Belize: Marine Conservation & Scuba Diving

Soak up the chilled out, Caribbean atmosphere of Belize whilst taking part in a long term and sustainable marine research and conservation programme. 

Activities

• Diving regularly (weather permitting)
• Locating, mapping and studying coral reefs 
• Collect baseline biodiversity data collection on fish, coral and benthic species to meet national and international protocl
• Opportunistic cetacean and manatee surveys 
• Dugong, turtle & cetacean fisher surveys 
• Reef health checks 
• Work with local Belizean partners and conservation organisations 
• Vegetation surveys on mangrove species 
• Contribute to the Cayes Management Plan and the overall Belize National Resource Management Agenda

This programme is run in association with the Belize Fisheries Department, and this research and conservation project aims to provide the local communities, stakeholders and government bodies with the baseline biodiversity data they need to design and implement management plans for the future protection of this pristine marine ecosystem.

To gather the data needed you will undertake rapid sampling diving and snorkel surveys, underwater line and belt transects (weather permitting for all diving), mangrove point centred surveys, opportunistic mammal surveys and socio – economic surveys, with one day off each week. Your activities will involve locating and mapping the extensive, pristine coral reefs and studying the various communities existing on them. The number of dives completed each week on the project depend on the quarterly science plan and itinerary as set by the Frontier field staff. If you need dive training we will train you up on the Frontier camp at the start of the project.

Whilst diving and snorkelling in this Caribbean Odyssey, you'll see an extraordinary array of animals from colourful reef fish species to nudibranchs, sea cucumbers to cushion stars and spiny urchins to octopuses. By the end of your project you will be capable of identifying a wide range of colourful and patterned reef organisms, as well as being an experienced and competent diver. Although the work is intense and challenging you'll get immense satisfaction from having made a valuable contribution to the conservation of this marine environment.

Volunteers who join the project for less than 4 weeks may not be able to participate in the full range of project activities and surveys, but will still be able to make a valuable contribution to the work. You will return home with vast numbers of photos, lots of new friends, a wealth of fascinating stories and extraordinary memories.

You'll find your team to be a fun, dynamic mix of ages and experiences, with members who all share a passion about travelling in developing countries and conserving nature. Your staff will be a friendly and welcoming group who are highly experienced in their research field and many of whom will have been Frontier volunteers at an earlier stage in their career.

Highlights

• PADI dive training and qualifications available
• Dive in some of the world's best dive sites
• Take part in a long term marine monitoring and conservation project
• Make lifelong friends and return with incredible stories, photos and memories

What's Included

• Pre-departure support
• Travel & medical advice & documentation
• Equipment advice
• Discounted medical kit
• Free t-shirt
• UK residential briefing weekend including food, accommodation and training FREE for 10 week+ volunteers (£80 per person for those participating for less that 10 weeks)
• Food
• Accommodation
• Internal ground transfers & in-transit accommodation (for volunteers arriving on the 1st Monday of the month & joining for 4+ weeks)
• Local orientation
• Project training
• Project equipment & materials
• Dive training PADI Open water (2 weeks) £250
• Dive training PADI Advanced open water (4 weeks+) £230
• Advanced dive courses available
• Dive kit including Regs, tanks, BCDs, weights, compressor
• In-country emergency support
• 24-hour international HQ back-up

Start Dates

From May, first Monday of the month throughout the year. You can join this project for a minimum of 1 week.

Costs / Benefits

Cost

1 week £ 845
2 weeks £ 1,095
3 weeks £ 1,345
4 weeks £ 1,595
5 weeks £ 1,845
6 weeks £ 2,145
7 weeks £ 2,445
8 weeks £ 2,745
9 weeks £ 3,045
10 weeks £ 3,345
Extra week £ 275 PADI Open Water and Advanced Open Water training £480/$770, PADI Advanced Open Water training £230/$360

Requirements

Intermediate level of English