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 effectively participate in the course.
SCUBA divers earn an Advanced Open Water Diver Certification while on the course!
Snorkelers have opportunity to try a Discover Scuba Dive while on the course!
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).
Snorkelers & SCUBA divers will both have opportunity to learn and apply basic free-diving techniques.
The required personal snorkel equipment for all students is mask, snorkel & fins. The included equipment rental for the SCUBA option is for Scubapro buoyancy control device (BCD), Scubapro regulator with computer & compass, tank & weights/belt. Students are also provided an underwater writing slate, dive light, & safety signal. Student divers holding an Advanced certification or higher will have opportunities for deeper dives.
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.
SCUBA CERTIFICATION OPPORTUNITY IN XPU-HA PRIOR TO COURSE!!!
EcoFS is pleased to offer a certification option for students of the upcoming Caribbean EcoFS course. This will take place directly prior to the course in Xpu-Ha. We offer a 3-day certification May 18-20. Students must arrive on May 17. Xpu-ha is a great place to obtain SCUBA certification! You will be extremely well prepared for the SCUBA component of the course by doing the certification with EcoFS.
Students must have completed the classroom/elearning component.
Our training includes the 2 confined water dives 4 open ocean dives. The confined dives, typically done in a are conducted in a spectacular open cenote. The open water dives are short boat rides to sites along the amazing coral reef.
The cost of the certifications which includes instruction, airport shuttle to Xpu-Ha, 3 night accommodations in bungalow rooms, breakfasts, and all rental equipment is 800.
For lunch & dinners: There are restaurant options next to the bungalows and students will have the opportunity to buy groceries on their way to Xpu-Ha from the airport.
Email Steve Johnson, Course Director, at steve@ecofs.org if interested in this certification option. Space is limited.
Once certified, SCUBA divers will have opportunity to earn an Advanced Open Water Certification while on the course (just a small 75 dollar certification fee additional charge.)
@ecosystemfieldstudies Gain incredible SCUBA 🐠 skills while studying on the Caribbean coral reef! #ecofs #environmentalscience #fieldcourses #coralreef #environmentalstudies #snorkel #biologymajor #fieldresearch #marinebiology #marinescience #snorkeling #scubadiving #scubadiver
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@ecosystemfieldstudies Learn advanced snorkeling🤿 skills while studying on the Caribbean coral reef! #ecofs #environmentalscience #fieldcourses #coralreef #environmentalstudies #snorkel #biologymajor #fieldresearch #marinebiology #marinescience #snorkeling
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