🐠 Reef Rescue Expedition — November 7-14, 2026 | Coral restoration diving at Small Hope Bay, Andros, Bahamas BOOK NOW（https://www.perryinstitute.org/small-hope-bay-expedition-2026/）
November 7 – 14, 2026 Small Hope Bay Expedition
Adventure meets conservation at an all-inclusive eco-lodge on the world’s 3rd largest barrier reef.
Book Now（https://shop.reefrescuenetwork.org/products/small-hope-bay-expedition-november-2026-reef-rescue） Learn More
Location
Andros Island
Country
The Bahamas
Partner
Small Hope Bay Lodge
Basecamp
Small Hope Bay Lodge
Dates
Nov 7-14, 2026
Group Size
8 to 10 divers
Booking Book Now（https://shop.reefrescuenetwork.org/products/small-hope-bay-expedition-november-2026-reef-rescue）
The Expedition
Dive. Restore. Explore.
Small Hope Bay sits on the edge of the Andros Barrier Reef, the 3rd largest barrier reef in the world. This expedition blends hands-on coral restoration with exploration of one of the most pristine and least-visited reef systems in the Caribbean. You will spend a full week underwater, combining science-driven conservation work with adventure dives on walls, blue holes, wrecks, and vibrant shallow reefs.
Over the course of the expedition, you will earn two PADI specialty certifications: Reef Rescue Diver and AWARE Shark & Ray Conservation. Both are taught in the field by PIMS scientists and dive professionals. You will outplant corals, maintain nurseries, observe sharks, and learn directly from the team leading restoration efforts across The Bahamas.
Small Hope Bay Lodge is an all-inclusive eco-lodge established in 1960. All meals, beverages, and activities are included. Between dives, explore inland blue holes, go bonefishing in the flats, kayak through mangrove creeks, or simply relax on the beach. Two free afternoons give you time to discover Andros at your own pace. Book Now（https://shop.reefrescuenetwork.org/products/small-hope-bay-expedition-november-2026-reef-rescue）
See the Mission
The Perry Institute for Marine Science
For over 50 years, PIMS has been at the forefront of marine research and conservation in The Bahamas.
50+
Years of Research
15,000+
Corals Planted
100+
Published Studies
7
Countries Impacted
Support the science behind these expeditions. Donate to PIMS（https://www.perryinstitute.org/donate）
Expedition Briefing
Your Team and Training
Small Hope Bay Lodge
Established in 1960, Small Hope Bay Lodge is a historic all-inclusive eco-lodge on the eastern shore of Andros Island. It is one of the original dive resorts in the Caribbean, built around a simple idea: great diving, warm hospitality, and respect for the environment.
Rustic beachfront cabins sit just steps from the sand, and all meals and beverages are included. The lodge offers kayaks, paddleboards, bicycles, a hot tub, and a well-stocked library. The atmosphere is intimate, social, and focused on sustainability.
Small Hope Bay is known worldwide for its access to the Andros Barrier Reef, the 3rd largest in the world. The dive operation runs directly from the lodge, meaning you are on the reef within minutes of leaving shore. Learn more at smallhope.com（https://www.smallhope.com）.
Reef Rescue Diver Specialty
Every participant will have the opportunity to earn the PADI Reef Rescue Diver Specialty certification during the expedition. This is not a classroom exercise. You will learn coral restoration techniques in real-world conditions on active reef sites.
The curriculum covers coral biology fundamentals, nursery maintenance, fragment preparation, and outplanting methods. You will work directly with PIMS scientists who designed the Reef Rescue Network protocols now used across the Caribbean.
By the end of the week, you will hold a globally recognized certification and have hands-on experience restoring a reef system. This credential is increasingly valued by dive operators, marine parks, and conservation organizations worldwide.
AWARE Shark & Ray Conservation Specialty
In addition to the Reef Rescue certification, participants will earn the PADI AWARE Shark & Ray Conservation Specialty. This certification covers shark biology, species identification, behavioral patterns, conservation status, and the ecological importance of sharks in reef ecosystems.
The course includes a dedicated shark observation dive where you will see Caribbean reef sharks in their natural habitat. PIMS scientists will guide you through data collection methods and explain the research that informs shark protection policy in The Bahamas.
The Bahamas is home to one of the world’s largest shark sanctuaries. By earning this certification, you gain a deeper understanding of why these apex predators are essential to healthy reef systems and what can be done to protect them.
Expedition Highlights
What Makes This Expedition Different
🤿
Adventure and Restoration Dives
A blend of coral restoration work and exploration of the Andros Barrier Reef. Dive blue holes, dramatic walls, historic wrecks, and vibrant shallow reef systems throughout the week.
