

BELIZE
CARIBBEAN REEF CONSERVATION
A 14-Day Marine Biology Program








Belize

Program Details
Dates: | June 17- June 30, 2021 July 6- July 19, 2021* July 15- July 28, 2021 |
Duration: | 14 days |
Tuition: | $4,495** |
Arrive: | Miami |
Depart: | Miami |
Grade: | 9th, 10th, 11th & 12th (Students Grouped According to Age) *Reserved for Students, Ages 16-19* |
**Airfare for group flight from Miami additional
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Program Highlights
- Help Protect the Largest Barrier Reef in the Western Hemisphere by Removing Invasive Lionfish
- Earn Your PADI SCUBA Certification on a Private Caribbean Island
- Participate in Marine Biology Research Projects Led by Experts, Including Reef Health Checks and Marine Wildlife Surveys
- Combat the Effects of Climate Change on Reef Habitats by Assisting with Coral Restoration
- Monitor Whale Sharks with Local Marine Biologists
- Kayak and Paddleboard in Crystal Clear Tropical Waters
- Enjoy the Belizean Culture in the Tranquil Coastal Town of Placencia
- 16 Hours of Community Service
Spotlight Project
Controlling Invasive Lionfish Populations
The invasive lionfish is one of the greatest threats to coral reefs and fisheries habitat throughout the Caribbean. Scientists are predicting that lionfish will have a grave impact on Belize’s already stressed stocks of fish and lobster and could spell potential disaster for marine habitats. Working with our partner organization, students will help hunt and spear lionfish, then assist researchers with fish dissections to collect data that will help control this destructive predator. The lionfish are also supplied to local restaurants as a tasty culinary delicacy, providing food and economic income source for community residents.
Program Overview
Spend two weeks exploring the rich marine life of this beautiful tropical nation. Earn your PADI SCUBA certification or advance your current skills while diving in the Belize Barrier Reef World Heritage Site, home to sea turtles, manatees, peaceful whale sharks, and playful dolphins. Spend your days helping marine researchers as they work to protect the reef from lionfish, conduct reef health checks, and monitor local wildlife populations. Learn how local community members are growing coral colonies to help protect reefs from the effects of climate change and global warming. Spend your free time kayaking and paddleboarding through the clear tropical waters around our private Belize island, or relax in a hammock under the shade of palm trees. Enjoy delicious home-cooked meals, then sit alongside your new friends to watch the sunset over the tranquil Caribbean sea.
Photo Gallery
Program Details
Private Belize Island
Arriving into Miami, you’ll meet your ARCC leaders and fellow students, then fly together to Belize City, and onward to the small coastal village of Placencia. Here we will meet marine biologists from a local non-profit organization with a mission to protect our oceans through science, action, and advocacy. From Placencia, the group takes a short boat ride to the private island we will call home for the next week. We have the island entirely to ourselves for the next week as we delve deep into the marine conservation efforts in the area.
Caribbean Scuba Diving
The first three days will be spent practicing SCUBA skills to earn our PADI dive certification. Students who are already certified will jump directly into assisting the biologists with our spotlight project and marine research topics, with newly certified students joining them after they complete their skills tests. Together we enjoy world-class diving on some of the most unique habitats in the Caribbean.
Belize Barrier Reef World Heritage Site
In addition to the main project of controlling invasive lionfish populations, we’ll have the opportunity to get involved with various other ongoing projects on the island. These include measuring Caribbean Spiny Lobsters, protecting the breeding grounds of the iconic Queen Conchs, looking for migrating whale sharks, surveying the reef for areas of coral bleaching, and identifying fish and other marine life around the area.
Laughing Bird Caye National Park
After returning to the mainland, we’ll meet with a local non-profit organization that is helping lead one of the Caribbean’s most successful reef restoration projects. We’ll learn about the process of growing coral that is resistant to bleaching and disease, in an effort to save reefs from the effects of a changing climate. A visit to Laughing Bird Caye National Park allows us to see the results of the project, as we snorkel through the newly planted coral nurseries.
Placencia Peninsula
Having bonded as a group, we spend the last few days of our trip enjoying the tranquil atmosphere in Placencia where we’ll have a chance to enjoy authentic Belizean culture, including samples of local cuisine, shopping for handmade souvenirs, and mingling with friendly locals. We return home to share memories of the big adventures this small country has provided!
Common Questions
What makes this trip unique?
We are one of the few organizations that run marine conservation-focused summer programs for teenagers in Belize. This trip is perfect for students who want to spend a summer learning about marine biology while contributing to important conservation efforts and earning a dive certification, or improve existing dive skills. You’ll also work closely with experts and organizations in the marine science field.
Do I need to be SCUBA certified to do this program?
