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SeaSmart Summer 2025 Student Program:
(Parents are welcome based on availability)
 
If you are certified or wish to learn to SCUBA, 
join SeaSmart this summer!

Saturday, July 12 - Saturday, July 19, 2025
Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean

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     This July 2025, we will venture to Bonaire in the Dutch Caribbean for the incredible underwater world.  Untouched white beaches are surrounded by a shimmering turquoise sea. It’s a sight nearly unchanged since privateers ruled these waters three centuries ago. Bonaire remains largely untouched, and that is by design. By carefully managing development, the island has found a delicate balance between economic growth and the natural world that sustains them. In fact, they were the first Caribbean island to protect their surrounding seas with a marine park created as part of the Stichting Nationale Parken Bonaire (STINAPA) in 1962. And they currently lead the Caribbean in renewable energy. Thanks to wind and solar power, they are reducing CO2 emissions and fulfilling their promise of remaining eco-friendly for decades to come.


     Our adventure will take us to this beautiful island, its crystal clear water and reefs, teeming with tropical fish and sea life. With over 90 dive sites located along the shoreline, we will enjoy short boat rides to incredible diving.  Our home base also houses a beautiful house reef and coral nursery. It’s beneath the sea that this island, formerly part of the Netherlands Antilles and the A-B-C archipelago of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, and now a Dutch municipality, shows off its beauty.  The island itself, all 111 square miles, essentially is a coral reef that has been pushed above the wavetops. 

To get a sense of our “Student Week,” visit our memories by clicking here!

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     This program promises to offer exciting and exceptional experiences. We choose locations where developing today’s students with marine conservation skills will be best nurtured and where participants can have a high impact on the endangered marine ecosystem.  Bonaire is an optimal destination as it is one of the top diving destinations with limitless marine life to study and many marine conservation research and activities taking place. The program also incorporates becoming Open Water SCUBA certified, obtaining advanced diving certifications or can just be enjoyed by those already certified to dive.  

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     Partnering with an incredible team of local conservationists, scientists and dive professionals, our participants will gain exposure to experiences unique to Bonaire.  Mornings include diving and/or dive training, followed by afternoons and evenings filled with expert-led activities, research, adventures and workshops by scientists and conservation professionals.   Sites here are known for many fascinating sightings. 

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     In addition to excellent diving, participants will have the opportunity to learn about local marine life, issues facing the ocean’s inhabitants, what is being done to address them and experience first hand conservation activities.  They will be introduced to 60 species of fish over a three-day workshop, designed to build foundational knowledge in marine biodiversity and species identification. Through a combination of interactive lectures, field practice, and guided underwater surveys, participants will learn to recognize and differentiate key fish species and behaviors common to the region. This hands-on approach will equip participants with the skills necessary to conduct accurate fish surveys, which are essential for contributing to the largest marine life database in the world. By the end of the workshop, participants will be ready to take part in the widely recognized REEF (Reef Environmental Education Foundation) citizen science program. As certified surveyors, they will play a crucial role in gathering data that supports marine conservation efforts worldwide long after their SeaSmart week. This is a unique opportunity to not only deepen their understanding of marine ecosystems but also actively contribute to ongoing scientific research and preservation initiatives.

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     Bonaire’s most important turtle nesting site is Klein Bonaire. Klein Bonaire is a small uninhabited island located just off the coast of Bonaire. It is about half a mile from Bonaire at its closest point. The island encompasses over 1500 acres. Every season, approximately 50-70 sea turtle nests are laid in this area alone.  SeaSmart program participants will be trained to patrol the beach of Klein Bonaire for hatched nests, and possibly to excavate the nest to collect data on species and hatching success. Large nesting colonies are rare, and our workshop will address why protection of the many small nesting colonies is critical for the maintenance of hatchling production and genetic diversity.

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     During the program, participants will learn about the importance of active marine protection, Bonaire’s Stichting Nationale Parken Bonaire (STINAPA Bonaire, organized by Bonaire’s government in 1962), a non-governmental, nonprofit foundation dedicated to managing, protecting, restoring, promoting and educating about the resources, biodiversity and values of Bonaire’s nature and what it is accomplishing. 

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     Attending the Caribbean Islands Manta Conservation Program workshop, we will learn about work being done to understand the biology and ecology of mobulid species across the 700 islands that make up the Caribbean. Manta rays are giants of their kind, with the largest individuals reaching seven meters in width and weighing up to two tons. Despite their colossal presence, mantas are gentle creatures. They have the largest brains of all fish, and their intelligence and curiosity make encounters with manta rays a truly magical experience. It is little wonder that for many years they have been well-known and loved by the SCUBA diving community. Their obvious intellect and complex social interactions set manta rays apart from other fish, but as they have only been scientifically studied in detail for around a decade, much of their life history remains a mystery. 

