Caribbean Reef Buddy

This is my fourth year bringing college students down for dive training. This year, we also included a project week wherein students applied all of their new skills in a reef monitoring and coral out-planting research. Staff here have always been very accommodating of various skill levels and interests of participants and provide flexibility in our programming. We are super excited to partner with them on this new research project. Additionally, their staff have an excellent understanding of the social, economic, and environmental interplay in coral reef management, educational outreach, and enhancement projects. In addition to diving and project work, staff organize weekly social events and can also provide guidance on additional recreational activities including hikes, snorkeling, kayaking, and more. Five Stars!

After some planes, planes, and more planes you arrive at this tiny island in the middle of the Caribbean that is filled with amazing people and nature that is a must-visit. Everyone at the dive shop is professional, knowledgeable, and friendly making for a great and worthwhile experience. I stayed for 2 weeks in July for Lionfish management and reef monitoring and learned so much about the local reef environment and its challenges. The diving was top tier with so much beautiful marine life. I cannot wait to go back!! I wrote a review but realized I only spoke about Deefer Diving, the dive shop that works with Caribbean Reef Buddy. But I wanted to make sure I wrote a review about them too because they are an amazing organization! When looking for a program and where I wanted to volunteer, I read reviews about other places that didn't really offer any educational value. This is not the case here! I learned SO much and really felt like I made an impact helping their marine conservation work! They are very organized too!

There were so many things to see, swarms of fish, tons of coral varieties, sponges, eels, turtles, and even a few nudibranchs. Oh, and you forget you are supposed to be identifying various predators. Many staff members had hawkeyes to point out very well-hidden or camouflaged shrimp, eels, and the rare Frogfish. Great teaching on land to prep for coral, fish id, and substrates. Patient with my questions too. Fun to find micro-fragments coral and prep it for the coral nursery replanting. They would demonstrate, you do, and we fasten them to the tables!