Overview

Contribute to the restoration and preservation of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System AND get career training from Conservation Careers!

Learn how to scuba-dive and conduct coral reef research, gaining skills for underwater surveys to preserve Mexico’s Caribbean coast, aligned with UN SDG 14: Life Below Water. Become an eco-conscious diver, studying reef ecology, indicator species, and scientific methods. Your collected data will support local authorities in sustainable coastal decisions.

Are you passionate about marine conservation? The Mexican coastal area known as the Riviera Maya – known for its clear waters and beautiful beaches – also hosts several unique and important ecosystems, as well as critically endangered species like the Hawksbill sea turtle. It is home to the northernmost portion of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System (the second largest in the world), seagrass beds and mangrove forests. Hard and soft corals, hundreds of species of fish and marine invertebrates, as well as sea turtles and manatees call this area home. Due to several human related factors like unsustainable fishing practices, unsustainable coastal development, massive tourism activities and climate change, this area is facing an uncertain future. Added to this, the appearance of a new coral disease, stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) in 2018 has diminished coral coverage to less than 25% – with certain coral species completely disappearing from some sites.

Volunteers on this program will contribute to the conservation of the coral reef ecosystem. They will assist with minimising marine plastic pollution by collecting waste during weekly beach cleanups, collecting data from this and sharing it online with our partners, as well as learning about proper waste management. Volunteers might also engage in environmental education activities with the local community to empower them in the conservation of the coral reef.

Your program will start with our professional staff providing you with the necessary training. You’ll learn proper in-water coral reef monitoring techniques, how to dive and how to become an environmentally aware diver. During this time you will earn your PADI Advanced Open Water certification and the Distinctive Specialty certification of PADI Coral Reef Restoration Diver (CRRD). This unique offering by our partner and PADI teaches best practices when conducting coral reefs surveys and participating in coral reef restoration projects (available to participants staying participating longer than 2 weeks).

Highlights

  • Support UN SDG:14. Participate in a range of impactful marine conservation initiatives that are guided by UN SDG 14: Life Below Water.
  • Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. Dive into the tropical waters of the Caribbean Sea and experience the breathtaking coral ecosystem of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.
  • Be part of the real deal. Contribute to ongoing environmental projects that address critical challenges aligned to the global UN SDGs.
  • Join ethical initiatives. Join local conservation partners and qualified professionals to ensure your efforts are highly ethical, meaningful and sustainable.
  • Experience unreal adventures. Venture outside typical travel itineraries to get exclusive access to extraordinary remote habitats, rare species and unique ecosystems.
  • Make friends for life. Share epic experiences with like-minded, passionate changemakers from all over the globe.
  • Enjoy a hassle-free, safe trip. With expert local staff and 24/7 support at every step – you can relax and enjoy the experience stress-free.
  • Take a break. Disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with nature, yourself and your purpose.

Our Award-winning Partner

Conservation Careers has teamed up with an award-winning, mission-driven organisation with a team of passionate experts across the globe who will make your experience a truly unforgettable one.

Founded in 1998, they run programs in 26 locations, in 22 countries around the world, each aligned to the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as well as the objectives of local partners. They welcome participants from all around the world and help facilitate their development into global citizens. This is how they achieve their mission of building a global network of people united by their passion to make a difference.

Their commitment to running high-quality sustainable development and experiential education programs has earned them recognition from numerous organizations such as Panthera, the Seychelles Parks & Gardens Authority, as well as Stanford, NYU, Duke, and Ohio State.

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

Explore all our Conservation Careers Internship opportunities.

Location and life on base

Our Puerto Morelos research station – where you’ll take part in project work – is located 80 metres from the beach. Your accommodation – where you’ll hang out, sleep and eat – is located 15 minutes by car, 45 minutes by bike or 90 minutes on foot from the beach. One of the best-kept secrets in the Yucatan, the small town of Puerto Morelos is incredibly safe and has a laid-back vibe with a friendly and welcoming local community. There are no big resorts or casinos here.

Mexico, while culturally diverse, is also one of the most biodiverse countries in the world.

