San Andrés Reef Check

Experience, learn, and practice coral reef health monitoring while you dive. This is our largest participatory coral reef monitoring expedition, an intense educational experience in citizen science to support the actions taken by the locals to protect and restore coral reefs. The warm, calm, and colorful waters of San Andrés are the right environment to become a citizen scientist.

If you are already a Reef Check EcoDiver, the San Andrés Reef Check is your opportunity to put into practice your knowledge and skills for monitoring coral health.

In the San Andrés Reef Check you will be certified as Reef Check EcoDiver

If this is your first time attending a Reef Check expedition and you have more than 25 logged dives,  you will receive field training to become a  Reef Check EcoDiver . You will live a true citizen science experience lead by scientists, where you will learn to identify the great diversity of fish, corals and substrate found in the Caribbean. This course allows you to complete the field training to receive the internationally recognized Reef Check EcoDiver certification. This could also be your first step into our Responsible Diving System and its Meaningful Diving Universe, a minimum set of concepts and skills which we believe you need to start helping build resilient coral reefs.

You must complete and pass the knowledge component before joining this field program. Sign up for the Discover Reef Check or Reef Check EcoDiver e-learning programs today! 

Are you already a Reef Check EcoDiver?

Congratulations! You can start assisting us in the monitoring and rehabilitation of San Andres´s coral reefs. As a certified EcoDiver, you will carry out at least three (3) coral reef survey dives, thus increasing the number of reef sites evaluated during the event. Finally, the monitoring carried out will assist in updating the information on the health condition of the island’s reefs and in identifying priority sites for the implementation of restoration actions that are being carried out in the Archipelago. Looking to get certified as a Reef Check EcoDiver Trainer? The Reef Checks surveys completed on this expedition will help you qualify for your Reef Check trainer course as well as continue your meaningful diving development as a responsible diver!

As a Reef Check expedition team member in this expedition you can expect to:

See, experience or learn how we assess the health of a Caribbean coral reef while you enjoy an incredible ecosystem visited by incredible animals such as sharks, rays, turtles, among others.

Monitor coral reefs under the leadership and guidance of experienced coral reef scientists, and assist with updating national and international databases (e.g. INVEMAR, Reef Check) with information on the condition of surveyed coral reefs.

Participate in other socio-ecological activities to experience how the local community lives and is protecting its island, including a nature walk around the Laguna Big Pond and the Old Point Mangle Regional Park.

Meet more people like you who are committed to improving their diving experience and making of their passion an opportunity to leave a legacy.

Learn About the Reef Check EcoDiver Program