November 7 – 14, 2026
Adventure meets conservation at an all-inclusive eco-lodge on the world’s 3rd largest barrier reef.
The Expedition
Small Hope Bay sits on the edge of the Andros Barrier Reef, the 3rd largest barrier reef in the world. This expedition blends hands-on coral restoration with exploration of one of the most pristine and least-visited reef systems in the Caribbean. You will spend a full week underwater, combining science-driven conservation work with adventure dives on walls, blue holes, wrecks, and vibrant shallow reefs.
Over the course of the expedition, you will earn two PADI specialty certifications: Reef Rescue Diver and Shark Conservation. Both are taught in the field by PIMS scientists and dive professionals. You will outplant corals, maintain nurseries, observe sharks, and learn directly from the team leading restoration efforts across The Bahamas.
Small Hope Bay Lodge is an all-inclusive eco-lodge established in 1960. All meals, beverages, and activities are included. Between dives, explore inland blue holes, go bonefishing in the flats, kayak through mangrove creeks, or simply relax on the beach. Two free afternoons give you time to discover Andros at your own pace.
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
Support the science behind these expeditions.
Expedition Briefing
Established in 1960, Small Hope Bay Lodge is a historic all-inclusive eco-lodge on the eastern shore of Andros Island. It is one of the original dive resorts in the Caribbean, built around a simple idea: great diving, warm hospitality, and respect for the environment.
Rustic beachfront cabins sit just steps from the sand, and all meals and beverages are included. The lodge offers kayaks, paddleboards, bicycles, a hot tub, and a well-stocked library. The atmosphere is intimate, social, and focused on sustainability.
Small Hope Bay is known worldwide for its access to the Andros Barrier Reef, the 3rd largest in the world. The dive operation runs directly from the lodge, meaning you are on the reef within minutes of leaving shore. Learn more at smallhope.com.
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.
In addition to the Reef Rescue certification, participants will earn the PADI Shark Conservation Specialty. This certification covers shark biology, species identification, behavioral patterns, conservation status, and the ecological importance of sharks in reef ecosystems.
The course includes a dedicated shark observation dive where you will see Caribbean reef sharks in their natural habitat. PIMS scientists will guide you through data collection methods and explain the research that informs shark protection policy in The Bahamas.
The Bahamas is home to one of the world’s largest shark sanctuaries. By earning this certification, you gain a deeper understanding of why these apex predators are essential to healthy reef systems and what can be done to protect them.
Expedition Highlights
A blend of coral restoration work and exploration of the Andros Barrier Reef. Dive blue holes, dramatic walls, historic wrecks, and vibrant shallow reef systems throughout the week.
Outplant corals, maintain nurseries, and learn restoration techniques directly from PIMS coral specialists. Every dive contributes to the long-term recovery of the Andros Barrier Reef.
Earn both the PADI Reef Rescue Diver and Shark Conservation specialty certifications. Two globally recognized credentials, taught in the field by PIMS scientists.
All meals, beverages, beachfront cabin, kayaks, paddleboards, bicycles, and more. Everything is taken care of so you can focus on diving and conservation.
Two free afternoons to explore inland blue holes, go bonefishing on the flats, or kayak through mangrove creeks. The group size is limited to ensure personalized mentorship from PIMS scientists and dive professionals. You will not be a number on a manifest. You will be a member of the team.
Day by Day
Arrive at Small Hope Bay Lodge on Andros Island. Settle into your beachfront cabin, meet the PIMS expedition team, and enjoy a welcome dinner. The evening includes a briefing and orientation covering dive plans, restoration goals, safety protocols, and the week ahead.
Morning refresher dive on the Andros Barrier Reef to get comfortable with local conditions and the dive team. Afternoon coral nursery orientation dive where you will see the active restoration sites and learn the techniques you will use throughout the week.
Full day of coral nursery maintenance and outplanting on the barrier reef. You will prepare fragments, learn monitoring techniques, and plant corals at active restoration sites. Evening presentation from PIMS scientists in the lodge game room covering reef ecology and the state of Bahamian coral ecosystems.
Dedicated shark observation dive for the PADI Shark Conservation specialty. You will observe Caribbean reef sharks in their natural habitat while PIMS scientists guide you through identification, behavior, and data collection. Afternoon restoration work continues on the nursery sites.
Morning dives on the barrier reef, then a free afternoon to explore Andros Island at your own pace. Visit inland blue holes, go bonefishing on the flats, kayak through mangrove creeks, or relax at the lodge with a book and a cold drink.
