Overview

Spend your spring break exploring Mexico’s underwater environment and learning about vital conservation issues, earn your PADI Open Water certification, and immerse yourself in Mexico’s vibrant culture AND get career training from Conservation Careers!

Use your spring break wisely! Travel to Mexico’s stunning Yucatan peninsula and take an entire week to learn about local and global marine conservation issues. Spend your days learning research techniques while you earn your PADI open water certification. In your free time explore the ancient world of the Mayan’s and discover the cultural delights of Mexico.

Spend your spring break in Mexico on the world’s second largest reef learning how to dive, while you discover the world of marine conservation. Learn practices and research techniques used by marine conservationists.

Take your spring break week to partake in an alternative experience giving you the chance to focus on personal and global development. Learn a bit more about the ins and outs of marine conservation and discover if this may be a career path that you would like to pursue.

In addition, spend a week with regional experts who will introduce you to the beauty of Mexican culture. Visit Mayan ruins, relax on palm tree laden beaches, trek through dense jungles, and sample one of the world’s most complex cuisines.

Highlights Include:

Discover the breathtaking beauty of marine life in one of the world’s most diverse reef locations. Alongside corals and tropical fish be prepared for possible sightings of manta rays, sea turtles, dolphins, and bull sharks.

Complete your PADI dive certification which is recognised internationally and opens up a whole bunch of diving opportunities.

Explore Mexico! The region, along with diving, is famous for its bountiful cenotes, stunning beaches, historical ruins, and vibrant atmosphere.

Testimonial

“Martin was the first one who spotted it. Approximately 2.5 metres of pure bull shark madness faced us. We just couldn’t believe it! So graceful it swam around us for a minute or two and we studied every single fin move motion. It swam in a half circle in front of us then turned around, swam back and disappeared.” – Alexander “Sven” Scott (Sweden).

Our Award-winning Partner

Conservation Careers has teamed up a family-run organisation with an amazing culture and an awesome team of people across the world who are passionate experts in their chosen field and will make your experience a truly unforgettable one (in a good way).

Their award-winning projects receive over 2000 participants every year, and we’re proud to say that the vast majority of them describe their experience with them as ‘life changing’. Their approval rate from over 20 000 participants since 1997 is over 95%.

A key component of the success of their community development and conservation projects is the participants who join their programs. Opportunities include high impact volunteering from one week and up, internships for those looking for career development opportunities, Challenges that allow a one week adventure all for a good cause and a range of programs for school groups and younger volunteers.

If you register your interest below, you’ll put you in touch with our partner to take the booking and to plan your trip!

To see all our Conservation Careers Internship opportunities, please click here.

Location

We run a number of research bases on the Yucatan Peninsula from the remote jungle to stunning tropical beaches. Bases are situated travelling south along this beautiful peninsula past white sands, palm trees and deep blue waters.

Project Life

You will be met by our staff at the Cancun airport where you will be introduced to the rest of the group! On the first day you will be introduced to the projects that are running in Mexico, start learning about conservation issues affecting the area, and go through a general culture class where you will learn some basic Spanish language and a bit about Mexico’s history and current culture.

Straight away you will start your PADI Open Water diving course. Before heading for the ocean you will practice some basic techniques and get used to the equipment with some confined water training. Included in the course will be most of the specialised gear that you will need, training materials, and ultimately the exams and certification that will allow you to continue diving after your spring break week. Of course, you will be working with true experts in their field sharing not just their passion for marine conservation but also their top diving techniques.

Putting your newly acquired skills to the test is incredibly rewarding. You will quickly be out in the tranquil waters of the Caribbean where you will learn practical conservation skills and take in the beauty of life below the water.

Project Details

Our work in the region consists mainly of collecting data in the northern section of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. We work with local partners with the aim to form a comprehensive overview of the ecological health of the reef, determine the species and breeding success of marine turtles in the area as well as develop an ‘Ecological Research and Awareness Centre’ with education and awareness programs for the local community.

Overall, our monitoring program in Mexico aims to provide a long-term record of coral and fish species abundance over time to contribute to the long-term survival of the reef.

From a personal perspective, being able to experience this region and having access to local examples of the principles and techniques will provide you with confidence and a clear understanding of important concepts such as best practice principles. You’ll develop effective teamwork and leadership skills and be prepared for working in remote and challenging locations. Fish and coral identification, the threats facing reefs, as well as the hazards of conducting reef-based research will further prepare you.

The new life skills you’ll develop will improve your understanding of the relationship between environmental sustainability and communities, a key understanding when working in the field. Your ability to live and work in a foreign country as a part of an international team and manage individual and team responsibilities with good communication and collaborative skills will be invaluable in your career.

Adventure

Although this trip follows a structured itinerary, don’t think you won’t be seeing and doing some amazing things! During your weekend with us, you’ll embark on an amazing day trip before returning to base to continue with more diving and underwater conservation.

BONUS! Kick-starter online training for Early Career Conservationists (worth £195)

Feeling lost in your conservation job hunt? Want to work in conservation, but don’t know where to start? Get your career on track with the Kick-starter online training for Early Career Conservationists designed to help you understand the job market, to navigate your career options, and to get hired more quickly.

Whether you’re at university and planning your next steps, a graduate in the job hunt or working in an unrelated job but interested to switch into conservation, this course is designed to help you.

This unique online course has been designed to increase your chances of success, and is being specially organised and run by Conservation Careers.

All you need to do is register your interest in the project below, and if you choose to make a booking we’ll save a place for you on our course when you get back from your placement.

Included in the course is a year’s full-access membership of the Conservation Careers Academy, which includes access to over 8,000 jobs, 1,500 training courses, live training events and many more career-boosting options.

Dates & Cost

  • 1 week £1,425.00

Start dates:

  • Register your interest below to learn about upcoming start dates.

Start dates are not guaranteed and require a minimum of 4 participants

What’s Included?

  • 24-hour emergency phone
  • 24-hour in-country support
  • Access to Alumni Services and Discounts
  • Airport pick-up (unless otherwise stated)
  • All necessary project equipment and materials
  • All necessary project training by experienced staff
  • Location orientation
  • Long term experienced staff
  • Meals while on project (except on work placements for long term internships)
  • Safe and basic accommodations (usually shared)
  • Welcome meeting

What’s Not Included?

  • Additional drinks and gratuities
  • Extra local excursions
  • Flights
  • International and domestic airport taxes
  • Medical and travel insurance
  • Personal kit
  • Police or background check (where necessary)
  • Visa costs

Reserve your place or ask a question

About Conservation Careers - Internships

Conservation Careers has teamed up a family-run organisation with an amazing culture and an awesome team of people across the world who are passionate experts in their chosen field and will make your experience a truly unforgettable one (in a good way).

Their award-winning projects receive over 2000 participants every year, and we’re proud to say that the vast majority of them describe their experience with them as ‘life changing’. Their approval rate from over 20,000 participants since 1997 is over 95%.

A key component of the success of their community development and conservation projects is the participants who join their programs.