Whale Shark Conservation & Diving
Coordinator | Anthony
Coordinator | Anthony
Book with Flex Option!
Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs.
Highlights
Feel the thrill of swimming with a whale shark, the excitement of spearing the invasive lionfish, and the satisfaction in helping the marine environment
Volunteer on a remote private Caribbean island, a real castaway island located directly on the Belize Barrier Reef
Protect the reef ecosystem by directly participating in our ongoing marine conservation projects and learn all about coral reefs and marine life
Learn to dive or further your dive qualifications; everyone contributes regardless of your experience
Have an adventure, make new international friends, and give back to a cause you believe in while having lots of fun!
Feel the thrill of swimming with a whale shark, the excitement of spearing the invasive lionfish, and the satisfaction in helping protect coral reefs.
This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 16+
Singles
Couples
Families
Groups
50+
What is Reef Conservation International?
Reef
Conservation International (ReefCI) volunteer 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?
Reef Conservation International empowers you to take an active role in directly protecting and conserving our oceans that we love via our marine conservation projects and environmental education and awareness program. You will learn about the invasive lion fish species that is destroying our native coral reefs and participate in our conservation dives to spearfish and remove this incredibly destructive invasive species. You will also learn all about coral reefs, tropical fish, sharks, manatees, dolphins and many other species from tiny invertebrates to the largest fish in the ocean, the whale shark. You will participate in our marine conservation identification dives to discover the wonders of the marine world. We also cover many more topics from ocean acidification, climate change, to global warming and you will discover things you can do to combat these issues. Join us and make a difference!
Each week/day will differ but you will be helping and participating in the following areas:
- Invasive Lion fish: 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 lion fish
and participating in our other conservation dives and making a difference!
Dive Certifications and Courses Offered on the Island
Our volunteer trips are for both non-experienced and experienced divers. 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. We swap the cold swimming pool for the Caribbean Sea and the classroom for a hammock under a palm tree!
We have many dive courses available to help you develop your scuba and marine conservation skills while on the island volunteering with us. Below is the price our program charges for each PADI certification course and how long it will take you to complete the certification course on the island.
PADI Certification Courses Offered on the Island
- PADI Open Water Certification – $175 USD (3 days)
- PADI Advanced Open Water Certification – $225 USD (1 week)
- PADI Rescue Diver Certification – $275 USD (1 week)
- PADI Dive Master Certification – $750 USD (4 week minimum stay)
PADI Specialty Certification Courses Offered on the Island
- PADI Specialty Course: Invasive Lion fish – $125 USD (2 days)
- PADI Specialty Course: Coral Reef Conservation – $125 USD (2 days)
- PADI Specialty Course: Fish Identification – $125 USD (2 days)
- PADI Specialty Course: Deep Diver – $125 USD (3 days)
- PADI Specialty Course: Emergency First Response – $125 USD (2 days)
- PADI Specialty Course: Underwater Photographer – $200 USD (2 days)
*Please Note: The PADI Open Water, Advanced, Rescue, Dive Master, and Underwater Photographer 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, Underwater Photographer, or Divemaster) prior to your arrival to our island. PADI is the world’s leading scuba diver training organization that governs and regulates scuba standards and diver certifications. You can get started immediately with the classroom portion of your certification course and work at your own pace using the PADI eLearning system at home. With this convenient online study option, you will complete the classroom/theory portion and theory exam of your course before your arrival to the island. At the end of the eLearning program, you must print out your eRecord and bring a copy of it with you to the island. Once on the island, we will finish off the appropriate in-water diver portion of the course. PADI charges around $195 USD for the eLearning and the cost is paid to PADI via their website. We find our guests like to avoid the book work and theory portion of certification courses while on the island and this provides the best option to get in the water immediately upon arrival to our island.
