Now accepting our FREE applications for our summer-break course!!!
May 20 – June 9, 2026
AN OPPORTUNITY TO STUDY ABROAD IN THE CARIBBEAN AND APPLY YOUR CLASSROOM & TEXTBOOK LEARNING WHILE IMMERSED IN AN INCREDIBLE MARINE ECOSYSTEM SETTING!
THIS TRANSFORMATIVE, 3-WEEK, OUTDOOR COURSE FOCUSES ON EXPERIENTIAL & APPLICABLE SCIENTIFIC FIELD RESEARCH METHODS
— 3 UNDERGRADUATE ACADEMIC CREDITS —
— ALL-INCLUSIVE PROGRAM —
- $3,390 Beach tent camping option or
- $3,790 Beach bungalow room option
- + add $700 for SCUBA & snorkel option
- + add $0 for Snorkel-Only option
Instruction is delivered with inquiry-based activities incorporating observation & data collection, small working groups, lecture, guest speakers, focused exploration & off-site trips. We SCUBA & snorkel daily to study the fascinating coral reef ecosystem with an amazing peer group of inspired learners. Students create and implement an original ecosystem field research project to culminate the class.
- Achieve a deep knowledge base of the structure & functioning of coral reef & coastal ecosystems of the Caribbean
- Gain valuable career skills in hands-on, marine & land-based ecosystem field research
- Earn 3 undergraduate transfer credits during summer (or winter) break
- Open to students from all universities & majors
- Choose between a SCUBA & snorkel option or a Snorkel-only option
- Certified SCUBA Divers earn an Advanced Open Water Diver certification
Location on Xpu-Ha Beach, Mexico
Xpu-Ha is a small beach community along the tourist friendly Riviera Maya coast of Mexico approximately 50 miles south of Cancun, between Playa del Carmen and Tulum on an easy 1 hour drive. Xpu-Ha is a very quiet and safe location providing exceptional field learning opportunities.
The Caribbean EcoFS field site is on the private property of the day-use La Playa Xpu-Ha Beach Club. laplayaxpuha.com The course uses the property’s comfortable bungalow rooms and adjacent beach campground for accommodations. The Xpu-Ha EcoFS Field Research Station serves as our central indoor meeting & studying area. Our classroom is the spectacular beach, coastline, coral reef & and ocean just steps away.
Xpu-Ha consists of a mile-long spectacular white sandy beach within a sheltered bay bordered by rocky points & with a vibrant coral reef directly offshore. The relatively undeveloped beach is an important summer nesting ground for green & loggerhead sea turtles. Students in the upcoming course will have a special opportunity to assist with sea turtle conservation efforts.
FOR A DETAILED SCHEDULE OF TOPICS AND ACTIVITIES, PLEASE SEE SYLLABUS (PDF) LINK BELOW:
Here are videos from recent Caribbean EcoFS courses:
