FAQs

What if I've never been diving before?

No worries! Our Caribbean Marine Biology Voyage is designed for teens that have never tried SCUBA diving. We'll teach you one-step-at-a-time at your own pace in a controlled environment. Diving is easy and a blast!

Who is this program designed for?

Caribbean Marine Biology Voyage is designed for participants who have an academic interest in the underwater world and want to delve deeper into the world of marine biology. High school and/or college academic credit is available, so there are requirements such as class time, field journals and tests. Lectures, lab work and marine research are complemented by lots of hands-on learning on dives, snorkels and field studies. You'll learn a lot on this program, but you have tons of fun doing it!

Is this program "all work, no play"?

No way! We learn a lot about the marine world, but much of the learning is hands-on and learn-by-doing. You'll discover so much about fish and coral while having a blast diving and snorkeling. Our formal lectures are spaced out time-wise and directly tied to our field lessons and lab sessions. Although this is an academic program with tests, lectures and classes, there is plenty of time for fun. Additional activities include island exploration, water sports, fun dives, a BBQ and more.

What is a typical day like on this program?

Days are typically spent learning about the underwater world in the water – scuba diving and snorkeling – and in our floating classroom. Most days combine practical field study and traditional classroom learning. Usually we spend our mornings and afternoons out in the field, observing marine life on snorkel or scuba gear. There is plenty of free time mixed in, where we take a break to do something different: exploring the various islands we visit, doing community service or just having fun. In the late afternoons and evenings, we relax on our yacht, going over the day’s activities and entering data in our field notebooks. We also hold our formal lectures and trip briefings during this time, to prepare you for the next day’s activities.

Who leads the Caribbean Marine Biology Voyage program?

We have several staff members leading this program, including professional marine biologists who have either a Master's degree or PhD in Marine Science, a PADI dive instructor and a skipper to teach you how to sail the boat.

What dive certifications can I get on Caribbean Marine Biology Voyage?

On the Caribbean Marine Biology Voyage you can earn your PADI Open Water Diver as well as your PADI Advanced Open Water Diver. Getting your Advanced certification is very important because you learn how to be a safer and more aware diver in a variety of environments. Small groups allow us to keep our dive training at your pace and give us a typical staff to student ratio of 1:6. You will also have the opportunity to earn your AWARE Fish Identification, Naturalist and Coral Reef Conservation PADI specialties.

How may credits do I receive on this course?

2 college Natural Science credits through Lesley University.

How am I evaluated on this course?

Several means, including two exams and a journal.

Can I earn credit for school or college?

Our academic programs offer high school students the chance to earn high school and/or college credit as well as community service credit, while also participating in a hands-on adventure. After the course, you will receive a transcript, as well as a letter detailing the course curriculum for your high school administrator. Most schools accept the credit after reviewing this course packet. Each academic institution has its own requirements, however, so we can't guarantee your school will accept the credit. We recommend asking for approval from your school administrator prior to program. You can also earn college credit for some courses through Lesley University for an additional fee. To learn more about the school credit options, call us at 888-833-1907.

Why don't you sail with a big fleet of boats?

To accommodate a big fleet of boats, Broadreach would have to sacrifice the flexibility that allows us to do so much more diving, sailing and exploring than seemingly comparable programs or camps. Participants would have less of a say in how their trip would unfold and we would have a tougher time working with individuals' goals and needs. Furthermore, sailing in a fleet encourages cliques to form, making it more difficult to form the close bonds that naturally occur in a small group.

Is this a teen tour cruise through the Caribbean?

No way! This is an experiential adventure! Unlike teen tours with set schedules and activities, Broadreach programs are flexible and involve you in all aspects of the experience. You are asked to take responsibility and few things are done for you. We have specific goals, but how the adventure unfolds depends on you and your group. We need everyone's participation, cooperation and leadership to make it happen.

I am prone to seasickness. Is that a problem?

Even if you are prone to seasickness, you shouldn't have any problems. You'll get your "sea legs" within the first 24-48 hours and after that you'll feel fine. The trade winds are mild in the summer, giving us ideal sailing conditions for smooth sails. As we island hop around the Caribbean, our sails are usually short, typically no more than a couple of hours. When we arrive at a new island, we anchor in calm protected coves for our activities and the night. In the unlikely event that you do get seasick, our First Aid kit has appropriate medication.

How are your Caribbean trips for younger and older teens different from each other?

