Work With Us

Restore Reefs with Us

Revive: Reef Restoration Program

Unlock the secrets of coral restoration and become an advocate for marine conservation. This comprehensive citizen science program — based in beautiful Bocas del Toro, Panama — is designed for individuals passionate about protecting our oceans and eager to make a tangible impact on coral reef ecosystems.

We offer a 1-day experience or an immersive 7-day course (both snorkeler and diver-friendly). At the end of each experience, every participant will have gained a comprehensive understanding of coral conservation and made a contribution to our coral restoration projects.

Participants will delve into the science, techniques, and community engagement aspects of coral restoration, gaining the base knowledge and skills necessary to contribute actively to reef rehabilitation efforts.

Highlights

Take on the role of citizen scientist and learn about the importance of corals, coral restoration best practices, and how to reduce human impact on coral reefs
Learn how to build artificial reef structures and place them underwater in strategic formations
Collect, propagate, and outplant nursery-grown corals onto artificial reef structures
Monitor reef data, including coral health and growth, water quality, and fish count
Discover a community of like-minded people who share a passion for coral restoration
Explore all beautiful Bocas del Toro has to offer, from breathtaking beaches, surfing, sailing, cacao farms, and more

Details

Suitable for

Experience

New or inexperienced divers will be required to arrive early and complete Open Water Certification, checkout dives and/or Peak Performance Buoyancy specialty course.

Insurance

Dive insurance is required (diversalertnetwork.org)

We also highly recommend purchasing travel insurance.

ABOuT THE PROGRAM

Join us in Bocas del Toro

At Mother of Corals, we provide the tools and training to enable coastal communities to create and maintain artificial coral reef habitats, in order to increase their environmental and economic sustainability.

We are located on the mainland of Isla Colon in Bocas del Toro, Panama. Orientation, group educational lessons, and check out dives will be held at Bocas Pirates Dive Center, which is conveniently located in the heart of Bocas Town.

Bocas del Toro was declared Hope Spot in December 2019 by Mission Blue. It is home to countless important marine organisms including sharks, sea turtles, bottlenose dolphins, over 120 species of sponge, three different species of mangroves and a diverse array of Caribbean coral species.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Diving with Revive

Please read these details carefully and let us know if you have any questions as you book your travel arrangements. We have tons of great, trusted recommendations and years of experience to share!

Looking for a 1-day experience? Click here for more info.

5-Day Experience (Divers only)

Mother of Corals in-depth education on coral reefs, restoration and artificial reef construction
2 educational dives/snorkel sessions at the coral nursery
Hands-on experience with coral monitoring at the coral nursery
Hands-on experience with building artificial reefs/marine habitats
Additional dives/snorkel sessions at Bocas del Toro’s dive sites
Course materials
Boat fees

7-Day Experience (Divers Only, Groups of 12 only)

Mother of Corals in-depth education on coral reefs, restoration and artificial reef building
Dives that include coral education, coral restoration and the option of exploring additional Bocas del Toro’s dive sites.
Hands-on experience with monitoring coral at the coral nursery
Hands-on experience with building AND planting artificial reefs/marine habitats at the dive sites
Mother of Corals Course Certificate
Course materials
Boat fees, dive equipment & snorkeling gear
A place in our inner circle forever!

What's not included

Airport Pickup/Drop Off
Food & Beverage: We will provide our list of favorite local bars and restaurants for breakfast, lunch and dinner around town.
Accommodation: We will provide a preferred vendor list upon registration. Please ask for more information before booking, as we have years of knowledge and experience with each location.
Flights: The nearest airport is Bocas Del Toro (BOC). Direct flights to Bocas Town only come from the domestic airports of Panama City, Panama (Air Panama) and San Jose, Costa Rica (Sansa Airlines). For either option, you will need to fly into the international airports and transfer to the domestic airports.
Travel & Dive Insurance: Travel insurance is recommended, dive insurance is required. We recommend diversalertnetwork.org

COURSE DETAILS

What you'll learn

Take a look at our materials and get the sense of how Revive works. Schedules are subject to change — pending weather, group size, forces out of our control, etc.

