Marine Internship
Join Us On Our Marine Internship!
Whether you are an underwater novice, experienced SCUBA diver, budding scientist or newcomer to the field of marine conservation, we welcome you to support and contribute to our marine research and conservation work.
Enhance Your Learning
Expand your knowledge of reef ecology, take part in our station projects and explore life below the water on the Belize Barrier Reef.
Make Memories
Meet other likeminded people from the U.S and around the world. Make new friends and connections by sharing new experiences on Tobacco Caye.
Stand Out From The Crowd
Gain experience in the field and boost your resume. Our internship provides experience in data collection, monitoring and participation in our research projects.
Program Highlights
Experience life on a tiny island right on the Belize Barrier reef, chilling on a hammock in the breeze, watching beautiful sunsets over the Caribbean sea, and spotting stingrays from the dock.
Become more passionate about the marine environment and see firsthand the effect of plastic pollution on the reef.
Gain marine science research experience while working within a marine educational institution.
Advance your Caribbean reef fish, reef-associated organisms and coral identification knowledge as well as gain experience on conservation and ecotourism issues on a Caribbean island
Why participate in our internship?
The Belize Barrier Reef is a rich and diverse location for an internship abroad! You will be staying on Tobacco Caye, a tiny four-acre island situated right beside the Belize Barrier Reef.
Tobacco Caye is one of 450 sand and mangrove cayes based on the Belize Barrier Reef 12 miles from the fishing and cultural capital of Belize: Dangriga. Our marine science expeditions offer interns from around the world a unique opportunity to get involved with Tobacco Caye Marine Station’s research and community conservation work.
Discover the largest barrier reef in the western hemisphere by participating in our experiential internship with Tobacco Caye Marine Station. Help us collect critical marine science data for our research projects in a UNESCO World Heritage listed Marine Protected Area.
Learn New Skills
Learn to identify the invasive red lionfish, survey signs of bleaching and disease in the numerous species of coral and navigate your way between diverse biomes whilst living on a remote palm dotted island. Be surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea which are full of charismatic species such as sting rays, moray eels and countless species of fish.
By participating in our research surveys, collecting important data on the health of coral reefs, other marine ecosystems and lionfish, you will contribute to our annual research reports and Belize’s adaptive conservation management plans. These help to inform fisheries ministries and global organisations such as NOAA on how marine reserves are performing and fill gaps on essential reef data.
Internship opportunities at TCMS coming in early 2024!
Keep an eye on this page and our social media channels for new 2024 internship opportunities and dates!
Previous group internships have had 4-8 participants for a structured internship program doing activities including:
– Exploring our three local biomes – Seagrass, mangroves and coral reefs
– Participating in our research projects – Lionfish, ocean plastic and pollution and the Coral Watch project
– Community involvement such as our annual lionfish tournament!
TCMS also offers individual internships for people looking to help us run the marine station by assisting with study abroad groups, our educational days and helping to deliver our research projects. These can be anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months but require the participant to pay for their accommodation and food at a local lodge starting from $85USD per night.
