Scuba Diving for gap year and career break divers

Programme Details

This project enables you to work with the Bahamas National Trust. Through the collection of data from marine surveys, your involvement will assist with the management of Marine Parks.

From the stunning beach camp location you will complete your dive and science training before beginning to carry out two survey dives a day. On your day off, a deep dive or night dive is followed by a beach barbeque.

One afternoon per week you’ll leave the remote beachside camp to visit one of the local schools for educational community marine awareness classes. Aside from the survey work and data collection, this project aims to instill an understanding / importance of the marine environment in the minds of young Bahamian children. Sessions run by you and other volunteers are fun and interactive, often involving games and plays.

Diver training to PADI Advanced Open Water and EFR is available at a reduced fee for anyone who is not already trained to PADI Advanced, or equivalent.

General Information

Some essentials you should know about the programme...
- We aim for at least 2 dives a day!
- Fun dives take place on a Saturday.
- Sunday is relaxation day, where you have no obligations whatsoever. It is also travel day, in which you are free to explore the diverse island.
- Most people can survey by week 5 (training is required before surveying can commence)
- Dive training and surveys depend on the weather
- In addition to reef surveys are mangrove, creek and lionfish studies that are scheduled once a month
- Teaching in the primary school takes place every week. In the 10 weeks, you should be able to get to know many of the wonderful school children.
- All volunteers undertake a rota system for cooking, cleaning, jobs etc. Show off your cooking skills to earn props from the other volunteers; surely the quickest way to make a favourable impression!

Sample Schedule...

Please read, keeping in mind this is a sample itinerary only and is based upon previous expeditions and is subject to change.

Science Training

The science training takes place alongside the dive training and it is made up of four main components: fish identification, invertebrate identification, substrate surveying and survey techniques.

The fish identification is the largest and most challenging aspect of the learning. You learn to identify around 150 species of fish as all surveyors need to be able to identify these confidently. Learning the Kubulau fish species usually takes around three weeks and is very much dependent upon your effort and enthusiasm. Once everyone is ready to survey fish you are taught about a range of invertebrate species, how to conduct a substrate survey, how to identify coral lifeforms and how to do a complete an underwater survey. Science and dive training normally takes around 3 - 4 weeks.

Diving & Surveying

Underwater marine surveys involve charting the coral
with the use of GPS, identifying fish and marine
movements, and locating where the breeding and feeding grounds are located. You also look to see how different seasons could affect the marine life. With a complete understanding of this underwater world you and your group can then work with the Bahamas National Trust on creating an effective management plan.

TOPPS Financial Protection

In the unlikely event of financial failure, subject to the terms and conditions of the Policy, UK customers’ prepayments for non flight inclusive packages will be reimbursed. topp is underwritten by Travel & General Insurance Company plc, authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Protected by Total Payment Protection Policy (topp) under policy no GADL/topp/10/03.

Flights

Flights are not included and they need to be arranged by you. Most people fly from London to Nassau and then take a short flight (20 minutes) from Nassau to Andros Island.

Transfers

All customers are met at Andros Island at the start of the project and taken back to the airport when they finish their phase.

Accommodation

You’ll stay in a two storey beachside house with remarkable views of the Atlantic.The bedrooms are dorm style with bunk beds and a shared bathroom.

Privacy Pad
If you want more privacy, subject to availability, you can book a private room - a ‘Privacy Pad’ - for just yourself or you and a partner/friend (at an extra cost).

Meals

The diet is expedition rations based on local produce and designed to support strenuous activities on a daily basis. The food is mainly high in carbohydrates and rich in vegetables. We supply sufficient fish and meat with eggs as well to meet protein requirements. Just imagine how fresh the fish is - caught that day! Vegetarian and vegans are easily catered for. You will take it in turns to cook, so it is up to you to use your imagination!

PADI Materials

All PADI materials have been included in this programme if you require diver training.

PADI Fees

PADI Fees are included in this programme if you require PADI diver training.

Prices

Start dates

Extra Costs

These are added when you book online. Diver training is a pre-requisite for marine research and the courses you need to do depends on your current diving level.