Aim

To provide people who are passionate about the natural environment and keen to pursue a career in marine conservation, gaining practical experience working within a non-profit conservation organization.

What skills will you learn?

• SCUBA diving qualifications up to Advanced Open Water (if necessary)

• Caribbean reef fish, reef associated organisms & coral identification

• Research dive experience

• Coral reef surveying techniques

• Marine Megafauna population monitoring skills

• Experience working within a marine research institution

• Community outreach and environmental education skills

• Experience of conservation and eco-tourism issues on a Caribbean island

What is included in the project cost?

• PADI dive certifications (Open Water & Advanced – if necessary)

• Between 6-8 research dives per week upon completion of dive course training

• Pick up on arrival to Utila (provided you give us your arrival details)

• Accommodation (includes wifi, shared kitchen, tap water bills)

• Welcome meal and goodbye cocktail mixer

• REEF level 2 surveyor certification & Coral Monitoring ID training

• Responsible lionfish removal workshop

• T-shirt

Dates & Cost:

Intern programs are one month long, beginning on the first Monday of each month and lasting a duration of 4 weeks. The list below shows available program dates for 2024-2025. For all dates, prices listed cover the duration of the one month program:

2,249 for certified Advanced Open Water divers

$2,578 for certified Open Water divers

$2,907 for uncertified applicants

2024-2025 WSORC MCI Start and End Dates

August 5th – August 31st, 2024**

September 2nd – September 28th, 2024

September 30th – October 26th, 2024

October 28th – November 23rd, 2024

November 25th – December 21st, 2024

January 6th – February 1st, 2025

February 3rd – March 1st, 2025

March 3rd – March 29th, 2025

April 7th – May 3rd, 2025

May 5th – May 31st, 2025

June 2nd – June 28th, 2025**

June 30th – July 26th, 2025**

August 4th – August 30th, 2025**

September 1st – September 27th, 2025

September 29th – October 25th, 2025

October 27th – November 22nd, 2025

November 24th – December 20th, 2025

All MCI programs are normally set to begin on the first Monday of every month and finish on the last Saturday of every month, with a few exceptions..

*Interns interested in furthering their experience beyond one month are able to apply for WSORC’s Marine Conservation & Dive Master program.

**June, July, August internships are priced at $2399