Description

Be a volunteer in Mexico for either 5 or 10 weeks and put your scuba diving skills to excellent use as you help to protect one of the words most pristine barrier reef environments the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. Open to volunteers who already hold their Open Water or above scuba diving qualifications, this trip offers the chance to stay in a secluded tropical heaven and contribute towards crucial marine conservation initiatives.

Have you ever wondered what it's like to scuba dive in one of the planet's most spectacular and pure marine diving environments? Do you want to submerge yourself and scuba dive on one of the world's most stunning barrier reefs and contribute towards marine conservation as well as help with community development initiatives? Volunteers on this Yomps Marine Conservation Volunteering trip get this once in a lifetime opportunity.

Volunteers live in a secluded beach marine base in South East Mexico, on the Yucatan Peninsula a gorgeous tropical paradise surrounded my Mayan history and culture. Based here, volunteers progress with their diving qualifications and achieve their PADI Advanced Open Water, PADI Photography Speciality and PADI Coral Reef Research Speciality qualifications (with the chance to progress onto PADI Rescue and PADI Divemaster weather permitting) as well as learning all the necessary skills and knowledge to become a fully fledged member of the marine conservation team.

Conducting research dives on a daily basis into the warm, crystal waters of the Caribbean sea, volunteers will get the opportunity to scuba dive on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef stretching for over 450 miles and second only to the Great Barrier Reef down under and explore what is home to an array of marine life, including manta rays, starfish, loggerhead turtles, dolphins and over five hundred species of fish.

When on dry land, volunteers are involved in raising marine conservation awareness in the surrounding areas and helping with local community development initiatives. Interacting with the locals and immersing ourselves in Mexican culture, we will visit to teach in local schools as well as at the volunteer base. Operating alongside local universities and national and international organisations, the contribution that volunteers make through their diving, research and our overall efforts directly promotes marine conservation of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef and the surrounding mangroves, wetlands and jungle.

Highlights

Whether you are looking for a career in conservation, or just feel like a tropical marine adventure of a lifetime, the Marine Conservation Volunteering in Mexico is an incredible and meaningful way to spend part of a gap year, career break, sabbatical or adventure overseas travel holiday!

Travel Types

• BackPacking Abroad
• Birdwatching
• Canoeing
• Caving/Spelunking
• Deep-Sea Fishing
• Eco Tours
• Ecology
• Environmental Studies
• Fishing
• Kayaking (Sea)
• Language Immersion
• Native Culture Studies
• Nature Tours
• Off Road / 4X4 Driving
• Photography
• Scuba
• Snorkeling
• Surfing
• Tours
• Trekking
• Vacation Packages
• Volunteering
• 4th World Studies
• Yoga

Qualifications

No foreign language skills or academic qualifications are required to join this expedition. Volunteers must already be qualified to PADI Open Water (or equivalent) or above. No scientific background is needed as volunteers will receive a comprehensive training programme designed to provide all the necessary skills needed for day to day life, such as marine survey skills and knowledge. However, all volunteers must be able to pass a medical examination to prove they are physically fit to dive. All volunteers will be swim tested on arrival at the base, which consists of an unaided 200m surface swim, followed by a 10 minute float, or a 300m swim with a snorkel, mask and fins, followed by a ten minute float, both in the open sea environment. Volunteers must also be 18 years of age or older and speak English. Additionally everyone must be able to work as part of a team and have a strong interest in wildlife and marine conservation. Participants must also be enthusiastic, have a good sense of humour and be respectful towards the host country's environment and cultures.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

3,350

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Language instruction
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

- Pre-departure support
- Airport pick-up/ drop off transfers
- All food and accommodation
- National park fees and permits
- PADI Advanced Open Water
- PADI Photography Speciality
- PADI Coral Reef Research Speciality
- Introduction to TEFL training and certification
- Heavily discounted further dive training options up to PADI Divemaster
- All training materials, technical dive equipment and science equipment
- First aid training course and qualification (Emergency First Response)
- Comprehensive training necessary for research techniques
- 24-hour in-country support
- A 24-hour emergency phone line in the UK
- Discounted access to Smugmug services - a secure way of storing your photos while you are travelling.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Age Range

18+

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Dormitory
• Group living

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of 12-24

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

1 day

Yomps's Mission Statement

We work hard to ensure you have the experience of a lifetime through responsible adventures off the beaten track. You will learn new skills, meet new friends, experience cultural activities that are just not available to tourists and you will have the time of your life.

Year Founded

2006