Belize – Private Island Marine Experience

Belize lies on the eastern coast of Central America and comprises a mainland plus a variety of cays. The Belize Barrier Reef is one of the largest coral reef systems in the world, second only to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, making it a popular diving destination.

Most of this project takes place on a beautiful, private island which is 25 miles from the mainland. Relax in a hammock and explore the tropical Belizean waters surrounding the island! This 1.5 acre island is home to bright, colorful beach cabanas and alluring palm trees and is a secluded paradise for volunteers.

On Fridays and Saturdays, volunteers will return to the mainland. Accommodations are at the tip of the peninsula in a quaint town named Placencia, once called Punta Placencia, or Pleasant Point. Placencia has become a popular beach resort destination, desired for its sparkling beaches.

Coral reefs provide various marine animals with food, protection and shelter, but because of various factors, these delicate ecosystems are under threat. Volunteers will use their diving skills to contribute to the preservation of these ecosystems and will gain experience and knowledge that they can pass on to others. In this way, volunteers continue to leave a positive impact, even after they have left the project.

As a volunteer on this project, you will engage in various marine preservation tasks. These range from survey dives to identification dives and may include whale shark photography. Volunteers will take part in the eradication of the invasive Lionfish species, the data collection of various native species and the assessment of the local coral reef.

Volunteers can choose how much they want to get involved. All dives are voluntary, so you can choose to relax in our hammocks with a good book, fish from the island, or do a bit of sea kayaking or stand up paddle boarding or immerse yourself in conservation volunteering. The choice is yours!

Invasive Lionfish species tasks: Lionfish are originally from the Indio-Pacific Ocean, but were accidentally released into foreign waters. The lionfish population feeds on key marine life, wreaking havoc on the indigenous Belize Barrier Reef ecosystems. They can lay twenty thousand eggs every four days, which is causing a nearly uncontrollable invasion. Volunteers on this project will partake in the eradication of this devastating, non-indigenous species by assisting with the following tasks :

• Lionfish hunting
• Lionfish spearing
• Lionfish dissection

Native species tasks:

• Lobster surveys
• Queen conch surveys
• Species identification dives
• Whale shark photography

Marine Conservation Education: 
During the volunteer week, the program offers multiple presentations on practical marine conservation. Learn about protecting coral reefs, identifying marine species, and the effects of plastic pollution.

Weekly Beach cleanup tasks:

• Remove harmful plastic and trash from the ocean
• Patrol hundreds of small islands within the Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve to keep beaches clean and oceans healthy

Please note: Specific tasks may vary and are subject to change.

2022 Program Accomplishments

Although the pandemic hampered our conservation efforts, thanks to our 2022 volunteers, we still made a difference! We are proud to share the 2022 marine conservation achievement numbers:

• 8662 Invasive Lionfish removed from the Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve Park waters
• 14,701 pounds of plastic and trash removed from the ocean via our volunteer beach cleanups
• 391 baby sea turtles successfully hatched and returned to the sea
• 354 marine conservation presentations by our staff to increase awareness and knowledge of reef ecosystems

Internet: There is currently no Wi-Fi available on the island.

Laundry: Some hotels on the mainland have laundry services for their guests. There are also laundromats within walking distance of most hotels that volunteers can use for an additional fee.

Accommodations: Volunteers will stay in stone cabanas around the island. There will be up to three volunteers per room, and bathrooms are shared. On weekends, volunteers book their own hotel rooms at their own cost.

Food: Volunteers will receive three home-cooked meals per workday (Monday-Thursday) and a hearty breakfast on Fridays. Meals include fresh fruit, vegetables and a meat dish. Most diets, including peanut allergies, can be accommodated if requested in advance.

Please note this project’s minimum requirements:

• Minimum age of 18 (16-17 with parental consent)
• Non-certified divers must sign up for a minimum duration of two weeks.
• Completed Student Diver Medical Declaration self-assessment
• You must bring your own mask with snorkel, fins, booties and wetsuit
• BCD’s, tanks, regulators and weights are available for rent for $30 USD per week. You are also welcome to bring your own dive gear.
• Anyone wishing to take part in our optional night dives MUST bring their own dive light/torch and must be a certified Advanced Open Water diver.

During free time on mainland Belize, volunteers can explore all that Belize offers! For an additional fee, volunteers can visit any of the following destinations and more!

Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary
Also known as the first jaguar preserve, this wildlife sanctuary is a must-see for wildlife enthusiasts!

Tikal Mayan Ruins  
History lovers must visit Guatemala for the day to explore these ancient Mayan temples and ruins, including the Lost World Pyramid and the Temple of the Grand Jaguar.

Monkey River Nature Tour
Enjoy a boat tour of the Monkey River! Enjoy a pleasant boat ride while being on the lookout for howler monkeys.

Cave Tubing and Zip Lining at Jaguar Paw
Adventure seekers will get a thrill out of a day trip to Jaguar Paw to take a jungle hike, tube through dark caves and zip lining through the Belizean rainforest.

Bocawina Zip Line & Waterfall Rappelling
Adventure can be taken up a notch at Bocawina Zip Line and Waterfall Rappelling. Fly on the largest zipline in Belize and/or repel down the 500-foot Antelope Falls or the smaller Bocawina Falls.

Select PADI Certifications are available for an additional fee:

• PADI Open Water
• PADI Advanced Open Water
• PADI Rescue
• PADI Dive Master (minimum four-week program duration required)
• PADI Specialty Course: Deep Diver
• PADI Specialty Course: Fish Identification
• PADI Specialty Course: Invasive Lionfish
• PADI Specialty Course: Coral Reef Conservation
• PADI Specialty Course: Emergency First Response
• PADI Specialty Course: Underwater Photographer