From mariachi bands to Mayan temples, Mexico is best known for being the birthplace of the iconic taco. Puerto Morelos is the oldest port community in the Mexican Caribbean. Home to the northernmost tip of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System (the second largest barrier reef in the world), Puerto Morelos is a spectacular diving location. You’ll spot sea turtles and various rays – from the famous Caribbean stingray to the spotted eagle ray. If mammals are more your thing, West Indian manatees have been seen and a pod of bottlenose dolphins are frequent visitors. The mangroves offer the chance to see a variety of animals and waterbirds, including protected species like the American crocodile.

Your typical day includes diving, lab work, training on base, beach cleanups and community work. Rounded off with evening debriefs followed by dinner and time to relax – taking in a beautiful sunset, and sharing stories with your fellow team members.

On weekends, participants enjoy free time until Sunday dinner at the base. Local fun includes games, movies, beach time and beach volleyball. The base has kayaks and SUPs that participants can use in their free time under the supervision of a staff member. There are also 5 bicycles that participants can use. Getting around is easy with affordable public options, taxis, or bike rentals (30 – 100 USD/month).

Activities

Some of the example typical activities you could participate in on this program include:

  • Fieldwork training. Learn how to identify species, conduct surveys and collect data to help build a research inventory of marine species in Mexico.
  • Conservation surveys. Applying standardised data collection protocols, you will assist in underwater surveys of key indicator species of the coral reef ecosystem.
  • Conservation project work. Assist with additional research activities such as coral restoration, seagrass monitoring, beach cleanups and community conservation outreach.
  • PADI Open Water. Learn or improve scuba-diving skills through theory, confined water, and open water dives (applicable to programs over 8 weeks).
  • PADI Advanced Open Water. Gain more diving experience and try different types of dives: deep, navigation, buoyancy, naturalist, night, search, recovery and boat diving.
  • PADI Emergency First Response. Learn 9 primary care skills and 4 secondary care skills in theory. Apply them in role-playing scenarios to prepare you to assist in an emergency.
  • CRRD Distinctive Speciality. Advance your diving skills with this unique PADI speciality to participate in coral restoration projects. Available for 4+ week participants.
  • PADI Rescue Diver. Increase your diver safety awareness, handle complex situations, and practise interventions via rescue scenarios (available on 8+ week programs).

Skills

  • Coral reef species identification
  • Data entry
  • EFR training
  • Marine conservation
  • PADI
  • Survey research
  • Volunteering
  • Cultural awareness
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Communication
  • Teamwork
  • Easily adaptable

BONUS! Conservation Career Kick-Starter online training programme (worth $495 / £375 / €450)

Do you want to spend your career helping wildlife to flourish, but are feeling a little lost, confused or disillusioned?

Start your career in wildlife conservation with a unique programme of training, support community & jobs from Conservation Careers!

The Conservation Career Kick-Starter is a proven step-by-step system to get you hired quicker as a professional conservationist.

The Kick-Starter is trusted by over 2,500 people, and 40 universities, with 99% ratings. 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.

After going through the course, you’ll have created a personal career plan which will give you confidence in your job hunt and will make everything quicker, simpler and more fun!

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 the Kick-Starter when you get back from your placement.

Included with the Kick-Starter is a year’s full-access to the world’s biggest conservation job board with over 15,000 jobs, plus access to our private online support community, CC Pro.

Duration, dates and cost

Register your interest below to learn about upcoming start dates, durations and costs.

What’s included

General

  • Food
  • Safe and basic accommodation (usually shared)
  • Airport pick up (unless stated)
  • All project equipment
  • 24-hour in-country support from local staff
  • 24-hour emergency desk
  • Experiences

Activities

  • Sustainable project work
  • Data collection and research

Pre-program training

  • Pre-departure webinar
  • Pre-departure training (online)
  • University of Richmond endorsed specialisation course

Welcome training

  • Welcome presentation
  • Health & safety
  • Local culture & environment
  • UN SDGs
  • Impact & ethics
  • Child protection

What’s Excluded

  • Flights
  • International and domestic airport taxes
  • Medical and travel insurance
  • Visa costs
  • Police or background check
  • Personal items and toiletries
  • Additional drinks and gratuities

Reserve your place or ask a question