Whale Shark and Oceanic Research Center

What Whale Shark and Oceanic Research Center does

The Whale Shark and Oceanic Research Center (WSORC) is a private non-profit marine conservation organization headquartered in Utila, Bay Islands, Honduras, operating with a staff of approximately five. Founded to increase the presence and availability of researchers in Honduras working with whale sharks, WSORC runs an integrated portfolio of fieldwork and education programs: long-term whale shark photo-identification and population monitoring, Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) treatment across more than 130 coral colonies since 2022, invasive lionfish spearing and dissection workshops, mangrove and coral nursery restoration, REEF Level 2 fish surveyor training, and diver impact surveys. Research output is formalized through peer-reviewed publication, with the first scientific paper appearing in January 2025.

WSORC generates revenue through paid internship programs priced between $1,099 and $2,907 per month depending on PADI certification tier (Marine Conservation Internship, Marine Conservation & Divemaster, Marine Conservation & Instructor, and a long-term Research Assistant track), Ocean Safari ecotours (requiring a $10 non-refundable reservation deposit), direct donations, and the JEOS Scholarship fundraising pipeline valued at $10,000 per cohort. Customer segments span aspiring marine biologists and career changers, international eco-tourists, Honduran university students, and academic researchers seeking in-country thesis support. The organization distributes its services through a physical visitor center in Utila, online Google Forms applications, college-accredited partnerships with universities, and co-selling arrangements with dive shops and resorts.

The go-to-market motion is community-led, relying on social media (LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube), a multi-author blog, word-of-mouth referrals from alumni, and partnerships with Bay Islands College of Diving, REEF, PADI, Sand Cloud, Fundacion Islas de la Bahia, and Bay Islands Conservation Association. Ocean Safari profits are explicitly reinvested into research and community outreach programs, reinforcing the organization's funding flywheel between ecotourism revenue and conservation output.

Name

Whale Shark and Oceanic Research Center

Legal name

Whale Shark and Oceanic Research Center

Website

https://wsorc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Non-profit marine conservation research center in Utila, Honduras, conducting whale shark population research, coral reef SCTLD monitoring, and lionfish management while offering paid internships, ecotours, and the JEOS Scholarship for Honduran students pursuing marine conservation careers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Conservation Education

NAICS

Other Support Activities for Water Transportation (48839)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine Wildlife & Coastal Nature Tours (Whale/Dolphin Watching, Sea Kayaking) (THAAAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Whale Watching & Marine Mammal Tours (THAAAIAC), Marine Conservation & Citizen-Science Experiences (reef monitoring, turtle walks) (THAAAIAH), Guided Diving & Snorkeling Excursions (boat/shore trips) (THAAAIAB), Snorkeling Tours & Reef Experiences (THAJAJAE)

Keywords

• Marine conservation
• Scuba diving certification
• Whale shark research
• Ocean internships
• Reef monitoring

Headquarters

HQ city

Utila

HQ country

Honduras

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Professional Services - Research Assistant Program: Long-term internship program charging $1,400 USD per month (with summer pricing at $2,399), providing hands-on marine conservation experience, accommodation, training, and survey equipment.
2. Professional Services - Marine Conservation Internship: One-month internship programs priced from $2,249-$2,907 depending on diving certification level, including accommodation, diving qualifications, research training, and REEF surveyor certification.
3. Professional Services - Marine Conservation & Divemaster: 2-3 month internship combining Divemaster certification with conservation projects, priced at $1,099 plus $150 PADI fees.
4. Professional Services - Marine Conservation & Instructor: 2-3 month program combining PADI Instructor Development Course with conservation work, priced at $2,249/month for Marine Conservation portion plus $1,999 for IDC and $1,150 PADI fees.
5. Ecotourism - Ocean Safaris: 3-4 hour boat expeditions to search for whale sharks and marine megafauna around Utila, with profits funding research and community outreach programs.
6. JEOS Scholarship Fundraising: Scholarship program valued at $10,000, funded through donations and sponsorships for Honduran university students pursuing marine conservation careers.
7. Donations and Charitable Support: Direct donations from supporters to fund research, community outreach programs, and conservation efforts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Whale Shark and Oceanic Research Center (WSORC) is a non-profit marine conservation organization that conducts field research on whale sharks and Caribbean coral reefs while delivering paid marine conservation internship programs, professional PADI diving certifications, and Ocean Safari ecotours from its headquarters in Utila, Honduras. Revenue from program fees, ecotours, and donations funds ongoing coral reef monitoring, lionfish containment, and the JEOS scholarship for Honduran students.

