Join Blue Planet in the Florida Keys for two days of hands-on training in coral reef restoration and monitoring with the Coral Restoration Foundation plus one day of recreational diving. This is your chance to “get your hands dirty” and give back to the beautiful coral reefs that we all love!
CORAL RESTORATION
We’ll be volunteering with the (CRF), a non-profit conservation organization created to develop offshore coral nurseries and reef restoration programs for critically endangered coral reefs at local, national and international levels.
On Monday and Tuesday mornings, we will learn about coral nursery operations, coral restoration techniques and coral monitoring procedures. We’ll then apply what we learn on two afternoon dives at a staghorn nursery and restoration sites. By the end of the trip, you will qualify for the optional PADI Coral Restoration Distinctive Specialty.
On Sunday morning, we’ll dive on wrecks and reefs to get a taste of the great diving in Key Largo. Want to dive more? Jump back in Sunday or Tuesday afternoon. Or add on extra days at the end of the trip.
THE DIVING
The 120-mile Florida Keys island chain is home to the continental United States’ only living-coral barrier reef. This teeming backbone of marine life runs the length of the Keys about five miles offshore and offers easy access to beautiful reefs and impressive wrecks.
We’ll be diving with in Tavernier with access to the reefs from the southern edge of Pennekamp Park off of Key Largo down to Alligator Light just south of Islamorada. This gives us access to some of the best scuba diving in the Florida Keys including Molasses Reef, Pickles Reef, the Conch Reef System, Davis, Crocker, Victory and many, many others. We can also dive the major wrecks in the area, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutters Duane and Bibb, Spiegel Grove and the Eagle.
ACCOMMODATIONS
We’ll be staying at the Marina del Mar Resort, right on the marina and only 8 miles from John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Each marina view room comes with 2 double beds and a common balcony facing the marina, plus mini-fridge and coffeemaker. There’s also free WiFi, a fitness center, outdoor pool and more. Parking is included as is a light continental breakfast.
TRAVEL
Fly into Fort Lauderdale or Miami on Saturday, September 21st and drive down to Key Largo. We’ll be staying at the Marina del Mar Resort, right on the marina and walking-distance from a few great restaurants. You can fly back on Wednesday, September 25th — just be sure you give yourself 18-24 hours after your last dive! Fly on Southwest out of DCA for only $350 and get 2 free checked bags. We can help coordinate carpooling/rental cars too.
Please check in with Blue Planet staff before booking flights. Or if you need assistance with flights, just let us know!
Upon cancellation of a reservation for any reason, the refund of the deposit and payments made or due will be contingent upon Blue Planet reselling the participant's reservation. Any refund may also be subject to a $100 cancellation fee and payment of any non-refundable fees imposed by the tour company, dive operator or any other contractor associated with the trip.
Dive accident insurance is required for all divers on this trip. We strongly recommend travel insurance to protect your vacation investment. Contact us if you need more information.
Single or shared rooms available
2 days of 2-tank boat dives focused on Coral Restoration and Monitoring Training
1 morning of local wreck and reef diving
Book your flight to Miami or Fort Lauderdale
You'll need to rent a car to get to Key Largo, or hook up with other divers on the trip and carpool
Only tanks and weights included; rental gear available
Tips for the boat's excellent crew
There are a ton of great options at and near the hotel
Fly into Fort Lauderdale or Miami and drive down to Key Largo. Check into hotel and dive shop. Dinner with the group.
We'll do 2 dives Sunday morning with Conch Republic Divers in nearby Tavernier Key. Want to dive more? You can add 2 afternoon dives too! Or take the afternoon off.
We'll head to the Coral Restoration Foundation in the morning for a classroom session on reef monitoring, transplanting and maintenance. Then we'll head out for 2 dives in the coral nursery!
We'll head back out for more coral restoration work on Tuesday morning. Want to get more dives in? We can schedule afternoon dives for those with enough time before their flights!
The last day of our trip. Time to drive back to the airport and head home. Want to stay longer? We can help with arrangements!
