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Coral Reef Conservation Course 

Duration:

2 days

Highlights

  • Short 2 day course that covers the essentials of coral biology, reef ecology and a brief overview of our restoration project and the various coral restoration methods.

  • Learn about the routine tasks needed to maintain the coral nursery for optimal coral health.

  • 3 dives where you will get to practice your skills and finally plant your own coral fragment.

  • Includes course manual that can be used as a lifelong reference for future dives to help ID corals.

  • Scuba diving equipment (BCD, regulator, mask, fins, tanks, and weights) are included. You are welcome to bring your own gear.

  • Requires Open Water Diver certification. (If you don't have it you can take the course with us prior).

  • Easy access by swimming out from shore. No boat ride needed. Mobility friendly.

  • All profits go towards our coral restoration efforts.

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Description

This course offers a more complete overview of the coral species that form the Mesoamerican Reef ecosystem. Our unique offering combines the PADI AWARE Coral Reef Conservation specialty with additional hands-on training on the Corals endemic to Cozumel and the various restoration methods we use. Upon completion you will both earn your PADI AWARE Coral Reef Conservation specialty and have all the knowledge and training required to volunteer with us in Cozumel, or any coral restoration project in the Caribbean!

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We run this 2 day course weekly, 10:30am to 3pm, Thursday to Friday; with an additional course on Monday to Tuesday during high season. If you can't find a course in our schedule that matches your availability, please contact us directly to see if we can accommodate you.

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This course includes our proprietary Coral Reef Restoration Course Manual that is emailed to students after booking so they can study in advance of their course. It can be also used as a reference document to help identify corals on future dives anywhere in the Caribbean!

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The reef is shallow with a maximum depth of 6m with easy shore swim-up access.  Our meeting point is a short 10-minute taxi ride whether you are coming from Cozumel ferry terminal, downtown Cozumel or Puerto Maya cruise ship terminal. 

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Need your PADI Open Water Diver?

We run PADI Open Water Diver right before this course. Simply select a date on the PADI Open Water Diver page and add this course to the bundle during checkout for a 5% discount.

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Bundle with Fish ID 

Want a holistic view of the entire Marine ecosystem? We run the Fish ID course weekly on Saturdays, so you can get both certifications in 3 days with a 5% discount. To book, go to the Reef Fish ID course page and bundle at checkout

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Bundle with Peak Performance Buoyancy

Want to master your buoyancy to be a better coral restorer? We run the PPB course weekly on Wednesdays, so you can get both certifications in 3 days with a 8% discount. To book, go to the Peak Performance Buoyancy course page and bundle at checkout

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Combo with Advanced Open Water

This course can count as one of your 3 Advanced OW specialty dives. By combining them you can save 1 day with a 8% discount. To book, go to the Advanced Open Water course page and bundle at checkout.

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You can also combine multiple bundles. To do so please contact us directly.

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​​Details

  • Reefs visited: Villa Blanca Reefs, Cozumel, Mexico

  • Meeting point: Sand Dollar Sports lab

  • Food and transportation are not included.

  • Languages: English and Spanish

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Please bring
  • Bathing Suit 
  • Towel 
  • Long sleeve T-shirt or rash guard. Do NOT wear sunscreen or skincare products prior to diving. Even 'reef safe" ones have non-biodegradable compounds that damage corals.
  • Reusable water bottle

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Cancellation/Rescheduling Policy

  • There is a 35% cancellation fee to cover the costs of our non-refundable e-learning. But this fee can be credited towards a future course booking.

  • We allow rescheduling at no cost up to 1 week before the course start.

  • 50% cancellation/rescheduling fee if cancelled/rescheduled 7 days or less before start.

  • 100% cancellation fee if cancelled 1 day or less before start.

  • If the cancellation/rescheduling was due to an medical emergency or major travel delay we can waive these fees (less the 35% cost of e-learning) provided the student has a doctors note or proof of delay.

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Bad Weather Policy

​Safety is the most important when diving or snorkeling. When the north winds are too strong, the Cozumel harbormaster closes the port to all underwater activities, cancelling your dive.  If the dive is canceled, updates will be sent to participants via email or WhatsApp as soon as possible, with options provided to either reschedule your course or receive a refund.

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