Activities
Waste Reduction
Ray Conservation
Marine Conservation
Shark Conservation
Diving
Ocean Cleaning
Eagle Ray
Coral Reef
Marine Conservation
Whale Shark
Volleyball
Typical day
A typical week will include the following:
- 5 days/4 nights on private island in the Caribbean off the coast of Belize
- 3 meals daily during dive week
- 12-13 dives per week
- At least one night dive a week
- Training for conservation work and participation in our conservation programs
- Island boat transfers to and from island
- All diving equipment (excluding wetsuit, fins, booties, dive mask)
- Accommodations while on the island
Free-time activities
Our volunteers can choose how much they wish to get involved. Some people want to do as much conservation diving and learning as possible, while others wish to combine the conservation dives with relaxation and fun dives. All dives are voluntary so you can choose to relax in our hammocks with a good book, fish from the island, or do a bit of sea kayaking/stand up paddle boarding or immerse yourself in conservation volunteering. The choice is yours!
We have lots to offer on the island when not diving!
- Stand Up Paddle Boarding
- Kayaking
- Snorkeling
- Fishing from the island
- Conservation help (dissections, data collection)
- Volleyball
- Badminton
- Great food
- Further your dive course training with us!
- Lots of hammock time!!
Depending how long your stay with us is, the weekends back on the mainland are yours to explore. Besides the incredible diving and conservation experience you will have with us Monday-Friday on our island, Belize has so much to explore on the mainland where you will be on the weekend! From ancient ruins, jungles and nature expeditions, spelunking, repelling, ziplining, cave and river tubing, to cultural tours; there is something for everyone. You are guaranteed a trip of a lifetime in Belize!
Water Sports
Swimming
Diving/
Snorkling
Snorkling
Sports
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)
Our digital/online scuba diving waivers will be sent to you upon registration.
No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.
Volunteering with ReefCI is a great way to get an insider’s view about the issues facing marine ecosystems and do your part to help the cause. Anyone can volunteer. Everyone can make a difference regardless of skill and ability. No experience is necessary, just a desire to be the change you wish to see in the world!
Your helping hand will be required on
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
What's Included
What is Included?
- 5 days/4 nights scuba marine conservation program on private island in the Caribbean
- 3 meals daily during dive week
- 3 daily dives (one dive on Friday)
- At least one night dive a week
- Training for conservation work and participation in our programs
- Island boat transfers to and from island
- All diving equipment (excluding wetsuit, fins, booties, dive mask)
- Accommodations while on the island
What is Not Included?
- Flights to Placencia, Belize
- Wetsuit, fins, booties, dive mask
- Optional PADI certification courses you would like to take while on the island
- Sapodilla Caye Marine Park Fees: 25 USD per week. We work in the Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve Park. The Belizean Department of Fisheries charge a marine park fee of $25 USD per week to help maintain the National Marine Park.
- Alcohol and soda/pop while on the island (2-5 USD per drink)
- Weekly dive gear rental fee of $25 USD for BCD, regulators, tank/air, and weights
We are located on a beautiful, idyllic remote private island that is part of the Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve Park, located in southern Belize about an hour boat ride from the mainland. Our island, Tom Owens Caye, is a true ‘castaway’ coral caye island located directly on the Belize Barrier Reef. The island is about 1½ acres and has a large living area, great views and lots of hammock space. All of our volunteers upon arrival tell us that the photos do not do the island justice! It really is a perfect Caribbean paradise.
Accommodations are basic but clean and comfortable and can best be described as hostel-like. If you are expecting or wishing a 5-star resort then our island is not for you. The location however is 5 star!!! For groups, friends and couples, there are twin, family, and double en-suite rooms in the main building/cabana. We do have running water and showers.Rooms in the main cabana have their own private bathrooms and showers as well. For singles, there are individual cabanas that surround the island and have shared bathrooms. Every room has incredible views of the Caribbean Imagine waking up to the sound of waves lapping against the shore and a spectacular Belizean sunrise! We do not have air conditioning on the island as the strong trade winds provide a continuous cooling breeze on the island. However, rooms can occasionally become stuffy so all rooms have fans if needed.
A generator is kept in its own room to reduce noise pollution. It is run all night on the island allowing guests to charge their laptops, iPhones, iPods and cameras etc. and use a fan if the sea breeze is not enough. This generator is turned on in the evening so during the day electricity is limited.
We Are Known For Our Great Food!
We provide 3 meals a day plus an early morning snack and a mid-afternoon or late evening snack everyday while on the island.
