Travel by boat to Blackbird Caye and settle into beachfront cabanas at the Oceanic Society’s Belize Field Station. Resident researchers teach us about dolphin physiology and behavior, as well as ongoing conservation efforts to protect these majestic creatures and their habitat. Learn to use equipment that measures environmental variables, as well as GPS and basic GIS (Geographic Information System) mapping devices commonly used by marine biologists. Head out in small groups on skiffs to some of the local dolphin hot spots. Keep your eyes peeled! Once you spot dolphins, the data collection begins. “Quick, take photos! What’s the water’s temperature? Log the GPS coordinates. Which behaviors are they exhibiting?”

As you learn more about Belize’s marine habitats, explore some of the Caribbean’s best reefs on several dives. Rock beauties, ocean triggerfish and midnight parrotfish cruise between mazes of coral heads and tube sponges on phenomenal sites like The Elbow, Painted Wall and Coral Canyons. Spotted eagle rays, Peterson cleaner shrimp, morays, nurse sharks and an abundance of vibrant coral and sponges await your discovery.