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 Coral Restoration Foundation (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 Friday morning, we will learn about coral nursery operations, coral restoration techniques and coral monitoring procedures. We’ll then apply what we learn on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning during 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 Thursday 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 Thursday or Saturday 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 Amoray Dive Resort in Key Largo. The rich diversity of marine life has always been one of the defining traits of this dive resort. Its surrounding reefs and shoals are teeming with breathtaking schools of parrotfish, stingrays, reef sharks, sea turtles, dolphins, and so much more. As it turns out, the resort's name origins can be traced to the incredible wildlife of Key Largo.

Divers must have an Open Water Diver certification (minimum), completion of 30 open water dives (preferably ocean dives), show proof of DAN insurance, and show proof of First Aid/CPR and Oxygen Administration training.

ACCOMMODATIONS

We’ll be staying at the Amoray Dive Resort, a charming haven by the bay. The hotel rooms offer tranquil sunset views of Blackwater Sound, dotted with palm trees and thatched umbrellas. Bedrooms feature neutral tones with crystal blue wall art and bubble decor, drawing from the surrounding sand and surf. Comfy beds and sunny porch decks offer the perfect space to sit back and relax after long days on the water. There’s also free WiFi, complimentary kayaking, paddle boards, and bicycles, an outdoor pool and more. Parking is included as is a light continental breakfast.

TRAVEL

Fly into Fort Lauderdale or Miami on Wednesday, October 26th and drive down to Key Largo. You can fly back on Sunday, October 30th — just be sure you give yourself 18-24 hours after your last dive! Fly on Southwest out of DCA for only $300 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 $250 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. 

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 Thursday morning with Amoray Dive Resort in Key Largo. 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 Saturday 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!