Cozumel Coral Reef Restoration Program – PADI Coral Specialty

PADI Coral Reef Conservation Specialty in Cozumel

The Cozumel Coral Reef Restoration Program is offering a two day PADI Project Aware Coral Reef Conservation Specialty course. Students will learn the ins and out of coral conservation over two days with a PADI specialty diploma at the end.
Students will first have an introduction to the history of coral reefs in Cozumel, learn the importance of coral reefs, what are some of the major threats to corals. Including reasons the Cozumel Coral Reef Restoration Program was established, and why reef degradation has happened in this area.

After the classroom, you will learn about the coral restoration site followed by an overview of tools and techniques used for coral restoration. In particular, what is being used in Cozumel and what work needs to be done to maintain the coral platform.
Once you’re full of knowledge, it’s time to get wet. On the first dive, Germán will take you to see the coral restoration platform. Student clean off any algae or pests competing with the coral fragments.

Germán teaching students how to clean coral fragments

Behind the platform, there are five rocky reefs being restored. To prepare this area for out planting, students use brushes to scrub algae or cyanobacteria off the rocks. Once the spot is cleaned it’s ready for coral. Corals are planted on the second day of the course.
After visit the coral nursery time for a surface interval and new tanks. You will have a discussion on land about the nursery and a briefing for your second dive.

Students clean fragments and restore five rocky reefs behind the coral platform.

The Cozumel Coral Reef site is located near the international cruise ship dock to the south of the Cozumel Marine World pier. To the north, you will find an underwater museum of famous busts, an artistic metal restoration frame, reef balls, and fractal underwater platforms.
The second dive is at the reef ball museum site and where you learn the dive site and clean platforms. In partnership with the University of Quintana Roo, Germán has permission to use 65000 sq meter of concrete structures located amongst the reef balls to transplant his coral fragments.

To complete the PADI Coral Reef Conservation specialty you will return for a second day. On day two you will plant coral on the rocky reef and on the fractal frames. The course is two days long with four open water dives.
After the completion of the course, you will get your PADI Project AWARE Coral Reef Conservation specialty diploma. You will then also be certified to help in future coral restoration efforts in Cozumel as a volunteer.
The two-day course is $175.00 including 4 open water dives. If you’re short on time and still want to visit the program you can do a one day Coral reef conservation approach course for a cost of $110.00 and two open water dives.