Learn to scuba dive in the Caribbean conserving coral reef and marine life
Program Overview
Travel to the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea and join forces with GVI’s conservation team, earn your PADI diving certificate while working on and monitoring the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second largest barrier reef in the world.
Our team works directly on monitoring the overall health of the reef and you will contribute on coral reef and fish monitoring, turtle nesting surveys, among many other tasks, developing an impressive knowledge of this fascinating underwater environment.
This project works in conjunction with several highly regarded organisations such as Amigos de Sian Ka’an, a Mexican NGO famous for their conservation work. Through such partnerships volunteers can be sure their efforts are making a serious and measurable impact under the water.
Life on the Program
While your experience on the expedition will be rewarding, days can be long and tiring which you should be prepared for.
Depending on weather conditions, we aim for everyone to dive 5 days a week with 1 or 2 dives or snorkels each day, during which you will conduct underwater surveys. Besides diving, you should expect to be involved in training sessions on base, beach cleans, base duty and working with the local community in delivering English lessons and environmental education workshops.
While your living conditions will be basic, our base is located on a white sand beach within a protected reserve. When not working, you can take the opportunity to brush up on your knowledge of the reef and marine species, relax with your fellow volunteers or just take in the stunning sunsets that have to be seen to be believed.
Program Details
GVI is collecting data in the northern section of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, working with our local partners with the aim to:
- Form a comprehensive overview of the ecological health of the reef
- Determine the species and breeding success of sea turtles (seasonal)
- Develop the expedition base as an “Ecological Research and Awareness Centre”
- Develop education and awareness programs within the local community
Overall, our monitoring program in Mexico aims to provide a long term record of coral and fish species abundance over time to contribute to the long term survival of the reef.
Volunteer Testimonials
As I was packing my bags for my long awaited trip to Mexico, all I had in front of me was my gear list. These were the only clues I had about my lifestyle for the next 5 weeks. For the last 3...
As I was packing my bags for my long awaited trip to Mexico, all I had in front of me was my gear list. These were the only clues I had about my lifestyle for the next 5 weeks. For the last 3 months I had been emailing 3 girls who I had got in touch with through the GVI website. We had all become good friends from winding each other up about what we were to expect. As soon as the 4 of us met in Playa Del Carmen with the rest of the group it felt great to know that the waiting was over. Everyone was already chatting to each other, and the staff were very friendly and clearly keen to get to know everyone. As the taxi’s pulled up outside our new home, I couldn’t wait to get out and explore my new surroundings. The base manager gave us a tour of Pez Maya, showing us things like the bucket flush toilets, the “showers”, the iguana’s that would be running round our feet for the next 5 weeks and the large amount of mosquitos. So far my first impression wasn’t great. I didn’t have strong enough mosquito repellent, probably didn’t have enough clothes bearing in mind we would be showering 3 times a week and the bucket flush toilets really didn’t smell too great. Although, as soon as we were shown the view we would be enjoying for the next 5 weeks, my impression dramatically changed. It seemed so surreal; I couldn’t quite believe we were going to be living on a beach, relaxing on the hammocks under the palm trees, diving twice a day and seeing some amazing sea creatures. From then onwards my first perception was changing, even the negative points I picked up on when we had the tour, began to change into fun challenges.
Nothing compares to the satisfaction of launching out on one of the dive boats, suited up in your gear, plummeting down 20 meters to the depth of the oceans, collecting your data for research and...
Nothing compares to the satisfaction of launching out on one of the dive boats, suited up in your gear, plummeting down 20 meters to the depth of the oceans, collecting your data for research and surfaces on a successful dive. Skilfully accomplishing that twice a day every day left me with a sense of triumph and pride. By the end of my 10 week phase, my confidence in my diving
abilities increased tenfold, I had made dozens of good friends, had some real adventures on the side, and came home feeling like a changed person. To this day I think back and feel inspired by all the hardship and rewards I had faced. Highly recommended.
I loved my GVI experience as did everyone else on my phase, some of the volunteers were very much into the diving, while others loved the trips to Punta Allen, a local town, to teach English, GVI ensure that everyone has a fantastic time, no matter what you’re interested in, there is something for you!
The amount of studying, courses, lectures and training required combined with adjusting to a new climate, sleeping conditions, diet and fighting off food poisoning left me completely blind-sided and stunned. However after adjusting to this, the remaining weeks of my program were probably the best experience I've ever had so far in life. I absolutely loved it.
Program Details
Build Your Program
What's Included
- Pre-departure support and discounted services
- 24-hour emergency phone
- Airport pick-up (unless otherwise stated)
- Arrival orientation
- Long term experienced staff
- Safe and basic accommodations (usually shared)
- All meals (unless otherwise stated in field manuals)
- Welcome meeting
- Location orientation
- All necessary project training by experienced staff
- All necessary project equipment and materials
- 24-hour in-country support
- Transfer to base location
- Live and work in a protected reserve surveying deserted reefs under GVI’s research permit
- PADI Open Water (for 8 and 12 week volunteers) and Advanced Open Water
- PADI Coral Reef Research Diver Distinctive Speciality
- First Aid & CPR training
- Coral reef ecology
- Introduction to TEFL
- Community work workshop
- Use of O2 equipment workshop
- Diving compressor training workshop
What's Not Included
- Flights
- Medical and travel insurance
- Visa costs
- Personal kit
- Additional drinks and gratuities
- Extra local excursions
- International and domestic airport taxes
