Program Reviews

Our typical day was having a lesson about marine biology, playing games like a family, scuba diving, and working on our homework. Even though this trip involved a lot of work, it still payed off by experiencing the most incredible dive sites and visiting the nicest beaches with soft white sand and crystal clear water. Having the opportunity to learn about something and then go out and see what it does or looks like with your own eyes, is definitely a better feeling than looking at it on a computer or in class. Some troubles that I faced were the bugs and trying to keep my grades where I liked them. The bugs were absolutely terrible, I couldn't stop itching and I would strongly recommend getting a bug spray that works. Also the rooms were a little hard to deal with, just because it was hot at night and the beds were a little uncomfortable. Besides that I had an amazing experience and all the good things triumphed the bad things. I couldn't have been more sad to leave the place, just like everyone else. The whole group bonded so well, it was like we have known each other for 5 years. Overall an amazing and educational trip!

What I was expecting did could not even describe what it actually was like. Waking up on a boat every morning with the fresh sea air was amazing and just knowing that you are going to spend the day diving and sailing is such a great way to live.

Everyday you go on at least 2 dives, one in the morning and one a little after lunch, and on some days you do night dives which are just spectacular. At night you see some of the most amazing things like giant crabs, jelly fish, and sharks, and when you turn your lights off you get to see the illumination of the phytoplankton which makes the dark waters look like the night sky.

The instructors on the trip are the best kind of people you could find to do something like this. They are intelligent, fun, and make sure you are safe while having the best time of your life.

Going on this trip has actually changed my life. I met the most amazing people, had the most amazing time, and would do it again in a heartbeat. Especially since it was my first time out of the country, BroadReach made it worth my while.

My decision to go on the Belize Wilderness Emergency Medicine trip with Broadreach was definitely among the best decisions I've ever made. We were able to learn, grow, and experience so much in three mere weeks. We learned an incredible amount about wilderness emergency medicine, got certified as WFRs (Wilderness First Responders), and made close friends with people from all over the country and world with similar interests. When we weren't learning, we were hiking in the lush rainforest, spelunking in a Mayan cave, swimming in the crystal clear waters of a waterfall, or visiting an authentic Mayan chocolate factory/shop for a late night treat. We were even given the amazing opportunity to watch a C-section and hysterectomy at the Belizean hospital we were shadowing at. It was one of the coolest things I've ever seen.
Almost all of the accommodations were way above what I was expecting (some were really awesome! but get used to the bugs), the food was delicious, and the WFR course was very hands-on and really fun. My counselors (Steve and Jessie) and WFR instructor (Ed) went above and beyond to make this trip amazing for us. Definitely one of the best summers of my life.

This trip is one of the most amazing experiences, from the sharks, the instructors, and the locals. Every dive was amazing there was always something new to see and learn about. Being able to study the sharks in the villa, then having the opportunity to actually go out and dive at the Shark Reef Marine Reserve with these amazing creatures is incredible. I learned so much more than any other classroom could of brought me thanks to our amazing teacher, instructors, and dive shop staff members. The village stay on Beqa island was also very special, we got to experience the Fijian way of life in a non touristy way. They made us feel so welcomed on to their absolutely stunning island. From the two Broachreach trips I have been on I can say that Broachreach is an extremely safe and fun program that will teach you so much more than you can imagine. I would recommend this program to anyone especially if you love sharks or the marine world in general.

This trip was incredible and life-changing! I was a little nervous to be without anyone that I knew in a foreign country, but the instructors and participants made me feel right at home. It was my first experience diving and it was amazing to see everything under water! The people were amazing, the trip was incredible and I learned so many things about marine biology and myself.

I would not change this experience for anything. I truly cannot imagine with summer without it. This, along with the program I did after it, were the best way I could have spent the summer before my junior year of college. It presented with me with opportunities, connections, and career possibilities I had no idea existed.

I think one of the best elements of the program is the connection between what we learn in our marine biology lectures, our dives, and our small sailing lessons. Not only did we learn about the creatures and the environment, we also learned about our personal and global impact on the water. Leaning about the destruction of the largest ecosystem on the planet and then being able to live out sustainable practices was an incredible experience. Broadreach give me the opportunity to explore the kind of life I wish to lead.

This 3 week program was an amazing experience. Some memorable events include the hike up on the mountain in St. Kitts, diving in Saba, going to town in St. Barth's, sunsets on the boat, our nite dive in St. kitts, cliff jumping in Saba, and wake boarding with my sailing instructor and trying to pull off a backflip. Diving every day and beautiful oceans make a great summer.

In Panama, I learned how to find myself. The person who I am now is entirely different from who I was before the trip. This is because Broadreach taught me to take risks and step outside of my comfort zone, whether it was surfing in Santa Catalina, whitewater rafting on the Chiriquí river, rock climbing in Boqueté, or snorkeling around Isla Iguana and exploring Coiba. I have always been afraid of snorkeling but now it is one of my favorite things to do and I can't wait to get back on the surfboard and fall off less times than I did when we were learning in Panama. I also learned the basics of photography and was able to add a technical element to my photography skills. Overall, the trip was life-changing and I can't wait to visit the amazing country of Panama again to explore, take more photos, try new things, and do community service- with the friends that will last me a lifetime.

I just returned early from a Broadreach live-aboard program in the Caribbean. I came home because there were serious health and safety issues on the boat, it was filthy. Another girl left when I did because she contracted staph. It was a nightmare. They crowd too many people on their boats, not enough beds for every student! There is no generator on the boat, no a/c, very little refrigeration. Fresh water is rationed to the extreme- we were allowed only a 10- second shower a day, not in private, but on the deck using a hose that trickled water. We were unable to clean ourselves thoroughly. The students are responsible for cooking every meal and cleaning the entire filthy boat. We only had warm water to drink the entire time, nothing else. Only the crew had cold drinks. We were forced to share dive computers even though we pre-paid for rentals through Broadreach. They said they ran out. It is dangerous for more than one diver to rely on a single dive computer. I feel very fortunate that I was able to come home early. I spent my entire savings from my graduation money on this trip, over $6,000.00, and I am so upset that Broadreach is getting away with treating students this way.