Caroline Bruce review 26 Mar 2006
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
This was a fantastic experience from start to finish. Set on a desert island research station accessible to research staff and volunteers only, it was the most incredible setting. Accommodation in basic cabins right on the beach and the sea, it really was paradise. The most memorable element was the diving - two dives a day, surveying reefs in a pristine marine environment with very few other divers. The survey work is challenging and tiring, involving identification of fish, invertebrates, and ground substrate, but incredibly rewarding.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be keen on diving! Do not expect a "holiday" experience - this is truly an expedition, and you will be working hard surveying two reefs a day, and then entering data in the evening. That said, there is plenty time to relax, catch some rays, and enjoy the sunsets.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes. Data from the expedition contributed to information used to continue to preserve the marine park status of the environment, and money from the expedition helps to support the continued existence of the research station at cayos cochinos, which works to conserve the marine environment, and create sustainable employment for local communities.
4. Any other comments?
Just go!
