In collaboration with the esteemed Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Sail Caribbean is pleased to offer this hands-on, research and wildlife conservation-based community service program in Belize. Situated on the northeastern tip of Central America with more than 300 miles of Caribbean coastline, Belize is a country full of exotic wildlife above and below the sea. It is home to the longest continuing barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, the largest known classic Mayan city, and the highest concentration per square mile of jaguar. On this 17-day program you will see it all, and earn up to 30 community service hours assisting conservation experts from Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) on projects to protect endangered sea turtles and marine life.

Itinerary
You'll spend half of your trip on Glover's Reef Atoll. An atoll is an island of coral that circles a lagoon, and Glover's Reef Atoll is 90 square miles in size!  While based at Middle Caye (pronounced "key"), where Wildlife Conservation Society maintains its Glover's Reef Marine Research Station, you'll tag and monitor endangered sea turtles with their leading turtle expert. You'll have the chance to dive Belize's most colorful reefs almost every day, including the world-famous Blue Hole! After your work is done on the atoll (if you can call it work!), take your conservation efforts to the mainland! You'll visit the Caves Branch region. There'll also be time to explore Belize's unique towns, visit the mystical Mayan pyramids, and go cave tubing.  Picture a river literally winding through caves and you floating down, guided by your headlamp!  See more details in the Sample Itinerary.

Housing Accommodations
Belize students live at the Glover's Reef Marine Research Station during the first half of the program. Built on stilts, the station's open-bay single-sex dormitories feel much like cabins with beautiful ocean views! During the second half of the program students will live in rustic single-sex cabins and bungalows amidst the Belizean jungle's tropical wildlife. Glimpse howler monkeys, toucans, macaws and maybe even see a tapir, the rhino-like mammal that is Belize's national animal!

Learning & Service
Glover's Reef Atoll's complex and diverse coral reef system is an important site for cutting edge scientific research focused on marine conservation.  While there, you'll learn key concepts in marine science through discussions with experts in the field and use your scuba skills to perform important marine research. You'll assist WCS's turtle expert in tagging and monitoring endangered sea turtles. You'll also study sharks, coral reefs, and discuss important issues relating to marine conservation.

On the mainland, we'll continue our conservation efforts and discussion in a new eco-system: the rainforest. Our classroom will be the rainforest in the Caves Branch region, a nature reserve close to the Maya Mountains. You'll learn about its vast tropical plant and wildlife species from local guides and how to protect these fragile ecosystems. You'll learn the history of the Mayans and their role in the world today. In addition to our research and conservation efforts, you'll lead and participate in discussions and activities as part of our True Course Initiative for leadership training and personal growth. More about Learning in Belize

Activities
You'll earn up to 30 community service hours doing exciting conservation work with WCS experts and also have time for adventure! Grab a buddy and sea kayak through the lagoon's beautiful patch reefs and flats, dive on the second largest barrier reef, explore the jungle, go cave tubing and hike to the top of a sacred Mayan pyramid.  As leader of the day, or "Cacique", you could arrange a morning swim, lead your team in turtle monitoring projects, organize provisioning, and pose challenging questions during our day-end discussions. It's all up to you! Learn more about Activities

Optional Courses
Our Belize program is for certified divers only. You will enjoy recreational diving during your stay on the atoll, and will also have the chance to use your Scuba skills as part of the Belize turtle conservation projects and other marine research. Learn more about Scuba Diving on Belize

Continuing our tradition of strong ties to the local community, and consistent with WCS's strategy of conservation through education, the Belize program will include local Belizean students.  While all students share the same interests in marine science and the environment, the Belizean students bring a unique perspective and passion for conservation - this is their home!  At the end of the program, everyone goes home with new skills, new perspectives, and of course, new friends!