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     We will learn about the history of this small Dutch island and explore some key landmarks related to its deep history in salt mining and the slave trade. Bonaire was a slave market that supplied slaves to the plantation economy of Curaçao. The Dutch government owned most of the enslaved people on the island, who worked in the salt pans and on plantations. The slaves were called "katibu di rey" (slaves of the king). Bonaire's economy was centered on salt production from the 17th to the 19th centuries. The salt pans were located in the southern part of the island, and were named after the colors of the Dutch flag. In the 1950s, salt production was revived with the help of modern technologies. Besides a visit to the salt pans, production pier and old slave houses, we are likely to see flamingos and donkeys. Beach cleanups are always conducted, so we can leave our destination just a little better than when we arrived.
 

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Trip & Program Details and FAQ’s:

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How many participants can attend per program? 
     Due to the custom nature of this particular program and the unique activities which have built-in limits regarding participants, we will limit each program to 12 students/participants. However, for a large group traveling together, alternative dates can be arranged for the program.

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What are the prerequisites for the program? 
    You do not need to be SCUBA certified to attend this program, as scuba training and potential certification is included. Participants for this program must be at least 15 years old when the program begins to be eligible for PADI Open Water certification. Students aged 10-14 years old, will be junior certification candidates.

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What will our days be like?

     Each day will bring a completely different breathtaking experience!  The first several days will revolve around the scuba certification course, working in a confined water setting on skills necessary for scuba certification. Then you will move to open water; where you will do your final testing for certification. After certifications are completed, new divers will join with those already certified for recreational diving.

 

     The region has no shortage of amazing marine life. Those already certified will enjoy recreational dives while students are undergoing training. 

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     Later in the day, our adventures will have us performing conservation, science and monitoring activities, conducting underwater surveys and monitoring, and attending workshops to prepare us for the next morning’s dive and hands-on learning.  

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A sample day may look like:

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  • 7:00 am     Breakfast

  • 8:00 am     SCUBA  training/diving

  • 12:15 pm   Lunch

  • 1:00 pm     Sea Turtle Nest Monitoring

  • 6:30 pm     Dinner

  • 8:00 pm     Workshop on Manta Rays

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*Schedules are always flexible based on weather and marine life behavior/sightings

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Who do you partner with?

​     Partnering with an incredible team of local conservationists, scientists and dive professionals, our participants will gain exposure to experiences unique to Bonaire.  Mornings include diving and/or dive training.  Afternoons and evenings will be filled with expert-led activities, citizen science research & adventures and workshops by scientists.

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Where will we stay? Where will we eat and sleep? How will we get there?

     We will be staying together as a large group in accommodations with air conditioning, in-room bathrooms, onsite meeting space for our classes, pools, dive shop/instruction and dining areas.  The resort is located near the capital of Kralendijk. Participants will be paired by gender in rooms.
 
     You will be met inside the Flamingo International Airport (BON) by SeaSmart leaders, and will travel a few minutes via van to the nearby resort. Fresh meals prepared in one of the onsite restaurants will be shared as a group at the resort. Most allergies/dietary restrictions can be accommodated with advance notice.

How does the SCUBA certification work?

     The Open Water Diver Course will potentially lead participants to a certification that allows them to dive with a buddy all around the world! Over the course of our days, your instructor will teach the basics of SCUBA – encompassing the theory behind safe diving practices, skill mastery and finally becoming an Open Water Diver.

 

     Once students have formed the base of dive skills, we will hop onto one of the dive boats and build on what has been learned by exploring and navigating some of Bonaire’s many beautiful dive sites. Because there is a limit to the class sizes, you will have the most possible one-on-one time with your dive instructor as well as SeaSmart leaders. This will allow you to really understand why they love scuba diving so much and what you can do to become the best scuba diver you can be!

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What if I am already certified to SCUBA dive?

     If you are already a certified diver, you can enjoy beautiful recreational dives (along with a SeaSmart leader, as well as a local dive guide) while those getting trained work toward their certification. Those in training will eventually join together for recreational and educational dives with those already certified.  The week will begin with checkout/warmup dives on Day 1 of diving on the resort’s house reef. After that, all dives will be via boat each morning.

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What needs to be completed for an Ocean Advocate Certificate?

