Every night, from late March
Nightly turtle watch
Take turns on night watch with our staff and raise the alarm when a hawksbill comes ashore. The island runs on red light so nesting turtles and hatchlings aren't disturbed.
Stay in the Sapodilla Cayes
Spend a few nights in the Sapodilla Cayes.
Live with the FINS crew on an island in the Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve. Snorkel the reef every day, see the conservation work up close and pitch in, and from late March, help watch for hawksbill turtles coming ashore to nest at night.
What you'll do
Hands on
Lionfish mitigation demo
Watch a lionfish dissection, see what's in its stomach, and talk with the crew about how lionfish affect the reef and how removing them helps.
With the crew
Conservation data collection
Help record lionfish data and reef observations, the same records FINS shares with the Belize Fisheries Department and TIDE.
Every day
Snorkel the reef
A guided snorkel every day on the reefs of the Sapodilla Cayes. Divers can add reef dives, a lionfish hunt, or a PADI course.
Evenings
Conservation talks
Presentations from the people doing the work: invasive lionfish, king crab mariculture, and sea turtle conservation.
Caribbean king crab
Coming soon
Feed the king crabs
Once our crab nursery is up and running, help feed the young native king crabs being raised to graze algae off the reef.
Learn to dive, or level up
Get certified on a reef most divers only dream about.
Our PADI instructors teach from the island, so your training dives are minutes away. Add a course to your stay and we'll plan your days around it.
Open Water Diver
Your first certification. Learn the skills, then dive the reef with an instructor.
Advanced Open Water
Five adventure dives, including deep and navigation, to build confidence.
Rescue Diver
Learn to prevent and handle problems in the water. Includes Emergency First Response.
Divemaster
Your first professional level. Train alongside our crew on real conservation dives.
Conservation specialties
Invasive Lionfish TrackerOur signature course. Find, safely handle and remove lionfish with the crew who do it every day.$325 · 2 dives
AWARE Coral Reef ConservationHow reefs work, what threatens them, and how you can help. No dives needed.$200 · No dives
AWARE Shark ConservationWhy sharks matter to the reef, and how to dive with them responsibly.$305 · 2 dives
Dive Against DebrisRemove trash from the reef and report it to a global ocean database.$295 · 2 dives
Project AWARE SpecialistA short ocean protection course. No dives needed, so snorkelers can take it too.$100 · No dives
Fish IdentificationPut names to the fish you see on every dive.$295 · 2 dives
Underwater NaturalistRead the reef: who eats whom, and why it matters.$295 · 2 dives
Sea Turtle AwarenessLearn about the turtles that nest in the reserve and how to protect them.$275 · 2 dives
Dive skill specialties
Peak Performance BuoyancyHover effortlessly and protect the coral below you.$295 · 2 dives
Deep DiverPlan and make dives to 40 meters (130 feet).$450 · 4 dives
Night DiverSee the reef come alive after dark.$400 · 3 dives
Underwater NavigatorFind your way with a compass and natural landmarks.$375 · 3 dives
Boat DiverDive confidently from boats of every size.$275 · 2 dives
Drift DiverRide the current along the reef.$305 · 2 dives
Multilevel DiverPlan dives at several depths to stay down longer.$275 · 2 dives
Delayed Surface Marker Buoy (DSMB)Signal the boat from below and surface safely.$295 · 2 dives
Search and RecoveryFind and lift lost objects with lift bags.$425 · 4 dives
Wreck DiverExplore sunken ships safely and responsibly.$475 · 4 dives
Digital Underwater PhotographerBring home reef photos you're proud of.$325 · 2 dives
Self-Reliant DiverPlan and make dives on your own with backup gear. Needs 100 logged dives.$425 · 3 dives
Emergency Oxygen ProviderLearn to give emergency oxygen. No dives needed.$225 · No dives
Specialty prices include PADI fees. Add up to one specialty for each 3 or 4 day block of your stay. Open Water needs 4 days, two certifications together need 10 days, and Divemaster needs 4 weeks. Certification course prices are confirmed when you book.
3 days, 2 nights$320per person, Friday to Sunday
4 days, 3 nights$480per person, Monday to Thursday
What's included
- A guided snorkel every day on the reefs around the island
- All meals and a bunk in shared island accommodation (up to 10 guests)
- Guides from the local FINS crew
- Conservation talks on lionfish, king crab mariculture and turtle conservation
- Activities: nightly turtle watch (from late March), a lionfish dissection demo, and conservation data collection
- Boat transfers to and from the island, 45 minutes to 1 hour each way
Not included
- Getting to Placencia
- Diving, PADI courses and dive gear rental (add them below)
- The marine reserve fee: US$5 per person per day, paid at the end of your stay
- Travel and dive insurance
- Tips for the crew (always appreciated, never expected)
Good to know
- Meet at the MnM service station near the Hokey Pokey water taxi, Placencia Village. The boat to the island leaves at 8:30 am on your check-in day.
- Turtle season: hawksbills start nesting in late March and April. Early March trips focus on the reef, snorkeling and island life.
- Who can come: 18 and over on their own. Ages 12 to 17 with a parent or guardian on the same trip. Under 12 by request for families booking privately.
- Marine reserve fee: BZ$10 (US$5) per person per day, collected at the end of your stay.
- Check in on a Monday or Friday and check out on a Thursday or Sunday. Staying longer? Thursday and Sunday nights in between are $120 per person.
- Paying: 30% deposit to book, the rest due 14 days before your trip.
- Cancellations: the deposit is non-refundable. If we cancel for weather or safety, you get a full refund or a new date.
Add diving
| 2-tank reef diveCertified divers | $130 |
| Lionfish hunt, 2 tanksCertified divers hunt with our crew, spear and gloves provided | $160 |
| Single tank diveCertified divers | $70 |
| Discover ScubaNot certified? Try it one-on-one with our instructor | $175 |
| Gear rentalBCD, regulator, wetsuit and computer | $25 / day |
Diving every day of your trip? Ask about 10% off a full dive package. Bring your certification card; dive insurance such as DAN is recommended. No diving within 24 hours before you fly.
1. Choose your dates
Arrive on a Monday or Friday. Leave on a Thursday or Sunday.
Can pick Your dates Your stay
2. Who's coming
GuestsUp to 10 per trip
3. Choose for each guest
Choose snorkeling, diving and any PADI courses for each guest. We only need names for now.
We'll confirm your spot and send a secure link for the deposit. Belize WhatsApp: +501 624-8882. Email: info@finsbelize.com