RRFB offers multiple internship programs designed to give you hands-on experience in the non-profit world of coral restoration. Whether you join us for 10 weeks or 6 months, you’ll be trained and certified as a coral restoration diver and will gain experience in every aspect of our daily operations. Your work will include maintaining coral nurseries, outplanting corals onto the reef, assisting with education and community outreach, collecting data, and supporting long-term reef monitoring.
Want to know what it’s like to be an RRFB intern? Read first-hand experiences from past participants here
Which internship is right for you?
Reef Renewal Bonaire offers two internship options: a 10 week program and a 6 month program. Both are full time, immersive experiences that begin with the same hands-on coral restoration training and diver certification. As you progress, your role and responsibilities will depend on the duration of your internship.
This table will help you understand the key differences between the two paths so you can choose the one that best fits your availability, diving experience, and goals for contributing to reef restoration.
New for 2026: In addition to our general internship tracks, we are introducing a specialized Communication & Education Internship — a 6-month program focused on outreach, media, and educational engagement. Learn more about this opportunity here.
Due to legal reasons and visa restrictions interns not from the Netherlands / United States cannot receive a stipend.
Our 10 week internships follow a set schedule, with fixed start and end dates that align with quarterly periods. The 6 month internships offer more flexibility in start dates, depending on the number of interns we currently host. We accommodate up to three interns at a time, which can include a mix of 10 week and 6-month participants.
1st Quarter 2026
10-week internship CLOSED
Start date: January 12th
End date: March 27th
2nd Quarter 2026
10-week internship OPEN
Start date: April 13th
End date: June 26th
Spawning season; Night diving experience preferred
3rd Quarter 2026
10-week internship OPEN
Start date: July 13th
End date: September 26th
Spawning season; Night diving experience preferred
4th Quarter 2026
10-week internship OPEN
Start date: October 5th
End date: December 18th
January – June 2026
(Start and end dates are somewhat flexible)
6 mo. Coral restoration internship CLOSED
July – December 2026
(Start and end dates are somewhat flexible)
6 mo. Coral restoration internship OPEN
Qualifications & Requirements
- Applicants should be enrolled in an (under)graduate program OR be a recent graduate from a college or university.
- Applicants must be 18 years or older.
- Applicants must have an Open Water SCUBA diver certification and at least 30 logged dives.
- Applicants must be able to lift 20 kg/45 lbs.
- Applicants need to be physically fit and able to work in the water and sun. Selected candidates are required to fill in a Diver Medical Participant Questionnaire.
You will participate in a range of tasks including:
- Participating in community outreach programs
- Assisting with maintenance in coral nurseries
- Assisting with the outplanting of corals
- Assisting staff in coral reef restoration dive programs
- Assisting staff in leading volunteer activities
- Promoting the Foundation and communicating the achievements
What our interns say
Our Interns