Clearly, 13-year-olds and 18-year-olds have different needs, wants, concerns and ways of doing things. Because we don't sail as a flotilla, rather as independent trips of just 10-12 participants, we can group teens by age and make our trips more age-appropriate. Each boat has their own schedule, group dynamic and abilities, and our staff can cater the trips to their group. 13-14 year olds may need a little extra help with cooking, scuba and sail training, so we may have extra staff on board and can set the pace accordingly. 17-18 year olds typically want to fit in as much activity as possible (as well as listen to louder music) and we can do that too.

Are there bathrooms and showers on the yachts?

Of course! Each yacht has either four or five "heads", as bathrooms are called on boats. You are in the ocean all the time, so most of your showers will be quick "boat showers" off the back of the yacht to conserve our limited supply of fresh water.

What will I eat?

You and your mates share the cooking duties. A general menu is set before the trip, but each cooking crew adds their flair to the meals. Breakfast and lunch are usually simple with cereal and sandwiches and an occasional hot meal. Dinner is bigger and always hot with menus ranging from veggie stir-fry to pasta to Mexican night. The boat is loaded with dried goods before the trip and you'll stock up on fresh fruits, vegetables and breads along the voyage.

Where will I sleep?

Under the stars! There are four to six cabins on the yacht, but everyone prefers to sleep out on deck each night to enjoy the cool tradewinds under brilliant Caribbean skies. There's lots of deck space and plenty of room up top for everyone.

Do I have to wear a life jacket?

Broadreach requires participants to wear personal flotation devices (PFDs) while on any vessel in motion, whether it’s a sailing vessel, motorized dinghy or ski boat. Doing so could save a life in the unlikely event of an accident or emergency. These extra precautions are just part of our comprehensive approach to safety and risk management.

How do I get high school or college credit for this program?

In the fall after program, Broadreach will provide you with a transcript, as well as a letter detailing the course curriculum for your high school administrator. Most schools accept the credit after reviewing this course packet. Each academic institution has its own requirements, however, so we can't guarantee your school will accept the credit. We recommend asking for approval from your school administrator prior to program. You can also earn college credit for this course through Lesley University for an additional fee. To learn more about the school credit options, call us at 888-833-1907.

How deep will I dive?

Most of our dives will be shallow, between 35 and 55 feet, because that's where we'll find the right combination of best dive sites, plentiful marine life and brightest light. You will do a few supervised deeper dives to around 85 to 100 feet when you are ready for students 15 and older. For students under 15, your maximum depth will be 70ft.

Do I need trip, travel or medical insurance ?

All participants on Broadreach programs are required medical insurance including coverage for international medical care. Since many personal medical policies do not cover international medical care and evacuations or have exclusions for certain sports, we have partnered with Trip Mate to offer a choice of travel insurance plans for our participants.
The minimum required policy includes coverage for medical care, emergency evacuation, lost or damaged luggage, travel delay, etc.
Most families also take advantage of our recommended tuition protection coverage , which offers 75% tuition refund FOR ANY REASON up to 72 hours before your trip departure and 100% tuition refund if you cancel for a covered reason.

Do you have any family discounts?

We do. We will give a 5% discount on the second (and any subsequent) enrollment in one summer. This offer is available to an individual student, or siblings. This 5% discount will be applied to the program of lesser cost, and cannot be combined with any other discounts.

Does your staff have emergency medical training?

At least one of the two lead instructors on each trip has completed training in either Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Wilderness First Responder (WFR) courses. They are trained in managing emergency situations and field care and can handle most minor medical problems. In the unlikely event that your instructors can't handle your problem with their First Aid kit, they will take you to a local doctor for medical attention. We do our best to work with local medical personnel that we know and trust. However, it's important to understand that medical care can sometimes be delayed or inaccessible from our program locations. Note that the modernity of medical facilities and the number of medical services they provide will vary by country and location.

Can you give me the names of other families in my area that have done Broadreach?

Absolutely. Just call the office and we can put you in touch with past participants who have done the trips that interest you. Broadreachers past and present are part of a strong community that’s always there for one another. No need to be shy either, people will be glad to hear from you.

Where does everyone come from?

Broadreachers are a diverse group comprised of teenagers from across the country and all over the world. Very few participants know each other before the program begins, but everyone walks away with life-long friends at the end of the trip.

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Please feel free to call the Broadreach office if you have any questions or would like to discuss our adventures. We’d love to talk to you! You can also email us at questions@gobroadreach.com

• Our Address
• Broadreach
• 806 McCulloch Street, Suite 102
• Raleigh, NC 27603
• USA

• Phone Numbers
• main: 919-256-8200
• toll free: 888-833-1907
• fax: 919-833-2129

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