Marine Biology
Marine Biology with Sail Caribbean is serious fun!
Join the esteemed worldwide community of marine scientists! On all our programs, you'll be surrounded by the perfect Marine Biology classroom – clear blue water and coral reefs teeming with extraordinary sea creatures and plant life. On our Bravo, Charlie, Delta and Echo programs, you'll have the opportunity to learn and explore that underwater world by participating in our optional Marine Biology seminars. More ambitious? On Eleuthera, Belize, Foxtrot and Foxtrot Junior, Marine Science is part of the core curriculum. And you can take your marine studies deeper by pursuing academic credit through your school's independent study program on our Foxtrot and Eleuthera programs. Whether you're simply curious or you're looking for academic credit, Marine Biology with Sail Caribbean is serious fun!
Do you ever look into the water and say "WHAT is that?" or "WHY does that happen?" A Sail Caribbean Voyage is your chance to have a better understanding of our oceans. Our staff marine biologist will educate you and other students through hands-on, entertaining seminars 2-4 times a week. Topics of these seminars will be based on our curricula, Fringing Reefs of the British Virgin Islands and Guide to Marine Sciences of the Caribbean. These topics will include coral reef biology, reef ecology, artificial reefs, fish identification, and others. Guided night snorkels, beach hikes and collection workshops are all part of these stimulating marine science seminars. Our seminars are built in and around the regular program activities so there's still plenty of time for beach days, watersports, and island exploration. At the end of your program, you will have a better understanding of the ocean and the interactions you have with it.
On our Belize Reef and Rainforest Conservation program, you'll study marine biology at the Wildlife Conservation Society's marine research station on Glover's Reef atoll. You'll learn about coral reef biology, learn to identify colorful reef species, and assist their leading sea turtle expert in identifying, tagging and monitoring endangered sea turtles.
On our Eleuthera Marine Biology Ashore program, you'll take a course in tropical marine ecology, including coral reef biology, marine science research techniques, fish identification, flats and tidal creek ecology, and more. With your new skills, you'll perform vital research to protect endangered marine species and their fragile ecosystems. Led by experts from the Island School and Cape Eleuthera Institute, you'll earn academic credit through traditional (albeit island style) classroom discussions and then gets your hands "dirty" doing fieldwork on and in the water.
Eleuthera research projects may include:
Patch reef monitoring: Patch reefs are common to the shallow waters of coral reef ecosystems and they play an important role in maintaining local reef fish populations. You'll map and survey patch reefs for their use by commercially important and endangered reef fish like the Nassau grouper and queen triggerfish. Investigate trends in abundance by comparing your findings with years of past Island School research.
Effects of angling on bonefish and flats environments: Bonefish are a favorite among sport-fishing enthusiasts. You'll study how bonefish react after they've been released by measuring blood chemistry, habitat use and survival using high-tech acoustic telemetry to map the movements of bonefish and sharks. You'll also quantify the impacts of wading and boat traffic on the biodiversity in shallow flats habitats.
Coastal restoration and rehabilitation: Mangroves are essential for preventing erosion and provide habitats for many species. You will measure the success of a restoration project by studying the regrowth of mangroves and sediment characteristics and plant new ones.