Get Involved • Conservation
How to Volunteer for Coral Reef Restoration
You don’t need a marine biology degree to help save coral reefs. Whether you’re a certified diver or someone who’s never put on a mask, there are real, meaningful ways to contribute to coral restoration.
Why Volunteer for Coral Restoration?
Coral reefs are in crisis. Rising ocean temperatures, disease outbreaks, and pollution have devastated reef systems worldwide. In the Caribbean alone, more than 80% of live coral cover has been lost over the past four decades.
But there’s hope, and it starts with people showing up. Coral restoration programs need hands in the water (and on land) to grow, plant, and monitor corals at the scale needed to make a difference. Volunteer participation isn’t just helpful. It’s what allows restoration to scale beyond what small scientific teams can achieve on their own.
Volunteering also creates personal connection. People who have planted a coral tend to become lifelong advocates for ocean conservation. That ripple effect, through conversations, donations, career choices, and policy advocacy, may be the most valuable outcome of all.
Volunteer Opportunities with PIMS
The Perry Institute for Marine Science (PIMS) runs volunteer programs through the Reef Rescue Network across The Bahamas. Here are the main ways to get involved:
🐠 Reef Rescue Network Expeditions
Multi-day immersive dive trips where you work alongside PIMS marine scientists to plant corals, maintain nurseries, and survey reef health. These are the most hands-on volunteer experiences available, and you’ll make a direct, measurable impact on reef recovery.
The flagship program is the Green Turtle Cay Expedition: a 7-night coral restoration dive adventure in the Abacos, Bahamas. You’ll dive the Coral Caverns, plant corals on degraded reefs, earn your PADI Reef Rescue Diver certification, and snorkel with wild turtles. Limited to 8 divers per trip.
- Duration
- 7 nights
- Certification
- PADI Open Water or equivalent
- Cost
- $2,999 (all-inclusive)
- Includes
- Accommodation, meals, all dives, PADI Reef Rescue Diver cert
🪸 Reef Rescue Dive
A shorter, single-day experience available at Reef Rescue Network partner locations across The Bahamas. You’ll join a guided dive focused on coral nursery maintenance or outplanting. Perfect if you’re already visiting The Bahamas and want to contribute a half day to restoration.
🤿 Reef Rescue Snorkel
No dive certification? No problem. The Reef Rescue Snorkel program lets you participate in coral restoration from the surface. You’ll learn about reef ecology, help with shallow-water nursery tasks, and contribute to data collection, all while snorkeling in crystal-clear Bahamian waters.
📜 PADI Reef Rescue Diver Course
Earn a PADI specialty certification in coral restoration. The Reef Rescue Diver Course teaches the science and techniques of nursery maintenance, coral fragmentation, and outplanting. It’s available as a standalone course at RRN partner dive shops or included in the expedition.
🐢 Sea Turtle & Shark Conservation Programs
PIMS also runs marine wildlife conservation programs that include snorkeling with turtles and learning about shark ecology. These are accessible to all skill levels and work well for families or groups.
Can’t Travel? Other Ways to Help
Not everyone can get to The Bahamas, but there are still effective ways to support coral restoration from anywhere:
From Home
- Donate – Every dollar supports nursery operations, scientific equipment, and community training. $10 to $20 covers the cost of growing and planting one coral.
- Employer matching – Many companies match charitable donations. Check if your employer participates.
- Spread the word – Share PIMS content on social media, talk about reef conservation, and help raise awareness.
- Choose reef-safe products – Use mineral-based sunscreens (no oxybenzone or octinoxate) when you’re in the ocean.
- Reduce your carbon footprint – Climate change is the number one threat to coral reefs. Every action that reduces emissions helps.
What to Expect as a Coral Restoration Volunteer
Never done this before? Here’s what a typical day looks like on a PIMS expedition:
- Morning briefing (8:00 AM) – Your PIMS dive guide reviews the day’s plan, reef conditions, and safety protocols. You’ll learn about the specific species you’re working with and why the restoration site was chosen.
- Dive 1: Coral harvesting or outplanting (9:00 AM) – Depending on the day, you’ll either carefully harvest coral fragments from the nursery trees or transport and plant them onto the reef site using marine-safe epoxy.
- Surface interval and education (11:00 AM) – Between dives, the science team leads informal talks on reef ecology, coral biology, and conservation challenges. This is where the learning really deepens.
- Dive 2: Adventure dive (1:00 PM) – Explore the area’s best dive sites: caverns, wrecks, walls, or drift dives. This is the fun part (though planting corals is honestly pretty fun too).
- Evening (6:00 PM) – Group dinner, sunset, and often a presentation from a PIMS researcher about their current work. The conversations around the table are as good as the dives.
Preparing for Your Trip
- Ensure your dive certification is current (PADI Open Water minimum for dive programs)
- Log at least 10 to 20 dives before an expedition if possible (not required, but helpful)
- Bring reef-safe sunscreen, mineral-based only
- Pack a rashguard or wetsuit (3mm recommended for April in The Bahamas)
- Bring your own mask if you have one (better fit means a better experience)
- Review basic buoyancy skills, since you’ll be working near delicate coral
- Bring a reusable water bottle and reef-safe toiletries
- Travel insurance is strongly recommended
Ready to Make a Difference?
Explore all the ways you can volunteer with PIMS and the Reef Rescue Network, from multi-day expeditions to single-day experiences.
View All Experiences → 2026 Expedition →Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be an experienced diver?
For dive-based programs, you need a PADI Open Water certification (or equivalent). No experience with coral restoration is needed; PIMS scientists provide all training on-site. For snorkel programs, no certification is required.
Is there a minimum age?
For the expedition, participants should be 18+ (or 16+ with a parent/guardian). Snorkel programs and sea turtle awareness experiences are suitable for families with children of all ages.
Can I volunteer as a solo traveler?
Absolutely. Most expedition participants come solo and leave as friends. The small group size (8 divers max) means you’ll get to know everyone quickly.
What if I have dietary restrictions?
PIMS accommodates vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and most dietary needs. Just let the team know when booking.
How do I know my contribution actually matters?
Every coral outplanted is tagged and monitored. PIMS tracks survival rates, growth, and reef health over time. You’ll receive updates on the corals you planted and can follow the Reef Rescue Network’s progress through their reports and social media.
The Perry Institute for Marine Science (PIMS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. All volunteer program fees directly support coral restoration, scientific research, and community conservation education in The Bahamas. Support our work →
