Discover Reef Repair

A coral gardening diving experience for you to become a coral gardener for a day! Show you care about coral reef conservation and experience how the world is trying to bring dead coral reefs back to life.

This is your opportunity to show your commitment to responsibly friendly snorkeling and diving by learning the current challenges that oceans face today, commit to taking actions to reduce your impact, adopt a code of conduct for responsible use of coral reefs, and experience the coral gardening approach to coral reef restoration. You can be a snorkeler, a diver, or a dive operator. This full-day course allows you to experience firsthand how scientists and managers are actively protecting coral reefs and try your hand at some of the coral gardening techniques used for restoring coral reefs. Whether you are a snorkeler or a diver, if you have ever wondered what it is coral gardening, this is your chance to find out!

Overview: Full-day course. This is an introductory course for individuals to learn the basic principles of coral reef restoration using the coral gardening approach. The main focus is to provide insight into how coral gardening techniques and equipment are applied in the field. Includes both classroom or e-learning and fieldwork.

Progression of Reef Repair Diver Program Reef Repair Colombia

Theory component: two-hours in-person or e-learning session where you learn about the fundamentals of coral reefs. This includes their function and importance. You’ll then go on to learn about the driving forces behind the decline of coral reefs and what measures are being taken to halt this decline, in order to ensure that there continue to be functional coral reefs. Finally, you’ll have time to reflect on what can be done to aid in the future of coral reef conservation. This will touch on how coral gardening can assist in coral reef restoration.

E-Learning Ready

Start your training today! Complete and pass the knowledge component of our meaningful diving programs and get certified any time at a field program.

E-learning Only	Every two weeks 2 hours long Cost $21
E-learning + Field Program	Every two weeks + field program dates 2 hours + any field program duration $15 with any qualifying field program*

*E-learning must be completed and passed before joining a field program; registering as Discover Reef Repair Diver.

Fieldwork: Knowledge (e-learning or in-person) component must be completed before starting any fieldwork. At any qualifying field program, you will conduct two open water sessions – either on snorkel or diving depending on location and field program. In the first water session,  you will be be taken snorkeling or diving to visit coral nurseries where you can see some of the corals growing in these underwater structures. Depending on the location, you could have a go at cleaning some of the structures helping in maintaining the baby corals healthy. In the last water session, you will be taken snorkeling or diving to explore a site in rehabilitation where the nursery-grown corals have been outplanted to assist natural reef recovery.

Prerequisites: Can swim and use a swim mask, fins, and snorkel, preferably SCUBA diver certified.

Materials: E-learning only does not include materials nor certification. Discover Reef Repair  Diver Kit provided by the trainer as part of the field program.

Testing and Certification: No test; however, the knowledge component must be completed before joining any field program. The participants receive a Certificate of Completion.

Check off the Join a Field Program tab to find a Reef Repair expedition to get your fieldwork experience, or contact us at  info@coralesdepaz.org to get the field experience at your next diving destination!

Check our Meaningful Diving Universe and discover more programs to gain the knowledge and skills to start helping build resilient coral reefs while diving.