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Get the latest news and information about how we’re contributing to the global effort to save and preserve our coral reefs.

Follow us around the world on our mission of education through exploration.

Reef Check Visits British Columbia for Kelp Node Workshop in Bamfield

June 27, 2025

Since 2022 Reef Check has been participating in the transboundary Kelp Node group based in the Pacific Northwest that brings together kelp practitioners comprised of First Nations stewards, researchers, managers,…

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Second Reef Check Baja Training Course Completed

June 27, 2025

Reef Check Baja has completed its second round of kelp forest monitoring training in Ensenada, Baja California! Reef Check’s staff instructors Jessica Pantoja and Dan Abbott, along with our partners…

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Science Meets Adventure: Biosphere’s Maldives Coral Expedition Returns This October

June 27, 2025

Biosphere Expeditions is heading back to the Maldives 4–10 October and 11–17 October 2025 for its twelfth annual expedition, and you're invited to be part of the action! In partnership…

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New 20th Anniversary Merchandise Available!

June 27, 2025

Check out Reef Check’s new merchandise at Crewtopia! This brand-new collection features Reef Check’s Kelp Forest Monitoring Program 20th Anniversary logo! https://crewtopiasupply.com/collections/reef-check-20th-anniversary

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Reef Check and Aqualink Partner Up for Coral Reefs

April 28, 2025

Reef Check is excited to announce Aqualink as an official Global Reef Tracker partner for Reef Check’s coral reef data. Aqualink, a groundbreaking nonprofit offers an open source tool for…

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Surveys Show Kelp Forest Persists After Urchin Culling Ceases at Tankers Reef

April 28, 2025

After permitting unlimited take of sea urchins at Tankers Reef in Monterey since 2021, coordinated urchin culling efforts led by the Giant Giant Kelp Restoration Project (G2KR), concluded in July…

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@reefcheckfoundation

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reefcheckfoundation

View Instagram post by reefcheckfoundation

Jun 15

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Trained divers from the @reefcheckmalaysia Community Marine Conservation Groups removed more than 1,300 crown-of-thorns sea stars from reefs surrounding Tabawan and Adal Islands in Sabah.⁠
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Crown-of-thorns sea stars are natural reef inhabitants, but when their populations reach outbreak levels, they can consume vast amounts of living coral and contribute to widespread reef degradation.⁠
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Thanks to rapid response efforts, volunteers from Selakan, Larapan, Mabul, and Kunak came together to address the threat before further damage could occur.⁠
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“Removing more than 1,300 crown-of-thorns starfish in just two days demonstrates the value of investing in local conservation capacity,” said Reef Check Malaysia Senior Programme Manager Adzmin Fatta.⁠
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Perhaps most importantly, this effort highlights the incredible role coastal communities play in protecting the ecosystems they depend on. ⁠
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Community divers are often the first to detect changes underwater, allowing conservation teams to respond quickly and effectively.⁠
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Thank you, @reefcheckmalaysia for your dedication and effort!⁠
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📸: @kogia_org @the.oceanic.eye⁠
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#crownofthorns #oceanconservation #reefrestoration #scubadivers

Trained divers from the @reefcheckmalaysia Community Marine Conservation Groups removed more than 1,300 crown-of-thorns sea stars from reefs surrounding Tabawan and Adal Islands in Sabah.⁠
⁠
Crown-of-thorns sea stars are natural reef inhabitants, but when their populations reach outbreak levels, they can consume vast amounts of living coral and contribute to widespread reef degradation.⁠
⁠
Thanks to rapid response efforts, volunteers from Selakan, Larapan, Mabul, and Kunak came together to address the threat before further damage could occur.⁠
⁠
“Removing more than 1,300 crown-of-thorns starfish in just two days demonstrates the value of investing in local conservation capacity,” said Reef Check Malaysia Senior Programme Manager Adzmin Fatta.⁠
⁠
Perhaps most importantly, this effort highlights the incredible role coastal communities play in protecting the ecosystems they depend on. ⁠
⁠
Community divers are often the first to detect changes underwater, allowing conservation teams to respond quickly and effectively.⁠
⁠
Thank you, @reefcheckmalaysia for your dedication and effort!⁠
⁠
📸: @kogia_org @the.oceanic.eye⁠
⁠
#crownofthorns #oceanconservation #reefrestoration #scubadivers ...

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reefcheckfoundation

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Jun 13

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Our favorite time of year!!⁠
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There’s nothing better than getting together with our buddies and doing something good for the ocean. ⁠
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Do you want in on the fun? ⁠
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See the scuba diving prerequisites on our website and make a plan to join us next year!⁠
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#oceanconservation #scubaaddict

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reefcheckfoundation

View Instagram post by reefcheckfoundation

Jun 10

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Meet Sarah Miller, Reef Check’s Social Media Manager!⁠
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Sarah’s journey to ocean conservation began in an unexpected place. After graduating from UC Davis with a degree in Viticulture & Enology, she spent several years working in winemaking before discovering scuba diving in 2012. What started as a new hobby quickly became a passion, inspiring her to pursue a career as a scuba instructor.⁠
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Since then, Sarah has worked in Mexico, the United States, and Indonesia, sharing her love for the ocean with divers from around the world. She later combined her passion for diving with storytelling through her brand @azul.unlimited where she creates educational content, leads dive travel adventures, and documents life above and below the water.⁠
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Environmental advocacy has been a cornerstone of Sarah’s work from the very beginning. At Reef Check, she uses her experience in communications and content creation to share the stories behind the science, connecting more people to marine conservation efforts.⁠
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“I love inspiring people to help the ocean-even if it’s something as simple as sharing a reel or donating $5. It’s easy to get scared about the state of our environment, but I’ve found that taking action is the greatest antidote to climate anxiety.”⁠
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“My favorite thing about Reef Check is the community of humans involved. All of our volunteers are so smart, passionate, and knowledgeable about their local ecosystems. It truly inspires me.”⁠
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When she’s not on social media, you’ll likely find Sarah tinkering around on her sailboat, hanging out with her dog Abby, playing the ukulele, or taking people on dive trips around the world.⁠
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Sarah has been running this account for a couple of years now, but drop a warm welcome in the comments and follow along to keep up to date with Reef Check’s efforts around the world!⁠

#scubadiver #oceanconservation #nonprofitwork ...

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@kelpreefcheck

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Jun 18

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Congrats to the newest group of Reef Check Kelp Forest Monitoring divers! This group completed the NorCal training in Fort Bragg last weekend. Great job everyone, looking forward to diving with you all this season!

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View Instagram post by kelpreefcheck

Apr 18

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Congratulations to our Northern California Tribal Cohort #1 participants for completing their @nauiworldwide Advanced Scuba Diver course! We had gorgeous conditions at Van Damme State Beach
@reefcheckfoundation

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View Instagram post by kelpreefcheck

Nov 13

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Check that vis!
Doesn’t get better than this on the Mendocino Coast 30+ft

#reefcheckcalifornia #bullkelp #mpamonitoring #reefcheckfoundation

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