100% coral restoration on the world’s 3rd largest barrier reef.
This is the hardcore trip. 100% coral restoration. Every dive day is focused on nursery maintenance, microfragmentation, and outplanting alongside PIMS scientists on the Andros Barrier Reef, the 3rd largest in the world.
Work directly with PIMS coral specialists on techniques rarely available to recreational divers. Collect fragments from underwater nurseries, learn propagation methods, and plant corals onto designated restoration sites while fish and marine life swirl around you.
All-inclusive at Small Hope Bay Lodge: beachfront cabins, all meals and beverages, plus your PADI Reef Rescue Diver certification. This is conservation diving at its most immersive, intimate, and impactful.
See the Mission
For over 50 years, PIMS has been at the forefront of marine research and conservation in The Bahamas.
50+
Years of Research
40K+
Corals Outplanted
100+
Published Studies
15+
Island Nations Impacted
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Established in 1960, Small Hope Bay Lodge is one of the original all-inclusive dive resorts in the Caribbean. Located on the eastern shore of Andros Island, the lodge sits directly on the beach with the Andros Barrier Reef just minutes offshore. Over 60 dive sites are accessible by short boat ride.
The lodge is intimate, eco-friendly, and purpose-built for diving. Rustic beachfront cabins are steps from the sand. All meals and beverages are included. Kayaks, paddleboards, bicycles, a hot tub, and a well-stocked library round out the onshore experience.
This is not a large resort operation. It is a small, family-run property where everyone knows your name by the second day. That atmosphere makes it the perfect basecamp for an expedition focused entirely on restoration work.
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Every participant will have the opportunity to earn the PADI Reef Rescue Diver Specialty certification during the expedition. This is not a classroom exercise. You will learn coral restoration techniques in real-world conditions on active reef sites.
The curriculum covers coral biology fundamentals, nursery maintenance, fragment preparation, and outplanting methods. You will work directly with PIMS scientists who designed the Reef Rescue Network protocols now used across the Caribbean.
By the end of the week, you will hold a globally recognized certification and have hands-on experience restoring a reef system. This credential is increasingly valued by dive operators, marine parks, and conservation organizations worldwide.
Expedition Highlights
Every dive day dedicated to coral restoration. Nursery work, microfragmentation, and outplanting from start to finish.
Work alongside PIMS coral restoration specialists. Learn techniques rarely available outside professional settings.
Earn your Reef Rescue Diver specialty working on real restoration projects.
Meals, drinks, beachfront cabin. Everything taken care of so you can focus on the mission.
Limited group size. Direct mentorship from PIMS scientists. The highest staff-to-diver ratio of any expedition we offer.
Day by Day
May 7-13, 2026
Settle into your beachfront cabin at Small Hope Bay Lodge. Evening briefing from the PIMS team on the week’s restoration objectives.
Refresher dive on the barrier reef. Afternoon orientation at the coral nursery site.
Full restoration day. Coral nursery maintenance and fragmentation techniques. Learn propagation methods from PIMS specialists.
Collect nursery-grown corals and outplant them onto designated restoration sites on the reef.
Advanced outplanting techniques and microfragmentation work. Complete Reef Rescue Diver certification requirements.
Free day to explore Andros Island, relax at the lodge, or snorkel. Farewell evening.
Breakfast at the lodge followed by transfers and onward travel.
4 dive days, 3 dives per day, 12 dives total. Subject to weather and sea conditions.
Location & Lifestyle
Between dives, relax on the beach, soak in the hot tub, or grab a kayak. The lodge atmosphere is laid-back and social. All meals and drinks are included, so evenings are spent swapping stories and debriefing the day’s restoration work.
The largest and least developed island in The Bahamas. Over 2,300 square miles of wilderness. The eastern shore is lined by the 124-mile Andros Barrier Reef, the 3rd largest in the world. The interior holds mysterious blue holes, vast mangrove wetlands, and ecosystems found nowhere else.
One of the original all-inclusive dive resorts in the Caribbean, established in 1960. Rustic beachfront cabins sit steps from the water. All meals, drinks, and activities included.
