TIDES Explorer
$2,650/studnet (Deposit: $800) A transformative journey into the world of marine science and ocean conservation for students aged 12-18. Earn your SSI Open Water Scuba Diver Certification, make new friends, and learn about the ocean!
Availability: Contact us for booking information
TIDES Explorer is the first course in this one one-of-a-kind, multi-year program that takes students on a transformative journey into the underwater world of marine science and ocean conservation. This class introduces students to the sport of scuba diving with the SSI Open Water Scuba Diver Certification. In addition to providing a lifelong scuba certification, we include a course on Ocean Literacy to provide the backbone to understanding how we are connected to the ocean and why it’s so important.
This program begins with several virtual instructional sessions, followed by an in-person adventure at the MarineLab educational facility and Ocean First location in Key Largo, Florida. Here, students will spend 7 days in the MarineLab dorms. Chaperoned by our TIDES instructors, they'll complete in-water scuba training in the on-site Jules Lagoon, participate in several marine science labs and field excursions in the ocean and mangrove forests, and scuba dive with OFKL on the magnificent coral reefs.
Prerequisites
- Age: 12-18
- All participants must be in good health and have satisfactory completion of a SCUBA medical waiver.
What's Next?
Already have your Open Water Scuba Certification? Join TIDES Advanced Explorer!
Price: $2,650/student
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Sign-up by June 28th, 2024 to put down your deposit and reserve your spot!
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Deposit: $800 due upon sign-up (Non-refundable)
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Please note: minimum students for program to run is 5 students. Course is subject to cancellation if minimum number of students do not sign up by deadline (deposit will be refunded in this case only).
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Final Payment: $1,850 due July 1st, 2024
Cancellation Policy:
- Changes made to the reservation may result in additional fees.
- Cancellation 180 days or more: refund given based on reselling the space, minus the initial deposit.
- 179 - 120 days: payments made to date are forfeited as well as any vendor fees.
- 119 days or less or a no-show: no refunds given.
- We strongly recommend securing trip cancellation insurance to protect your investment in the unlikely event you need to cancel your trip. Our preferred provider is DAN Trip Insurance.
Inclusions:
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SSI Open Water Diver life-long scuba certification
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Rental SCUBA equipment (BCD, regulator set, dive computer)
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Personal Dive Accident Insurance for duration of training
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7 days/6 nights dorm-style lodging at MarineLab
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All meals on-site
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TIDES T-shirt
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Virtual classroom sessions
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Confined water scuba skills training
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Logbook and certification card
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Digital learning materials
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8 Open Water Scuba Dives (boat dives pending weather conditions or lagoon dives)
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Ocean First Education’s Ocean Literacy Short Course
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MarineLab Activities
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Lab: Water Quality
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Lab: Invertebrate Diversity
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Lab: Zooplankton
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Activity: Plankton Races
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Field Trip: Marine Debris
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Lab: Microplastics
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Lab: Harmful Algal Blooms and Phytoplankton Identification/Monitoring
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Activity: Night Snorkel
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Field Trip: Rodriguez Key
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Activity: Lagoon Snorkel and Undersea Lab Museum
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Not Included:
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Roundtrip Airfare & Transportation to MarineLab
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Please note: parents/guardians are responsible for arranging travel for their students. Students will be chaperoned for the duration of the program beginning and ending with arrival and departure at MarineLab respectively.
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Chaperoned transportation from the Miami airport to MarineLab may be added on for an additional fee.
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Contact us to request chaperoned airport transfer (Est. fee $165 - $325 based on transfer requests).
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For Denver area students only, chaperoned travel through the airport may be added on for an additional fee from DIA, beginning at designated airport meeting time (subject to change if the flight is delayed) and ending upon student pickup at baggage claim.
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Contact us to request chaperoned airport travel from DIA ($100 fee/student)
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Personal Snorkel Equipment: Scuba mask, fins, dive booties, snorkel
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Contact us about any questions regarding purchasing snorkel equipment or to receive a complimentary equipment buying guide.
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For Denver area students, gear can be purchased at our Ocean First Boulder location.
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Virtual Calssroom Dates (Zoom): July 1st, 2024 - July 17th, 2024 (MST)
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In-Person TIDES Explorer Camp at MarineLab and Ocean First Key Largo: July 21st - 27th, 2024 (EST)
- Day 1: Sun. July 21st
- 6:30pm EST: Arrival at MarineLab Campus
- 7-8pm: Orientation, pizza dinner
- Day 2: Mon. July 22nd
- 8am: Breakfast
- 9am - 11am: SSI Review and Open Water Diver Final Exam
- 12pm: Lunch
- 1pm - 2pm: Swim Test and Snorkel Gear Orientation
- 2-5pm: Scuba Skills sessions 1 & 2 in Lagoon
- 6pm: Dinner
- 7pm - 8pm: Lab: Water Quality
- 8pm - 9pm: Lab: Invertebrate Diversity
- Day 3: Tues. July 23rd
- 7:30am: Breakfast
- 8am - 12pm: Scuba skills sessions 3 & 4 in Lagoon
- 12:30pm: Lunch
- 1pm - 5pm: 2 PM Boat Checkout Dives
- 6pm: Dinner
- 7-8pm: Log Dives
- 8pm - 9pm: Zooplankton Lab
- Day 4: Wed. July 24th
- 7:30am: Breakfast
- 8am - 12pm: Scuba Skills Sessions 5 & 6 in Lagoon
- 12:30pm: Lunch
- 1pm - 5pm: 2 PM Boat Checkout Dives
- 6pm: Dinner
- 7pm -8pm: Log Dives
- 8pm - 9pm: Activity: Plankton Races
- Day 5: Thurs. July 25th
- 7:30am: Breakfast
- 8am - 11:30am: 2 AM Boat Dives
- 12:30pm: Lunch
- 2-5pm: Discussion and Field Trip: Marine Debris
- 6pm: Dinner
- 7-8pm: Lab: Microplastics
- 8-9pm: Activity: Night Snorkel
- Day 6: Fri. July 26th
- 7:30am: Breakfast
- 8-12pm: 2 AM Boat Dives
- 12:30pm: Lunch
- 2-5pm: Field Trip: Rodriguez Key
- 6pm: Dinner
- 7-9pm: Phytoplankton Monitoring Lab
- Day 7: Sat. July 27th
- 8am: Breakfast
- 9-11am: Lagoon Snorkel, Undersea Lab Museum, Gift Shop, Paperwork
- 12pm: Lunch
- 12:30pm: Depart
For Questions or Inquiries:
Contact Jaimie Albach, TIDES OFKL Program Coordinator
- Email: jaimie.albach@oceanfirst.blue