Research beneath the surface

Dive into marine science

Join our team of scientists, students, and conservation volunteers as we monitor, restore, and protect the coral reefs of Raja Ampat through hands-on marine research.

8

science programmes

running in parallel

1

coral nursery

off the Barefoot jetty

15,000 m²

restoration target

reef damaged in 2017

2021

restoration launched

coral gardening project

All science training and fieldwork is run by the marine biologists of our project partner, Yayasan Jejak Kaki Konservasi, working in collaboration with NGO Reef Check Indonesia. Here's what that work actually looks like:

≈80%

of the world’s coral species

Found in Raja Ampat

1,350+

reef fish species

Recorded across the region

Two divers working a transect line laid across a coral reef, one of them recording on a survey slate
Soft corals and table coral on a shallow reef in Raja Ampat

Eight programmes

Coral Ecology

Our flagship research program monitors reef health, coral bleaching, spawning events, and environmental conditions to better understand how Raja Ampat's reefs respond to a changing world.

Coral Restoration

Help grow the next generation of corals. Through nursery maintenance and scientific monitoring, we combine reef restoration with long-term research.

Reef Check

Using one of the world's most widely recognised reef monitoring programs, we collect data that contribute to national and global assessments of reef health.

Manta Ray Photo-Identification

Every manta ray has a unique pattern. By photographing and identifying individuals, we contribute to long-term monitoring of Raja Ampat's manta populations.

Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (COTS) Monitoring & Management

Monitoring and removing coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish helps protect vulnerable reefs and supports coral recovery across our monitoring sites.

Cyanobacteria & Water Quality

Investigating the links between water quality, cyanobacteria, and reef health helps us better understand the environmental pressures facing coral reefs.

Marine Debris

From beach clean-ups to long-term monitoring, we track marine pollution and support community-led solutions to keep Raja Ampat's coastlines healthy.

Community Engagement & Education

Conservation extends beyond the reef. Through environmental education, beach clean-ups, and community activities, we work alongside the Arborek community to support marine stewardship and environmental awareness.

How you get trained

A 1–2 week "Reef Check" course combining classroom sessions with in-water spot dives, teaching volunteers to identify key coral, fish and invertebrate species found across the Coral Triangle. Volunteers must pass both classroom and in-water tests before joining survey teams — because the data only matters if it's accurate.

  1. 1Classroom sessions on coral, fish and invertebrate ID
  2. 2In-water spot dives across the Coral Triangle species set
  3. 3Written and in-water tests, both of which you must pass
  4. 4You join the survey team

Where the data goes

These are the organisations Barefoot's survey data is shared with.

  • Reef Check Indonesia
  • Reef Check Worldwide
  • CoralWatch
  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
  • COSMARINDO (Coral Spawning Monitoring and Awareness for Restoration Network Indonesia)
  • Elasmobranch Institute Indonesia
  • BLUD UPTD Pengelolaan Kawasan Konservasi di Perairan Kepulauan Raja Ampat
  • Raja Ampat Sea People
  • ReefCloud

Volunteers process and analyse ecological imagery using ReefCloud. Full partner list on Partners & Collaborators.

Science reports

Annual reports covering every programme, with the survey figures behind them.

Read the reports

Train on these programmes.

No previous scientific experience is required. All training is provided by our science team.

Apply Talk to us

From £1,895
4–5 weeks

Apply