In recognition of World Oceans Day promoting ocean preservation, Key Largo’s Coral Restoration Foundation (CRF) is hosting its annual Coralpalooza Dive Day and Festival on Saturday, June 10, featuring in-person reef diving in Key Largo and Key West as well as two land-based celebrations.
Coralpalooza, one of the world’s largest coral restoration efforts, helps raise awareness about the importance of preserving and conserving the continental United States’ only living coral barrier reef, which parallels the Florida Keys. The event is planned each year around World Oceans Day, recognized internationally on June 8.
Hundreds of recreational divers from across the nation will join the effort to outplant corals on reefs off Key Largo and Key West during the Coralpalooza Dive Day Saturday, June 10.
Hands-on dive activities include helping CRF staff and interns in underwater coral nurseries and outplanting corals on Upper and Lower Keys reef sites.
For nondivers, the June 10 Coralpalooza Festival 2023 brings land-based celebrations to locations in Islamorada and Key West.
In Islamorada at Dockside Raw Bar & Grill, located at 90311 Old Highway, attendees can enjoy kayak and paddleboard ecotours, coral trivia with CRF “edutainment” mascot Captain Coral, a paint-along party, live music, food and drink for purchase and lawn games from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
In Key West at Margaritaville Beach House, located at 2001 S. Roosevelt Blvd., participants can jump into a pool party and enjoy lawn games, virtual reality coral restoration dive experiences, a Smathers Beach cleanup and food and drinks for purchase from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Both locations will feature information booths from Florida Keys–based coral heroes including Mote Marine Laboratory and I.CARE.
Although the 2023 dive day is already sold out, interested divers can register to receive a first-alert email when the 2024 registration opens. Registration cost is typically $100 per person and includes two Coralpalooza restoration dives, a swag bag and T-shirt.
All in-water activities are weather-dependent. Certified divers must provide proof they have dived within the last year.
Funds raised through Coralpalooza event registrations and donations contribute to CRF’s efforts to restore reefs in the Florida Keys and other areas of the world.