Sample Island Menu:
- Early Morning: Fresh fruit, tea, coffee and biscuits.
- Breakfast: Fried jacks, sausages, scrambled eggs and refried beans or banana pancakes with ham and eggs.
- Lunch: Island chicken salad or chicken and veggie quesadilla’s or fresh fish burritos.
- Dinner: Lionfish fingers with cilantro, homemade garlic tartar sauce served with fresh salad and coconut rice or chicken curry with okra and yellow ginger rice or bbq whole fish with garlic mash and mixed veggies, or garlic lobster with cilantro mash and garlic zucchini.
- Dessert: Coconut tart or pineapple up-side-down cake or chocolate rum cake with a rum butter sauce.
Vegetarian, Vegan, Food Allergery? All Dietary Needs Fully Catered For!
All dietary requirements are catered for (food allergies, vegan, vegetarian, no seafood, dairy, tree nuts etc). No worries - we have vegans, vegetarians, pescatarians, gluten free eaters, diabetics, and nut allergy volunteers that come to the island every year. Our chef is quite accustomed to meeting the needs of our volunteers. Don't worry, we will make sure your dietary needs are met : ) However, it is always a good idea to bring special food and snacks that you like.
All meals and drinking water/juices are provided for you while you are at the island. There is an honesty book system on the island, which has a small selection of sodas, beers, and rum drinks available at an additional cost.
Sorry, no access at the project site
Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations are NOT included in the program fees.
An airport pickup isn't included within the program fees either.
The nearest airport is Placencia (PLJ) in Placencia. 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
Our conservation dive trips are Monday thru Friday – we depart for our island at 9:30am on Monday from Placencia, Belize and return to the mainland (Placencia) on Friday anywhere from 10am-12pm depending on ocean navigability. Volunteers must schedule arrival and departure in and out of Placencia, Belize either on a Saturday or Sunday.
Weekend Accommodations
All volunteers will need to book a hotel or hostel in Placencia upon their arrival and departure on a Saturday or Sunday. Those staying multiple weeks will need weekend accommodations on the mainland Friday night thru Sunday night in between their weeks with us on the island. So with ReefCI you get the best of both worlds. An amazing marine conservation volunteering experience Monday thru Friday on a private Caribbean island on the Belize Barrier Reef and the weekends on the mainland exploring all Belize has to offer. From ancient ruins, jungles and nature expeditions, spelunking, repelling, ziplining, cave and river tubing, to cultural tours; there is something for everyone on the weekends. You are guaranteed a trip of a lifetime in Belize!
Flights to Placencia, Belize
All volunteers will fly into Belize’s only international airport - Belize International Airport (BZE) which is located in Belize City. From there, you will make a connection flight to Placencia, Belize via a small hopper plane. The short hopper flights typically provide around 9 daily flights on the weekends to and from Belize International Airport and Placencia. There are two airline companies that operate hopper flights in Belize. Tropic Air and Maya Island Air –google them to search flight times and prices. All volunteers must schedule arrival and departure on a Saturday or Sunday. We will depart for the island on Monday from Placencia, Belize at 9:30am and return on Friday to Placencia anywhere from 10am-12pm.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 - 8 weeks
Program fees
1 week
(min. stay)
$948
2 weeks
$1,835
3 weeks
$2,724
4 weeks
$3,612
5 weeks
$4,500
6 weeks
$5,388
7 weeks
$6,277
8 weeks
(max. stay)
$7,165
Average fees
$922
/week
Please note that the above shown program fees are estimated.
ReefCI
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 ReefCI during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.
Why book with Volunteer World
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application process
- including all necessary payments. Planning your next meaningful trip with Volunteer World gives you free access to our:
Quality Assurance
High ethical standards & transparent social impact
Flex Option
Change your reservation at no extra costs
Refund Guarantee
We refund your fees if ReefCI cancels your trip
Support & Mediation
We cover your back no matter what happens
Our services are free of charge!
All program fees are charged directly by ReefCI.
What are people saying about Volunteer World?
Whale Shark Conservation & Diving
Feel the thrill of swimming with a whale shark, the excitement of spearing the invasive lionfish, and the satisfaction in helping protect coral reefs.
$922/week
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