A Trip of a Lifetime- Contest Winner Shares Her Maldives Adventure

By Tess Kneebone

I was the lucky winner of a spot on the Reef Check x Biosphere Expeditions liveaboard in the Maldives, and I can’t begin to put into words how incredible that experience was. I’ve never felt a passion as deep as I did during that week. We spent hours learning about reef ecosystems—the fish, invertebrates, coral, and the many challenges these reefs face from overfishing, global warming, and other human impacts. After completing our studies and passing our exams, we took our knowledge into the water to conduct surveys at several sites, comparing our data to previous years to assess reef health. Some reefs showed signs of recovery, while others appeared stagnant or in decline. It was powerful to apply what we learned directly toward real-world conservation efforts and to contribute to meaningful change.

That week reaffirmed that my true passion lies with the ocean—protecting it and ensuring its resilience for generations to come. Being so immersed in the reef’s biodiversity and feeling completely aligned with my purpose was transformative. I’m deeply grateful to Reef Check and Biosphere Expeditions for providing such a life-changing opportunity—one that has inspired me to pursue higher education in marine biology and dedicate my career to ocean conservation.

Next year’s expedition is scheduled for October 2026. Stay tuned for contest information!