CORAL NURSERY DIVE | 1-Tank Boat Dive
Grand Cayman dive sites include the island’s first and biggest coral nursery. The Coral Nursery Dive is a one-tank afternoon trip. The dive includes a mini class with certification upgrades available.
Our East End coral nursery consists of ten coral trees, each with approximately 100 hung coral fragments. The coral tree frames are made from PVC pipes and anchored into deep sand. Gardening corals in nurseries result in accelerated growth of the corals, due to their elevated position and improved water sediment quality.
These live coral fragments were harvested from approved healthy reefs. When the coral fragments reach a suitable size, they are out-planted back to coral reefs to complete the restoration process of the ongoing conservation effort.
Mini Class: The coral nursery trip includes a 45-minute educational session, covering topics like why we set up a coral nursery, the goals of the project, coral ecology and threats, how coral nurseries work, and which target species are used for propagation.
Nursery Dive: The nursery dives at Grand Cayman dive sites last approximately 60 minutes, subject to air consumption. You’ll tour all areas of the nursery, monitor growth, learn how to clean a coral tree, help with removing algae, and tour the adjacent reef. Maximum depth is 26 feet and lies within the East End lagoon, with typically calm seas and little current.
