CORAL IDENTIFICATION
LEVEL 1
IDENTIFY CORALS WITH US!
Have you ever wondered what corals you’re diving or snorkeling by, or which corals compete with each other for space? Join our 3-day Coral Identification Level 1 course for a hands-on adventure designed for ocean enthusiasts, divers, and budding marine biologists ready to unlock the secrets of the reef! Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of coral reefs through expert-led workshops, interactive lessons, and six unforgettable dives.
In this course, you’ll learn how to identify 15 genera of hard and soft corals, discover which species dominate the reef, and understand how they interact and compete. You’ll also get the unique opportunity to visit our coral restoration nurseries, where you’ll experience firsthand how we maintain and protect our “coral babies” as they grow.
Location: Bira, South Sulawesi, Indonesia
Course Duration: 3 days
Requirement: Able to swim / snorkel
Price: USD400
COURSE STRUCTURE
Over the course of three days, you will stay at Tevana House Reef, our eco-lodge, while learning to identify 5 genera each of small polyp hard corals, large polyp hard corals, and soft corals. You’ll also receive an introduction to coral biology, growth forms, reproduction, and coral planting techniques.
We believe that learning is most effective when paired with hands-on experience, so all concepts covered in the workshops will be reinforced during guided dives to help solidify your knowledge. Workshops are typically held early in the morning, followed by water activities such as scuba diving or freediving, depending on weather conditions. This course is designed to accommodate both scuba divers and freedivers alike.
workshops
- Introduction of GaiaOne
- Introduction to coral biology
- Growth forms
- Coral Reproduction
- Identifying Hard vs Soft Corals
- 5 Small polyps Hard Corals Genus
- 5 Large polyps Hard Corals Genus
- 5 Soft Corals Genus
- Introduction to coral planting
- Threat on coral reefs
diving
This course includes 6 dives:
- 4 coral identification dives
- 1 coral restoration maintenance dive
- 1 coral planting dive
includes
- Snack on board, Tea, Coffee and Lunch on diving days
- Diving gear and tanks
- Diving boat transfer
- Adoption certificate for 3 adopted corals
- 1 GaiaOne Tee Shirt upon course completion
- All certificates
- Instructor: Max 4 people to instructor
- All workshops & course materials certification
life at GAIAONE BIRA
We are looking forward to welcoming you! GaiaOne is more than a conservation project or an eco-resort; it’s a global community of passionate conservationists who share a deep love for nature. We feel blessed to continually meet unique and inspiring people from whom we learn every day. One of the most important lessons we’ve learned is that we are all a work in progress, which is why open minds and hearts are at the core of a successful stay with us. With a positive attitude, a hunger to learn, mutual respect, and open communication, you’ll wake up during your last week wishing you had four more weeks with your newfound friends!
Scroll through the carousel to get a glimpse of what life will look like during the four weeks you’ll spend with us. We hope to meet you soon!
Additional in-depth information available in our Pre-Arrival Handbook
STAY AT TEVANA HOUSE REEF
Tevana House Reef will be your home away from home during this hands-on educational journey! Tevana is an eco-resort providing all the goodness of Mother Nature – from bath necessities to the healthy, organic and fresh foods. Created by a family who loves scuba diving and cares for the environment, Tevana House Reef is a space to experience the gardens and incredible sea views. Our minimalist rooms incorporate unique elements of traditional Phinisi wood building technique – the Heritage of Tanjung Bira.
DORM ACCOMODATIONS
You will stay in our 2-person dorm rooms, which share one bathroom. With only two dorms available, a maximum of four people share the bathroom. Upgrades to private rooms are also available.
We provide electricity and 5G Wi-Fi 24 hours a day, so you can charge your devices and stay connected with loved ones. But don’t forget to disconnect occasionally and enjoy the beauty of our island!
HOW TO GET TO BIRA
Bira is located in South Sulawesi – a province on the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia. Direct flights to the nearest airport (Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport) are available from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, and Manado. Duration of these flights ranges from 2-3 hours depending on the departure city. Once you arrive, our driver will pick you up and take you to our beautiful paradise. Car ride ranges from 4-5 hours.
DINING EXPERIENCE
Tevana Vida, our on-site restaurant, is open from 7 AM to 9 PM, offering a vegan-first dining experience to reduce our environmental impact (meat and fish options are also available).
Breakfast is included daily to fuel your restoration journey. Lunch is also provided on diving days, typically during the surface interval after the first dive. Dinners are not included, encouraging you to explore nearby restaurants and local cuisine.
NO SINGLE-USE PLASTIC
Please avoid bringing single-use plastic to our eco-resort. Our team cleans the beaches daily, but we need to address the problem at its source. Filtered water dispensers are available at multiple locations throughout the resort for refilling your reusable water bottles. If you’re in the mood for something special, our restaurant offers fresh juices, beers, milk, and more!
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Every day is FUNDAY with GaiaOne! Course workshops and dives are scheduled from Monday to Friday. Our days start between 8 and 9 AM with theoretical workshops, followed by two dives. Lunch aligns with the surface intervals between dives.
Saturdays and Sundays are rest days—sleep in, freedive, fun dive, explore caves, or simply go where the wind takes you!
DURING YOUR FREE TIME
While Bira is a small town, there’s plenty to do! If the week’s conservation work isn’t enough, you can always join us for beach clean-ups to earn a refreshing lemonade and contribute to a cleaner ocean!
For adventure seekers, explore our local dry and wet caves, or spend more time in the ocean freediving, paddleboarding, kayaking, or snorkeling.
On dry days, enjoy our collection of board games, visit the local gym, read a book from our library, explore the local food market, wander around Bira, or relax with a movie!
