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You’ll be matched with your personal volunteer travel expert who’ll guide you every step of the way.
Meet Your Travel Expert
Receive your welcome pack with everything you need: arrival info, contacts, visa and insurance help, packing tips, vaccines, language basics, and so much more.
Get Ready to Go!
Choose your dream project and apply for free—no commitment, just excitement!
Pick Your Destination & Apply
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Once your dates are confirmed, pay your program fee—choose to pay in full or in easy installments.
Secure Your Spot
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Want to volunteer with reef and marine life conservation in Belize? Our Travel Roots Reef and Marine Life Conservation Assistant Program gives you the chance to actively support one of the most diverse and important reef ecosystems in the world.
Based on a remote island in the Belize Barrier Reef, this program is ideal for ocean lovers who want to contribute to marine research and reef protection through citizen science, hands-on education, and daily diving.
Assist with reef monitoring and biodiversity surveys.
You’ll work alongside experienced instructors and conservation leaders to collect data on coral, fish, and invertebrate species. Your dives will support long-term monitoring programs aimed at protecting the reef’s health and resilience.Learn by doing—with purpose on every dive.
As a volunteer, you’ll participate in:
– Marine species identification dives
– Coral and fish population surveys
– Invertebrate and ecosystem health monitoring
– Data collection and logging
– Marine ecology education sessions
– Beach clean-ups and reef protection workshopsDesigned for all levels of divers.
Whether you’re just starting out or already certified, the program welcomes all experience levels. New divers can complete their PADI Open Water certification on the island, while more advanced divers can work toward specialties and leadership levels.Contribute to conservation where it matters most.
Your participation helps build a clearer picture of the reef’s health and biodiversity, empowering local and international efforts to protect it. By diving with purpose, you’ll not only explore the underwater world—you’ll help safeguard its future.By volunteering on our Reef and Marine Life Conservation Assistant Program in Belize, you will:
• Conduct underwater surveys to monitor reef biodiversity
• Assist in fish, coral, and invertebrate identification dives
• Learn marine research techniques and citizen science methods
• Help collect and log critical data for conservation efforts
• Take part in coral health assessments and reef mapping
• Live and work on a private Caribbean island surrounded by marine life
• Gain or advance your PADI scuba diving certification
• Make a tangible impact in preserving one of the world’s most vital ecosystems
What to Expect: A Day in the Life of a Reef & Marine Life Conservation Volunteer in Belize
On this program, your days revolve around meaningful conservation dives, marine education, and life on a remote Caribbean island. Whether you’re diving with parrotfish, studying coral formations, or soaking in the sunset with fellow volunteers, every moment is a blend of purpose and paradise.
6:30 AM – Morning Wake-Up
Rise to the sound of the waves and prepare for another day on (and under) the reef. Enjoy a simple breakfast in the communal dining space.7:30 AM – Daily Dive Briefing
Join your team for a morning briefing outlining the day’s dive objectives—such as reef surveys, fish counts, or coral health assessments. Equipment is prepped and loaded.8:00 AM – First Dive of the Day
Head out to the reef for your first conservation dive. You might:
– Conduct marine species ID surveys
– Monitor reef zones for biodiversity and ecosystem health
– Record data on fish, coral, or invertebrate populations10:30 AM – Second Dive & Data Logging
After a short surface interval, complete a second dive focused on a different task or site. Back on land, you'll help log your findings for the research database.12:30 PM – Lunch & Midday Break
Recharge with a freshly prepared lunch and enjoy some downtime—swim, snorkel, or relax in a hammock.2:00 PM – Afternoon Projects or Education Sessions
Afternoons may include:
– Reef ecology workshops or fish ID quizzes
– Beach clean-ups or marine conservation games
– Optional third dive or community building activities4:30 PM – Free Time
Unwind and enjoy island life—read, play volleyball, or connect with fellow volunteers.6:30 PM – Dinner & Social Time
Share stories over dinner, then enjoy music, games, and stargazing as the sky lights up above the reef.Day Off
Each week includes a day off for rest or personal exploration. Longer-stay volunteers may also arrange to explore Belize's mainland after their program.Every day is an adventure, with just the right balance of conservation, connection, and Caribbean calm.