     There will be opportunities throughout the program to attend workshops, participate in research activities, and perform underwater observation and work.  These activities and contributions are integral to maximizing your experience and value from the program and are required for the certificate.  Service hour opportunities will also be earned pending your participation.

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How many counselors will be with the student group?
     One counselor remains with every 6 students. This gives you peace of mind knowing that we know where your student is at all times. 


Do the students have to participate in diving?
     No. While students can participate in the land-based activities only, we strongly encourage experiencing SCUBA training.


Can the participants get certified to scuba dive during the program?
     Yes, we have incorporated it into the program.  In most cases, students will finish with their Open Water certification.


How well supervised are the students?
     The students are supervised at all times.
 

Can parents attend?
     Yes. Parents are welcome, based on availability, but space is limited. 

 

How much spending money do students need to bring?
     While water is available at all times, a soft drink is included at each meal.  If students want additional soft drinks or snacks outside of meals, they will be responsible for those.  Other possible expenses include airport snacks, souvenirs, t-shirts.   

 

Is it safe to travel to Bonaire?

     Bonaire is considered to be a safe island. The US State Department considers Bonaire to be a Level 1 travel risk category, which means visitors should exercise normal precautions. We will always travel as a group, and students will not be allowed to leave the resort campus without a SeaSmart chaperone. 

 

What kind of communications will there be?
      The resort has WiFi, though in remote areas there are often disruptions in service.  SeaSmart will post pictures of our adventures on social media, whenever possible, during our trip.  You will have the leaders’ direct cell phone numbers. We do not take phones from students for the duration of the program, however we encourage the students to “unplug” when they are topside, to fully experience the nature and beauty around them. 

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Is there a medical facility available to the students?
 
   In the unlikely case a student needs medical attention, a SeaSmart leader will stay with them at all times. There is a nearby doctor across the street from the hospital’s emergency room.  Additionally,  there is a hyperbaric chamber on the island.  Typically, students who stay hydrated and apply sunscreen have no issues.  

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Do we need special insurance?

     Yes. SeaSmart requires that all divers have DAN (Divers Alert Network) dive accident insurance for their trip. You can sign up online at https://www.diversalertnetwork.org.  It is not expensive and covers extensively for dive-specific trips.  Your primary medical insurance may exclude scuba diving and/or may not provide coverage when you are traveling out of the country. You may or may not also opt for trip interruption travel insurance, if you do not already have that coverage. You may also wish to confirm your health insurance will cover you out of the country. If not, there are short term travel policies available for that. 

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How much does it cost?  

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The $2950 all inclusive fee for the entire program includes:

  • Lodging

  • 3 Meals Daily

  • SCUBA Open Water training, and potentially, certification

  • Fun Dives

  • Gear Rental

  • Transportation from the Bonaire airport, to all program locations and return

  • Topside activities, workshops and classes  

  • STINAPA Marine Park Fees

(Airfare, ​$75 Bonaire entry tax, and eLearning for certifications is not included)
 

     The fee is $2750 if you are already certified, inclusive of recreational dives during the open water candidates’ training days. 


     We offer a $25 returning participant discount, as well as a $50 per participant discount for siblings, family members or members of a scout troop or other group when registering together. There is a $100 discount per participant for payment in full on or before March 15th. 

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What do I have to do before going?

     In preparation for SCUBA training, you must complete an online eLearning session (separate fee) for the Open Water certification course, and submit a printout of your completion.

How do I get there?

     You are responsible for your own airfare costs.  We can help guide you regarding air travel arrangements. We will have SeaSmart chaperones available to meet students in the Bonaire airport, and will coordinate our arrivals to travel together from the airport to our accommodations.  Ground transportation, once in Bonaire, is included.  


What’s Next?

     Complete the online registration form (link below) or email lisa.mcintyre@seasmartocean.org for a registration form which must accompany your deposit. A fully refundable (until May 1st) $500 deposit is due to secure your spot. A second $500 deposit is due by March 15th.  Final payment is required by May 1st, after which deposits/payments can no longer be refunded unless we can fill your spot. A $100 discount is offered for complete payments made in full on or before March 15th. If you wish to schedule a telephone or zoom call with SeaSmart to discuss further, please do not hesitate to reach out - we would be happy to answer any questions.
 
     Additional instructions, forms and waivers for completion, and a recommended packing list will be provided upon payment. We will also hold an information session closer to departure to review travel details and program specifics.

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“We still have a really good chance to make things better than they are. They won't get better unless we take action and inspire others to do the same thing. No one is without power. Everybody has the capacity to do something.”
- Sylvia Earle

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Join us on the adventure of a lifetime and gain your SCUBA certification, too! 

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