Where do we meet for the trip?

Boats launch from Key Largo; the meeting location is listed as Key Largo and the operator address is 5 Seagate Blvd, Key Largo, FL 33037, USA.

Can I snorkel instead of dive?

Yes—the registration covers two tank dives or guided snorkel shifts so non-divers can participate in reef work from the surface or shallow water.

What if I don’t have a buddy or I’m a minor?

If you don’t have a buddy, one will be assigned; minors without an accompanying adult may be asked to hire a private divemaster for supervision.

Do I need to be experienced to join?

Newly certified divers are advised to gain more experience before the event; volunteers need basic comfort in open water for hands-on tasks.

How does my participation help reefs?

Coralpalooza follows standardized outplanting and monitoring protocols recognized by the UN, so volunteer work feeds into measurable restoration outcomes.

Dive Into Coralpalooza: Restore Reefs from Conch Republic Divers Boat in Key Largo

Q: Is rental gear available?

Rental equipment and specialty tank requests like nitrox are available through the assigned local dive operator at additional cost.

Off the dock at 5 Seagate Blvd, Key Largo, FL 33037, USA, the Conch Republic Divers Boat becomes a mobile classroom, worksite, and celebration space for Coralpalooza — a three-day volunteer campaign that mobilizes divers and snorkelers to nurse Florida’s coral reefs back to life. Located on the edge of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, this trip puts you over patch reefs and spur-and-groove formations where staghorn and elkhorn corals once dominated and are now the focus of targeted restoration. Over a four-hour event window, participants register for two tank dives or guided snorkel shifts; the package includes two standard air tanks and weights, plus an invitation to a Key Largo evening social event on Friday, June 5th and a Coralpalooza™ 2026 event shirt. Boats launch from Key Largo and operators run short runs to shallow reefs where volunteers help with outplanting coral fragments, stabilizing nursery-grown colonies, and removing shading algae that smothers small recruits. The activity is hands-on but structured: if you don’t arrive with a buddy, one will be assigned, and minors may be asked to hire a private divemaster for safe in-water supervision. What makes this experience stand out is scale and legitimacy. Coralpalooza is recognized by the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and listed as a UN Ocean Decade event, so your time on the Conch Republic Divers Boat contributes to standardized monitoring and measured outcomes rather than casual reef snorkeling. The reefs here grow on Pleistocene limestone outcrops and host distinctive Florida Keys fauna such as queen conch, parrotfish, and loggerhead turtles; volunteers often surface to see rays cruising the shallows. Practical notes: rental gear and specialty tank requests like nitrox are available through the assigned operator at extra cost, and waitlist registrants may be placed on different local boats. A newly certified diver should get some additional experience before joining this event to ensure comfort during hands-on tasks. Weather and sea state can alter plans; organizers work with local operators to keep teams safe. This is more than a dive trip; it’s a civic act: the choreographed effort of citizens, scientists, and local dive businesses working from the Conch Republic Divers Boat to revive coral that supports fisheries and tourism. For travelers staying in Key Largo, Coralpalooza offers a rare chance to meaningfully connect with marine conservation while breathing in the Gulf Stream air and watching the reef you helped build grow for years to come. Sign up early via the referral link to lock a spot; boats fill fast and local operators match volunteers to appropriate tasks. Arrive as a snorkeler or certified diver and depart knowing you helped measurable reef recovery that sustains the Keys’ marine life and local livelihoods today.

About Coral Restoration Foundation

Coral Restoration Foundation, based in Tavernier, Florida, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring coral reef ecosystems through science-based restoration, public engagement, and volunteer programs. The foundation cultivates coral fragments in offshore and in-water nurseries, conducts outplanting and monitoring on restored reef sites, and advances best practices for reef recovery. Public experiences include Coralpalooza events, boat-based restoration dives with local dive operators, and full-day programs that let participants work directly in nurseries, assist with coral planting, and learn monitoring techniques.

Programs are designed for divers, snorkelers, students, volunteers, and community groups seeking hands-on conservation opportunities. Coralpalooza is presented as a multi-day global event that mobilizes volunteers and partners to celebrate World Oceans Day with reef restoration activities. Boat-based experiences listed from local operators provide accessible ways to join restoration efforts in the Florida Keys region. Educational materials, volunteer training, and site monitoring support the foundation's restoration goals and provide measurable field experience.

The organization collaborates with regional partners, dive operators, and community stakeholders to scale restoration efforts while maintaining scientific oversight. Volunteer opportunities are structured and supervised to ensure safety and ecological best practices. Public participation supports ongoing reef resilience work and helps connect visitors to local marine conservation. For travelers seeking meaningful ocean experiences in the Florida Keys, Coral Restoration Foundation offers guided, field-based programs that combine education with tangible reef recovery actions. Programs accommodate varying experience levels, include certified-diver options and snorkel-friendly activities, and often offer opportunities to learn about coral biology and reef ecology in the Keys.