Explore northern Raja Ampat in the largest wooden liveaboard dive boat in Southeast Asia. Explore over 50,000 sq km with hundreds of islands and an astounding diversity of habitats, translating to wildly different diving experiences. They range from pelagic drift dives to magic muck dives and even some habitats that are special to Raja Ampat, such as clear water mangroves with corals growing right next to them! There are thousands of potential dive sites. Exploration is still continuing, and there are chances for new and amazing discoveries on every trip.
Curacao was rated as one of the top 10 diving destinations by Scuba Diving Magazine readers in 2022. This trip offers diving through Ocean Encounters and lodging through LionsDive. Enjoy 5 days of 2 tank morning dives and 6 days of unlimited shore diving! LionsDive Beach Resort has a cozy, casual atmosphere set amidst a stunning tropical location, whether you’re a diver or snorkeler, it’s the perfect trip for you.
At just 10 square miles, Little Cayman remains true to what a Caribbean Island should be. The Island was mostly uninhabited and rarely visited until the mid-19th century and to this day continues to have limited development. With three marine protected areas, home to the world's largest spawning aggregation of Nassau Grouper, and an international shark sanctuary, fish life is prolific.
Part of a volcanic and coral mountain range, Guanaja is within the world's second-largest barrier reef, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. Dive sites surround the entire island, so it's possible to find a site with calm water on nearly any day of the week. Just steps from the sandy beach, the rocks, and flats surrounding the island, this location is perfect for those who love shore diving and searching for all of the unique fish species that inhabit the shallows. The Villa on Dunbar Rock is a one-of-a-kind resort providing stunning 360-degree views.
Located on a secluded key in Roatan, Honduras, CoCo View Resort is well known among divers for its excellent house reef. Guests will enjoy two daily boat trips and unlimited shore diving at CoCo View’s front yard reef, where more than 300 fish species have been recorded. Fish enthusiasts will be delighted to search for species like the Redcheeck Goby, found in the Bay Islands. The resort is an excellent fit for non-diving companions as well, who may enjoy front-yard snorkeling and access to ocean kayaks.
REEF is proud to partner with educational institutions, dive operators and club, and conservation-focused groups all around the globe to engage individuals in ocean conservation, education and citizen science. REEF Ocean Explorers Education Program staff work with groups to implement the Volunteer Fish Survey Project into their existing curriculums and courses. This month, we are pleased to highlight two partners who recently incorporated REEF lessons and materials into their programming.
With heavy hearts, we share the news that REEF Co-Founder Paul Humann passed away on February 5, 2024. Paul was a passionate advocate for the oceans, a visionary scuba diver, and pioneering underwater photographer. His enthusiasm for the underwater world touched countless lives, and his dedication was a driving force in advancing the dive industry, ocean citizen science, and natural history.
REEF recently concluded the annual field season for the Grouper Moon Project, a highly successful conservation science collaboration between REEF and the Cayman Islands Department of Environment (DOE) to study one of the largest and last known spawning aggregations of endangered Nassau Grouper in the Caribbean. The research team, made up of REEF staff and volunteers, along with our collaborators from DOE, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and Oregon State University, conducted daily dives on the aggregation off the west end of Little Cayman, and visited the an active aggregation on Caym
REEF programs use citizen science, research, and education to engage peope in marine conservation. REEF members like you are an essential part of our work, and we are so thankful for the generosity of all who have contributed to REEF this winter. Your support helped us kick of 2024 on a strong note! If you have not yet made a gift this winter, will you consider making a donation now to support our ocean conservation mission? You can visit www.REEF.org/donate to contribute securely online.
Classrooms and students throughout the Cayman Islands have dived into conservation by taking part in this year's Grouper Moon Project! While the Nassau Grouper were spawning during the January full moon, REEF and the Cayman Islands Department of Environment partnered to host three livesteam sessions as an opportunity for students to interact with Grouper Moon Project researchers, learn about pathways to becoming marine scientist, and share the importance of collaboration to protect endangered Nassau Grouper.