From Rubble to Reef: Sanur Coral Restoration Project
Whenever I tell people about our coral restoration project in Sanur, they ask: “Amateurs? You guys?” Well, yes, we started with zero experience and a lot of enthusiasm. This Sanur coral restoration story is about how a rag‑tag team paddled, dove, cleaned, and nurtured a coral nursery, turning rubble into reef with the help of experts, locals, and a dose of good old-fashioned grit.
This journey began on 21 November 2020, and this blog post hits all the sweet spots: coral restoration in Sanur, coral nursery maintenance, coral gardening basics, and the little lessons we learned along the way. I promise you it’s funny, engaging, and maybe even a little moving.
Our Coral Restoration Project in Sanur – How It All Began
21 November 2020 – Documenting Our Start as Amateur Coral Gardeners
We kicked off our Sanur coral restoration project officially on the 21st of November 2020. Picture this: a bunch of enthusiastic amateurs with snorkels, paddleboards, and wild dreams. But we were not alone, thankfully, Vincent Chalias, the marine biologist from Ocean Gardener, was guiding us every single step. He basically held our hand (underwater) while we tried not to butcher delicate coral fragments.
At that stage, our coral nursery was mostly hope and scaffold. But thanks to Vincent’s wisdom, we learned how to identify macroalgae, spot drupella snails (those notorious coral predators), and spot which corals had potential to grow. Frank Hyde from SeaTrek free‑dived down like a coral surgeon, carefully cleaning the nursery from the worst offenders: macroalgae and drupella snails.
Why coral restoration in Sanur matters
Sanur’s reefs had deteriorated into rubble. Where coral once thrived, only broken fragments and little hope remained. Coral restoration isn’t just planting coral, it's rebuilding an ecosystem: fish return, algae get browsed down, and tourism benefits. Starting from rubble meant big challenges and enormous rewards when things started growing.
Life Lessons Learned During Coral Nursery Maintenance
6 December 2020 – Our Coral Rack Babies
Fast forward a few weeks. On 6 December 2020, we paddled out again. This time Frank and Jeni were on stand‑up paddleboards, while Dani and Nita decided to go old‑school and swim 1.5 km from the shore to the restoration site. Spoiler: Swimming against a current is really hard. Lesson learned (three in fact):
Use paddleboards, kayaks, or boats; swimming makes you regret your life choices (well, at least I did).
Wear gloves. Not only did we meet a juvenile lionfish and sea snake, gloves protect them and us from bacteria and stings.
Tides matter. Visit when tides are stable. We once had an inbound tide turn into an outgoing current and suddenly we were drift paddling.
On that day we checked on our coral babies: both hard coral and soft coral frags nestled in nursery baskets and ropes. We learned how to handle them gently, inspect health, and remove algae build-up.
Coral cleaning and early coral gardening work
By 7 March 2021, we moved into more confident territory. We were still novices but we focused on cleaning algae from coral fragments rather than propagating yet. Vincent’s advice: remove obstacles, let the fish help munch macroalgae, and let nature take part.
Fish populations grew around our racks, and soon we noticed a reduction in algae coverage, not just because we scraped stuff off, but because herbivorous fish joined the cleaning crew. That natural assistance meant our coral gardening job got easier week by week.
Meet the Coral Champions (and Our Inspirational Crew)
The people who made it happen
We couldn’t have done this alone. A shout‑out to our Coral Champions, volunteers who helped at the Sanur Nursery and Restoration Project in the early phases.
One unforgettable person: Anastasia, who had just finished her 8th round of chemotherapy. She returned to the water, excited to dive in and help the reef heal. Talk about courage, she mopped algae off coral racks with a smile.
Another hero: Hatta, SeaTrek’s second engineer originally from Flores, who promised that one day he would start a coral restoration project in front of his village in Pamana, Flores.
Milestones in Coral Gardening: April 2022 and Beyond
13 April 2022 – Coral Championship Day
By spring 2022, just over a year after our first attempt, we hit several milestones:
We cleaned coral racks again
We made 10 new hard coral "babies" (frags) in the rope nursery
We added 10 new soft coral babies, five in each basket
We started out‑planting coral toddlers into the wild reef, carefully but with big hopes
It was also the first day we marked the restoration area with floats to create a coral and fish protected zone. Thanks to Astika Oye and local fishermen, we cut a boundary in the water where no fishing or damaging activities occur. It's slow progress, but we’re laying the foundation for ecological recovery and local stewardship.
Measuring progress with new tools
We’ve always lamented that we didn’t start with a detailed baseline of the reef before work began, but what’s done is done. Vincent pioneered a new technology to track reef growth. We hope to use marine photogrammetry or 3D‑mapping tools (similar to those introduced by Sustainable Surf) to now measure coral coverage and density over time. Early results are promising, our rubble field is steadily becoming reef.
What We’ve Learned So Far
If you’re scouting for Sanur coral restoration, coral nursery, or coral gardening guidance, here’s what we’ve distilled:
Start with Clean-Up, Not Cloning
You don’t begin by cutting and planting coral. Begin by cleaning existing coral fragments and reducing algae. Let fish do some of the work. That way, when you start propagating, you give coral a real fighting chance.
