UTILA EXPEDITION
Ilili’s Shark and Ray Research and Conservation Expeditions
in Utila, Honduras
Join Ilili’s small team of marine biologists and fishers for a once-in-a-lifetime experience among the incredible reefs of Utila in the Bay Islands of Honduras. During this trip you will get hands-on experience working with the world’s most endangered group of marine vertebrates: sharks and rays. As part of the expedition, you will assist our team on activities related to their research. Activities will include longline captures for sharks, transects to photo-id eagle rays and deploying Baited Remote Underwater Videos. You will work alongside our team of experienced biologists and fishers each day during our monitoring, while experiencing the stunning underwater world of Utila.
What to expect
As part of this expedition, you will be an integral part of our team. During the week we will teach all the necessary skills to properly deploy longlines and baited cameras, photograph eagle rays and, if we are very lucky, whale sharks for photo identification projects, safely tag and release sharks including taking length measurements, determining sex, and acquiring DNA samples. In the evenings, we will have interactive presentations where you will learn more about sharks and rays, and our research in Honduras. These will be long days in, at times, uncovered, small boats where you will be working as a marine biologist directly contributing to our research efforts. Our field site is in Utila, so you will have to plan to arrive in Roatan (neighboring island) one day or more before our departure date.
Who can join?
This trip is open to anyone with a genuine interest in learning more about sharks and rays. Previous experience in field work is not required. As a participant, you are required to be open water diver and have dive insurance, if you wish to participate in our survey dives. Alternatively, you are welcome to snorkel or freedive. You should be comfortable in the water, as it will be beneficial for the experience
Pricing and particulars
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Price per volunteer: 1,800 USD
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Total number of spaces for volunteers: 4
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2 travel days
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1 night in Roatan (at own expense)
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Number of monitoring days in Utila: 7 days/6 nights/5.5 days of activities
What is included?
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Lodging: double occupancy room with private bath for 6 nights at Rainbow House.
*Private rooms are not available at Rainbow House, rooms do not have AC.
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Transfers: Transfer from West End to Ferry terminal Roundtrip, Round-trip ferry between Roatan and Utila. Round trip boat transfer between Utila Ferry Station and Rainbow House
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Meals: 3 meals daily, including arrival lunch/dinner, breakfasts, daily lunches, daily dinners accommodating dietary restrictions if needed. Meals include water, tea, or coffee. *Meals are basic and include traditional Honduran staples such as beans, corn/flour tortillas, plantains etc. Full menu available upon request. There is a grocery store available on site for any additional items you wish to purchase.
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Four boat/shore dives
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Marine conservation donation. Your tax-deductible donation will enable us to carry out our work and support local Honduran fishers’ salaries and enable us to train up and coming Honduran biologists in future expeditions!
What is not included?
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International air flights
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First night in Roatan
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Transfers between Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport and the hotel in Roatan
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Travel, health, or cancellation insurance
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Alcoholic beverages
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Snorkeling gear rental
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Dive gear rental if needed
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Personal items and incidentals
AN INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE
IS WAITING FOR YOU
