Coral Restoration on the Island of San Salvador in the Bahamas

Location: Gerace Research Centre at University of the Bahamas, San Salvador 

Dates: March 14-23, 2025 

Program Leader: Jay Cassista

Description: Coral Restoration and Outcropping Initiative on San Salvador Island, Bahamas

Twenty Tabor students and five faculty members will travel to San Salvador Island in the Bahamas, staying at the Gerace Research Centre, continuing the effort to find Elkhorn and Staghorn Coral populations and rescue fragments that have fallen from the original reef structure. The fragments are then suspended on coral reef restoration trees and tables designed and built by the students to grow into larger specimens and then outcropped to a safe location to develop thriving new reef communities. Our coral reef student scientists will snorkel over reef communities that have been affected by warming water temperatures and violent hurricanes, looking for viable fragments to rescue and grow. We will all enjoy the incredible aquamarine, tropical water and the amazing biodiversity found the Bahamian reefs. The Gerace Research Centre provides our living accommodations, food needs, and transportation around the island. Students will also be able to journey on a dive boat to get to the more remote locations.

Itinerary: 

• DAY 1: March 14
  • Flight from Boston to Miami
  • Stay overnight in the Miami Hotel in the Airport
  • Flight from Miami to San Salvador Island
• DAY 2: March 15
  • Research Center Orientation
  • Snorkeling and searching for coral fragments from shore
• DAY 3: March 16
  • Dive boat to outer reefs to find fragments
  • Locating the coral trees and table at French Bay
  • Building new trees
• DAY 4: March 17
  • Building a coral table
  • Snorkeling and searching for coral fragments from shore
  • Building a new coral table
• DAY 5: March 18
  • Swimming at Columbus Landing Beach
  • Dive boat to the northern reefs
  • Building a coral tree
• DAY 6: March 19
  • Maintenance of the coral trees at French Bay
  • Collecting fragments from the shore at French Bay
• DAY 7: March 20
  • Final Dive Boat Day to find remote fragments
  • Fragment deposits
• DAY 8: March 21
  • Swimming at Grotto Beach
  • Final fragment deposits on trees and tables
• DAY 9: March 22
  • Field trip to the Mangrove habitats
  • Hiking the cliffs in Graham’s Harbor
  • Cookout on the beach in front of the Gerace Research Centre
• DAY 10: March 23
  • Flight from San Salvador Island to Miami
  • Flight from Miami to Boston 

Requirements: A passport valid for 6 months after the conclusion of the program; certain countries may require a visa for entry. Students will have passed the swim test at Tabor Academy. Students will participate and pass a snorkel certification offered through Tabor Academy. Students must be in good academic and community life standing to participate. Students will be covered by school trip and travelers’ insurance that covers emergency care and evacuation, although they must also have personal health insurance.