Summer 2024 Expedition
Apo Island / Dumaguete, Philippines
July 25th - August 3rd, 2024
Join the expedition as a student in the Field Scientist Program and learn to be a research diver or the Conservation Media Program and create a mini-doc about the expedition. Students can learn the prerequisite scuba training on this expedition. Students who do not wish to scuba dive must enroll in the Conservation Media Program as diving is required in the Filed Scientist Program.
DIVE WITH THE FASCINATING AND EXOTIC CRITTERS OF DUMAGUETE, Dauin, and Apo Island
THE DATA COLLECTION PROJECT
The Data Project
Our community at Blue Endeavors is always at work to change the future of our planet. Daily, we create, collect, support, and share research open-source data that may prove invaluable to parallel or future conservation efforts. Large, world-wide data sets are required to advance marine science and to identify key marine protected areas and global data sets will be crucial to answer the scientific questions we don’t yet know to ask. Specifically, we are collectively targeting to protect 30% of the oceans by 2030. BE integrates with our multitudes of community branches and partner organizations, to ensure data is captured, maintained, and always available to the research community at large.
Photo from BE Expedition 2022. A student from The Athenian School, CA with two students from the local science school in Dumaguete. All three students were learning to dive, and start the process toward becoming underwater researchers on the 2022 expedition.
THE FUTURE LEADERS PROJECT
Students on this expedition will be joined by local students from the Zamboanguita National Science High School and the Dauin National Science High School.
The world’s future leaders in the fields of ocean conservation, ocean restoration, climate change adaptation, and sustainability must emerge independent of race, background, or economic status. We identify, mentors and develop students from around the world, while fostering multiculturalism and diversity in all our solution focused conservation work. The Blue Endeavors Future Leaders Project provides our students committed mentorships that lead directly to internships, jobs and career development domestically and globally.
Blue Endeavors is donating the cost of the basic dive training, research diving, and dive leadership in Dumaguete. Additionally we are supporting the local students in Dumaguete with financial aid to participate in this program. Please contact vince@blue-endeavors.org if you are interested in supporting more local students with financial aid, including your student’s local dive buddy in Dumaguete.
Training & Certifications
Option 1: Field Scientist Program: Underwater Research Diver
Students learn a set of underwater research skills that universities, NGOs and AAUS scientific professional research divers use to collect data for the advancement of science, marine conservation and restoration. During the course students will act as community scientists crowd sourcing data collection that will be used by researchers.
Students on this expedition will be trained and certified as research divers, completing multiple surveys during the trip. One of these surveys will be at a Blue Endeavors oceanic data buoy in a marine protected area.
Students who are not yet scuba certified divers will be on the Open Water Diver track. Open Water Certification will be issued as a pre-requisite to the research diver training. Nitrox is a recommended optional dive specialty. Open Water Diver track students will be limited to 60ft on this expedition.
Previously scuba certified students will be on the Advanced Diver track. These students will complete additional training in deep diving, night diving, and nitrox. Advanced certifications will be issued with the completion of four specialty classes and a min. of 25 logged dives. Advanced track students will be limited to 100ft on this expedition, except during deep training to 130ft.
Students 14years old or younger will participate in junior level training.
Option 2: Conservation Media: See Change Video Production
Students aspiring in journalism and content development are mentored in the art of modern media and storytelling. Through on-site workshops we make cutting edge tech and professional skills development accessible, fun, and productive, creating positive ocean impact media that makes a difference now.
Students in this program will have the option to scuba dive as underwater videographers.
Decompression Day
On the last day of the expedition we will travel to a nearby beach town and students from both programs will snorkel with whale sharks.
Join the Expedition - Very Limited Space
Space on this expedition very limited expedition will be confirmed with payment of the deposit. Once all available spaces are reserved, a wait list will be created. The deposit is refundable for any reason as long as the expedition is filled-up.
Tuition assistance may be available for students. Please email vince@blue-endeavors.org for information.
This expedition will be billed through GIVES Research Lab.
Student Experience Price: $4900
Deposits and payments are non-refundable
Deposit required to reserve a spot
Included in the Expedition
INCLUDED FOR ALL GUESTS:
The place-based experiential learning curriculum of Blue Endeavors
4 Students to 1 dive leader in-water ratios
Research diver training and certification (Field Scientist Program)
Underwater Videographer (Conservation Media Program Divers)
Pre-trip pool/academic session to learn research diving techniques and marine biology before the expedition (Field Scientist Program)
Rental scuba equipment
Rental night diving equipment
Rental filming equipment (Conservation Media Program)
Unlimited scheduled boat diving (up to four-day dives and one night dive per day)
Two trips to the Apo Island marine reserve
One day trip to snorkel with whale sharks
Psychedelic mandarinfish mating ritual night dive
Accommodation in deluxe rooms
All meals at Toko's Restaurant (chef-prepared breakfast and three-course lunch & dinner)
Coffee, tea and filtered water available from 6:00 am to 9:30 pm (Italian and speciality coffees are not included after breakfast)
Unlimited internet access
Airport Transfers
NOT INCLUDED:
Airfare (The direct SFO-Manilla flight is usually around $1400) We will offer a chaperone lead group flight with the enrollment of 9 students flying from SFO.
Marine Park Fees - These fees are set by local Municipalities and change at any time. The current per dive fee is $3.80 USD per day dive, and $9.05 per night dive.
Optional Nitrox Fills: $219 per diver
Atlantis staff gratuity (Cash only. Est. $350 USD)
DAN dive insurance (Required for all divers)
Travel insurance (Highly Recommended) Wanderwell is the recommended travel insurance for this expedition.
Basic essential dive equipment (Required for all divers- Discounted student package available, and staff will size during the first session) These items include: Mask, snorkel, fins, boots, bag, SMB w/ reel, and logbook.
Spa services
OPTIONAL SPECIALTIES ($200/ea)
Night Diving Specialty (Night Diving certification or enrollment in this class is required to participate on night dives)
Nitrox Specialty
COLLABORATING ORGANIZATIONS:
Atlantis Resorts & Liveaboards
Sister cities of Alameda and Dumaguete
RESORT & SPA PHOTOS
Expedition Enrollment Form
Pre-Trip eLearning
Students will receive online scuba courses through SDI. Once complete, please upload your signed final exams in the form below. Online coursework is due no later than June. 15th, 2024.
Expedition Paperwork
Paperwork needs to be completed by June 1st, 2024