All Expeditions:
Yes, these fees/donations are tax deductible in the US.

Isla Mujeres, Mexico Expedition:
Yes, $500 of the total fees/donations are tax deductible in the US for MarAlliance for whale sharks and manta ray research and conservation work.

Yes! Note, however, that if you benefit from employer matching, the quoted trip cost is reduced by half made possible by your company’s 100% donation matching. Non-company employees would pay the quoted trip cost which is tax deductible.

*A prospective volunteer pointed out that if he pays for both himself and his +1, then the entire payment is a donation and should be eligible for matching.

The prices quoted are the prices that you would pay. MarAlliance is relying on your company’s gift match to cover its total costs, so if you were to sign up for a trip, you would pay 50% of the total cost, and your company’s matching gift would be the other 50%.

*Due to the purely volunteer nature of the trip (not a tourist venture), the price you pay for the trip can be considered a donation to MarAlliance (a nonprofit) and is thus (a) tax deductible; and (b) eligible for 100% gift matching.

**Non-company employees whose companies do not offer 100% gift matching would pay the full, tax-deductible. If you’re bringing a +1 and elect to pay for both trips yourself, the full donation should be eligible for gift matching.

Yes, you can either elect to forego gift matching (and make a separate donation to cover the incremental match price). Or, you can work with MarAlliance to reserve a spot on your trip of choice and hold payment until the following year, when you’ll once again be eligible for gift matching. Email expeditions@maralliance.org.

Belize, Lighthouse Reef – Very remote, on a small island with no cell service, but internet for a fee payable to Audubon Park Rangers. Glamping accommodations in yurt style tents, private cooks, and the focus is on sharks and turtles.  Snorkelling only.

Belize, Gladden – Remote, on a small island with cell service and internet. Three double occupancy beach cabanas.  Additional glamping accommodations in yurt style tents, private cooks, and the focus is on sharks and turtles.  Snorkelling only.

Mexico, Isla Mujeres – Accommodations will be in a more luxurious hotel by the beach with trips out to the whale shark aggregation zone on a medium sized power boat. Our primary focus will be Whale sharks and Manta Rays.  Snorkelling only.

Belize, Ambergris Caye – On this barrier reef island, there are full services of cell, internet, banking, etc. Accommodations are in the ocean front private Canary Cove Villa, and the focus is on sharks, rays, and turtles.  Diving and snorkelling.

Mexico, Playa del Carmen – Accommodations will be in a local beach hotel within close proximity to the dive shop for trips out to the reef to see the bull shark aggregation zone on a medium sized power boat. Our primary focus will be Bull Sharks.  Diving only.

Panama, Las Perlas – Close to Panama City, accommodations are on the island of Contadora in the Las Perlas archipelago.  Hotel accommodations on this island offer full cell and internet services.  Our primary focus is on sharks, rays, and turtles.  Diving and snorkelling.

Volunteers will spend most of their days in boats, out on the water participating in one of three activities; typically, from 8am until sunset. Data entry & presentations will follow in the evenings.

To work side-by-side with MarAlliance staff and local fishermen as part of the expedition team

To contribute to critical marine conservation and monitoring/research efforts

To learn new skills

Learn about marine animals, the reef, the countries culture, politics, and about the local fishermen’s livelihoods

Enjoy tropical island life for a week

To be well fed and enjoy good company!

The only way we can measure and tag sharks is if we catch them. We minimize our handling time and sharks have little to no feeling in their dorsal fins where we place the tag. By comparison millions of sharks are killed yearly and we are trying to reduce these deaths.

No! However, if you would like to extend your stay, we would be happy to arrange your diving excursions. For optional diving, one must possess a certification card.

No, evenings comprise of data entry and presentations.

Yes! Most dietary needs can be accommodated.

Belize, and Panama have 10 spots allocated to each. Isla Mujeres, Mexico has 8 spots. Playa del Carmen, Mexico has 6 spots.

18+ years for week-long expeditions and 10+ for Isla Mujeres, Mexico.  18+ years for Playa del Carmen, Mexico expedition

Yes, MarAlliance requires participants to have travel insurance, however if your company provides travel insurance you may consider whether coverage is sufficient. We will request proof of insurance once the expedition is booked.

Note: Company provided travel insurance-things to consider

Does it cover medical (including evacuation)?
Does it provide trip cancellation insurance?
Does is cover me on paid leave?
Does it cover me on unpaid leave?

Yes! Whether you join one of the expeditions or not, MarAlliance is always looking for volunteers with special skill sets that can help us to meet our mission or donors to fund our operational, education and field costs including the purchase of satellite tags that help us to track the migration patterns of sharks, rays and turtles.

Amount $3500 (covers 1 sat tag and a portion of the satellite transmission time). You’re welcome to go in on a tag with a group of friends!
Donors who fund tags will get to choose a name for the animal tagged and receive daily updates on its movements (tags may remain with animal for weeks, months, even years).
Donated tags may be deployed by MarAlliance and expedition volunteers during this years’ expedition.
Receive weekly updates
*Donated tags are also tax deductible

BOOKING POLICY

$ – 25% deposit to secure your reservation upon booking.

$ – 40% payable prior to 90 days before the arrival date.

$ – 35% payable prior to 30 days before the arrival date.  

CANCELLATION POLICY

– For cancellations after a deposit of 25%, the deposit is forfeited.

– For cancellations 61 days prior to arrival date, 50% of the total trip cost is forfeited.  

– For cancellations after 60 days prior to arrival date, all payments are forfeited.