*Please note all Coralpalooza Activities are weather dependent and no refunds will be issued in case of cancellation due to weather.
How does the day work?
Coralpalooza™ is considered a full day event! Registrants will be assigned to dive operators based on the location that they selected (Upper Keys, Middle Keys or Lower Keys), but the location you go to may all be different! Two dives per registrant are coordinated (two tanks and weights included) and boats are scheduled for a full day to allow for all divers to not feel pressured by dive time; departures vary from 7-10AM and return times vary from 2-5PM. Travel times on the vessel will vary from 30 to 60 minutes. Overall, please plan for 4-6 hours on the boat.
Is Coralpalooza 2024 happening after the 2023 bleaching and heat disturbance event?
YES, it is still happening! In fact, we feel that Coralpalooza™ this 2024 year is more important than ever since it represents the resilience of restoration efforts in the face of adversity and disturbance events. We will be shifting our attention and activity focus on supporting our nurseries this year, which means new land opportunities to support nursery structures and in-water focus on nursery maintenance.
How is this Coralpalooza™ 2024 different from previous years?
This year we want to try something new. We have heard you when in the past you’ve said you wanted MORE Coralpalooza™ and we’re going to deliver that this year! Instead of one massive in-water day on the main Saturday, June 8th, we will be expanding opportunities over several days for diving and more land opportunities. At registration, you will see multi-day and multi-location options on registration forms. Each day is a separate registration and cost.
So how will this year’s event work?
The format will be essentially the same – just with more sign-up and registration opportunities. For each day, Coralpalooza™ is considered a full day event! Registrants will be assigned to dive operators based on the location and day that they selected (Upper Keys or Lower Keys), but the location you go to may all be different! Two dives per registrant are coordinated (two tanks and weights included) and boats are scheduled for half days to allow for the operators to still get in a second dive trip. This means that, if you want to fit in a fun dive the same day, you can! Travel times on the vessel will vary from 30 to 60 minutes and you can still plan for 4-6 hours on the boat.
What will I be doing?
Restoration activities and SCUBA diving are always weather dependent activities. The safety of our divers, both participants and our CRF team, is our ultimate priority. The intention of the day is to maintain our coral nurseries up and down the Florida Keys, but this activity may be changed or even cancelled last minute. Should the weather not allow for restoration activities but is deemed safe enough for recreational diving per the dive operators, then activities will be revised. Should a small craft advisory or warning be issued, dive activities may be cancelled entirely in the interest of safety.
How long are the dives?
Times will be given per location and activity! All divers and their buddies must return to the vessel with no less than 500PSI in their tanks.
Can I spend one dive taking pictures?
We do encourage people to document their experience and we are excited to all be working towards a positive mission together! Please feel free to take the occasional picture, but otherwise, focus on the task at hand to ensure that our work is benefitting the coral.
How many dives are included?
Two dives are coordinated for all registrants. The CRF™ representatives on board coordinating the restoration activities (the “Coral Crew”) may conduct a third dive to finish any remaining restoration work.
How many sites will we visit?
Depends on the day, the work goals, and the weather! Should the weather not allow for nursery maintenance, then the plan will be altered and sites will be selected based on conditions.
Are they morning or afternoon dives?
Morning trips are the priority so those afternoon naps, land activities or fun dives can be arranged as you’d like!
Do you provide rental gear?
Coral Restoration Foundation™ works with local dive operators for the restoration activities and vessel usage. All registrants will be assigned a liaison dive operator once registration closes, and this dive operator can assist with any rental gear. Please contact your assigned dive operator well in advance to request rental gear.
How about tanks/weights?
The dive operator that you are assigned to will provide the tanks and weights!
How about Nitrox?
The dive operator that you are assigned to may be able to support your Nitrox request!
Can I bring my own tanks?
Please direct this question to your assigned dive operator once registration closes and more details have been sent out!
How deep are the dives?
Dives may vary from 15-30 ft (5-10m) in depth for restoration activities. Should restoration activities be impacted due to weather and recreational diving occur, dive depths may vary pending the operator’s discretion.
How will I receive training?
This 2024 year, training will be coordinated remotely through mandatory Zoom sessions. Once registration closes, multiple Zoom classes will be offered in the weeks leading up to June 1st. All registered dive and snorkel participants MUST attend a Zoom training or participation will be limited to snorkeling.
I’ve already done a dive program, do I have to attend training?
Yes! Coralpalooza™ is such a unique event that being familiar with its programming is necessary!
I don’t have a buddy. What now?
Not a problem! There are many individuals who have registered. You will be buddied randomly with another individual unless previously indicated on your registration form. If you are a minor, then an adult must accompany you in the same activity. If the minor doesn’t have an adult parent or guardian, the dive operator can hire a dive master – please let us know if this is the case!
What should I bring?
Food & snacks! We will be out on the water for 4 hours and it’s easy to get hangry (sorry, “hungry”) on boats! If snacks are important to you, please plan to bring some food for yourself and group.
Water! While there will be water on board the boats, please plan to bring a refillable water container(s), and maybe even some electrolytes to ensure proper hydration. SCUBA diving is a thirsty sport!
Please protect your skin and eyes by covering up, using zinc- or titanium-based sunscreen (please NO sunscreen with oxybenzone chemicals; if unsure, then leave it at home!), bringing a hat and wearing sunglasses.
Bring a simple pair of gardening gloves for nursery maintenance work!
A towel(s)
Whatever else you need for a morning on the water!
Ok, I registered! What’s next?
Thank you for registering! We’re SO excited to have you join us. You will receive a confirmation email with your registration information. If you do not receive one, please email us at coralpalooza@coralrestoration.org to verify that we have the correct email on file. Our team will begin corresponding with you one month prior to the event, so having the correct email and checking your junk/spam folder regularly is important! If you have not received any information, first check your spam/junk folder and then contact us at coralpalooza@coralrestoration.org.
