CORAL REEFS
Learn to scuba dive. Become a marine scientist. Explore the world.
Ready to Dive In?
Coral reefs are in serious decline worldwide. Corals are endangered by a host of threats, from global warming and ocean acidification to diseases, like white band and stony coral tissue loss. Tropical coral reefs are arguably the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet. Conservation of tropical coral reefs are a priority for marine scientists because protecting coral provides protection to many other species which make reefs their homes.
Students participating in the TIDES Coral Reefs program will complete Ocean First Education’s Natural History of Caribbean Coral course and then put their knowledge of coral ecology and restoration techniques to use by participating in citizen science projects that survey reef health. Students will also contribute to coral restoration projects in the Caribbean and potentially participate in collecting coral fragments to be grown in the lab and/or coral nurseries, help maintain the nurseries themselves, and outplant nursery-grown corals into the wild. In addition, students will learn basic survey skills, such as running a transect.
The Nitrox and Perfect Buoyancy SCUBA specialties are a prerequisite for this expedition. These prerequisites can be added onto the cost of the expedition and students can receive instruction through Ocean First. The SSI Specialties Navigation and Search and Recovery are included in the program cost. Past Coral Reef expeditions have gone to St. Croix, Panama, and Honduras.
Prerequisites
Age: 12-18 years
Prerequisite Certifications: Open Water Diver, Nitrox, Perfect Buoyancy, Marine Ecology
Required Gear: Personal Scuba mask, snorkel, fins
Inclusions
SSI Courses
Ecology Courses
Expedition: Key Largo, FL
Join us on the trip of a life time with the TIDES Coral Reef Experience Expedition to the Keys! On this 5 day, 4 night journey, students will spend their days diving on coral reefs in crystal clear waters while learning coral restoration techniques.
Program Cost: $2,199/student
Non-refundable deposit: $650 due upon sign-up
Second Payment: $775 due May 22nd, 2023
Final Payment: $774 due June 19th, 2023
Inclusions:
SSI Navigation, Night and Limited Visibility, and Coral Ecology Certifications
Rental SCUBA Gear
Marine Science Educators and Dive Instructors
5day/4night Dorm-style lodging at MarineLab
All meals on site
Several field activities and hands-on labs at MarineLab
Coral Restoration citizen science research
8 Scuba dives (weather permitting)
Not Included:
Transportation to and from Airport (transport from FL airport to Key Largo can be added on to program cost)
Roundtrip airfare
Snorkel equipment: mask, fins, snorkel
1 dive light (1 backup light will be provided)
Upcoming Course Date
*only 1 spot available for student not traveling with TIDES instructor
5-Day TIDES Coral Reefs Summer Camp at Key Largo, FL
Virtual course dates (MST):
Mon, July 17th: 6:30-7:30pm: Orientation and Pre-Trip information
Tues, July 18th: 1:00-2:30pm: Coral Ecology
Wed, July 19th: 1:00-2:00pm: Coral Restoration Techniques
Thurs, July 20th: 1:00-2:00pm: Navigation
Fri, July 21st: 1:00-2:00pm: Night and Limited Visibility
Trip Dates to Key Largo:
Fri, July 28th - Tues, Aug. 1st, 2023
Enrollment Deadline: July 3rd, 2023
