Photo Credit: Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium

Some of our crew are heading down to Key Largo on August 1 to dive with Mote Marine Laboratory, and we would love the Kyalami family to roll with us.

Mote runs a hands on coral restoration program where you spend the day as a citizen scientist. You learn the science behind reef recovery, then help fragment coral using Mote's research methods, which create genetically identical duplicates that grow as much as 50 times faster than coral does in the wild. After a morning with Mote scientists, you get in the water to help maintain their nurseries and monitor coral health. It is a real chance to leave the reef better than you found it.

The details

The program runs August 1 from 8am to 5pm out of Mote's Key Largo Coral Nursery at Reefhouse Resort, with diving through the Islamorada Dive Center. Key Largo sits about 2.5 hours from the shop.

Booking runs directly through Mote, not through us, so use the link below to grab your spot. The dive option runs 200 dollars and the snorkel option runs 150 dollars, which covers the restoration workshop, fragmentation training, a two tank dive or snorkel, and a citizen science card. Gear rental is not included but the dive shop can set it up ahead of time. Tanks and weights are provided.

Divers must be 15 or older, and anyone 15 to 17 needs a parent or guardian along. Activities depend on water and weather conditions.

We may convoy down together after meeting at the shop, so let the crew know if you are in and we will coordinate the drive.