Mexico Marine Expedition

Mexico

From £2,695

Programme Capacity: 24

Programme Focuses will get involved in a variety of activities such as:

Monitoring the health of coral reefs through monitoring the corals and fish Volunteers are divided into fish or coral by the onsite Science Officer

Allocated to learn Fish families and the appropriate methodology, they may also be able to help with and learn Coral Watch

Itinerary
Itinerary

Need to know

Activities in the Puerto Morelos HUB start at 0700 hrs with the volunteers and on base staff sharing in different duties (preparing breakfast for everyone, setting up dive equipment, setting up boat equipment, base cleaning).

After that, the rest of the day volunteers will be allocated to diverse activities such as: working on the coral restoration project in it laboratory area, dive training, in field science training, in base science training, dive brifiengs, lectures, and diverse GVI activities.

The end of activities comes at 1800 hrs, after enjoing a nutrious hearty dinner.

Volunteers can expect to have just a couple of hours a day of personal time in this time schedule from Monday to Friday.

Basic overview of location, province and places of intrest

The Mexican coastal area known as the Riviera Maya, is one of the most unique and important habitats in the world. It is home to one of the largest coral ecosystems around the globe as well as critically endangered species such as the Hawksbill sea turtle. Human factors affecting this habitat include unsustainable fishing methods, unregulated property development along the coastline, unchecked tourism activities, and climate change. Since 2018, a new coral illness, known as white band, has caused fatalities in over 40% of Caribbean coral in one year.

Orientation and training

The first week involves a thorough induction. First aid training is conducted and all volunteers will do a swim test (not timed). An orientation oxygen use is given. PADI dive courses begin or for those already certified a refresher dive is scheduled. Marine based lectures are given by our science officers and will continue for the duration over the first 2- 3 weeks of the expedition. Volunteers are given a tutorial on either fish or coral and begin to study in their spare time taking computer tests as frequently as they like. In water science training begins. An introduction of community work will be done when it best suits the group.

Free time

You will have weekends off but you won't have much free time during the week as you will be busy with training or in the water. You will have breaks for meals and then a bit of free time in the evenings to relax or enjoy social activities with the other participants.

Main attractions, activities and nature

This is a real chance to learn hands on conservation techniques and provide our primary partners with accurate data which can be used to monitor the health of the marine environment and support active conservation measures in the area. Be part of a National effort to reproduce more than 260,000 coral fragments. It must be stressed that this is a Marine conservation programme not a cheap way to get lots of dives! We dive and snorkel and use many different ways to monitor reef health. This is not a standalone diving programme people need to be aware that they may not dive every day. But all that we do is geared towards positive work supporting our partners.
Trip Overview

Trip Overview

Visa Information:

The visa that you need for this program is a Tourist Visa. For most nationalities, this doesn’t need to be arranged in advance. Check with the immigration authorities of the countries you intend to visit, or see the Embassy of Mexico website. For those planning on staying beyond the maximum number of days allotted on a normal tourist visa (180 days) or undertaking further programs with GVI, please make sure you ask your Support Coordinator for the details on how to obtain the appropriate visa for your stay and approximate associated costs which you are responsible for.

Communications:

There is stable Wi-Fi internet at the base and off-site accommodation. You will also receive a SIM card for your cell phone from GVI or you can buy a cheap cell phone once in Puerto Morelos if you prefer not to bring one. The base has a Whatsapp group that participants and staff use to keep in touch in the run-up to your program start date. You will be added to that group once your online pre-departure training has been completed. Please note that bringing electronic devices and valuables is a personal choice and staff cannot provide insurance or safe storage for all valuable items such as laptops. You are responsible for looking after your personal belongings. Ensure all devices, such as mobile phones or laptops, are covered under your travel insurance policy. GVI cannot be held liable for any losses. Please be aware that the postal service is not that reliable in Mexico, so normal post-delivered parcels can take over 2 months to arrive. If using a courier service like FedEx, they will not deliver to a post box so please use the physical address. Certain items might get held in customs which means you will have to pay taxes to have the parcel delivered e.g. dive equipment, electronics, food, medications, clothes.

Mailing and physical address:

GVI. FAO: Your name. Address; Matamoros 7, esquina con Hidalgo, Centro, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, CP 77580, Mexico, Centro Regional de Investigacion Pesquera (CRIP), INAPESCA
What's Included?

What's Included?

Accommodation:

Current accommodation (present until January 2022) Accommodation is currently located 20 min walk from base because of COVID-19 restrictions. Participants share rooms and have a private bathroom. This will likely be the case until January 2022. Accommodations have Wi-Fi, AC and a small kitchen with refrigerator.

Base accommodation (not valid before January 2022) Accommodation is in shared (mixed gender) dorm rooms with shared bathroom facilities. There is bottled water available for cooking and drinking. Ambient temperature water for showers and flush toilet facilities. Participants share base duties including cooking, cleaning, gear and equipment maintenance, and other chores.

Food:

You will prepare your own breakfast during the week. This can be cereal, eggs, porridge, waffles, pancakes, toast and coffee or tea. During the week lunch and dinner is prepared by a local cook and on weekends you will be responsible for preparing your own meals unless you choose to eat out at your own expense. Food is basic and mostly vegetarian, with meat (pork or chicken) available once a week.

Side Trips:

Many participants wait until they arrive in Mexico before making travel plans for their spare time. It's fun to plan activities with the other participants and it also helps to share travel costs. Currently, COVID regulations have temporarily restricted travel to Puerto Morelos but there is no shortage of incredible things to see and do in your spare time! Puerto Morelos is home to the best-preserved section of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. This piece of the second largest barrier reef in the world is also closer to land in Puerto Morelos than anywhere else in Mexico. Puerto Morelos is located on the Yucatan Peninsula, around 1 and a half hours from the well-known Tulum and it's a short boat ride away from the island paradise of Cozumel. It is also only 20 mins from Cancun and Playa del Carmen. While in Puerto Morelos, you will be based 2.5 kilometres (1.59 miles) away from town which is about a 25-minute walk.
Pricing & Availability

Cost for additional weeks:

3 week total: £2995.00

4 week total: £3395.00

5 week total: £3745.00

6 week total: £4095.00

7 week total: £4445.00

8 week total: £4845.00

9 week total: £5145.00

10 week total: £5545.00

11 week total: £5895.00

12 week total: £6245.00

For extra info please contact:

Email: info@whereaboutsholidays.com Phone: 0161 703 8161

Date From Date To Price
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