GoEco > North America > Mexico > Under 18 Marine Conservation Expedition

Mexico – Under 18 Marine Conservation Expedition

Fast Facts

Please note: This volunteer program is on hold. In the following links, you can check out our available Volunteer Expeditions for Teens:

Costa Rica: Rainforest, Wildlife & Volcanoes for Teenagers – A two-week teen program in Costa Rica that combines educational projects, cultural immersion, and recreational activities. It’s designed for teens aged 15-17 and focuses on adventure and conservation efforts in Costa Rica’s picturesque landscapes.
Bali: Sea Turtle Conservation for Teenagers – This program invites teens aged 15-17 to work with injured and rescued sea turtles in Bali. The focus is on rehabilitating these turtles and educating others about ensuring the survival of the species.
Thailand: Community and Environment Program for Teenagers – A two-week expedition in Thailand for international teens aged 15-17. It combines community construction projects and cultural adventures, fostering cultural exchange, personal growth, and contributions to local communities.
Kenya: Wildlife and Community Conservation for Teenagers – Tailored for teens aged 15-17, this program in Kenya engages participants in climate change initiatives, wildlife conservation efforts, and community initiatives, enhancing the sustainability of rural communities.
Bali: Community Development for Teenagers – A group program in Bali for teens aged 15-17, focusing on rebuilding and developing a community. Participants engage in construction activities to make a positive difference in the lives of community members.
Ecuador: Amazon Wildlife Center for Teenagers – An opportunity for teens aged 15-17 to work in one of the most important Amazon wildlife centers in Ecuador, providing hands-on care for various animals under professional supervision.

Join this unique teenage volunteer project in the sparkling Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico!

Program Highlights:

Get PADI Open Water or PADI Advanced Open Water certified during your first few days
Dive into, and live in, the beautiful Caribbean
Contribute to marine research and conservation alongside professional conversationalists and dive experts
Enjoy a supervised group excursion on the weekend to ancient ruins, a theme park or another popular tourist attraction
Make friends with your fellow marine conservation volunteers

Program Schedule:

Arrival Day, Saturday: Arrive into Cancun International Airport (CUN). Volunteers will be picked up from the airport and taken to the project location of Puerto Morales. Participants will settle into their new home and receive a welcome presentation and project orientation.

Days 1-4, Sunday-Wednesday (Training Days): Volunteers will partake in various training sessions, including studying theory, taking a written exam and practicing dive skills in a pool before partaking in their first open water dives. (Those who are already PADI Open water certified will train for their PADI Advanced Open Water certification). Please note that these training sessions are dependent on weather conditions, and the training may take longer.

Days 5-6, Thursday-Friday: Upon successful completion of the dive certification, volunteers will begin their marine conservation work alongside professional conversationalists and dive experts.

Days 7-8, Saturday-Sunday: Arranged group excursion!

Days 9-13, Monday-Friday: Volunteers will continue their marine conservation work alongside professional conversationalists and dive experts.

Day 14, Saturday: Volunteers will be taken to Cancun International Airport for departure.

For parents: Because this project is specifically designed for teenage volunteers, there is a high level of supervision by well-trained staff and conservation experts.GoEco can recommended specific airlines and flights to group participants together. Recommended airlines will offer a chaperone service, airline-provided flight chaperones who will accompany volunteers on their flight from their city of departure to their program. This chaperone service must be arranged with the airline itself, and the cost varies by airline.

Dive Equipment Note: Fins, Inflatable Surface Marker Buoy with spool reel, wetsuit and mask with snorkel are not included in program cost.

Location of the Project: Puerto Morelos, Mexico

Project length: 2 weeks

Arrival Airport: Cancun International Airport (CUN)

Volunteer Work: Marine observation, data collection

Age: 15-17

Number of Volunteers: This project requires a minimum of 8 participants, any less and the project will not take place.

Important Note: All applications for this program must be submitted at least 6 weeks in advance of the program start date.

What’s Included

Accommodations: Shared rooms in a hostel

Food: Volunteers will prepare meals for the group on a rotating basis

Airport Transfers: Airport transfers are provided on both arrival and departure days

Orientation: All necessary training and orientation is provided

Support: Comprehensive and professional pre-departure travel guidance, 24/7 GoEco emergency hotline, experienced local field team.

What’s not Included

Flights, visas (if required), travel health insurance, weekend meals, fins, Inflatable Surface Marker Buoy with spool reel, wetsuit and mask with snorkel, personal expenses.

Location

This project is located in Puerto Morelos, Mexico. The site is known for its beautiful beaches and thriving biodiversity. Its pristine coral reefs (the beginnings of the Mesoamerican Reef) are home to a wide variety of beautiful marine life, which volunteers have the opportunity to observe and study during their time here.

Volunteer Work

On this project you will become familiar with the different species of fish, coral and other marine life. All of the data you collect during your project will be sent to local organizations in order to help them promote marine conservation efforts. Volunteers on this project will spend their first four days becoming either PADI Open Water certified or Advanced Open Water certified. Volunteers will participate in lectures and learn about the different marine life species that they will later be studying at the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. Volunteers will be conducting survey dives and collecting data on coral and fish. Additional activities may include beach cleanups, environmental awareness promotion and/or visits to local conservation organizations.

Some of your tasks may include:

Marine species identification
Survey dives
Collect data on the overall health of the Mesdomaefican Barrief Reef system
Raising environmental awareness to visitors
Minimizing the impact that tourists have on the area

Living Arrangements

Internet icon Internet: WiFi is available at the hostel. Volunteers will have limited access to long-distance communications during the project. Internet might not always be available and mobile/cell phone reception is limited.

Laundry icon Laundry: Clothes can be taken to laundry facilities on agreed days for an additional fee.

Accommodations icon Accommodations: Volunteers will be in shared, single gender rooms in a hostel with up to five volunteers per room. There is bottled water available for cooking and drinking. There is a communal kitchen, living room and outdoor patio. The hostel is located just 15 minutes from the beach.

Food icon Food: Breakfast is provided every morning at the hostel. Volunteers prepare other meals for the whole group on a rotating basis. Food is simple, and follows a mostly vegetarian diet, consisting of mostly pasta, beans and vegetables and cereal for breakfast.

Requirements

Please take note of this project’s minimum requirements:

Age 15-17
Parental consent
Advanced level of English
Strong swimmer
Fins, Inflatable Surface Marker Buoy with spool reel, wetsuit and mask with snorkel

Travel Highlights

Included in this expedition are two organized, group trips. Each year the excursions may vary. In the past, volunteers have toured ancient Mayan ruins, visited a Mayan village, visited a theme park including a zipline course and more!