Your internship will start off with you mastering the diving and underwater survey techniques needed to conduct coral reef surveys whichj are accurate and don't harm the reef.
Once your training is complete, you will work alongside other participants to help monitor assigned sections of the reef. Depending on the duration of your stay, you will learn about how to identify fish, coral, and other marine life as well as how this data is used by local authorities to make decisions about conservation. You will also assist our local partners with their ongoing coral restoration project by either growing coral fragments in a laboratory or transplanting these coral fragments onto the reef.
Throughout the internship, you will learn about the importance of engaging local communities to ensure that marine conservation initiatives have long-lasting positive results.
Program Highlights:
- Gain experience in a range of marine conservation initiatives, including coral reef surveying and restoration.
- Earn your PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certification.
- Complete GVI & PADI’s unique qualification, the PADI Coral Reef Restoration Diver (CRRD) Distinctive Speciality.
- Preserve the unique ecosystem of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.
- Contribute to UN SDG #14, Life Below Water.
- Learn to dive in the tropical waters of the Caribbean sea.
- Make new friends when you work with a group of like-minded individuals from around the world.
- Immerse yourself in Mexican culture, learning the language and sampling authentic Mexican cuisine.