While there is a large amount of scuba diving on this program, you do not need to be previously certified in order to participate. Students who are new to diving will complete the PADI online portion of the Open Water course prior to arrival, and will then complete the in-water skills section on the island. If you’re already certified, you can begin diving as soon as you arrive on the island.
I’m not a scientist, but I am passionate about the ocean and diving. Will I still be able to help make a significant contribution?
Absolutely! The research techniques are simple and straight-forward and you will learn all you need to know to help the researchers collect data. You will have a unique opportunity to learn about and help conserve the marine environment while also having a fun experience. This trip is for both experienced and non-experienced divers, scientists and non-scientists alike — everyone makes a contribution regardless of their background and experience.
What should I pack?
Each program has a specific packing list that has been designed to fit the program’s activities, length, climate, and cultural differences.
Where do we sleep?
During this program we sleep in a variety of accommodations: small bungalows, private lodges and hotels.
What is the food like?
Belizean cuisine showcases a mixture of many regional traditions and food habits, with major influences from Mexican, Caribbean, and Mayan culinary methods. We will have the opportunity to sample traditional local cuisine such as beans, rice, chicken and tropical fruit.
Vegetarians and medical dietary requirements (i.e., allergies) are catered for. It does help if we are informed of this prior to departure date.
What is the transportation like once we are in Belize?
We will be using a variety of transportation methods, including shuttles, vans and boats. Our partner organization will provide a private boat to take the group to and from the private island.
Do I need a passport?
Yes, all students traveling to Belize need to have a valid passport. Please make sure the passport expiration date is at least six months after your program start date.
Be sure to make a photocopy of your passport and keep it in a separate place. If you lose your passport and you have a photocopy, it is much easier to replace.
Do I need a Visa?
No. US and Canadian Citizens do not need a visa for this program.
What is the time difference between Belize and the USA?
Belize is in the Central Standard Time (CST) zone and is six hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (UTC-6:00). There is no daylight savings in Belize, so during daylight saving in the U.S., the time in Belize is the same as Mountain Time (MT).
What is the weather like in Belize?
The weather is a lot like Florida in the summer. During the day it can be hot, sunny, and humid. The average daily high temperature is in the high 80s with lows in the high 70s. Late afternoons often bring showers, which help cool us off.
How often can we take showers and do laundry?
Students will have limited opportunities to take showers on the island, due to water conservation. There will be opportunities for more regular showers on the mainland. There will be one main laundry stop in Placencia during the two weeks. For ease of travel, quick dry clothes are recommended on the packing list.
What kind of health precautions should I take before traveling to Belize?
Belize is a relatively clean and safe place to travel. However, ARCC does recommend that you take some health precautions before your program. When you enroll in the program, you will receive more detailed information on pertinent travel vaccinations and immunizations. We base all health precautions on recommendations of the U.S. Center for Disease Control; you can find more information in the Traveler’s Health section of the CDC website. Our leaders carry a full first-aid kit and are all certified Wilderness First Responders (WFR).
Do I really need to bring a backpack, or can I bring a rolling suitcase on this program?
Although you will not be doing traditional backpacking on this trip, it is important that you bring a backpack or duffel as your main piece of luggage. During the trip the group will be navigating through airports, getting on and off boats, and taking short walks. The group will be able to move much more efficiently if everyone is able to carry their luggage.
Do I need to speak another language to join this program?
No. English is the official language in Belize. Spanish is the second most popular language, and many Belizians are bilingual.
How much money should I bring?
We suggest you bring about $75 per week on your program. This is for souvenirs, laundry, and other incidentals. ARCC pays for all meals, lodging, transportation and activities. There is some time to shop for souvenirs in Placencia. We recommend you bring about half your money in cash and the other half on a credit card.
In Belize the official currency is the Belize Dollar. US dollars are interchangeable with Belize dollars, but US coins are not accepted (they will also not accept US bills with any marks or tears, so check bills closely). We suggest that you carry about $50 of your money in small denominations ($1, $5, and $10 USD).
Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted, and ATMs are available in Placencia. We do not recommend debit cards, prepaid credit cards, or traveler’s checks. As with any international program, we strongly recommend talking to your bank about its international withdrawal policies to avoid any surprise fees or card cancellations.
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