Frequently Asked Questions

I am a complete beginner and have never dived before. Is this ok?
Our volunteer trips are for both non-experienced and experienced divers. Not certified? No worries, many of our volunteers come to the island to learn to dive. Looking to further your dive credentials? Many of our volunteers come to our island to further their diving certification status. Regardless of your diving level, our island is a wonderful place to learn with calm, clear waters and little current. To learn more about our dive courses and the PADI certification process on the island click here.
What dive equipment do I need?
You must bring your own dive mask, booties, fins, and wetsuit. It is very important that you bring these items or you will not be able to dive! There are no reliable places in Placencia, Belize to buy or rent these items; therefore, it’s important you have them prior to your trip departure. We do not provide dive computers since almost all of our volunteering dives and conservation efforts are at depths less than 18m/60ft. However, a dive computer is mandatory for any diver that wants to dive deeper than 18m/60ft or for those taking the PADI Advanced Open Water certification course with us.

We provide the rest of your dive gear – BCD’s, tanks, regulators, and weights for a $45 USD per week dive gear rental fee. No rental fee if you bring your own scuba regulator & BCD! Anyone wishing to participate in our optional night dives MUST bring their own dive light/torch. Please note that in order to participate in night dives one must be a certified Advanced Open Water diver.

Do I need a visa to visit Belize?
Belize was formally British Honduras and gained independence in 1981. Therefore, for British, Canadian, and USA passports there are no special visa requirements for trips up to 1 month. If you plan to stay for longer, passports can be extended locally. Visa extensions cost $25 USD (about £15) per month.

Please double check here. to confirm if you need a visa if from a country that is not the UK, Canada, or the USA.

When do I need to arrive in Placencia, Belize?
Our conservation dive trips are Monday thru Friday – we depart for our island at 9:30am on Monday from Placencia, Belize and return to the mainland (Placencia) on Friday anywhere from 10am-1pm. So you will need to schedule your arrival and departure in and out of Placencia, Belize either on a Saturday or Sunday.
Do I need any special vaccinations or medication?
There are currently no vaccination requirements for Belize. However, it is a good idea to be up to date on covid, diphtheria, typhoid, hepatitis, tetanus, polio, cholera, and rabies before you leave home. It is recommended that you discuss your trip with your doctor and get advice prior to departure. Some doctors recommend malaria tablets if you are planning to visit the jungle. Please check with your own doctor for malaria recommendations.
I am traveling on my own, is it safe to travel in Belize?
Belizeans are very friendly towards tourists and harassment/crime is not an issue. We have had countless solo travelers through the years (many as young as 16) and have never had an issue! In addition, we always have one support staff member on call that live in Placencia if there is ever an issue with one of our volunteers. Placencia and the country as a whole relies on tourists. Tourism is the lifeblood of their economy; therefore, they have created an extremely safe environment for tourism to thrive! If I had to describe Placencia in a word – friendly!
Is there an ATM or bank in Placencia, Belize?
Belize uses the Belizean Dollar which is 2 to 1 with the US dollar; however, US dollars are widely accepted. There are 3 banks in Placencia where you can access funds via debit or credit card. The banks have international ATM’s and can give cash advances on switch, delta or credit card. Therefore, it is not necessary to bring lots of cash with you.
How much money do I need to bring with me?
On the island during the week you don’t have to pay for much. Optional drinks of alcohol and soda/pop are an extra charge ($2-5 USD per drink). A Sapodilla Cayes Marine Park fee of $35 USD per week is payable to Belize Fisheries Department for protecting and patrolling the Sapodilla Cayes Marine Park. ReefCI charges $45 USD per week for scuba gear rental.

Your spending money requirements will depend on how often you plan to go out socializing and what extra trips you plan to take on the weekends. Organized tours normally cost around $100 USD for a full day, or $60 USD for a half day, all inclusive.

Weekends meals are not included. If you eat out, prices vary depending on the restaurant you choose. Belizean places are much cheaper than those serving international food. A typical international meal costs circa $50-100 BZD ($25-50 USD) and a typical Belizean meal can be as little as $20-20 BZD ($10-20 USD). Beers are circa $4-8 BZD ($2-4 USD).

What is the weather like in Belize?
The weather is one of Belize’s many charms, with an average yearly temperature of 84F/ 29C. We are in the tropics so it does rain regularly but more often than not it is at night which cools things down to make it much more comfortable for sleeping. During the winter months, it is worth bringing a jumper or sweater for the evenings. The water temperature is consistently around 80F/26F so a 3mm wetsuit is perfect.
Are you open all year and when is the best time of year to come?
We operate year-round including all holidays. Whale shark season is March-June. This is our busiest time of year so book early to avoid disappointment! Christmas and New Years are also lots of fun. Imagine diving on Christmas day from a beautiful remote Caribbean island!
I will be traveling on my own and worried that I will be the only one. Who usually comes on your trips?
We attract a large number of single travelers so don’t worry, you won’t be alone! Approximately 75% of all our volunteers are single travelers, so there will be plenty of opportunity to meet new people. However, the ratio of single to non-single travelers will vary from week to week. In addition, we don’t charge a single supplement, which makes us very popular with individual travelers.

We host a vast cross section of demographics from diverse ages, backgrounds, and nationalities and have had volunteers as young as 13 and as old as 82. The minimum age to participate is 13 if with an adult. Minimum age to participate solo is 16. We have students, working professionals, families, singles, couples, and retirees that come to our island! You will find that people coming on this type of vacation/holiday all have a shared passion for ocean conservation and diving, which makes for great group dynamics.

