World Ocean Celebration 2026 Nearshore Reef Snorkel

On Sunday, May 31, 2026, The International SeaKeepers Society partnered with Blue Scholars Initiative and ARTSail for a nearshore reef snorkel as part of the 2026 World Ocean Celebration Miami. This year’s World Ocean Celebration is an immersive 10-day event that will showcase inspiring activities, environmental awareness, art installations, and community engagement, all dedicated to celebrating and protecting our one world ocean. The snorkel was one of the first activities of the celebration, with 50 snorkelers and 25 chaperones registered. We gathered on Miami Beach by the Fifth Street lifeguard tower to head out to Neon Reef, a hidden gem right off of Miami Beach, as well as Reefline, an underwater installation that combines art and science, with concrete cars creating an artificial reef system supported by outplanting initiatives by Coral Morphologic. In order to ensure the safety and comfort of the group, SeaKeepers’ Educational Outreach and Community Engagement team joined to chaperone attendees, while SeaKeepers vessel DISCOVERY II and DISCOVERY Vessel Satori anchored offshore to create a perimeter to protect snorkelers. While over the reef, snorkelers saw an array of marine life, including highlights such as spotted eagle rays, sea turtles, tons of species of fish, and some impressively sized sea whips and boulder corals! The snorkel was such an incredible way to kick off the World Ocean Celebration, and SeaKeepers is grateful for the opportunity to participate and help ensure the safety of everyone involved. The 2026 World Ocean Celebration Miami is still going on, and more information can be found at www.worldoceancelebration.miami.