Why Choose Us?
Reef Conservation International is a fantastic way to experience real world
conservation efforts, while having great fun! You will get hands-on
experience for marine conservation work and gain real world insight on what it
is like to actually work in the field of marine conservation. You can
even shadow our two Marine Biologists while with us and soak up as much from
them as possible. It would be a great learning experience for you and
help inform you on your possible career choices.
The only real difference between our regular
volunteers and our long term (internship) volunteers is the length of time you stay with us. Typically, we find our long-term
volunteers/interns tend to be one of three types:
- Gap year students interested in a marine
biology career
- College students majoring in the field of marine
biology taking off a semester or two to get hands-on experience to bolster
their resume
- Working professionals who are exploring other
career options like marine biology or possibly working as a professional diver
What is Reef Conservation International?
Feel the thrill of swimming with a whale shark, the excitement of spearing the invasive lionfish, and the satisfaction in helping protect coral reefs. Reef Conservation International (ReefCI) trips are a unique opportunity to protect the reef ecosystem by directly participating in our ongoing marine conservation projects! We are located on a small, private, picture-perfect Caribbean island on the Belize Barrier Reef. The diving is incredible and the conservation work we do is meaningful! Join us and make a difference!!
What will I be doing?
Each week/day will differ but you will be helping and participating in the following areas:
- Invasive Lionfish: Spearfish to remove this destructive invasive species that is destroying native coral reef ecosystems.
- Marine Conservation Education: Learn about coral reefs and marine animals and discover how we can protect our oceans and reefs.
- Whale Shark Monitoring (if spotted): Dive with the largest fish in the ocean and record sightings to improve conservation efforts.
- Biodiversity Identification Dives: Identification dives (fish, sea turtles, sharks, invertebrates, coral) to increase one’s knowledge and understanding of reef ecosystems.
- Beach Clean-ups: Weekly beach and island trash/plastic removal on islands of the Belize Barrier Reef.
Depending on the season and length of stay you might not take part in all of these activities above but it is a good bet that you will experience most of them.
Is this trip for me?
We attract a vast cross section of demographics from diverse ages, backgrounds, and nationalities. We have singles, students, working professionals, families, couples, and retirees that come to our island! People coming on this type of volunteer experience all have a shared passion for diving and ocean conservation, which makes for great group dynamics. We give the general diver a unique opportunity to learn about and help conserve the marine environment while having a fun volunteer experience. Our trips are for both experienced and non-experienced divers and those wishing to become certified divers. Everyone contributes regardless of their background or experience. The research methodologies we teach are very simple and you will learn all you need to know in our training sessions prior to each dive. You will be spearing the invasive lionfish and participating in our other conservation dives and making a difference!
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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