SCUBA Diving & Snorkeling Info
SCUBA diving & snorkeling are key features of this course that provide incredible opportunities for tropical marine research. There is no prior SCUBA diving or snorkeling experience required. All diving & snorkeling is beginner level and there is ample review of skills & safety by highly qualified EcoFS staff. Students must be comfortable in ocean water for up to 1 hour at a time and be proficient swimmers. Students choose whether to do a SCUBA & snorkel option or a Snorkel-only option (the Snorkel-only option is $700 less). The two options are identical in course content and experience and both are incredible at Xpu-Ha. The snorkel option allows students who are unable to get certified, or have physical concerns regarding SCUBA, to participate in the course. Additionally snorkelers will have an opportunity to try a Discover SCUBA Dive course for an additional fee,
The Caribbean EcoFS course is an excellent opportunity to gain experience with SCUBA or snorkeling. SCUBA dives & snorkels are conducted with short (5-10 minute) boat rides or easy walk-in entries at one of many spectacular locations of the Xpu-Ha coral reef. Dives are shallow (30- 60 feet), slow-paced, & typically without strong currents. For the boat rides we hire boats and captains from our course partner La Playa Xpu-Ha Beach Club. Each dive/snorkel has up to 6 students and 2 staff and with a scientific observation focus. Students can expect to complete 10-12 total class dives including a night dive, plus up to 10-12 optional, independent research dives (conditions permitting). Student divers holding an Advanced certification or higher will have opportunities for deeper dives. EcoFS is a professional member of NAUI (National Association of Underwater Instructors) and partner to their Green Diver Initiative.
The required personal snorkel equipment for all
students is mask, snorkel & fins. All students are provided an underwater writing slate, underwater camera for research, light, & safety signal. The included equipment rental for the SCUBA option is for Scubapro buoyancy control device (BCD), Scubapro regulator with computer & compass, tank & weights/belt. Snorkelers & SCUBA divers will both have opportunity to learn and apply basic free-diving techniques.
SCUBA CERTIFICATION INFO
Students choosing the SCUBA/snorkel option for the course must have a valid, current “Open Water” or “Basic” SCUBA diver certification by the time the class begins. If you are not certified, do not worry as it is an easy & straightforward process conducted by many different training organizations, typically through a local dive shop or university. There are 3 components to an Open Water or Basic SCUBA certification to complete; classroom, pool (confined water) & open water. It is possible do the “classroom” component or “Elearning” online. Here are links to websites of the 3 most common & respected SCUBA training organizations: PADI, NAUI, SSI. They list locations of SCUBA training and also offer on-line classroom components.