Your Impact as a Volunteer
By joining this program, you’ll become part of a global effort to protect and preserve the delicate balance of one of the world’s most vital marine ecosystems. Your contribution directly supports reef conservation through hands-on data collection, species monitoring, and daily reef assessments.
Each dive you take plays a role in building a long-term picture of the reef’s health. From recording fish populations to identifying coral bleaching, your observations inform real conservation strategies and help shape reef protection policies across Belize and beyond.
You’ll also contribute to marine education—both your own and that of others. As you learn about reef ecology and ocean science, you’ll become an informed advocate for marine protection, spreading knowledge and inspiring change in your own community.
Whether you stay for one week or eight, your work creates a ripple effect—supporting biodiversity, advancing citizen science, and helping ensure the reef can thrive for generations to come.
Your Caribbean Castaway Island Stay
Volunteers stay on a private, off-grid island located 25 miles off the coast of Belize—surrounded by turquoise waters, coral reefs, and nothing but sea breezes and starlit skies. While the accommodations are simple, the setting is truly five-star.
Sleeping Arrangements
You’ll be staying in clean, comfortable beachside cabanas that are best described as hostel-style in layout. The large main cabana houses individuals, couples, families, and groups, while additional single cabanas are scattered across the island for those seeking a bit more privacy.
What’s Included
•All bedding and mosquito-free rooms
•Fans provided in all rooms for additional comfort
•Shared bathroom and shower facilities
•Sweeping sea views from every room
•No Wi-Fi—perfect for a digital detox and deeper connection with nature
•No mosquitoes or sand flies due to the island’s location and natural breezeIsland Life
There’s no air-conditioning on the island, but thanks to strong, consistent trade winds, the breeze keeps the island naturally cool. While rooms may get warm at times, the sound of the sea and the open, airy layout provide a calming, peaceful sleep environment.
Meals & Community Living
All meals are provided and shared communally in the open-air dining area. The food is freshly prepared and hearty—perfect for fueling your dives and conservation work. Expect a variety of local and international dishes, often with vegetarian options available.
Volunteering here isn’t about luxury—it’s about living simply, intentionally, and in harmony with your environment. From waking to the sound of waves to falling asleep under a sky full of stars, your stay on the island will be one to remember.
History
Since 2006, this passionate marine conservation initiative has been safeguarding the fragile coral reef ecosystems of Belize. Operating from a small, private island in the heart of the Caribbean, the organisation empowers everyday people to become ocean advocates through hands-on conservation and underwater research.
What began as a grassroots effort to monitor reef health has evolved into one of the country’s most recognised marine conservation operations—leading efforts to remove invasive species, educate global volunteers, and gather crucial data to support the long-term protection of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.
Mission & Vision
The mission is to protect and preserve the reef ecosystem through active participation, education, and community engagement. By equipping volunteers with the tools and knowledge to get involved—whether it’s tracking whale shark sightings, spearing invasive lionfish, or identifying coral health—they turn passion into purpose beneath the surface.
Their vision is to create a ripple effect—where each person who joins the program carries the message of ocean conservation back to their home community. Together, the global volunteer network becomes an ocean of change, with each dive making a difference.
This project is more than just a marine experience—it’s a movement of people who care deeply for our oceans and are ready to protect them, one reef at a time.
Program Fees & What’s Included
Duration Fee (EUR)
1 week €932
2 weeks €1,816
3 weeks €2,698
4 weeks €3,582
5 weeks €4,465
6 weeks €5,348
7 weeks €6,229
8 weeks €7,198
PADI Certification Courses Offered on the Island
• Open Water Certification - €214 (3 days)
• Advanced Open Water Certification - €261 (3 days)
• Rescue Diver Certification - €308 (1 week)
• Divemaster Certification - €710 (Min 4-weeks)PADI Specialty Certification Courses Offered on the Island
You Can See Our Full List of Specialty Dive Certification Couses HEREWhat’s Included
✅ Shared accommodation on a private Caribbean island
✅ Three fresh meals daily (Monday to Friday, light meals on weekends)
✅ All conservation training and educational workshops
✅ Daily scuba diving and marine conservation dives
✅ Full dive equipment use and boat transport to dive sites
✅ Whale shark monitoring and biodiversity ID dives
✅ Invasive species control and beach clean-up activities
✅ Welcome pack full of necessary and useful info
✅ Full support before, during, and after your program
✅ 100% Cancellation Money-Back Guarantee
✅ So much moreYour Investment in Ocean Science & Personal Growth
This program gives you the chance to become a real conservation assistant—learning and applying marine science skills that make a measurable difference. Your investment supports the reef, funds ongoing research, and equips you with knowledge and experience that will stay with you for life.
Whether you're pursuing a career in marine biology or simply passionate about protecting our oceans, your time here is a step toward meaningful change.
Where You’ll Be – A Private Island on the Belize Barrier Reef
Your new home will be a remote, palm-fringed island located 25 miles off the southern coast of Belize—right on the Belize Barrier Reef, the second largest reef system in the world. Surrounded by crystal-clear turquoise waters and thriving coral reefs, this off-the-grid island is a paradise for ocean lovers and conservationists alike.
There are no roads, no shops, and no distractions—just the soothing sound of waves, the glow of the sunrise, and a vibrant marine world waiting just beneath the surface. The island is small and community-focused, offering the perfect base for diving, marine education, and simple, purposeful living.
Everything happens here—training, diving, conservation work, meals, and sunset socials. With no Wi-Fi and no light pollution, it's a place to fully disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with nature, your fellow volunteers, and yourself.
Belize – The Jewel of Central America
Belize is a nation where the Caribbean Sea meets lush rainforest, where ancient Mayan ruins coexist with vibrant Creole, Garifuna, and Mestizo cultures. It’s one of the most biodiverse and culturally rich countries in the region—and a global leader in marine conservation.
The waters around Belize are world-famous for their biodiversity, attracting snorkelers and divers from around the globe. Here, you’ll find over 500 species of fish, massive coral formations, and larger marine species such as sea turtles, rays, and (occasionally) whale sharks.
The climate is warm and tropical year-round, with cooling sea breezes and the occasional short rain shower. Whether you're a seasoned traveller or new to international volunteering, Belize is a friendly, safe, and incredibly beautiful destination to explore.
Free time Activities
& Tours
When you're not diving or participating in marine conservation work, your free time on the island is a chance to slow down, connect with nature, and fully enjoy your Caribbean surroundings.
With one full day off each week and relaxed afternoons, there are plenty of ways to unwind, explore, and recharge.
Here’s what you can look forward to in your free time:
Island Living at Its Best
• Swim, snorkel, or free dive right off the beach
• Hammock naps under palm trees
• Beach volleyball or paddleboarding
• Sunset watching with a cup of tea or fresh coconut in hand
• Stargazing without light pollution—see the Milky Way like never before
On-Island Extras
• Marine ecology talks and ocean conservation discussions
• Photography walks and underwater photo opportunities
• Fish ID challenges and games with fellow volunteers
• Relax with a book, journal, or meditation on the dock
Weekend Exploration (for longer-stay volunteers)
For volunteers staying multiple weeks, additional time on the mainland before or after your program offers the chance to:
• Explore the rainforest or visit ancient Mayan ruins
• Take a boat tour through mangroves or spot manatees
• Visit local towns like Punta Gorda for cultural immersion
• Experience Belizean cuisine and handmade crafts
Whether you’re chasing fish with your GoPro, learning to spearfish lionfish, or laughing around the dinner table with new friends, your downtime will be as meaningful and memorable as your time in the water.
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