Aruba has officially opened Coral Academy, the island’s first center dedicated to coral restoration and education about coral reefs, on De Palm Island.
Nichole Danser, director of ScubbleBubbles, explained that Coral Academy builds on the organization’s existing coral restoration work. The goal is to give more people access to information about coral reefs and encourage greater interest in corals and the marine environment.
The center serves both as a coral restoration facility and an educational space for children and adults. Danser said the idea for Coral Academy came about after identifying a need for a place where people who do not go into the water could still learn about and better understand the reef.
“Aruba does not have a place for people who do not go into the water to understand the reef,” Danser explained. She added that even people who snorkel do not always have the opportunity to spend enough time observing corals.
Looking ahead, the goal is for Coral Academy to welcome students from schools across Aruba. School visits could inspire young people to become interested in marine biology, pursue internships, and participate in research.
Danser also highlighted the support that made the project possible. De Palm Tours provided the location, while TUI Care Foundation provided the funding needed to establish the center.
Brian Stefedord, CEO of De Palm Tours, said the opening represents a partnership between De Palm Tours, ScubbleBubbles, and TUI Care Foundation. According to Stefedord, De Palm Tours has been active in Aruba’s tourism sector for 66 years and has been involved in sustainability efforts for many years. The company is EarthCheck Gold certified and carries out initiatives focused on recycling, water management, and reducing electricity consumption.
Stefedord said Coral Academy makes sustainability efforts more visible to both the community and visitors. The center gives people an opportunity to learn more about the coral reef ecosystem and its importance to Aruba.
He credited Danser with starting the coral restoration effort in Aruba and described her as the driving force behind the initiative. According to Stefedord, their working relationship eventually led to the idea of giving ScubbleBubbles a permanent location, which became the foundation for Coral Academy.
Stefedord thanked Danser, Miriam Vanderplash of De Palm Island and her team, and TUI Care Foundation for their contributions to the project. Vanderplash, who serves as sustainability champion and general manager of De Palm Island, worked with her team to establish the facility.
Through its “See the Change” program, TUI Care Foundation sponsored part of the equipment used at Coral Academy.
With its opening, Coral Academy provides a space where coral restoration and environmental education come together, with the goal of inspiring more people to learn about, appreciate, and protect Aruba’s coral reefs.
