All the work you do will centre around protecting the Belize Barrier Reef and building your marine biology experience. Here are some of the tasks you’ll do:
Your work will focus on these areas:
PADI diving certification
During your first week on the project, you’ll get your PADI Open Water Diver certification. If you already have this certification, you’ll get to do the PADI Advanced course. You’ll also do a specialised species identification course to make sure you’re prepared for survey dives. These international certifications are included in your project fee, so there are no hidden costs.
With these certifications, you’ll contribute to marine conservation efforts during survey dives. You’ll also come away from this project with the skills and knowledge to go diving at different dive spots around the world.
Survey dives
Equipped with diving certifications, you’ll contribute to coral reef preservation efforts by collecting data during survey dives. As a diving volunteer in Belize, you’ll count different species and monitor things like location and water temperature. This data is entered into a database that the local government Fisheries Department uses to inform conservation policies.
Awareness campaigns and community work
Your conservation work doesn’t end once you reach the shore. You’ll also go out into communities and raise awareness about the importance of living sustainable, eco-friendly lives. This includes things like:
Salvage dives and beach clean-ups
Litter, and particularly plastic, has a devastating effect on the environment. By participating in salvage dives and beach clean-ups, you’ll help limit this effect. You’ll pick up rubbish and recycle or repurpose it, turning something negative into a useful resource.
A typical work day will run from 9am to 5pm. However, when you’re on dive trips to remote islands, work hours will be from 7am to 4pm. You’ll work from Monday to Friday, with your weekends free.
You’ll usually have about four to 10 dives per week, with each dive lasting anywhere from 20 minutes to one hour. Your week’s schedule will look something like this:
On Fridays you’ll have a weekly meeting to chat with local staff about the past week’s work. We also arrange different social activities on Friday evenings, which you’re welcome to join.
In general, your evenings will be free. You can spend them with the other volunteers in your shared accommodation. You can bond by doing things like playing cards or chatting about the different countries you come from.
Belize is a beautiful tropical country bordered by the clear, blue Caribbean Sea. There are plenty of ways to spend your free time here, whether you’re a beach lover, a culture buff, or an adventure seeker.
During your free time, you can go snorkelling along the colourful Belize Barrier Reef. For a more relaxed atmosphere, you can spend time on one of the white-sand beaches, sipping freshly squeezed papaya juice in the warm sun.
There are also plenty of cultural activities, so you can get a glimpse into the history and heritage of the country. You can visit Mayan ruins or spend the day wandering through an art gallery or museum.
During your trip, you’ll be surrounded by volunteers from around the world. So you can choose to explore independently or with volunteers from our different projects in Belize.
Accommodation
Food (three meals a day)
Airport pick-up and drop-off
Full induction and orientation by an experienced staff member on arrival
Transport to and from your work placement
In-country support and 24-hour back-up from our team of full-time local staff
Emergency assistance from our international emergency response team
Project equipment and materials, including access to our database with thousands of resources
A supervisor/mentor at your work placement
Training and workshops from our experienced local staff
Regular social events and community activities with other volunteers and interns
Access to our local office with internet connection
Certification of project completion
A cultural awareness course
Membership to our volunteer social media groups, to share information and to get in touch
Diving equipment rental
PADI diving course
You will arrive in the country at Belize City Airport (BZE). You’ll then catch a short domestic flight to either San Pedro Airport (SPR), or to Placencia Airport (PLJ) if you’re doing a Conservation Project.
One of our friendly local staff members will meet you at your arrival airport. They’ll be easy to spot, as they’ll be wearing a Projects Abroad t-shirt or holding a Projects Abroad sign. They will then take you to your accommodation and make sure you’re settled in. We cover the costs of transport to and from your arrival airport, giving you one less thing to worry about on your first day.
San Pedro Airport is approximately two minutes from our office in San Pedro. Placencia Airport is about a 15-minute drive from our Conservation Project base in Placencia.
You'll share accommodation with other Projects Abroad volunteers and interns during your stay in Placencia. This is a great way to get to know your fellow volunteers and interns, share experiences, and explore your surroundings in your free time together.
The accommodation is safe, clean, and comfortable.
This program is paused due to COVID-19
Barrier Reef Conservation
Dive with the Belize Barrier Reef animals and do vital coral reef conservation work in Central America
$1124/week
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