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.

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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 most occasions the first Monday of each month and lasting a duration of 4 weeks. The list below shows available program dates for 2025-2026. 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

 

2026 WSORC MCI Start and End Dates

August 31st, 2026 - September 26th, 2026

September 28th, 2026- October 24th, 2026

October 26th, 2026 - November 21st, 2026

November 23rd, 2026 - December 19th, 2026

January 4th, 2027 - January 30st, 2027

February 1st, 2027 - February 27th, 2027

March 1st, 2027 - March 27th, 2027

March 29th, 2027 - April 24th, 2027

May 3rd, 2027 - May 26th, 2027

May 31st, 202 7- June 26th, 2027**

June 28th, 2027 - July 24th, 2027**

July 26th, 2027 - August 21st, 2027**

August 30th, 2027 - September 25th, 2027

September 27th, 2027- October 23rd, 2027

October 25th, 2027 - November 20th, 2027

November 22nd, 2027 - December 18th, 2027

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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