This 7-night / 8-day immersive coral reef retreat is designed for ocean lovers who are looking for restorative, nature-connected adventures. This is impact travel - small-group, consciously designed ecotourism, where your experience directly contributes to marine conservation.

Curated by coral reef biologist, Mads St Clair, in partnership with a coral restoration project in central Indonesia, this trip blends hands-on coral conservation, scuba diving and wellness in one of the world's most biodiverse marine ecosystems.

Mornings begin with grounding breathwork or yoga, followed by diving, a practical reef restoration course and marine science workshops, where you’ll actively take part in rebuilding the reef. Evenings bring slow, intentional dining and conversations under the stars, with menus designed to nourish both body and mind.

This isn't just another dive trip. It’s an opportunity to travel better, to give back and to reconnect with yourself and the ocean in ways that matter.

This multi-day, hands-on course takes you through every stage of coral restoration, from learning the fundamentals to actively transplanting corals onto the reef.

Day 1: Coral Maintenance Workshop – Snorkel/Freedive)

• Introduction to coral ecology and the threats facing reefs
• Learn about the coral nurseries and their role in restoration
• In-water snorkel / freedive to assist in cleaning coral nurseries - removing algae and monitoring coral health

Day 2 & 3: Coral ID & Growth Monitoring

• Learn to identify key coral species
• Understand different coral growth forms and their ecological roles
• Dives to practice coral identification techniques and assess reef health
• Conduct reef monitoring surveys, documenting coral cover and biodiversity

Day 4: Reef Restoration in Action

• Learn the three core restoration techniques:
  - Rope method – Coral fragments are attached to ropes, encouraging rapid vertical growth
  - Spider method – Artificial reef structures act as coral settlement sites
  - Coral cookie method – Coral fragments are grown on discs before being transplanted
• Participate in two hands-on restoration dives, where you’ll:
  ✔️ Plant coral fragments onto nursery structures
  ✔️ Attach healthy corals to degraded reef sections
  ✔️ Assist in tracking coral survival rates

In order to join this trip, you must be PADI Open Water Diver (or higher) AND have a minimum of 20 logged dives.

In signing up to the trip you agree to our Cancellation Policy and our booking T&C's.

-Morning: Arrival at Makassar airport and meet your expedition group

-AM Activity: Begin the scenic 4-hour drive to the retreat location

-Lunch: Settle in, explore and welcome lunch

-PM Activity: Guided snorkel safari on the house reef

-Evening: Welcome briefing & dinner - meet your guides and get an overview of the week ahead

• Morning: Buffet-style breakfast & breathwork session to connect with the ocean and prepare for the day
• Midday: Coral Maintenance Workshop – freedive/snorkel session to clean and maintain coral nurseries
• Afternoon: Continue coral maintenance and gain hands-on experience with reef restoration techniques
• Evening: Mediterranean Night Dinner

• Morning: Buffet-style breakfast & yoga session to wake up the body and mind
• Midday: Begin the Coral ID Level 1 Course (1 dive) – learn to recognise key coral species
• Afternoon: Continue with Coral ID Level 1 (1 dive), refining identification skills
• Evening: Indian Banana Leaf Rice Dinner

• Morning: Buffet-style breakfast and breathwork session to start the day
• Midday: Coral ID Level 1 (2 dives) – practice species recognition and reef health assessments.
• Afternoon: Final dive of the Coral ID Course (1 dive) – apply learned skills in the field.
• Evening: Dinner

• Morning: Buffet-style breakfast & yoga session
• Midday: Intro to Reef Restoration (1 dive) – learn techniques such as the rope, spider, and coral cookie methods
• Afternoon: Reef Restoration (1 dive) – actively plant corals onto restoration structures
• Evening: Taco Tuesday Dinner!

• Morning: Buffet-style breakfast & breathwork session to prepare for the day.
• Midday: Fun Dive 1 & 2, exploring some of the best reef sites in the area.
• Afternoon: Fun Dive 3 or optional guided snorkel.
• Evening: Dinner at Beach Club, a relaxed night out by the ocean.

• Morning: Buffet-style breakfast & yoga session.
• Midday: Final Fun Dive (Dive 4)
• Afternoon: Visit a Phinisi Boat Building site, where traditional wooden ships are still crafted by hand.
• Evening: Final BBQ Dinner & Celebration, reflecting on the experience and impact made!

• Morning: Buffet-style breakfast & breathwork / closing circle, a mindful send-off
• Midday: Begin the return journey to Makassar for flights home