Product overview

The Whale Shark and Oceanic Research Center (WSORC) offers a portfolio of marine conservation programs centered around research, education, and ecotourism on Utila, Honduras. The core offerings include Ocean Safaris for whale shark encounters, structured internship programs (Marine Conservation Internship, Divemaster, and Instructor tracks), a Research Assistant long-term program, and the JEOS Scholarship for Honduran nationals. Supporting research programs cover whale shark identification, coral reef monitoring, lionfish containment, and REEF surveyor training. The organization integrates conservation work with professional diving certifications and community education.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ocean Safaris Three to four hour boat excursions to search for whale sharks, dolphins, tuna boils, and pilot whales around Utila, including a snorkeling session on a shallow fringing reef. Aimed at eco-tourists seeking responsible wildlife encounters; profits fund research and outreach.
• Marine Conservation Internship (MCI) One-month internship providing SCUBA diving qualifications up to Advanced Open Water, Caribbean reef fish and coral identification training, and 6-8 research dives per week. Designed for aspiring marine conservationists seeking hands-on field experience.
• Marine Conservation & Divemaster Two to three month internship integrating PADI Divemaster certification with conservation projects, Caribbean reef fish identification, research dive training, and marine megafauna monitoring. Aimed at individuals pursuing professional dive leadership with conservation expertise.
• Marine Conservation & Instructor Two to three month program combining the PADI Instructor Development Course with marine conservation research, including whale shark research, coral nursery management, mangrove nursery management, lionfish containment, and NGO operations training.
• Research Assistant Program Long-term internship program for individuals gaining practical experience in marine research, including Caribbean reef fish identification, coral reef surveying, whale shark population monitoring, and community outreach.
• Jim Engel Ocean Steward Scholarship (JEOS) Scholarship program for Honduran nationals providing up to 6 months of educational internship placement including SCUBA diving courses up to Divemaster certification level, valued at $10,000 USD.
• Citizen Science Program Volunteer program in partnership with Bay Islands College of Diving allowing participants to contribute to marine conservation data collection and research efforts.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 130 coral colonies monitored for Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) since 2022
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Sand CloudcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMarine conservation company that partners with WSORC for fundraising and awareness campaigns. Sand Cloud's mission focuses on marine conservation and ocean protection through sustainable products and community engagement.
• Fundacion Islas de la BahiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal foundation supporting the Bay Islands of Honduras, providing institutional support and alignment for marine conservation initiatives on Utila and surrounding islands.
• Bay Islands Conservation AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional conservation organization working on marine ecosystem protection across the Bay Islands, collaborating with WSORC on research and conservation programs.
• Bay Islands College of DivingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary dive training partner providing PADI certifications for WSORC interns. Located on Utila, they co-sponsor the JEOS Scholarship program and integrate professional diving training with conservation projects. Platinum PADI Course Directors deliver Instructor Development Courses.
• Utila LodgeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal resort accommodation provider on Utila, adjacent to WSORC's office location. Provides lodging referrals for interns and eco-tourists visiting the research center.
• REEF (Reef Environmental Education Foundation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational organization providing fish identification surveyor certification programs. WSORC provides REEF Level 2 surveyor training to interns, contributing data to a multinational fish monitoring database.
• PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld's leading scuba diving certification agency. WSORC offers PADI certifications from Open Water through Divemaster and Instructor levels through their training partnership.
• Honduran Government (Whale Shark Regulations)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWSORC enforces and advocates for Honduran whale shark encounter regulations established in 2008 to protect whale sharks and ensure sustainable tourism interactions.
• Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras (UNAH) - Museo de Historia NaturalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational university museum collaborating with JEOS scholar Allyson Oviedo on field research and scientific collections, supporting marine conservation education in Honduras.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Blue Ventures: Blue Ventures runs marine conservation expeditions and volunteer programs in tropical coastal locations, combining scuba training, fieldwork, and community engagement. WSORC's internship and safari portfolio mirrors this paid-expedition-plus-conservation model in a smaller Honduran setting.
• Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF): REEF runs the fish surveyor certification program that WSORC delivers training for. Both organizations combine citizen science training with marine conservation fieldwork and share program participants, making REEF the closest comparable on mission and training model.
• Sea Education Association: Sea Education Association runs accredited ocean-focused educational voyages and shore-based programs combining research training with experiential learning. WSORC's college-accredited marine conservation internships operate the same model at a smaller scale.
• Oceanic Society: Oceanic Society operates responsible whale watching ecotours and citizen science programs focused on marine megafauna. WSORC's Ocean Safaris and whale shark individual identification program overlap directly with Oceanic Society's ecotourism-and-research hybrid model.
• Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL): CORAL is a global NGO dedicated to coral reef conservation through science, partnerships, and community engagement. WSORC's SCTLD monitoring and treatment work, coral nursery programs, and Caribbean reef focus align closely with CORAL's mandate.
• Roatan Marine Park: Roatan Marine Park is a Honduran Bay Islands marine protected area operator running patrols, conservation programs, and education on Roatan. WSORC alum Andrea Godoy transitioned to Program Manager at Roatan Marine Park, evidencing direct programmatic overlap in the same geography.
• Bay Islands Conservation Association (BICA): BICA is a regional NGO working on marine ecosystem protection across the Bay Islands and a core WSORC partner. It is the most regionally comparable peer operating conservation and community programs on the same islands.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/WSORC
• YouTubeyoutube.com/diveutila
• Facebookfacebook.com/WSORC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wsorc
• Instagraminstagram.com/wsorc_life

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Whale Shark and Oceanic Research Center