MCH Middle School Bonaire CORAL REEF RESTORATION Expedition

June 25th - July 2nd, 2025

The following video is from a middle school in California that show the experience MCH students will have as field biologists in training in Bonaire

2025 MCH Expedition Details

The Mission Part 1

During this expedition MCH students will be working with Reef Renewal’s ongoing coral reef restoration program. MCH divers will be learning coral local restoration techniques while working with diverse coral species. Divers will be trained how to fragment coral, place in coral nurseries, clean and maintain the nurseries, and how to outplant coral on a restoration site.

The Mission Part 2:

The Open Science Network Project

Students on this expedition will be trained as research divers, completing multiple surveys during the trip. One of these surveys will be at a smart data buoy deployed to advance ocean sampling. Students will assist with the updates to the hardware, and pair indicator species data to the site.

Open Water Diver Track Students have the option to also enroll in the Nitrox Diver Course

Diving nitrox is highly recommended on all expeditions. The higher percentage of oxygen means less nitrogen in your gas mixes. Less micro bubbles of nitrogen is always going to be be a positive thing. The only downside of diving nitrox is the added gas fill cost, however at our resort nitrox fills are included in the price! Nitrox training is included for students already certified before the trip. New divers have the option to enroll in the Nitrox course for an additional $200. To enroll simply use the button below.

All Students in the field researcher program are trained & certified in coral restoration & Research Diving Techniques

Students learn a set of underwater research skills that universities, NGOs and AAUS scientific professional research divers use to collect data for the advancement of science, marine conservation and restoration. During the course students will act as community scientists crowd sourcing data collection that will be used by researchers.

Pre-Trip Training

Maire ID Online Training

  • The Bonaire fish ID eLearning will be on the Area9 Platform. The online training will take approx. 4 hours. If you would like to learn even more fish, please reach out for bonus material.

  • Your instructional staff has access to your eLearning progress. You do not need to submit the final exam for this part of the training.

Scuba eLearning & Review

  • The SDI scuba eLearning will be issued to students in class. The program will be on the SDI Platform. You will activate your unique code on the SDI website page: www.tdisdi.com/elearning.

    Open Water Track students will receive 1 online code. (2 if enrolled in the optional nitrox course)

    The online training will take approx. 8 hours. All online training is due by the pool sessions.

  • Please upload a signed copy of your final exam for each online training here.

Ocean Simulator (Pool) Training

  • Coming Soon

PAPERWORK

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Scuba Training

  • Coral Reef Restoration Training

  • Mangrove Kayak

  • Collecting Underwater Indicator Species Data for Real World Research

  • Updating Oceanic Data Buoys

  • Donkey Sanctuary - (Related to the coral reefs)

  • Working on the Project with Local Students from Jong Bonaire

Trip Details

INCLUDED IN THE TRIP

  • Resort Accommodations & Transportation

    3 meals daily

    Airfare with one check-in bag and carry-on bags. A second bag is available for purchase.

    Local gratuity

    Boat Dives

    Equipment Rental

    Complimentary wireless internet access

    Donkey Sanctuary Tour

    Marine Park Fee

    Mangrove Kayak

    Dive Training & Certifications

    DAN Diver Medical Insurance

    Island Entrance Tax

LOCAL INFO

  • POWER: The Resort has 110V US compatible plugs

    INTERNET: the resort has wireless internet access in rooms and common areas

    CURRENCY: USD is the official currency of Bonaire

    FRESH WATER: All the water at the resort is reverse osmosis and safe to drink. It is recommended to bring a water bottle you can fill up to avoid plastic bottles.

    LAUNDRY: The resort will do laundry for guests for a fee.

    LOCAL MARKET: We can bring students to the local Dutch supermarket for snacks and personal items.

    The meal plan includes three meals per day. Some students bring extra cash or a credit card to stock up on snacks and drinks for their rooms. All units have a small kitchen.

Don’t Forget

  • Passport

    (Expiration date more than six months from trip)

    Proof of COVID vaccination

    Certification Card - Advanced Divers

    Chargers and/or extra batteries for computers, lights, and cameras

    A lightweight rain jacket for the occasional tropical storm

SCUBA EQUIPMENT

The following rental dive equipment is included in the expedition price: Dive Computer, Regulator, BCD, 3m Full Wetsuit, Tanks, & Weights

Mask, Snorkel, Fins, Boots, Mesh Bag, and an SMB for advanced track students is available with students discounts through local partners.

This video from SCUBAPRO shows how to pack your BCD for the trip in the provided carry-on backpack

Please Reserve Your Equipment Sizes Below

Your Expedition Equipment will be delivered to the pool sessions. You will keep the gear until you return it after the expedition to a post-trip session at MCH.

Once delivered to students, if a student fails to bring equipment to a session or on the trip, that student is responsible for additional equipment rental charges. Students are responsible financially for the replacement value of any lost equipment, including GoPro cameras used for filming, and research equipment.