GVI tackles critical local and global issues by operating award-winning education and training programs on sustainable development projects around the world.

Meet your organization

Founded in 1998, GVI runs programs in 21 locations, in 13 countries around the world, each manned by our own staff and aligned to the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals or UN SDGs as well as the objectives of local partners. We welcome participants from all around the world and help facilitate their development into global citizens. This is how we achieve our mission of building a global network of people united by their passion to make a difference.


We are truly a global family brought together by our dedication to long-term positive impact. At the root of our success is our commitment to investing in authentic, meaningful connections with one another, which is why mutual respect and trust are central to our operations. Although we respond with empathy to difficult situations, we believe that most circumstances can benefit from taking a light-hearted approach. By sharing stories of local achievement with our teams worldwide we build the momentum to catapult us toward our vision for the future.

221 reviews · rating4.8

As an older volunteer (50!) I was concerned that I wouldn't fit in so well with all the younger volunteers in their 20s. However we have all quickly become good friends and are always keen to help each other out. We all have a shared interest in diving and conservation which helps. The staff on ...
Amazing experience volunteering in Marine Conservation in Mexico with like minded people. As a mature volunteer I was concerned I would not fit in. Everyone made me so welcome. The science coordinator was an inspiration and I felt privileged being taught by ...
Jessica Siegenthaler rating2.2

2021 at Marine Conservation Expedition with PADI Training

Overall I participated 2 weeks in this program, which is to less btw! You don't get to have the real volunteering possibilities and it's basically an expensive dive vacation without that many dives. The good parts from the program: - The Staff in Mexico was super friendly and knowledgable about ...
Amazing base with amazing people and a life-changing experience I spent 6 weeks at base as a short-term marine conservation intern. It was truly inspiring how the staff helped us with everything and made us feel as part of this great family. We learnt very useful things about marine ecosystems in ...
At the beginning of this year, I embarked with GVI on the Marine Conservation short-term internship in Puerto Morelos, Mexico. I was lucky to find out about our project on a university page, as I was required to complete an internship for academic credits. Life on base was exceptional; I liked to ...
This was an amazing experience with GVI. I have used other companies too but I have found GVI to be more like a family. I learnt a lot about the children I taught and the community projects were so inspiring. Embracing different cultures was rewarding and I even learnt some Spanish. It real is a ...

Location

Americas > Central America > Mexico > Puerto Morelos

You might also be interested in

Contact Bianca
  Very high response rate
English

Most volunteers ask about


Do you have any more questions? Send a message to Bianca
Please don't share personal contact details for your privacy

Book with Flex Option!

Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs within 12 months.

Enjoy our services for dedicated volunteers!

Enjoy a Refund Guarantee, Free Flex Option, and Emergency Assistance. Our Price-Guarantee ensures unbeatable value, and our Support Team is ready to assist.