Coral reefs live in a stressful world. Impacts from climate change and carbon dioxide emissions have increased sea temperatures and acidity in ocean waters making corals more susceptible to disease and death.

The coral reef off Little Cayman Island tells a story of survival in the face of these challenges. It’s one of the few reefs in the world to recover after the 1998 El Nino year, which caused record-high sea temperatures around the world and took a huge toll on reefs (some countries lost 90% of their living reefs).

What can Little Cayman’s reefs tell researchers about the future coral reefs around the world? Help find out by snorkeling off this remote island, surveying the types of coral growing in specific locations and the environmental conditions that support coral the best. You’ll also learn about, and observe scientists working in a shallow ocean “nursery,” where researchers are practicing coral gardening: growing new coral from fragments taken from the reef, then replanting those baby corals into the wild to boost reef recovery.

Location

Little Cayman, Cayman Islands

Cost

$3895

Includes all accommodation, meals, transfers, insurance and research activities

Duration

7 days

Dates

Update October 15 2021: As overseas travel restrictions and covid requirements are not fully finalised, our overseas expeditions are not yet back on sale from Australia. We appreciate that people are as keen as we are to travel and we will facilitate these amazing experiences again as soon as possible. In the meantime, please refer to our Australian experiences.

Activity Level

Moderate

Lead Scientist

Carrie Manfrino