CRF™ Public Dive Program with Florida Keys Dive Center

Join Florida Keys Dive Center for an unforgettable experience! Sign up for the Coral Restoration Foundation™ Dive Programs and get an up-close, hands-on adventure in coral reef restoration. Partnering with Florida Keys Dive Center and Coral Restoration Foundation™, you’ll actively participate in scientific fieldwork and help restore vibrant coral ecosystems. Don’t miss your chance to make a difference—reserve your spot today! 

Dive 1: Begin with a dive in the Tavernier Coral Tree Nursery™, where participants will assist with Coral Tree™ maintenance, ensuring the health of over 30,000 corals. Exploring the 500 Coral Trees™ spread across 1.5 acres of seafloor. 

Dive 2: Next, head out to active restoration reef sites, where you’ll have the opportunity to assist with outplanting, monitoring efforts to further support reef recovery, and/or explore previously outplanted corals 

Snorkelers and boat passengers are also welcome to join, offering a chance to experience the vibrant nursery and reef from above the water! 

 Schedule: 

This program begins with a morning educational session, including a presentation that explains the decline of coral reefs and the restoration efforts being made to address this issue. After the presentation, participants will engage in hands-on mock practice of underwater skills on land, learning restoration techniques for nursery maintenance and outplanting methodologies alongside the CRF™ Coral Crew. The program kicks in the morning at the Coral Restoration Foundation™ Exploration Center, located at 5 Seagate Boulevard in Key Largo. 

As an added bonus, participants have the opportunity to earn the PADI AWARE Coral Conservation certification with Florida Keys Dive Center during this trip (though certification is not required to participate in the program). All certifications will be organized and processed directly through Florida Keys Dive Center. 

The PADI AWARE Coral Conservation certification educates both divers and non-divers about the critical challenges facing the world’s coral reefs. The course covers the functioning of coral reefs, their vital role in the health of our oceans, and the reasons why many reefs are in serious decline. It also provides practical tips on how individuals can help protect and preserve these vital ecosystems. 

The PADI AWARE Coral Conservation certification will be completed immediately after the CRF™ training. Dive check-in is at Florida Keys Dive Center, located at Three Waters Resort & Marina, 84001 Overseas Hwy.  

Afternoon dives may vary depending on the dive operator, diver experience, weather conditions, and the specific restoration tasks CRF™ needs completed that day. Restoration activities can include learning about the coral nursery, maintaining coral trees, outplanting new corals, monitoring coral growth, and exploring previously outplanted reefs. 

Sign up now! 

To learn more about the restoration program and confirm dive rates, click the ‘Sign Up Now’ button, call Florida Keys Dive Center at 305-852-4599, email info@flkdc.com, or book online to reserve your spot 

*The donation to the Coral Restoration Foundation™ will be made on-site the day of the program event, not to Florida Keys Dive Center. All dive-related costs, including the base dive reservation fee, additional rental gear, certification inquiries, and any other questions, should be coordinated directly with Florida Keys Dive Center prior to the trip 

*All activities are weather dependent.