Full dive day focused on advanced restoration techniques. You will work on more challenging outplanting sites and explore additional sections of the barrier reef. This is the most scientifically intensive day of the expedition, with detailed data collection alongside the planting work.
Morning dives on the group’s favorite sites from the week. Free afternoon to enjoy the lodge, the beach, or one last exploration of Andros. Farewell evening at the lodge with certification presentations, a celebratory dinner, and time to reflect on the week with the team.
Breakfast at the lodge followed by transfers and onward travel. The team will share resources for staying connected, continuing your restoration education, and planning your next expedition.
Note: 5 dive days, 3 dives per day, 15 dives total over the course of the expedition.
This itinerary is subject to change based on weather, sea conditions, and the judgment of the expedition team. Flexibility is part of the adventure. The team will always prioritize safety and the best possible experience.
Location & Lifestyle
Andros is the largest and least developed island in The Bahamas. Between dives, relax on the beach, soak in the hot tub, or grab a kayak and explore the coastline. The lodge atmosphere is laid-back and social, perfect for swapping stories over a cold drink.
Covering over 2,300 square miles, Andros is a wilderness paradise. Its eastern shore is lined by the 124-mile Andros Barrier Reef, the 3rd largest in the world, while the interior holds mysterious blue holes, vast mangrove wetlands, and the freshwater lens that supports unique ecosystems found nowhere else.
Established in 1960, Small Hope Bay is one of the original all-inclusive dive resorts in the Caribbean. Rustic beachfront cabins sit just steps from the water. All meals, drinks, and activities are included, creating a relaxed home base where the focus stays on diving and conservation. Learn more at smallhope.com.
Investment
Standard Rate
USD per person, double occupancy. VAT and gratuity not included.
Pricing is tentative and subject to change. Final pricing will be confirmed upon booking.
Contact us for single occupancy rates
All-inclusive: meals, beverages, cabin, and activities included.
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
A Reef Rescue Network expedition is a week-long trip that combines hands-on coral restoration with adventure diving and marine science education. You work alongside PIMS scientists to outplant corals, maintain nurseries, and contribute directly to reef recovery. It is not a vacation with a conservation add-on. Restoration and science are built into every dive day.
You need a minimum of PADI Open Water Diver certification (or equivalent from another agency), at least 20 logged dives, and you must have dived within the last 3 years. The minimum age is 12. The expedition involves moderate-depth reef dives and some current, so basic competency and comfort in the water are important.
Over the course of the week, you will complete 15 dives across 5 dive days. Activities include coral nursery maintenance, fragment preparation and outplanting, shark observation dives, reef exploration on the Andros Barrier Reef, and evening science presentations. Two free afternoons give you time to explore blue holes, go bonefishing, kayak through mangroves, or relax at the lodge.
The expedition costs $4,250 USD per person for double occupancy. VAT and gratuity are not included. This is an all-inclusive rate covering 7 nights accommodation, all meals and beverages, 15 dives, two PADI specialty certifications, certification materials, tanks, weights, belts, evening science presentations, and a Reef Rescue Network t-shirt. Contact us for single occupancy rates.
Small Hope Bay Lodge is fully all-inclusive. Your package covers beachfront cabin accommodation, all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), all beverages including alcoholic drinks, use of kayaks, paddleboards, bicycles, hot tub, and the lodge library. The expedition package adds 15 guided dives, two PADI specialty certifications with materials, tanks, weights, belts, and evening science presentations.
You will earn two PADI specialty certifications: the Reef Rescue Diver Specialty and the Shark Conservation Specialty. The Reef Rescue certification covers coral biology, nursery maintenance, fragment preparation, and outplanting. The Shark Conservation certification covers shark biology, species identification, behavioral patterns, conservation status, and ecological importance. Both are taught in the field by PIMS scientists.
The Andros Barrier Reef stretches 124 miles along the eastern shore of Andros, making it the 3rd largest barrier reef in the world. The reef features dramatic walls, vibrant shallow reef systems, blue holes, and wrecks. Water temperatures in November typically range from 78 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit with good visibility. Dive sites are just minutes from the lodge by boat.
The expedition is led by Alex Frans (Expedition Director) and Anwar Godet (Lead Scientist), both from the Perry Institute for Marine Science. Alex is a coral restoration specialist and expedition coordinator with extensive field experience across the Caribbean. Anwar is a marine biologist specializing in coral reef ecology and restoration science throughout The Bahamas.
Ready to join us?
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.
Get in Touch
Interested in joining the Small Hope Bay expedition? Fill out the form below and we will be in touch with next steps.