Barrier Reef Conservation
Coordinator | Bethany
Coordinator | Bethany
Book with Flex Option!
Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs.
Highlights
During dives into the clear, blue waters of the Caribbean Sea, you’ll collect data to help inform governmental conservation policies
Get a PADI diving certification and learn from conservation experts
After experiencing the beauty of the ocean first-hand, you’ll help raise awareness about how to protect marine life
Explore Belize, the beautiful tropical country bordered by the clear Caribbean Sea
Get to know your fellow volunteers and interns, share experiences, and explore your surroundings in your free time together
Dive with the Belize Barrier Reef animals and do vital coral reef conservation work in Central America
This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 16+
Singles
Couples
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:
- Get your PADI Open Water Diver or Advanced certification
- Go on survey dives to collect data about the creatures living along the reef
- Run awareness campaigns about the importance of marine conservation
- Take part in salvage dives and beach clean-ups to reduce litter in the area
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:
- Teaching school children about recycling
- Speaking to local restaurant owners about limiting their use of straws
- Planting sustainable seaweed farms with local fishermen
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.
Typical day
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:
- Monday: Diving trip to remote islands
- Tuesday: Full day of diving
- Wednesday: Return to Placencia, where you’ll prepare for community work initiatives
- Thursday: Community work activities like awareness campaigns, clean-ups, or seaweed farming
- Friday: Input data into the Global Impact Database and Volunteer Resource Database
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.
Free-time activities
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.
Swimming
Sightseeing
Diving/
Snorkling
Snorkling
Museum/
Opera
Opera
Requirements
In order to join the program you need to be at least 16 years old on the program start date.
You need to speak English (basic level)
No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.
Your helping hand will be required on
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
from
09:00
- 17:00
What's Included
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.
Your programme fees include three meals a day.
Good access at the project site
Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations are NOT included in the program fees.
The nearest airport is Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) in Belize City. We assist you to find cheap flights to Belize.
Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Belize provides security and is a plus to have.
If you are intending to volunteer in Belize you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Belize.
Dates & Fees
NO CREDIT CARD FEES
Details on arrival
This project is available all year round, so you can join whenever it suits your schedule. You can volunteer for a minimum of one week, but we recommend staying longer to have an even greater impact.
This program is paused due to COVID-19
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 - 50 weeks
Program fees
1 week
(min. stay)
$2,477
2 weeks
$2,857
3 weeks
$3,238
4 weeks
$3,618
8 weeks
$5,141
16 weeks
$8,185
50 weeks
(max. stay)
$21,124
Average fees
$1,450
/week
The organization charges its fees in GBP. The price table in USD is subject to currency fluctuation.
Projects Abroad
will let you know about the final price during your application process.
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.
Your final payment will be agreed with Projects Abroad during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.
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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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