I am a bit of a fussy eater, is this a problem?
All dietary requirements are catered for (food allergies, vegan, vegetarian, no seafood, dairy, tree nuts etc). No worries – we have vegans, vegetarians, pescatarians, gluten free eaters, diabetics, and nut allergy volunteers that come to the island every year. Our chef is quite accustomed to meeting the needs of our volunteers. Don’t worry, we will make sure your dietary needs are met : ) However, it is always a good idea to bring special food and snacks that you like. Please be sure to indicate your specific dietary allergies/restrictions, or diet preferences in the section “Any dietary restrictions?” when you register for a trip at checkout on the website.

As an environmental conservation organization, we try to be as eco-conscious and sustainable as possible. According to scientists, a plant-based diet is the single biggest way to reduce your impact on the planet. Meat production affects not only climate change emissions, but also freshwater and land use, as well as water and air pollution.

Since avoiding meat is the single biggest way to reduce your environmental impact on the planet, ReefCI strives to provide a mostly plant diet based with protein sources from the ocean (invasive lionfish). Thus, eating invasive lionfish is a win-win for the environment!! If you require a diet high in protein, we recommend bringing protein bars to supplement your diet.

I am interested in pursuing Marine Biology/Conservation as a career, will this help me?
Absolutely! ReefCI is a fantastic way to experience real world conservation efforts, while having great fun! You will get hands-on experience for marine conservation work and gain real world insight on what it is like to actually work in the field of marine conservation. You can even shadow our two Marine Biologists while with us and soak up as much from them as possible. It would be a great learning experience for you and help inform you on your possible career choices.
Is there internet or cell service on the island?
We have no internet or cell phone service on the island. The location of our island is very remote and far from the mainland of Belize to receive a cell signal or internet service. We do have a satellite phone but it is only used by staff for emergency situations. There is no WIFI in nature, but I promise you will find a better connection. Relax, unplug, breathe deep, and immerse yourself in the tranquility of the ocean.
It has been a few years since I have been diving, I may be a little rusty, is this ok?
We appreciate that not everyone can dive regularly like us at ReefCI. Feel free to share any concerns you have with the team when you arrive and they will give you a refresher or take you on a shallower, maybe shore dive to start with to help regain your confidence. Most of our guests are excited about getting in the water but are a little nervous having not dived for a while. The ReefCI team are here to help you every step of the way, and don’t worry, it will all come back to you pretty quickly!
I love diving but I am worried that 2-3 dives a day might be too much for me, is this a problem?
Our volunteers can choose how much they wish to get involved. Some people want to do as much conservation diving and learning as possible, while others wish to combine the conservation dives with relaxation and fun dives. All dives are voluntary so you can choose to relax in our hammocks with a good book, fish from the island, or do a bit of sea kayaking/stand up paddle boarding or immerse yourself in conservation volunteering. The choice is yours!
Do I need any travel or dive insurance?
Should boat transport to the island or diving not take place due to a force majeure event (hurricanes, tropical storms, bad weather, natural disaster, rough/unsafe sea conditions, or unforeseeable circumstances, money will not be refunded. ReefCI highly recommends travel insurance that covers force majeure events as they can and have forced ReefCI to cancel trips for safety reasons. We strongly recommend DAN Trip Insurance. The cost is minimal but it will save you hundreds of dollars if a cancelation takes place.

Dive insurance is not covered under the DAN Trip Insurance. Dive insurance covers dive accidents including decompression illness, accidental death and dismemberment, permanent and total disability and the medical costs associated with these types of accidents. I recommend DAN Dive Insurance, it is optional, but in my opinion, it is the best way to protect yourself when it comes to dive accidents and the high costs associated with treating them.

What is your cancellation and trip policies?
If you cancel your trip, payment is non-refundable. Paid trips or deposits can be rescheduled or transferred into another’s name. Rescheduled trips must be rebooked within 12 months of your original departure date and are subject to a rebooking fee of 100 USD per person. If you cancel your trip 60 days or less before departure date, trip is non-refundable and cannot be rescheduled. If ReefCI cancels the trip 100% of the payment will be refunded; EXCEPT in cases of natural disaster and force majeure (hurricanes, tropical storms, sickness, pandemics, etc…). Should diving or island boat transfers not take place due to force majeure, health issues, natural disaster, or unforeseeable circumstances including rough sea conditions, monies will not be refunded. ReefCI highly recommends travel insurance that covers such events as they will affect operations from time to time. If a person does not complete their certification course there will be no refund for the course or the difference of diver/non-diver rate.

ReefCI operates under a strict no drug policy. Drugs are not allowed on the boat or the island. ReefCI reserves the right to immediately dismiss anyone violating the drug policy without a refund.

In the unlikely event of a serious diving accident that requires immediate life-saving medical attention please note that the nearest hyperbaric chamber and hospital is approximately 1 hour away in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye by helicopter evacuation. Divers are responsible for the cost of an emergency helicopter airlift (approximate cost 15,000 USD), so we highly recommend divers insurance.

ReefCI reserves the right to charge for lost or damaged dive gear (BCD, regulator, fins, mask, booties, weights, wetsuit, dive light, or any other ReefCI item) if the borrower lost or damaged said item while in possession of the item. ReefCI reserves the right to charge a weekly food and fuel inflation surcharge for a nominal fee to keep up with rising inflation costs. All payments must be made via credit card – ReefCI does not accept cash.

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