Join hands-on coral nursery care and reef restoration work in Key West
2-tank dive, coral education
Explore Key West's coral restoration work through hands-on education and a two-tank dive at a coral nursery and active restoration reef. Clean and observe coral trees, then take part in outplanting and monitoring when conditions allow.
Changes to instructional courses require at least 72 hours' notice. Within 72 hours, reservations are non-cancelable, non-transferable, and non-refundable. No refunds for no-shows.
Product ID: HVG5AS
Bring a towel and swimsuit. If you are diving, bring your certification card. Bring snacks and beverages in non-glass containers; fresh drinking water and an ice chest are available.
Use mineral-based reef-safe sunscreen and wear Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) sunwear.
The ocean can be sporty. Take motion sickness medicine before your trip.
Coral Restoration Foundation Key West Exploration Center, 35 Quay Road, Key West, FL 33040
Patti, Palmer, Dean, and the rest of the crew here have built a genuinely strong reputation among divers of all experience levels. Palmer in particular gets mentioned constantly, whether guiding first-timers through open water certification or working with advanced divers on divemaster training. The team's patience comes up again and again, and it reads as authentic rather than performative. The boat is kept clean, gear is well-maintained, and the safety-first culture is clearly taken seriously without making the experience feel rigid or stressful. Long-time divers keep coming back, and first-timers regularly book extra days because they're having too much fun to stop. That kind of loyalty says a lot about the consistency here. One reviewer noted some frustration around being grouped with less experienced divers during a refresher course, which affected their bottom time, so it's worth communicating your experience level clearly when booking to make sure expectations are aligned.
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