One morning, a mooring line appeared out of nowhere in front of our Coral Lab in Ped — no permit, no record of who installed it, no idea what it was doing to the reef underneath. Here’s what we found when we went to look, why we had to pull it out, and what a properly installed mooring looks like instead.
Under Indonesia’s new TFCCA debt-for-nature program, we ran a brand-new 3-week course built for community leaders and fishermen rather than scientists. Here’s what it took to train our first batch of seven local reef restorers in Bali, NTB and NTT — and why we think this is a model worth repeating.
Small habits underwater add up to real reef damage — or real reef protection. Here are 10 reef-safe diving habits every diver should build, from buoyancy control to the no-touch rule, from the coral restoration team at Ocean Gardener.
“Reef-safe” on a sunscreen label often means nothing — the term isn’t regulated. Here’s what actually damages coral, which ingredients to avoid, and how to choose sunscreen that won’t undo the reef you’re snorkeling or diving to see.
Discover the crucial link between healthy coral reefs and coastal protection. Learn how Ocean Gardener’s shallow-water coral nurseries is helping restore the sandy beach in front of our Coral Lab.
Q2 2026 was a period of both resilience and significant growth for Ocean Gardener in Nusa Penida. Together with the local community, we successfully outplanted over 13,000 corals and established a new Montipora nursery to bolster reef diversity following spring storm damage. Despite facing a severe marine heatwave in April, our monitoring confirms encouraging signs of recovery across our restoration sites, underscoring the vital importance of our ongoing conservation and community-led efforts.
Coral Restoration in Nusa Penida, Bali Every restoration site has a story, and this May, I got to help write the latest chapter in Ped,
In May 2026, Ocean Gardener hosted an intensive two-week Acropora Course, bringing together passionate divers from Lombok, Pemuteran, and our own team. Through 14 dives and extensive field study across Nusa Penida and Bali, participants observed 70% of the 99 Acropora species studied, gaining deep insights into species-specific restoration. Are you ready to become a coral expert? Join our next cohort and take your restoration skills to the next level.
James shares the incredible transformation of our Ped, Nusa Penida site. From bare rubble to 52% coral cover, he explores how simple, community-led methods are bringing Bali’s reefs back to life. Witness the power of restoration!
Our staff member, Festi, recently represented Ocean Gardener at the Coral Catch Conference on Gili Air. Celebrating women in marine conservation, she joined workshops to share hope and restoration tactics. Festi returned inspired, proving that when women lead, our coral reefs have a brighter future.
