2018 Biosphere Expeditions Trip Dates Announced

2018 dates for Reef Check/Biosphere Expeditions EcoExpeditions are now available. This year, trips reserved exclusively for divers certified as Reef Check EcoDivers for the Indo-Pacific are available at all three locations. Sign up today!

Reef Check/Biosphere Expeditions EcoExpedition: Maldives
July 21 – 27, 2018
July 28 – August 2, 2018 (qualified Indo-Pacific Reef Checkers only)

This citizen-science expedition with SCUBA diving will take you to the beautiful 26 coral atolls that make up the Republic of Maldives. Based on a very luxurious and modern liveaboard yacht, you will help marine biologists study and protect the Maldives' spectacular coral reefs and resident whale shark population. All this is made possible because the Maldives government identified a need for further research and monitoring work as far back as 1997. Biosphere Expeditions is addressing this need with your help and will train you as a Reef Check EcoDiver. With this qualification you will then gather important reef and whale shark data.

For more information about the Maldives EcoExpedition and how to sign up, please visit: http://biosphere-expeditions.org/maldives

Reef Check/Biosphere Expeditions EcoExpedition: Malaysia
August 14 – 21, 2018
August 22- August 29, 2018 (qualified Indo-Pacific Reef Checkers only)

This SCUBA diving expedition will take you to Tioman, the Malaysian island named by Time Magazine as one of the world's most beautiful. Working in a small group of fellow divers and volunteers in Malaysia, and based on a very comfortable and modern liveaboard yacht, you will assist the local researcher to study and protect the local Marine Park's beautiful but fragile coral reefs. Diving two to four times a day, the expedition includes training as a Reef Check EcoDiver.

For more information about the Malaysia EcoExpedition and how to sign up, please visit: http://biosphere-expeditions.org/malaysia

Reef Check/Biosphere Expeditions EcoExpedition: Musandam, Oman
November 25 – December 1, 2018
December 2 – 8, 2018 (qualified Indo-Pacific Reef Checkers only)

This SCUBA diving citizen science expedition will take you to the United Arab Emirates and from there to the remote and mountainous Musandam peninsula of Oman. Based on a comfortable and modern liveboard yacht, you will study the diverse coral reefs fringing the areas where the spectacular mountains plunge into the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. These reefs boast a rich mixture of beautiful corals and a multitude of fish and other animals. This pioneering study to map this unique underwater environment has already led to the creation of two protected areas. But more data on the biological status of the reefs and of population levels of key indicator species are needed for educational purposes and to be able to put forward further ideas for more and larger marine protection areas. Data will also be used to make informed management and conservation decisions within the area. The expedition includes training as a Reef Check EcoDiver.

For more information about the Oman EcoExpedition and how to sign up, please visit: http://biosphere-expeditions.org/musandam