Coral Nursery Design Matters
We used rope lines and nursery baskets. Each plank and basket must be positioned to catch current, receive sunlight, and avoid shading. Hard coral types (like Acropora) and soft coral species each have their own preferences. Track survivorship, growth rate, and algae cover.
Community Is Everything
Respect and involve locals, from fishermen to surf schools. Share knowledge. Involve the community so restoration becomes theirs, not just a volunteer project. Security floats, no‑fishing zones, voluntary enforcement; all of it matters.
Tools of the Trade for Amateur Coral Gardeners
Second skin gloves: bacterial barrier, sting protection
Paddleboards or boats: to avoid exhausting swims
Snorkels or freediving gear: freediving cleaned the snails best
Tags or signage: label coral frags with date planted, species, and origin
Underwater notebook or photo logs: to track coral health and growth
Blast from the Past
I’ve got to be honest, after one of our early dives, I came up coughing saltwater so loudly that nearby paddle‑boarders turned around. Mortified? Slightly, but better than being stung by a drupella snail.
Another time, while cleaning coral racks, a juvenile lionfish peeked out. Naturally I froze in mid‑wipe. Jeni calmly handed me the gloves and said, “If Stumpy the lionfish nudges you, don’t panic.” I didn’t once, but I still giggle thinking about it.
When we paddled out and our group included Anastasia, we learned two truths: she’s tougher than she’d let on, and that after months of chemo, saying “let’s clean coral” with a grin is downright heroic.
Results So Far – From Rubble to Reef
Zero structural coral on Day 1 (Nov 2020) → dozens of frags planted by April 2022
Local fish populations increasing to help manage algae
Baseline measurement tech is now in play to quantify our gains
Community stewardship, floats and protected area guidelines, help ongoing recovery
Our initial rubble zone is slowly, very slowly, turning into a mosaic of color. We’re not talking big swathes yet, but tiny clusters, baby corals branching out. That’s what coral restoration in Sanur is about: baby steps toward reef resilience.
What We Learned, in Coral Gardening Bullet Points
Start small, learn fast: cleaning over propagation, early on
Tools matter: gloves, paddleboards, still‑water tides
Fish are allies: herbivores naturally reduce algae
People power: volunteers, local wisdom, shared goals
Measure progress: photo logs, mapping tools improve credibility
Coral species knowledge: different coral types require tailored care
Why It Matters and Why You Should Care
Coral reefs are among Earth’s most biodiverse ecosystems. They support fisheries, tourism, coastal protection and they’re threatened by climate change, pollution, and overfishing. Restoring coral reefs in Sanur isn’t just about making things look prettier underwater, it’s about rebuilding an ecosystem that benefits livelihoods, nature, and resilience.
If you ever thought you couldn’t help because you're not a marine biologist, think again. A group of amateurs, paddling from shore, wearing mismatched gloves, documenting trivia about lionfish, and guided by experts, can actually make a difference. We saw it. We've been part of it.
How You Can Get Involved
Volunteer with a coral restoration project
In places like Sanur, local surf schools (hello Rip Curl School of Surf) and diving centers often run coral restoration days. Bring enthusiasm, wear gloves, and ask questions.
Learn the methodologies
Coral gardening method: frag, nursery, out‑planting. Each step requires planning, monitoring, and care. Read up, ask marine biologists (thanks Vincent), and don’t be shy to fail a little while learning.
Support baseline mapping efforts
Photogrammetry, 3D reef scans, as used by Sustainable Surf and Ocean Gardener are crucial. They provide data that help track coral growth, reef health, and restoration success. If you’re technical, join the effort.
Respect the reef zone
If you’re a local fisherman or snorkeler, steer clear of marked zones. Support floats marking coral protected areas. Restoration only works if everyone respects boundaries.
Coral Restoration in Sanur Is Just Beginning
From the first splashing attempt on 21 November 2020 to planting coral babies on 13 April 2022, our coral restoration journey in Sanur has been about growth, in corals and people. We learned that cleaning first, learning rapidly, partnering with experts like Vincent, and involving local champions are all key.
Our little coral nursery may have been built by amateurs, but that's the point: anyone can start. With paddles, gloves, grit, and guided support, it’s truly possible to go from rubble to reef, even in Sanur.
And while I don’t have children of my own, I imagine this must be what it feels like to watch your kids grow up, awkward and fragile at first, needing constant care, then slowly becoming stronger, more independent, and ready to thrive in the world. Every time I check on our coral babies and see them just a little bigger, a little bolder, maybe with a fish friend or two hanging around, I get this ridiculous swell of pride. Who knew I’d get so emotionally attached to something with no face, no voice, and a calcium skeleton? But here we are.
If you’re reading this and think, “That’s amazing, I want to help,” then reach out. Get involved, ask questions, swing by a restoration day, or even support mapping and baseline efforts. Coral restoration isn’t glamorous but it's impactful, community‑driven, and… unexpectedly funny when you accidentally bonk someone with a paddleboard.
Thank you to all the volunteers, Coral Champions, SeaTrek, Ocean Gardener, Rip Curl School, Vincent Chalias, and local heroes. The reef is getting stronger and so are we.
Thank you for reading and now back to happily roaming!