In celebration of World Ocean Month in June Sandals Resorts and its philanthropic arm, the Sandals Foundation, have unveiled an expansion of the company’s coral restoration efforts across the Caribbean, with new experiences in The Bahamas and Curaçao. The programs join existing conservation efforts in Jamaica, Saint Lucia, and Grenada, inviting resort guests to become part of the brands’ commitment to protecting the region’s precious underwater ecosystems.
“The ocean is not only a source of awe, but also vital to the Caribbean’s way of life,” said Heidi Clarke, Executive Director of the Sandals Foundation, which has outplanted over 37,000 coral fragments in partnership with regional marine science partners. “Protecting these fragile underwater ecosystems is a year-round passion for us. Through our ever-expanding programs, we’re inviting guests to experience the wonder beneath the waves and take part in hands-on marine conservation efforts that make a real, lasting impact,” said Clarke.
Reef restoration programs
This year, Sandals is expanding its add-on coral restoration experiences, with proceeds reinvested directly into ongoing conservation efforts. Guests at Sandals Resorts enjoy access to a comprehensive scuba diving program, for divers of all skill levels. On-site PADI dive centres offer daily all-inclusive diving for certified divers, along with optional experiences like coral restoration dives at select resorts.
New offerings include:
- Sandals Royal Bahamian: In partnership with the Perry Institute for Marine Science “Reef Rescue Network,” guests at Sandals Royal Bahamian can now learn the skills necessary for coral gardening by enrolling in the new Reef Rescue Diver Specialty Course. Offering both a theory component via the online Reef Rescue Diver Ebook and in-water coral nursery dives, the course covers coral reef ecosystems, the threats they face, and the role of coral nurseries in reef restoration. Practical training includes two open-water dives, during which participants help maintain coral nurseries, propagate coral, and outplant reef-ready corals. A shortened, single-dive Reef Rescue Experience is also available, offering one open-water dive at the coral nursery.
- Sandals Royal Curaçao (Coming 2026): In Curaçao, a new coral nursery developed with the BRANCH Coral Foundation and supported by Sandals Royal Curaçao was established this year, featuring five coral trees and 400 fragments of Staghorn coral. Monthly maintenance is conducted by BRANCH (which stands for Building Reefs and Nurseries for Coral Habitats), and the Sandals Royal Curaçao watersports team to ensure coral health and growth. The nursery will open to Sandals Royal Curaçao guests in 2026 and will offer the PADI BRANCH Coral Restoration Course – which will teach divers how to propagate and outplant corals, helping to sustain the reefs and ecosystems surrounding the island.
Meanwhile, guests of all Sandals Resorts in Saint Lucia, which include Sandals Grande Saint Lucian, Sandals Regency La Toc, and Sandals Halcyon, can participate in the Coral Nursery Transplanting Specialty Course. Launched in 2018 with an average of 2,000 coral fragments planted annually, this course was developed with CLEAR Caribbean and includes a coral reef briefing, two coral transplanting dives at a nursery site near the iconic Pitons, and a specialty certification.
Learn about all of Sandals Resorts’ ocean conservation efforts and wider initiatives across the Caribbean via the recently released CSR Report, Love Exceeds Expectations: https://www.sandals.com/corporate-responsibility/.
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