Come join the Central Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI) in the Cayman Islands for the "Caribbean Marine Ecology Camp"

Dates:

Week 1: 20 - 26 July 2025
Week 2: 27 - 2 August 2025

Location: Little Cayman Research Centre, Little Cayman, Cayman Islands, BWI

Call: 1-345-948-1094 for registration information or put in an email request below

Imagine waking up with the turquoise Caribbean Sea at your doorstep, where diving, snorkeling, kayaking, following sea turtles, and seeing spotted eagle rays are all right outside your front door. At the Little Cayman Research Centre, this Caribbean Marine Ecology Camp will be a camp to remember forever.

CCMI has operated the Caribbean Marine Ecology Camp program for almost 20 years!

Who can apply?
- High School age students (13-17yrs old) interested in learning about marine biology, conservation, and our marine environment in general
- SCUBA divers, snorkelers, and ALL ocean lovers!

What is so cool about this camp?
You will discover the wonders of coral reefs first-hand from experts working to conserve the diversity of life inhabiting the ocean's largest living creature - the coral reef. You will have fun every day exploring the marine environment and also the island's other tropical habitats. Little Cayman is home to the largest breeding population of Red Footed Booby Birds, an endemic iguana (which can grow to 4.5 ft long), the threatened West Indian Whistling Duck population, and to one of the last spawning aggregations of the Nassau grouper.

What you will do?
Each day has a full schedule with three great meals, field trips to the reef, discussions with scientists, fun activities to increase your knowledge of the fish, coral and other life that inhabit a coral reef. You will also have a unique opportunity to take part in ongoing research by working side-by-side with scientists and marine educators at the Little Cayman Research Centre.

Every day is a new adventure. Students already certified can work on advanced SCUBA skills while learning fundamental conservation techniques every SCUBA diver should know. Students who are not certified are encouraged to do the same on snorkel.

Some activities may include:
- Diving on the best coral reefs in the Caribbean (A Mission Blue Hope Spot!)
- Snorkeling in the beautiful shallow lagoon system that surrounds most of the island
- Kayaking in South Hole Sound, a former port for pirates and ship builders
- Hiking along the sandy beaches in search of new sea turtle nests
- A bonfire on the beach with new friends

What participants are saying:

"It’s a place where you can meet new people, learn new things, and explore new interests."
George Reichardt - United States of America (CMEC 2022)

"A fun learning experience which teaches you many things and how you can make a difference and realize things you never knew before. I enjoyed my time here and I would love to come again!"
Analeah Parker - Cayman Islands (CMEC 2022)

“My favorite experiences each year during CCMI’s camp is getting to swim with the incredible animals and fish in the sea. This year we saw lots of eagle rays and even got to watch a relationship called ‘nuclear hunting’ which is when other fish join the ray to eat leftover food it’s done with while swimming alongside it.”
Anna Symens – United States of America (CMEC 2017, 2018, 2019)

“I really enjoyed the whole week of diving and conducting research, but one of my favorite things throughout the week was going out and planting staghorn coral on the reef. I know this kind of restoration will be a great benefit to the our local economy in a few years time and I just can’t wait to come back to CCMI in the future to see how the outplanted corals are doing. I hope to leave Cayman to get a higher education so that I can come back and do more diving and research on all of our corals and help cull the lionfish.”
Jesse Jackson – Cayman Islands (CMEC 2015, 2016, 2017)

“Aside from the great knowledge I gained by attending CCMI’s week-long CMEC, I also gained unforgettable experiences from the warm-hearted staff, who felt like more than just instructors…they are really cool role models and definitely now my friends to say the least!”
Jacob Whewell – Cayman Islands ( CMEC 2017)

“Thank you once again for another great reef study experience for our daughter, Amanda.”
Karen Weissman – USA (Mother of CMEC 2018 & 2019 Camper)