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.
August 2023
August 14th-24th 2023
– 10 night internship
– Includes accommodation in a double occupancy room, 3 meals a day, drinking water, wifi, all snorkel equipment, lectures and boat excursions.
– $1400USD includes all taxes but does not include a 4.5% card fee
– Highlights include a lionfish hunting day, kayaking to Tobacco Range to look for manatees, visiting the Smithsonian at Carrie Bow Caye, participating in all of our research projects and have the chance to be a part of our annual lionfish tournament!
For more information or to apply for our internship, please email us at t.c.marinestation@gmail.com
Please keep an eye out on this page for 2024 dates, coming in the Fall of 2023.
Not included:
– Flight to Belize or transport to Dangriga
– Card fees of 4.5%
– Visa extension (only applicable if staying in Belize over 1 month)
– Scuba diving including try dive or fun dives