Broadreach: Caribbean Diving and Sailing Voyages

I loved this trip. It was the best thing I have ever done. This trip changed me in the best ways possible, making me a better person. The people and instructors were amazing and we all grew to love each other as if we were truly a family. I loved the scuba diving, it was terrifying in the beginning but our instructors talked us through everything, making me feel much better. The things we saw while we were diving were beautiful. It was something I've never experienced before, and I loved it. The academic lessons were what every typical teenager would say, boring. Our instructors made it as fun as they could, and they were great at talking us through the things we struggled with, such as the dive tables. I also loved the sailing! I was worried I'd get sea sick, but our skipper was great and she knew tons of tricks to prevent it. She was great at showing us how everything worked, and great at helping us study for our test. Overall, this trip was amazing, going on it was the best decision of my life.

Going on the Caribbean underwater voyage was by far one of the greatest learning experiences I have ever had. I grew in self confidence, became more adaptable, as well as much more independent. These traits can be thanks to the instructors(not the typical camp counselors). We would wake up early, go on an early morning dive, make breakfast, clean the boat, go sailing, and so on. A great thing that Broadreach does is that they have the instructors designate a leader of the day, which is one of your fellow students that are to help organize the day. All in all, there were so many more great things (far to many to type).

Broadreach offers more than just a summer camp journey, the trips they offer are truly 'Once In a Lifetime Journies'. What more could a person ask for than being able to travel the islands of the Caribbean on a forty foot catamaran while at the same time learning to sail, scuba dive, climb mountains, help communities, wakeboard, waterski, etc. After looking back at my journey in the Caribbean and thinking of all the life long friends I made, I would be happy to do it all over again.

The Caribbean Grenadines Advanced Scuba Voyage was an over all amazing, life-changing, and thrilling summer trip. A regular day on the boat would include waking up for a dawn dive, making breakfast by yourself for the whole boat, going on another dive, having fun and swimming around the boat, having lunch prepared by another student, going on another dive, then another, then dinner, then another dive. You will receive around four dive specialties and a sailing specialty per trip, with possibly getting an Emergency First Responder certification along with a Rescue Diver certification. The amazing thing is is that you won't just come away from the trip with new knowledge on diving and sailing, you will come home with new life long friends from around the country, and memories that can never be repeated. I am still seeing myself apply things I learned on the catamaran to things at school or at home. All in all, the Caribbean Grenadines Advanced Scuba Voyage is the way to go. Take it from somebody who has gone, and loved it!

Costa Rica & Panama Primate Studies was an experience I would not be the same without. The academic course was incredibly interesting and not only taught me a great deal about primates and rainforest ecology, but also about my own desire to learn. I loved the community service activities we did, and I truly feel like I made a difference. The leader of the day program was an amazing opportunity to test out a leadership position and learn how to make decisions to benefit the whole group. The work we did at the wildlife sanctuary was my favorite part because it was so hands on. This experience has helped me to realize what I want to do with my life, which is to be a zoologist.

The trip was a life changing experience. Diving exposes you to a whole new world. You and your crew mates will become great friends. Everyone had a great time and got along perfectly. If you have the opportunity to participate in a program definitely go.

I have been on two Broadreach trips in the past two years. I can honestly say that my Broadreach experiences have been the most amazing and life changing experience of my life. From spending the day at a hidden beach to become EFR and Rescue Diver certified Broadreach knows how to make a trip amazing. Needless to say that the day is filled from 5am to 11pm most days and since you're on a boat you never know the date. Don't be nervous though, you never feel tired because you are having too much fun! The people that are constantly around you become more then friends, but a family. After the awkward first day of not knowing anyone everyone starts to open up and bond. Even after leaving Broadreach you stay in touch and find times to video chat even though some people live on the West coast and the others on the East. The friendship that you make never goes away because you share so many great memories with people that it is physically impossible to forget. Even your group leaders keep in touch with you! Broadreach is an experience that has made me who I am, a girl who loves to spend her time learning about the ocean and blowing bubbles. I highly recommend Broadreach to any teenager who is looking for a fun, educational way to spend their summer, especially if they have a love for something. My experiences on Broadreach adventures have been so great that I wouldn't give anything in the world to exchange them. Not a day goes by where I don't think about some memory from one of my trips or dream of the next exotic location that I will travel to.

Over this past summer I had a unique experience traveling through the Caribbean on a “live aboard yacht” for 3 weeks. On this trip of a lifetime, I got my advanced open water scuba certification and my International Yacht Training certification. I also learned so much about the history of the islands we visited and their various cultures. I really enjoyed visiting new places and getting to do community service on one of the islands. I did community service in St. Eustatius. The service I did was “scrub-mooring balls.” This process entailed diving while scrubbing the mooring line with a wire brush. Cleaning these items helps them last longer and keeps the surrounding waters cleaner. I thought it was a cool and really exciting experience because while bettering the St. Eustatius Ocean, it allowed me to give back to the island, especially after having such a rewarding experience. Another part of this trip that was quite unique was that I lived in very small quarters with 12 other students from all over the United States, and I made 12 great friends that I will have for the rest of my life. I really enjoy meeting new people and I felt that going on this trip I would make some great new friends. Making new friends is a skill that I felt that I have always been good at. I think this skill is very important because it gives me the opportunity to go anywhere and always feel comfortable. This trip also strengthened my love for travel. I truly enjoyed traveling around the Caribbean and I hope to travel all around the world and experience what the world has to offer. Another amazing part of this trip was the staff. They were the most caring, loving and interesting people I have ever met. While having fun they did an amazing job of being safe and teaching us things in a fun environment. The staff far pasted my expectations and I couldn’t have asked for better instructors. On a day to day basic the program entailed one major thing, which was DIVING. The whole group learned together, worked together and failed together. I believe that working together was the one thing that made our group a family. I would definitely recommend this program for anyone who wants to learn, grow and have an unforgettable adventure. GO BROADREACH