At a glance
- Embrace living next to the ocean and desert as you help protect critical coastal resources along the Gulf of California.
- Participate in a range of conservation activities, including collecting scientific data during dives and doing impact surveys to monitoring marine animal populations.
- Work with and learn directly from expert conservationists to increase your knowledge and level of field experience.
- Live in a guesthouse with other volunteers equally passionate about saving the environment.
- Scuba diving course included in the price
Is marine conservation work abroad right for me?
Our marine conservation projects abroad in Mexico are incredibly versatile in that they meet the needs of different people. If you are a:
- College student of Biology, Biodiversity Studies, or Marine Studies looking for a marine conservation internship abroad that offers practical field experience
- High School student with a strong or casual interest in working with animals outdoors during summer break
- Working professional interested in doing more than just relaxing at a Cancun resort on their next vacation
This project can work for you!
You’ll live and work in La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico, surrounded by people who share the same sense of passion for protecting threatened wildlife and the environment. The activities we offer are hands-on, so you’ll always be involved in something. This could be participating in marine surveys during a dive or identifying and monitoring birdlife. You’ll constantly be learning from our staff, who’ll show you why coastal areas are an important focus of conservation efforts in a real-world context.
If you’re joining this project as a student in a related field with experience under your belt, you’ll build your knowledge and add relevant fieldwork to your resume. We can facilitate marine conservation internships tailored to meet your school’s requirements, you just need to discuss this with us when you apply.
Joining us with no previous experience? Don’t worry! This is an educational experience as well as an adventure, and we’ll teach you everything you need to know to do the work. If you’re unable to dive, there are plenty of land-based and other marine activities to get involved with. And no matter your level of experience, our staff will be available 24/7 to assist you when you need help or guidance.
Our marine conservation volunteer abroad program in Mexico runs year-round, so you can join whenever it fits your schedule. The minimum duration is one week.
You’ll find it useful to speak some Spanish, but it’s not required as our staff speak English. You can also use this project as an opportunity to learn Spanish or practice your conversational skills!
What kind of work will I do?
In La Paz, your activities are all built around protecting and preserving essential coastal resources. You can expect to get involved in things like:
Here is a breakdown of the work you will do:
Learn to Dive and Participate in Underwater Surveys
You’ll be taught to dive in a pool. By the end of your first week in Mexico, you’ll obtain your SNSI Open Water Diver certification (or the next level of training, if you’re already qualified to dive in open water). Once you have your certification, you’ll be able to participate in underwater activities, like identifying the marine species you’ll encounter. Our underwater activities are based along the coast surrounding the city of La Paz and Espiritu Santo Island.
Collect Data and Observe and Monitor Marine Species
A critical part of this project is collecting scientific data. This data is used to support studies done by local universities. The methodology varies from project to project, for example, how you identify fish underwater may be significantly different from how you observe and monitor coastal birds on land. You’ll be exposed to multiple scientific methods, which will greatly expand your research skills.
Where in Mexico will I work?
Our Diving & Marine Conservation Project in Mexico is located in Baja California Sur, a state in northwest Mexico, in the La Paz region. You’ll work in areas in and around Espiritu Santo Island, a protected area, and live at a local guesthouse.
When you’re not working, you can explore La Paz, the state capital, or several nearby towns, including tourist hotspot Cabo. Whatever you choose to do in your free time, there are plenty of outdoor adventure opportunities and stunning beaches to discover. You could even visit Bahía Magdalena where Grey whales come to give birth (seasonal December - March). Make the most of your chance to experience authentic Mexican culture!
What is a typical day like?
In Mexico, you’ll work Monday to Friday, for around six hours a day in the mornings and afternoons. At the weekends you can dive recreationally around Espiritu Santo island or snorkel with whale sharks (seasonal October - March).
Wondering what a working typical week would look like? It could go a little like this:
Monday: Join a workshop where we teach you how to identify the fish you’ll see during dives. In the afternoon, you’ll help monitor species around Isla Espirtu Santo and go diving.
Tuesday: Take a field trip to places outside the Bay of La Paz. Take part in snorkeling divesto learn about the impact global warming and human activity has on marine species.
Wednesday: An early departure to the dive site where you will take part in a couple of surveys for environmental impact signs. This will typically involve snorkelling for two to three hours*.
*If you don’t have a diving certification or experience, we’ll make sure you get this training before you do a proper dive. A SNSI dive certification is included in the price of the project!
Thursday: Take part in a fish identification workshop in the morning and a snorkelling survey in shallow waters in the afternoon.
Friday: Attend a morning workshop to learn how to identify birds living in coastal areas, and do field practice or a trip into the desert for an interpretive hike exploring the ecosystem.
These activities could change depending on various factors, like the weather/season. Most activities are available during the summer months, but we also have some winter-specific activities such as monitoring land birds.
In a typical week, you'll take part in water-based survey activities - two diving and three or four snorkeling.
What is the goal of marine conservation work in Mexico?
The main goal of this project is to protect the threatened natural resources of Baja California. We also aim to counteract the encroachment of human expansion and its effects on the surrounding environment.
In Baja California, there are several urgent issues affecting the environment, namely:
- Pollution
- Overfishing
- Environmental changes due to global warming (like harmful algae blooms)
The work you do on collecting valuable data on marine populations contributes directly to mitigating the impact of these problems. We also share the data we collect with local universities, to support studies and research efforts.
Management plans
We set out the aims and objectives of our projects in documents called Management Plans. We use them to properly plan the work you’ll do. They also help us measure and evaluate our achievements and impact each year.
Ultimately, our Management Plans help us make our projects better. This in turn means you get to be part of something that makes a real impact where it’s needed. Read more about our Management Plans.
Measuring our impact
Our projects work towards clear long-term goals, with specific annual objectives. Every volunteer and intern we send to these projects helps us work towards these goals, no matter how long they spend on our projects.
Every year we take a step back and look at how much progress we've made towards these goals. We put together a Global Impact Report, which documents our achievements. Find out more about the impact our global community of volunteers, interns and staff make, and read the latest report.
Food and accommodation
You'll share accommodation with other Projects Abroad volunteers during your stay in Mexico. This is a great way to get to know your fellow volunteers, share experiences, and explore your surroundings in your free time together.
Your room will be modest, but comfortable, clean, and safe. Your programme fees include three meals a day.
Find out more about our accommodation.
Leisure activities and free time
With beautiful beaches, arresting art galleries, and buzzing restaurants, there’s something for everyone in Mexico. You’ll have plenty to do during your free time on your project in this dynamic country.
There are plenty of art galleries, museums and colonial sites that will give you the chance to immerse yourself in the country’s rich history. For something different, you can spend the day appreciating the wildlife and lush desert vegetation by playa el Coromuel or just enjoying the sunset at the La Paz pier on an evening walk.
You can’t take a trip to Mexico without tasting authentic Mexican cuisine.
You can spend an evening enjoying amazing seafood or authentic northern burritos at a local restaurant watching the vivid orange-red sun melt into the horizon.
We have a host of different projects in Mexico so there’ll likely be lots of other volunteers in the area during your trip. So you can choose to travel and explore in a group or on your own.
Safety and staff support
Your safety and security is our prime concern. We have many procedures and systems to ensure you have the support you need to enjoy your trip with peace of mind. Our Projects Abroad staff are available 24 hours a day to help, and will be on-hand to make sure you settle in well at your accommodation and placement. If you encounter any problems, they will be available to help at any time.
Find out more about safety and backup.
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