This itinerary is subject to change based on weather, sea conditions, and the judgment of the expedition team. Flexibility is part of the adventure.
Investment
All-inclusive. Meals and drinks included.
$3,900 USD/PP
VAT and gratuity not included
Pricing is tentative and subject to change. Final pricing will be confirmed upon booking.
Inquire NowContact us for single occupancy rates
InquireOpen Water certification (or equivalent), minimum 20 logged dives, must have dived within the last 3 years. Minimum age 12+. All divers must carry valid dive insurance and travel insurance.
Scientific Authority
Founded in 1970, the Perry Institute for Marine Science has been a leader in marine research and conservation for more than five decades. Based in The Bahamas, PIMS conducts groundbreaking research on coral reef ecosystems, shark populations, mangrove habitats, and marine protected areas.
PIMS scientists have published over 100 peer-reviewed papers and have been instrumental in establishing marine conservation policy across the Caribbean. Their coral restoration work has outplanted over 40,000 corals to degraded reef sites throughout The Bahamas.
The Reef Rescue Network is a PIMS initiative that trains local communities and dive professionals in coral restoration techniques. The program uses a science-based approach to coral gardening, combining nursery propagation with strategic outplanting to rebuild damaged reef ecosystems.
Through the Reef Rescue Network, PIMS has established coral nurseries across The Bahamas and trained hundreds of Bahamian citizens in restoration methods. This expedition is a direct extension of that work, allowing participants to contribute to active restoration projects alongside the scientists who designed the program.
Expedition Director
PIMS coral restoration specialist and expedition coordinator with extensive field experience across the Caribbean.
Lead Scientist
PIMS marine biologist specializing in coral reef ecology and restoration science throughout The Bahamas.
Common Questions
The Small Hope Bay Advanced Expedition is 100% focused on coral restoration. There are no adventure dives or sightseeing dives built into the schedule. Every dive day is dedicated to nursery maintenance, microfragmentation, and outplanting. If you want the most hands-on, science-intensive expedition we offer, this is it.
You need a minimum of PADI Open Water Diver certification (or equivalent from another agency) and at least 20 logged dives. You must have dived within the last 3 years. The restoration work involves moderate-depth reef dives, so comfort and competency in the water are essential.
Most participants fly into Nassau (NAS) and take a connecting flight to Andros Town Airport (ASD) or Fresh Creek. Small Hope Bay Lodge can help arrange transfers from the airport to the lodge. The expedition team will provide detailed travel logistics once you register.
All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), all beverages (including alcoholic drinks), and use of lodge amenities (kayaks, paddleboards, bicycles, hot tub) are included in the expedition price. Dive tanks, weights, and belts are also included. Personal dive equipment rental is available separately.
The Advanced Expedition has the smallest group size of any trip we offer. This ensures the highest possible staff-to-diver ratio and allows for genuine one-on-one mentorship with PIMS scientists during every restoration dive.
No. Dive equipment rentals are available through Small Hope Bay Lodge. Tanks, weights, and belts are included in the expedition price. Many experienced divers prefer to bring their own mask, wetsuit, and computer, but all essential equipment can be rented on-site.
Yes. All participants must carry valid travel insurance and dive insurance (such as DAN or equivalent) for the duration of the expedition. This is a non-negotiable requirement for participation.
Water temperatures around Andros Island in May typically range from 78 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit (26 to 28 degrees Celsius). Most divers are comfortable in a 3mm wetsuit. Visibility on the barrier reef is generally excellent, often exceeding 80 feet.
Expedition Partner
Every expedition participant receives a complimentary Stream2Sea reef-safe sunscreen kit. Standard sunscreens contain chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate that damage coral and marine life. Stream2Sea products are tested and proven safe for aquatic ecosystems.
When you are spending your week restoring coral, the last thing you want is your sunscreen undoing the work. Stream2Sea is the only brand we trust on our expeditions.
Learn MoreGet in Touch
Interested in the Small Hope Bay Advanced Expedition? Fill out the form below and we will be in touch with availability and next steps.