A typical day at Revive

Classroom learning starts mid-morning for 60-90 minutes. We review and collect all items for each day’s checklist and board the boat with our dive and snorkel gear ready.

We discuss our plan on the boat, then the day’s lessons are completed underwater in a 60-minute dive or snorkel session. Our boat returns by mid-afternoon, giving you the time to explore Bocas or relax at your leisure during the late afternoons and evenings.

Curriculum

Participants will delve into the science, techniques, and community engagement aspects of coral restoration, gaining the base knowledge and skills necessary to actively contribute to reef rehabilitation efforts.

Free time

Take a variety of tours with an ecotour company based on our recommended list operator, which we will provide.
Do a night dive or sign up for a bioluminescence snorkel.
Explore the huge variety of restaurant cuisines and attractions that are available around the archipelago.

7-12 PEOPLE

Large Groups

Looking to travel as a group? We’d love to dive with you! We welcome groups of 7-12 and offer the 12th spot free to the group leader with 11 paying participants.

To discuss booking a group trip, book some time to chat with us.

What's included

Airport transfers in Bocas
7 nights hotel stay
Prerequisite online course
Breakfast
12 dives (one night dive option)
Surface interval snacks
Mother of Corals Revive Certificate
Graduation Dinner

What's not included

International and/or domestic airfare
Airport transfers in Panama City
Dive equipment (rentals available)
Lunch, dinner, and other snacks
Beverages
Gratuities
Dive & Travel Insurance

Revive Reviews

“What began as a curiosity for me, blossomed into a profound passion for ocean conservation and coral restoration, thanks to the immersive and empowering experience provided by the Mother of Corals Revive program. As I reflect on my time in Bocas, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to the preservation of our planet’s underwater wonders.

Heidi F.

“Experiencia única, en un lugar alucinante con gente hermosa. Fue lindo sentir que hacía algo positivo por un lugar que me encanta. Por otro lado me pareció importante conocer la realidad de lo que está pasando abajo del agua, para ser más consciente y poder cambiar mis acciones.”

RENATA G.

“The Revive program helped me understand why taking care of our reefs is so important. I learned the importance of reef vitality, restoration best practices and so much more. I had such a good time participating while simultaneously making an impact. I absolutely recommend this program to anyone interested in helping our planet!”

LUCIA D.

“My time with Mother of Corals was so exciting and inspiring! It was so fun to be a part of such a cool project and I can’t wait to come back and see the progress!”

KASIA J.

“Participar en este proyecto me ha hecho más consciente de los desafíos que enfrentan nuestros océanos y me ha motivado a seguir luchando por su protección. ¡Invito a otras personas a unirse a esta causa!”

FEI Z.

“I volunteered with Mother of Corals and had an amazing experience while on vacation in Panama. By helping restore the coral reefs, it’s impossible not to get excited to be a part of the team making a change after working with Krista and her team. I’ll take a ton of what I learned home to continue improving what I do that ultimately ends up impacting the reefs across the globe. Would definitely volunteer with Mother of Corals again!”

JULIE W.

“This was hands down the best experience I had while traveling in Panama. The team was highly skilled and professional. I felt completely comfortable and was able to relax and have an amazing time. The founder was exceptionally knowledgeable about coral restoration and citizen science. I’m hugely appreciative of the work they do at Mother of Corals, and I look forward to volunteering again next time I’m in Panama!”

JAMIE B.

1-DAY EXPERIENCE

"Learn & Sea" Dives

Local to Bocas? In town for a bit and looking to join us for the day? Let us take you on a “Learn & Sea” dive excursion.

Start with a discussion about the importance of corals, reefs, and the current threats they face. We’ll talk about solutions and practices that we use to help. Then, hop in the water for a dive (with Bocas Pirates Dive Shop) at one of our restoration sites to see our work in action.