ReeFiesta June 1st, 2019! - Reef Renewal Curacao

Reef Renewal Bonaire is proud to host Reefiesta for our 4th annual restoration celebration – this year on World Reef Day!

In celebration of World Reef Day, on Saturday June 1^st Reef Renewal Bonaire is once again hosting an event that brings divers together to promote coral reef conservation and restoration. By registering online, divers can join and have the opportunity to work in the coral nurseries and outplant corals alongside Reef Renewal Bonaire staff! For more information about registration, event details, and more, check below.

Registration for Reefiesta is full! Click here to see how you can still help!

About Reef Fiesta

Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire is hosting an event in celebration of our coral reefs for the 4th year in row, this year on World Reef Day. This event aims to bring divers and ocean conservation-minded individuals together to promote coral reef restoration and ocean preservation. World Reef Day is a call to action for people around the world to make simple choices today to save our reefs’ future.

So to do our part, we’re inviting you to dive with us! Participants do not need any previous coral restoration experience and only need to be dive certified to join – there are a few things we’ll ask you to bring, though (Check our FAQs). To celebrate, we’ll be organizing both shore dives and boat dives. You’ll be led by experienced divers from Reef Renewal Bonaire and its Dive Shop Members as you get an introduction to coral restoration.

After the dives, join us on the beach for pizza, camaraderie, and drinks to celebrate as we watch the sunset closing out a beautiful day of restoration – don’t forget to wear your event t-shirt!

When
Saturday, June 1st, 2019

Where
Bonaire, your assigned coral nursery or restoration site

Cost
Free!

Active Schedule

Registration 8:30-8:45 am
Report to your assigned dive shop to complete forms and receive your t-shirt.

Morning Dive 9:00 am
Brief training and educational session and outplanting dive with RRFB Dive Shop Members from shore

Lunch Break, 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Pack your own lunch, take a quick trip home, or purchase the optional meal for the event.

Afternoon Dive 1:00 pm
Registration and boat dive at Klein Bonaire Coral Nursery

Sunset ReeFiesta 5:30 pm
Join us at the beach for pizza, camaraderie, and drinks to celebrate! (Don’t forget to wear your event t-shirt!)

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the event cost?
It’s free! We’ll also give you a t-shirt to commemorate your experience. We believe the experience should be available to everyone, without cost; however, donations are welcome and will help to keep this event free and fund our efforts to restore sites around Bonaire and Klein Bonaire. You can make a donation here.

Do I have to know how to dive?
Yes. In order to participate in Reefiesta activities, we do ask that all participants are dive certified and will be asked to show proof of it (certification card) on the day of the event.

What do I have to bring?
There are a few things you must bring, and a few we encourage. The things you must bring are: your dive gear (we’ll provide weights and tanks), certification card, and a positive attitude. We also encourage you to bring reef-friendly sun protection (clothing, neoprene, hats), a reusable water bottle, and a towel or dry clothes for after the dive.

What if I don’t have dive gear?
No worries! You can rent gear from one of the dive shops. Check with them ahead of time to ensure prices and availability.

Do I have to participate the whole day?
No! Although we’d love to have you with us for the whole day, you can participate in the morning, afternoon, or both! Just make sure to specify which part(s) of the day you’d like to participate when you register so we can send you to the correct locations.

What is included in the optional lunch?
The optional lunch is a hot meal provided at a discounted rate. You are also welcome to pack your own lunch, leave for a quick break (make sure you make it back in time for the boat!), or eat at any restaurant nearby.

How will I know where to go on Saturday?
After you register, we’ll send you a confirmation email with some general information about the day. As Reefiesta approaches, we’ll send you more specific details regarding your assignment for the day via a second email.

What if I cannot make it after I register?
Not a problem! If you find out, for whatever reason, you can’t make it to Reefiesta please send us an email at info@reefrenewalbonaire.org. As spaces are limited, we’d like to give everyone we can a chance to take part in the fun!

I’m diving with another person. How can I make sure we’re put together?
You can make sure you are put together by doing two things: 1) Fill out the box at the end of the registration form that asks you to list the other folks in your group; and 2) make sure EACH diver in your group fills out their own registration form. If you do this, we will work to make sure you are put together!

I registered, but I have yet to receive an email confirming my participation. Am I registered?
You probably are! Check your spam/junk in your email – sometimes our automatic responses end up there. If you find it there, move us over to your inbox or add us to your contacts list so that our future emails will come to your inbox. If you still don’t see anything, send us an email at info@reefrenewalbonaire.org and we can double check for you.

I can’t participate. Is there a way I can still help?
Yes! This event is completely free of charge to all participants. The goal of the day is to educate people about coral reef restoration and what we can do in our everyday lives to help protect and conserve our coral reefs. If you’d like to help keep this event free, you can make a donation here.