Barbados, the most easterly island in the Caribbean, is a new Field Survey Trip destination for REEF surveyors and offers the perfect escape from cold winter climates. With less than 250 total fish surveys conducted in the waters surrounding the island, this trip is an excellent opportunity for surveyors of all levels to collect valuable information for REEF’s online fish sightings database. Beginning and advanced surveyors alike have the opportunity to expand and reinforce their fish identification knowledge while exploring the many reefs and wrecks throughout Carlisle Bay Marine Park. This protected area attracts an abundance of marine life including octopuses, seahorses, and many tropical fish species; in fact, Barbados has the Tropical Western Atlantic region’s highest sighting frequency of the elusive Flameback Angelfish.

Cost per person: $1,303 for double occupancy in a standard room, $1,969 for single occupancy

What is included: Your package includes 7 nights of accommodation at Coconut Court Beach Hotel, 5 days of 2-tank boat dives with Dive Barbados Blue, round trip airport transfers, full daily breakfast each morning, daily transfers to and from the dive shop, overnight gear storage at the dive shop, service charges and government taxes, tanks, weights and weight belts.

Additional fees: A REEF Program Fee of $300 per diver will be added to each package to cover the cost of the group leader, seminar, and survey materials. Paid on premises: $5 per person marine park fee for a wristband for the week. Optional additional dives may be added for $35 per tank.

Airport/hotel transfer information: Participants will fly into Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) in Christ Church, Barbados. From there, participants will be transported to Coconut Court Beach Hotel, approximately a 20 minute drive from the airport.

How to book: To reserve your space or find out more, e-mail us at trips@REEF.org, or call us at 305-588-5869. A $500 deposit will be collected at the time of booking. Visit our Trip Policies page for more information on deposit and payment schedules.

About the trip leaders: Lad Akins, REEF’s Director of Special Projects, is renowned as the leading expert on invasive species, specifically lionfish. He served as the Founding Executive Director of REEF and led the organization in that capacity for 16 years, helping to design and develop REEF’s widely recognized marine conservation programs. In 2005, he stepped down to focus his efforts solely on the lionfish invasion.

A whitespotted filefish on a reef in Barbados. Photo credit: Dive Barbados Blue

Bright and cheerful room at Coconut Court Beach Hotel

 Carlisle Bay Beach. Photo credit: Barbados Tourism Board

Coconut Court Beach Hotel Website