Overview

Discover the exciting career path of marine conservation, immerse yourself in Mexican culture and explore the ancient Mayan ruins when you join a team of international under 18 volunteers AND get career training from Conservation Careers!

Discover a new world when you learn about issues facing marine conservation and earn your PADI Open Water qualification in Mexico’s pristine Yucatan Peninsula. Learn to identify fish and coral species as well as how to conduct reef-based research. Explore ancient Mayan Cities, tropical jungles, and incredible dive sites on this once-in-a-lifetime trip.

You will learn first-hand about the issues facing marine ecosystems and learn valuable skills such as fish and coral identification and how to conduct reef-based research as a base for a career in marine biology, conservation or professional diving from a local and international team. Spend time discovering the local sights and sounds in between putting your new skills to use.Please note that this program offers durations of 2 to 3 weeks. Please speak to your Country Expert for further information.

Highlights Include:Complete your PADI Dive certification in perfect turquoise waters and discover abundant marine life. You may see marine turtles, dolphins, and perhaps even whale sharks! You will explore ancient Mayan Cities and discover rich Mexican history set deep in tropical jungles, and have a chance to maybe even visit fascinating cenotes, underground river networks in the Yucatan.

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

See below for what you can expect from life on the project…

Once you’ve arrived at base and settled in after being collected from Cancun airport, you’ll ease into project life with some introductions, background information and local history before getting stuck into the formal and practical learning which will be focussed on the marine environment and conservation in general.

When you get started on your PADI Open Water diving course, you’ll spend a few days finding your fins with some confined water training to prepare you for the open ocean. The course includes most of your specialised dive gear, training materials, confined water training followed by ocean dives, your exams and your certification. Since you’ll be learning from experts, you’ll pick up on some of the best tips and tricks and learn more about marine conservation on the way, all while experiencing some of the best diving conditions the world has to offer.

Once you’re comfortable in your new aquatic environment, you’ll be able to test and refine your newly-acquired skills and knowledge by snorkelling and SCUBA diving on the coral reefs where you’ll identify various marine species and the conservation issues you have been learning about. Since you’ll be with a team of project staff, conservationists and local dive experts, you’ll constantly be able to continue your learning!

You’ll have the opportunity to visit our marine conservation program base in Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve with a team of local and international researchers to learn about their efforts to conserve the this stunning area.

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 practical experience in the basics of marine conservation as well as confidence and a clear understanding of important concepts such as best practise principles. You’ll develop effective teamwork and leadership skills and be prepared for working in remote and challenging locations. A strong base of primary knowledge in terms of 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 collabourative 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 weekend trip before returning to base to continue with more diving and underwater conservation.

BONUS! Kick-starter online training for Early Career Conservationists (worth £295)

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

The programme costs £2,595.00 and start dates are as follows:

• 2022: 23 July
• 2023: 22 July