Since 2020 we have restored Katembe’s house reef one coral fragment at the time. At the end of year 2025 we have re-planted nearly 100 frames.
Since 2021, we’ve been monitoring our restoration site by tracking coral growth. Take a look at our coral frame folders and see the progress for yourself!
Tap the coral on our interactive island map!
History
At Katembe, we began our first coral restoration experiment in April 2020. The project started after a major outbreak of crown-of thorns starfish (COTs), which feed on coral tissue. Early that year, both our reef and those of neighboring islands were heavily impacted. We removed the COTs from our house reef and slowly launched our first attempt to replant corals and support the reef’s natural recovery.
Goal
Our long term goal is to stop destroyed area from expanding and make substrate on the sea floor stable. Slowly we have started to add frames to the rubble area and it will eventually connect to our old & new restoration site projects together. Next year we will continue with more Coral restoration workshops and keep educating.
Learning and growing
Since 2024, we have been hosting week-long coral workshops at Katembe, where guests dedicate their time to supporting the reef. The program combines education, theory sessions, and hands-on practice in the water. Together, participants learn about coral ecology and actively contribute to restoration by working directly with our team on the reef.
Be part
Our guests are welcome to support our mission in many ways: by adopting their own corals, participating in restoration work on the island, or joining our hands-on workshops.
Before and afters from the reef
Examples of the growth over these years.
Table 32 | February 2025
Table 32 | October 2025
Table 6 | November 2022
Table 6 | October 2025
From the participants
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"Kurssille oli helppoa osallistua, vaikkei ollut aikaisempaa kokemusta snorkalauksesta ja uimataito ei ole kovin hyvä. Jokainen saa osallistua omien kykyjensä mukaan. Retket korallipäivien lomassa oli antoisia. Saari on kaunis, henkilökunta ihanaa ja ruoka maistuvaa! Oli myös ihana tutustua muihin osallistujiin, jotka kaikki oli kuitenkin matkustanut, koska olivat kiinnostuneet koralleista. "
December, 2024
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"Amazing activities that improve your awareness of what happening on our earth, being part of this restoration also give me, "personally" self reward to participate on "Save Earth" movement. Looking forward to see all babies corals that we planted to grow!!!!"
October, 2025
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"Pidin todella paljon kurssista, teoria"tunnit" eivät olleet liian pitkiä ja teoriaa tuli myös työskentelyn lomassa, jolloin se oli helpompi sisäistää ja muistaa. Ohjaaja oli todella ammattitaitoinen, mukava ja innostava. Myös muu kurssilla auttanut henkilökunta oli ammattitaitoista. Olisin voinut tehdä "töitä" useampanakin päivänä."
October, 2025
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“The Coral restoration workshop-week was everything I could dream of and more. Never have I felt so warm-heartly welcomed, as we were in Katembe Raja Ampat. Sandra and her team had put lot of effort to the week, which was perfectly balanced with coral studies, hands-on restoration activities and free time. It was a perfect holiday, which combined meaningful work, enhancing knowledge about corals and marine life and just relaxing at the beautiful island of Katembe. Also Sandra and Katembe staff made us all feel like family and Ridwan with his team made our bellies sing from pleasure with meals, that were like art. Would definitely recommend this trip, it’s an once in a lifetime experience.”
February, 2025
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"Last summer I heard about a course I had never heard before. A course which was going to take place in December 24 in a scenery and surroundings that had always been my dream. A course about coral nursery. Fixing, nursing, gardening and taking a well good loving care of a coral reef and its residents. The course took place in West Papua, Raja Ampat, Indonesia. The very true last paradise. Our teacher and host "the mother" of this particular coral reef is magnificent! Her teaching skills in and outside water are outstanding. Calm and caring yet strict and determined and all for the love and interest towards coral’s and the entire reef. The course was very informative. Bulletin! But most of all fun! We had so much fun working together with the group. Learning about these beautiful creatures and their surroundings in the most beautiful place on the planet with awesome people was beyond all my expectations! "
December, 2024
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”I joined the coral restoration workshop on a very short notice by a recommendation from a friend. One of the best decisions I’ve ever made! Everything was so well organized, the resort was lovely and the coral activities and Raja Ampat sightseeing nicely balanced. This is great way to learn new things and do something meaningful while also enjoying relaxing time on the beautiful island.”
December, 2024