Caribbean Reef Buddy

Program Reviews

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Jonny
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

What an experience!

I arrived in Carriacou already a rescue diver and fairly confident with my diving. I signed up for an 8 week program thinking I'd get my divemaster and do some project work before heading back home at the end of the summer.... But I've now gone on to become a dive professional and now work and live as a diving instructor in the Caribbean.

I learned so much from Gary, Nora and the team. They're so knowledgeable about diving, safety, conservation and everything else that I could want to know. The team are also a lot of fun to be around too (most of the time). Could not recommend this program enough.

Pros
  • professionalism of the team
  • location - its beautiful
  • friendly island. Friendliest place I've ever experienced
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Todd
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Carribean Reef Buddies

There were so many things to see, swarms of fish, tons of coral varieties, sponges, eels, turtles and even a few nudibranchs. Oh and you forget you are supposed to be identifying various predators.
Many staff members had hawkeyes to point out very well hidden or camouflaged shrimp, eels and the rare Frogfish.
Great teaching on land to prep for coral, fish id, and substrates. Patient with my questions too.
Fun to find micro frag coral and prep it for the coral nursery replanting.

They demonstrate, you do, and we fasten them to the tables!

Very knowledgeable staff!

So feel free to become a reef buddie too, you will not regret it.

Pros
  • Variety of projects
  • Great Staff.
  • Marine life like you've never seen.
Cons
  • Full moon causes a fast current
  • Water can be cloudy
  • Can be very noisy on the weekends and or holidays in town. So choose accommodations far from the Madding crowd and you will be all tickety boo for the next days dive. the MDDI
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Megan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Caribbean Reef Buddy with Deefer Diving: Experience in Carriacou

The work I got to do with Caribbean Reef Buddy, volunteering on the coral reef and helping to identify coral species was truly special. The diving instructors at Deefer Diving were incredibly knowledgeable and supportive throughout all of the training and they provided a lot of one-on-one instruction, even in a group setting. In my spare time, I also hiked on the island which was amazing and everyone I met was very welcoming. I really benefited from the experience and I'd recommend the program to people of any age with an interest in adventure.

Pros
  • Great learning experience
  • Amazing people
  • Beautiful views
Jeremy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Excellent Caribbean SCUBA programming

This is my fourth year bringing college students down for dive training. This year, we also included a project week wherein students applied all of their new skills in a reef monitoring and coral out-planting research. Staff here have always been very accommodating of various skill levels and interests of participants and provide flexibility in our programming. We are super excited to partner with them on this new research project. Additionally, their staff have an excellent understanding of the social, economic, and environmental interplay in coral reef management, educational outreach, and enhancement projects.
In addition to diving and project work, staff organize weekly social events and can also provide guidance on additional recreational activities including hikes, snorkeling, kayaking, and more. Five Stars!

Pros
  • Guest house close to dive shop. .
  • Lots of great dive sites.
  • Training AND conservation work.
Cons
  • The shop is closed on Sundays.
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Ashley
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Caribbean Reef Buddy

My experience was great! Though at the beginning I was a bit hesitant to get in the water and do the training activities once I was doing them it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. The staff here are really supportive and are willing to accommodate for any needs people had. They are willing to work at your own pace while still pushing you to do your best. After all the training was complete I felt more comfortable diving and it made the experience more enjoyable. The dive sites are really cool as well. There are many different locations not too far away from the shop. I would recommend this dive shop to people, it was a great experience and I wish to come back.

Pros
  • supportive environment
  • interesting research
  • A lot of dive time
Cons
  • Compact schedule oin the mornings
  • large diving groups (depends)
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Kaili
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Deefer Diving/Caribbean Reef Buddy Volunteering

The team at Deefer Diving made learning how scuba dive fun and exciting. As a new comer, having kind, knowledgeable and confident instructors made the process easy. They answer all questions with enthusiasm. Their goal is to help people reach theirs. Not only was diving a fantastic experience, but the location of Carriacou was perfect. The work being done with the reefs in the area was extremely interesting to those have a knack for marine sciences.
If you have ever wanted to scuba dive, this is a great team to start with.

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Shawnna
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Experience of a lifetime in Carriacou

The staff at Deefer Diving are absolutely phenominal. They are patient, understanding, incredibly safe, knowledgable, and they're so much fun. We had a fairly large group, and they were able to accommodate eveybody's specialized needs and skill levels. They gave great recommendations for adventures to explore outside of diving as well. This was truly the experience of a lifetime, and I could not recommend them enough! Thank you to all of the staff at Deefer Diving for giving your 110% every single day. Your hard work and dedication is seen and appreciated.

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Jason
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Carribean Reef Buddy Review - JChirico

This was a life-changing experience. The crew at CRB provided a mix of fun and education that was an amazing basis to learn and become certified as an advanced open-water diver. The fact that we were able to help with a research project only made the entire experience more enjoyable. I am forever changed by this experience and plan to revisit the great people at Deefer Diver. I had moderate expectations for this trip with the school and will preach to anyone interested in participating in the future. I can not say thank you enough but here goes

Thank you all,

Jason Chirico

Pros
  • Amazing staff
  • An enjoyable experience when creating a positive environmental impact
  • Diver certification
Cons
  • Please make the powerpoint slides available in advance
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Nora
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

What a program! What an experience!

I felt 8 weeks wasn't enough, so decided to stay for another 8 weeks to gain some experience... It turned out to be the best decision I've made in my life!
Caribbean Reef Buddy not only gave be the training and knowledge I needed to be a better diver and love the ocean, but it also opened a door for me to choose a new life style into becoming a Dive Instructor.
The team at CRB and Deefer are highly professional, knowledgeable, courteous and fun, which makes you feel amongst family and friends.
The underwater sceneries are mesmerizing, which makes Carriacou one of the best diving locations in the world.
But what I've loved the most, by far, was getting new dive buddies from different places in the world and also be able to experience the Caribbean culture.

Pros
  • All the new information you learn, marine conservation related.
  • Improving your dive skills.
  • Amazing fun underwater and on land, Carriacou is a gem!
Cons
  • Gets cold and rainy during hurricane season.
  • The program is intense, so you feel drained at times.
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Olivia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Summer of a lifetime

I came to Carriacou in hopes to work with Caribbean Reef Buddy for 2 months, but ended up staying for double that! Their EcoDivemaster allowed me to not just develop professionally within diving, but also personally. CRB then allowed me to intern, learning more about our underwater world and the day to day activities of a dive shop. It gave me insight and knowledge I couldn’t get elsewhere.

The staff are so welcoming and friendly. They’re there to help you with whatever you need whenever you need. Their experience is beyond amazing, it’s so special waking up everyday knowing you’re going to see something you’ve never seen and learn something you’ve never heard about.

Safe to say, I definitely made lifelong friends and memories that will last a lifetime.

Pros
  • Social activity’s every weekend, so much fun!
  • New experiences daily, never a dull moment
  • Lifelong friends and memories
Cons
  • Mosquitos
  • Training weeks can be intense and exhausting