Intro to Coral Restoration

You will be a coral restoration marine biologist for 3 days! In this course, you will learn about what a coral is, and their importance to the marine eco-system. Coral reef cover only 1% of the ocean surface, but 25% of all marine life depend on them. You will dive into the fascinating world of corals, learn about their biology and learn to about hard vs soft corals and the different colony shapes. We will cover 15 different coral genera. You will learn more about the delicate process of coral reproduction and gain insight into the fundamentals of coral farming. We’ll also review the pressing threats facing coral reefs today, equipping you with the knowledge needed to become a proactive guardian of these vital ecosystems. Each classroom section will be reinforced with dive sessions so you can practice your newfoudn knowledge by spotting the corals on the reefs of Bali. Finally, you will visit one of our coral nurseries to harvest a coral fragment and plant your own coral to leave a lasting mark on the reef.

The Amed location has easy, swim out access from the shore and calmer waters. No boat required. The Nusa Penida location will be conducted at Ceningan divers, with short boat rides to reach our Nusa Penida restoration site, hence the higher cost.

*All proceeds will go towards funding coral restoration with Ocean Gardener and supporting the local community through the income earned by the local guide.

Prerequisites

SSI/PADI Open Water Diver certification
Good Buoyancy Skills

Includes

Ocean Gardener trained instructor
Diving equipment (BCD, Weights, Mask, Fins). You are welcome to use your own equipment.
5 dives in the various reefs around Tulamben and Amed

Excludes

Flights to/from Bali

If you need help arranging food, accommodations or transportation, please indicate in the booking comments and we can arrange them for you.

Cancellation Policy

Full refund if cancelled 7 days before the event.

Day 1 – Introduction to corals We will start by learning what a coral is, followed by their biology and then an overview on the different types of corals. You will learn about hard vs soft corals, large vs small polyps and the different colony shapes. After the classroom session, you will have 2 guided dives, where we will spot the different coral types in the wild and apply our newfound knowledge. Day 2 – Hard corals These are the important reef building corals. You will learn about how they contribute to providing homes for fish and other marine life. We will go over 5 genera of small polyps hard corals and 5 genera of large polyps hard corals. Once again, we will perform 2 more dives on 2 more reefs to spot these hard coral types in the wild. Day 3 – Soft Coral and Coral Planting We will discover these unique corals that are adapted to bend with the surge and currents . You will learn to recognize 5 genera of soft corals. In our final dive, we will try to spot these soft corals as well as visit one of our coral nurseries. You will harvest a coral fragment from our donor colonies and plant your own coral for posterity!

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