Coral Restoration Dives & Coral Workshop

Coral Restoration Dives & Coral Workshop 

A Captain Hook's Make a Difference Experience | Big Pine Key, FL

Some dive trips take you to the reef. This one puts you to work on it — and certifies you for it.

The Florida Keys coral reef is the only living barrier reef in the continental United States, and it is under serious threat. Through our partnership with Reef Renewal, one of the leading coral restoration organizations in the Florida Keys, Captain Hook's Big Pine Key offers certified divers the opportunity to earn a basic coral restoration specialty certification while doing real, science-directed reef work in a single day.

This isn't recreational diving. It's purposeful diving — and your contribution will outlast your visit.

Your Day

9:15 AM — Check-In Arrive at Captain Hook's Big Pine Key. Dive waivers are completed. Get settled, meet your fellow reef workers, and get ready to learn.

Morning — Coral Restoration Workshop Your certified instructor leads a 75–90 minute coral lecture covering everything you need to participate effectively and earn your certification:

• What coral is, how it grows and reproduces, and where reefs are found
• Why coral reefs matter to ocean ecosystems
• The stressors threatening reefs today, including bleaching and disease
• How restoration programs work — and what divers can do to help
• A newly released Reef Renewal video
• A hands-on preview of the tools you'll use underwater
• A 25-question certification exam

Midday — Lunch Break & Gear Prep Take a break for lunch at one of the spots nearby while our team gets the boat and equipment ready.

12:30 PM — Boat Departure Everyone reconvenes for boat loading and departure to a coral partners coral nursery, located just northeast of the Looe Key Sanctuary — about a 30-minute ride out.

Afternoon — Two Certification Dives At the nursery, divers are paired into buddy teams. Each pair works together cleaning a coral tree at approximately 28 feet depth, with tree floats about 10 feet from the surface. A Captain Hook's safety diver supervises every three buddy pairs, monitoring air and ensuring the work is done correctly.

• Dives run approximately 45–50 minutes each
• Surface interval between dives is 15–20 minutes
• No one is required to complete the second dive — coral restoration is real physical work, and we respect your limits
• Divers return to the boat underwater, as recreational boat traffic can pass through the area

At the Dock — Certification Tools are collected, equipment broken down, and if time and everyone agree, a group photo is taken. Every diver who completes the nursery work receives a basic coral restoration certification card — recognized proof of participation that qualifies you to work with coral restoration programs beyond the Florida Keys.

What's Included

• Coral restoration workshop and certification exam
• Basic coral restoration specialty certification card upon completion
• Two guided nursery dives with Reef Renewal
• Tanks, air fills, and weights
• Captain Hook's safety diver in the water with every three buddy pairs
• Freshwater rinse at the dock

What to Bring & What You'll Need

• Valid Open Water Diver certification
• A logged dive within the last two years is required to participate
• Dive gloves are required — available for purchase at Captain Hook's Big Pine Key
• Full scuba equipment rental available for $21 (regularly $39), discounted exclusively for this program
• Bathing suit, towel, reef-safe sunscreen, sunglasses, and your confirmation email

Completing this program earns you your basic coral restoration certification. When you're ready to go further, returning divers can work toward an Advanced Restoration certification, which includes outplanting coral on the reef and monitoring work. Your certification also qualifies you to assist at coral restoration nurseries beyond the Florida Keys — anywhere Reef Renewal and partner programs operate.

A Note on Tax Deductibility

A portion of your program fee may be tax deductible. We recommend consulting your tax advisor for details.

Good to Know

• This is a specialty certification course — a 25-question exam is required; non-divers may attend the workshop but cannot receive certification
• Trips run two Saturdays per month; reservations are required
• Groups of six or more may inquire about scheduling a private date — subject to boat availability
• This activity may be modified or cancelled due to wind, weather, visibility, or sea conditions; full refund, store credit, or reschedule will be offered
• Guests may not participate under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or with any medical condition that poses a risk to themselves or others
• Coming soon: dual-branded Captain Hook's / Reef Renewal coral restoration t-shirts available for purchase at the shop

Stop In Before Your Trip

We love meeting our reef workers before the big day. Come see us at Captain Hook's Big Pine Key, just off U.S. 1 at Mile Marker 29.5 — 29675 Overseas Highway, Big Pine Key, FL 33043. We'll answer your questions, get your gear sorted, and make sure you're ready to make a real difference on the reef.

Captain Hook's is a NOAA Blue Star designated operator committed to reef conservation and responsible diving in the Florida Keys.