Reef Check - Coral Reef Monitoring

Reef Check Thailand has carried-out a coral reef and marine monitoring program in this area for the past six years, collecting data from reef surveys that describe and health and condition of key ecological features. We use volunteers like you to help us in the field, so join us on a fascinating research expedition surveying coral reefs in Thailand's spectucular Andaman Sea. Each expedition includes Reef Check EcoDiver training, food, accommodation and diving (or snorkeling). Dive sites include the Surin Islands Marine National Park, Thailand's best diving. Please e-mail us at for a detailed briefing/itinerary and to reserve a spot on the expedition (dates and prices below).

Visit our Press page to read about the research project ("A World without Corals?" and "Voluntary Service Underseas" articles). This project is supported by Earthwatch Institute, the world's premier volunteer research organization.

Reef Check EcoDiver

Through our collaboration with Reef Check, we are able to offer dive courses that get you certified as an 'EcoDiver' and gain a PADI specialty course certificate. After taking this course you will be eligible to join any Reef Check survey team in the world as a volunteer EcoDiver to help collect reef data. With teams established in more than 90 countries and territories, there are a multitude of reefs to survey at nearly every diving destination worldwide.

Reef Check combines education with action to give volunteers a unique experience while taking an active role in conserving the world's reefs. The EcoDiver program allows individuals the rare opportunity to join teams of scientists and work first-hand to combat the crises affecting our reefs today. The world's reefs are changing fast, and it is up to us to ensure the reefs are around for future generations.

This course is designed to teach you everything you need to know to conduct full scale Reef Check surveys. In this program you will learn all about the globally standardized Reef Check methodology as well as how to identify key indicator fish, invertebrates and coral selected by Reef Check for global monitoring and conservation of coral reefs!

Not SCUBA certified? You can become certified with us and then go on to become an EcoDiver.

Reef Check EcoDiver courses at Koh Ra Ecolodge, 2009-2010

These 7-day courses include full EcoDiver training with PADI certificate, training kit, practice surveys and 2 days of Reef Check surveys, all diving, private room and all food. Rental equipment is available at extra charge. The full course, to gain practical field experience in Reef Check, after training is 7 days long. Can be taken as a 4 day training course only. Start day is the same for 4 or 7 day course.

Outside of the below dates, it is still possible to participate in Reef Check surveys and dives (mainly November-April each year at the Koh Ra research base)- just e-mail us with your planned dates in Thailand. With interest we can do 4-10 day Reef Check research, educational, and free-dive trips in the Koh Ra, Surin, and Similan Islands area.

Cost: Full course (Baht 18,000) plus food and accommodation Koh Ra Ecolodge = Baht 27, 450 (US$810)
(4-day course (baht 12,000) plus food and accommodation Koh Ra Ecolodge = Baht 18,100)

Discover Reef Check

Become a marine biologist for an afternoon! This half day course allows you to see firsthand how marine biologists conduct coral reef research and try your hand at some of the sampling techniques used in monitoring coral reefs. Whether you are a snorkeler or a diver, if you have ever wondered what it is that marine biologists do while underwater, this is your chance to find out! The Discover Reef Check course is a great introduction to what you will learn if you wish to become an EcoDiver.

Training of Trainers

We can also train Dive Masters and Instructors to be able to certify divers in Reef Check. E-mail us to be on the list for the next training in Thailand or arrange your own with a minimum of 4 participants. We plan to offer two TOT sessions in 2009-2010.