🌱
Hands-On Conservation
Outplant corals, maintain nurseries, and learn restoration techniques directly from PIMS coral specialists. Every dive contributes to the long-term recovery of the Andros Barrier Reef.
🎓
Two PADI Certifications
Earn both the PADI Reef Rescue Diver and AWARE Shark & Ray Conservation specialty certifications. Two globally recognized credentials, taught in the field by PIMS scientists.
🌊
All-Inclusive Experience
All meals, beverages, beachfront cabin, kayaks, paddleboards, bicycles, and more. Everything is taken care of so you can focus on diving and conservation.
🔬
Scientific Mentorship
Limited to 8 to 10 divers. Direct mentorship from PIMS coral restoration specialists throughout every dive. Two free afternoons to explore inland blue holes, go bonefishing on the flats, or kayak through mangrove creeks. You will not be a number on a manifest. You will be a member of the team.
Book Now（https://shop.reefrescuenetwork.org/products/small-hope-bay-expedition-november-2026-reef-rescue）
From Past Participants
What Expedition Divers Are Saying
“
Instead of just going and picking up trash on the side of the road, I’m doing it but scuba diving at the same time. It’s awesome.
Greg Tucker
Reef Rescue Expedition, Green Turtle Cay
“
Seeing immediately the fish coming around the coral, as if we had given them a gift of coral.
Patty Sloan
New York, Reef Rescue Expedition
“
You’ll look at the reef in a different way and appreciate what you’re seeing and appreciate the experience so much more.
Beth Burrell
Pittsburgh, PA, Reef Rescue Expedition
Day by Day
Your Expedition Itinerary
1
Day 1 – November 7
Arrival and Welcome Evening
Settle into your beachfront cottage at Small Hope Bay Lodge. Meet your coral restoration specialists and dive instructors, who will walk through the week’s planned activities, the Reef Rescue Network, the Small Hope Bay Foundation, and an introduction to your Reef Rescue Diver Specialty course.
2
Day 2 – November 8
Refresh, Restoration, and Cavern Diving
The first dive of the trip is a refresher and check-out at a local coral reef, followed by a dive at the coral nursery to learn and practice nursery maintenance techniques. In the afternoon, explore one of Andros’s spectacular cavern dive sites teeming with marine life.
3
Day 3 – November 9
Coral Planting and the Marion Wreck
Morning dives focus on outplanting nursery-grown corals onto a nearby reef. In the afternoon, dive the Marion wreck, one of the most biodiverse wreck sites in The Bahamas. In the early evening, attend the presentation for your AWARE Shark & Ray Conservation specialty course.
4
Day 4 – November 10
Coral Planting and Shark Dive
Continue advancing your coral planting skills across two morning dives at the nurseries and outplanting sites. The afternoon dive is the first of your shark specialty dives, a shark observation experience with multiple species in their natural Bahamian habitat.
5
Day 5 – November 11
Coral Nursery, Shark Dive, and Relaxing Afternoon
Complete your coral restoration skills assisting at the coral nursery, followed by your second shark specialty dive. Spend the afternoon relaxing on the beach or book a land excursion through Small Hope Bay.
6
Day 6 – November 12
Adventure Diving and Land Excursion
Two morning adventure dives explore reefs, walls, or caverns. In the afternoon, relax on the beach or visit the Androsia Batik Factory.
7
Day 7 – November 13
Free Day and Farewell Party
A free day to explore inland blue holes, go bonefishing on the flats, kayak through mangrove creeks, or simply relax on the beach. Spend the evening with your expedition hosts at a farewell cocktail hour overlooking Small Hope Bay.
8
Day 8 – November 14
Departure Day
Breakfast at the lodge, followed by transfers and onward travel.
14 dives over the week, including refresh, exploration, and restoration dives. Subject to weather and sea conditions and the judgment of the expedition team. Flexibility is part of the adventure.
Location & Lifestyle
Your Basecamp on Andros Island
The Island Life
Andros is the largest and least developed island in The Bahamas. Between dives, relax on the beach, soak in the hot tub, or grab a kayak and explore the coastline. The lodge atmosphere is laid-back and social, perfect for swapping stories over a cold drink.
Andros Island
Covering over 2,300 square miles, Andros is a wilderness paradise. Its eastern shore is lined by the Andros Barrier Reef, the third-largest barrier reef system in the world, while the interior holds mysterious blue holes, vast mangrove wetlands, and the freshwater lens that supports unique ecosystems found nowhere else.