Day 1–5
Meet the rest of your crew and settle into the pace of life
aboard. Waste no time jumping into the turquoise water
to learn how to scuba dive and earn your PADI Open Water Scuba certification,
or have a quick refresher if you are already certified.
Set sail for Ile Fourche, learning fundamental sailing skills while
discussing the geology and natural history of the Leeward Islands.
Initial lectures focus on fish ID, coral reef ecology and how different
marine ecosystems interact to create a thriving marine
world. A sunset hike to the top of Ile Fourche's rocky peaks gives
us a view of mountainous islands in the distance — Saba, Statia,
St. Barts and St. Kitts — waiting for our discovery.
Day 6–8
After an early morning wakeboard session, we make the short
hop over to the St. Barts Marine Reserve. We find an abundance
of marine life and the ideal environment to begin studying marine animal
behavior and interaction, such as schooling and pairing, nesting verses
territorial behaviors, predation and predatory avoidance, and more.
Take a break to explore the French town of Gustavia and sample its delicious
homemade ice cream and crepe desserts. After a little bodysurfing, investigate
the water beneath the breaking waves and how the ocean's movement
effects nearby reef systems. Learn about the delicate balance required
to sustain healthy coral reefs, then dive below to map the diversity
and abundance of fish and coral species on Pain-du-Sucre, Castlemount
and Rockefeller Point.
Day 9–12
Next stop, St. Kitts! Set sail with the rising sun and take
a turn at the helm. In Ballast Bay, venture into the mangroves
and turtle grass to learn about their important role in maintaining
the equilibrium between marine ecosystems. Search for vertebrates and
invertebrates and collect data for our habitat analysis lab. Dry off
to learn about nocturnal and diurnal species behavior, then return
to the water after sunset to witness a new nocturnal world and observe
fascinating behavioral changes of marine life at night. Bargain with
local fisherman for their catch to use in our dissection labs, then
head ashore for a little history and culture on a hike up to Brimstone
Hill Fort.
Day 13–15
Sail to Statia to find a thriving marine park, healthy reefs
and a growing artificial reef system. Dive below to explore
the Charlie Brown, an impressive 327-foot vessel that is the
newest addition to Statia's artificial reef program. After a discussion
with local stakeholders about marine resource management and the success
of the Statia Marine Park, we spend an afternoon doing marine
service projects to help the reserve's efforts. Then hike to the top
of the Quill and into the crater of this dormant volcano now blanketed
in lush rainforest.
Day 16–21
Spend your final days on the magical island of Saba. The
waters surrounding the island are protected by the Saba Marine
Park, providing us with extraordinary underwater classrooms…awesome
reef formations and the greatest species diversity found in the Caribbean.
We round out our studies with discussions on life cycles,
symbiotic relationships, morphology and counter current exchange. In
the water, lay down quadrants and run transects to collect data on
different types of habitats surrounding the pinnacles, walls and patch
reefs of Man-O-War Shoals, Tent Reef Deep and Hot Springs. Collect
data for the REEF Fish Survey Project, a database used by scientists
worldwide. Before returning home, hike through rainforest and into
the clouds to the top of Mt. Scenery. We end our journey together with
a bonfire on the deserted island of Tintamare, celebrating our achievements
and adventures together.