Snorkeling in Nusa Penida: Plant 70 Corals

Plant 70 corals by hand and snorkel through a thriving reef nursery with locals.

A 6-hour reef restoration course in Nusa Penida where you plant 70 corals across 4 square meters of damaged reef, guided by local marine conservationists. The day includes a coral biology presentation, three snorkeling sessions at the reef nursery, a knot-tying lesson, and lunch. You'll work alongside the community that has spent seven years restoring the ocean floor, and on Saturdays the group visits a local school for English lessons and beach cleanup with the children.

The experience

You start with a presentation on coral biology and ecosystem recovery, then move to the nursery to see how corals are cultivated from fragments. After harvesting the pieces you'll plant, you break for lunch at Coral Cafe before the water work begins. The knot-tying lesson teaches you how to secure corals to the ropes underwater. A skill that matters when you're actually placing them on the reef floor. Then comes three separate snorkeling sessions where you descend, position your corals, and watch them settle into place. By the end of the day, you've restored 4 square meters of reef by hand, which through typical conservation organizations would cost hundreds of dollars.

Your guides are island locals who know the currents and conditions around Nusa Penida. They speak English or German and lead the snorkeling in small groups, so you're not watching from a boat. You're in the water doing the work. The course includes all snorkeling equipment, the materials for coral restoration, and a gift for the local school. On Saturdays, the group visits the school itself to teach English and join the children in beach cleanup, turning the day into something that connects you directly to the community driving the restoration effort.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment.
• coral restoration materials to plant 70 corals.
• a coral biology presentation and reef nursery tour.
• three guided snorkeling sessions.
• a knot-tying lesson.
• lunch at Coral Cafe.
• a gift for the local school.
• live guide in English or German.

Options for this experience

2 options

Reef Rehabilitation Course and SnorkelingGuide in English or German · 08:30 and 10:00

Reef Rehabilitation and SchoolingGuide in English or German · 08:30Saturday School Activity

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:30 and 10:00

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (6 to 15 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish and German

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomeNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Ecotourism Nusa Penida

Is this one for you?Choose this course if you want to do something measurable for a reef ecosystem rather than observe it. The six-hour commitment and moderate swimming ability it requires are what make hands-on planting possible. You're not watching a demonstration or adopting a coral from a distance. You're in the water restoring the reef yourself.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and German.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 15 years); Infant (under 6): free.

How deep do you snorkel when you're planting the corals?

The reef nursery where you plant sits at a depth where you can work comfortably while snorkeling at the surface. The guides position you in the shallower zones where the corals take hold best. Exact depth depends on the day's conditions, but the work is designed for snorkelers, not divers.

What if I've never snorkeled before? Can I still plant corals?

Yes, if you can swim comfortably. The guides teach the knot-tying and planting technique in the water, and you'll have three separate snorkeling sessions to get comfortable before you're placing corals on the reef. The course is built for people new to the activity.

Do I get to keep the corals I plant, or are they left on the reef?

The 70 corals you plant stay on the reef as part of the permanent restoration. You're contributing to the reef itself, not taking anything home: except the knowledge of where your corals are growing and the gift for the local school.

What happens on Saturdays when you visit the school?

On Saturdays the group travels to a local school after the reef work to teach English lessons and join the children in beach cleanup and other conservation activities. It's part of the same day and included in the course.

How long is the lunch break, and what's served?

Lunch is served at Coral Cafe during the day. The break gives you time to rest between the presentation and the water work. The meal is local and included in the course price.