Caribbean Reef Conservation
Location: Caribbean Island located in the south of Belize
Start dates: Throughout the year, starting on a weekend
Duration: 1 week - 6 months
Cost: From £895
How will I make a difference?
Your primary role is to contribute towards the projects on-going surveys, data collection and conservation work. By volunteering at the project you will make a major contribution to the understanding of the reef ecosystem in the Sapodilla Cayes. Your time and efforts will also help to raise awareness of the importance of the marine life and the research collected by the project team helps inform government decisions, particularly in regard to the department of fisheries.
The reef conservation project is not for profit and the majority of the programme costs directly benefit the local community. The contribution also provides a critical source of funding for future research and conservation work.
Read what past volunteers have said about this project in our Belize Reef Conservation reviews.
Reef conservation volunteering in Belize: What will I be doing?
Volunteers work 5 days per week (Monday-Friday), each day will differ but volunteer tasks can include:
For beginner divers it is safe non-challenging place to learn with visibility in Caribbean waters ranging from 15-40 metres and no strong currents. To participate in the conservation work you will need to be at least PADI Open Water certified and beginners will obtain this in their first few days.
There are usually around 6-10 volunteers at one time with a maximum of 15.
PADI Dive Courses
Whilst on the island you can improve your diving skills by doing additional PADI courses; Advanced Diver, Rescue Diver, a variety of speciality dives, EFR first aid or your Divemaster course.
PADI Open Water is included in the placement cost but the following courses can be done for an additional cost:
The projects primary objective is to encourage the Belizean Government to enforce preservation zones in the Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve. They carry out marine surveys in the area surrounding the island, collecting data on the local fish & invertebrate population and this is submitted internationally to Reef Check headquarters for inclusion in global coral reef status reports, and locally to the Belizean Department of Fisheries.
They have been very active in the monitoring of local fish populations, particularly the lionfish, and have been instrumental in the increase in community awareness campaigns.
Location and free time
During the week volunteers are based on a 1-acre squared island, the surrounding area is abundant in marine life and you can take a kayak out, fish (hook and line) or snorkel around the island. On the reef, along with the more common marine life, volunteers frequently spot hawksbill and loggerhead turtles, spotted eagle rays, dolphins and manta rays. If you are lucky, at full moon you may also see whale sharks and the fantastic light show from the String of Pearls.
You will be working 5 days a week and then return to the mainland town of Punta Gorda at the weekend. At the weekends you can enjoy the laid back Belizean life in sleepy Punta Gorda or stay in a tropical jungle lodge. You will find yourself becoming part of the local community in Punta Gorda at the weekends when you return to the mainland. For example the project sponsors a local football team and guests often go along to watch the matches.
Volunteer accommodation
During the week volunteers stay on a small island off the coast of Punta Gorda, accommodation private rooms in small simple cabanas overlooking the sea. The main building is run on solar power. all rooms are clean and comfortable and have fans. There are also rooms suitable for couples. The bathroom facilities are shared and the communal area.
Weekend accommodation is not included but the project has a guesthouse available and there are a number of hotels for various budgets in Punta Gorda.
What's included and where your money goes
Start dates: Throughout the year, starting on a weekend
Duration: 1 week - 6 months
Cost: From £895
How will I make a difference?
Your primary role is to contribute towards the projects on-going surveys, data collection and conservation work. By volunteering at the project you will make a major contribution to the understanding of the reef ecosystem in the Sapodilla Cayes. Your time and efforts will also help to raise awareness of the importance of the marine life and the research collected by the project team helps inform government decisions, particularly in regard to the department of fisheries.
The reef conservation project is not for profit and the majority of the programme costs directly benefit the local community. The contribution also provides a critical source of funding for future research and conservation work.
Read what past volunteers have said about this project in our Belize Reef Conservation reviews.
Reef conservation volunteering in Belize: What will I be doing?
Volunteers work 5 days per week (Monday-Friday), each day will differ but volunteer tasks can include:
- Reef Check
- Queen Conch surveys
- Coral watch data collection
- Lobster Surveys
- Lionfish population monitoring and control
- Sea turtle conservation (June-December)
- Community education and awareness campaigns
For beginner divers it is safe non-challenging place to learn with visibility in Caribbean waters ranging from 15-40 metres and no strong currents. To participate in the conservation work you will need to be at least PADI Open Water certified and beginners will obtain this in their first few days.
There are usually around 6-10 volunteers at one time with a maximum of 15.
PADI Dive Courses
Whilst on the island you can improve your diving skills by doing additional PADI courses; Advanced Diver, Rescue Diver, a variety of speciality dives, EFR first aid or your Divemaster course.
PADI Open Water is included in the placement cost but the following courses can be done for an additional cost:
- Advanced Diver: 2-3 days
- Rescue Diver: 4 days
- Emergency First Aid: 1 day
- Divemaster
The projects primary objective is to encourage the Belizean Government to enforce preservation zones in the Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve. They carry out marine surveys in the area surrounding the island, collecting data on the local fish & invertebrate population and this is submitted internationally to Reef Check headquarters for inclusion in global coral reef status reports, and locally to the Belizean Department of Fisheries.
They have been very active in the monitoring of local fish populations, particularly the lionfish, and have been instrumental in the increase in community awareness campaigns.
Location and free time
During the week volunteers are based on a 1-acre squared island, the surrounding area is abundant in marine life and you can take a kayak out, fish (hook and line) or snorkel around the island. On the reef, along with the more common marine life, volunteers frequently spot hawksbill and loggerhead turtles, spotted eagle rays, dolphins and manta rays. If you are lucky, at full moon you may also see whale sharks and the fantastic light show from the String of Pearls.
You will be working 5 days a week and then return to the mainland town of Punta Gorda at the weekend. At the weekends you can enjoy the laid back Belizean life in sleepy Punta Gorda or stay in a tropical jungle lodge. You will find yourself becoming part of the local community in Punta Gorda at the weekends when you return to the mainland. For example the project sponsors a local football team and guests often go along to watch the matches.
Volunteer accommodation
During the week volunteers stay on a small island off the coast of Punta Gorda, accommodation private rooms in small simple cabanas overlooking the sea. The main building is run on solar power. all rooms are clean and comfortable and have fans. There are also rooms suitable for couples. The bathroom facilities are shared and the communal area.
Weekend accommodation is not included but the project has a guesthouse available and there are a number of hotels for various budgets in Punta Gorda.
What's included and where your money goes
- A comprehensive information booklet
- Support from your dedicated volunteer manager within the PoD UK team
- Travel advice and assistance
- Being met on arrival at Punta Gorda airstrip
- Boat transfers to and from the island
- All dives
- Dive equipment (excl. wetsuit, mask, booties, dive computer)
- PADI Open Water (if you do not already have it)
- Free scuba review if you have a dive qualification but haven't dived recently
- Weekday accommodation on the island
- All meals on the island
- Support from the project team