This summer, we had the privilege of partnering with several incredible adaptive dive organizations, including Barrier Free Divers, Camp Open Seas, Adapt‑Able Dive Foundation, and Diveheart, to make ocean education more inclusive and accessible than ever before. Thanks to generous support from REEF's Oceans for All initiative, students from these organizations took part in immersive marine science programs that brought learning to life, both in and out of the water.
Participants visited the brand new REEF Ocean Exploration Center to experience marine biology up close through hands-on classroom activities, including lionfish dissections, dry fish ID surveys, and guided tours of our indoor reef structure and interactive displays. They learned to recognize key fish families and understand the ecological roles they play — not just through presentations, but through touch, teamwork, and tangible exploration.
Armed with new knowledge, dive slates, and buddy teams, students then put their skills to the test during field dives, identifying everything from elusive Redlip Blennies to massive Goliath Groupers. These underwater adventures capped off days filled with discovery and marked the beginning of many students’ journeys into citizen science and ocean stewardship.
Oceans for All provides scholarships, outreach, and programming to increase access to marine conservation, and reflects our continued commitment to breaking down barriers in marine science, offering educational experiences that are engaging, adaptive, and open to all. We’re thankful to our partners and supporters, as well as the inspiring students who remind us that the ocean truly belongs to everyone.