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Growing up on an island means the ocean is never very far away.

Thanks to Nichole Danser, for some of Aruba’s children, it’s becoming their classroom too.

I met my first Coral Academy expert before I even got on the ferry.

His name was Rygel. He was 13 and charming.

Standing on the pier, he was welcoming guests and helping with the clipboard list for the grand opening of the new Coral Academy at De Palm Island.

He greeted us in Papiamento, effortlessly switching to English for us. And when I mistakenly called him a volunteer, he proudly corrected me.

Nichole Danser at the ribbon cutting for the new Coral Academy at De Palm Island.

He was an intern.

He also let us know we would be seeing him again, along with his older brother, Riker.

Less than five minutes later, Captain Francis sailed us across the clear turquoise water, where pink flamingos greeted us.

Prosecco was being served, hors d’oeuvres were being passed, and the watersports and tourism community had gathered to celebrate.

Nichole welcomed us, the ribbon was cut, and the Coral Academy was officially open.

She may have been the “Coral Queen” that afternoon, but Nichole shared the spotlight with her volunteers and the children.

A young ScubbleBubbles diver caring for coral in the nursery. © ScubbleBubbles

A Classroom Over the Caribbean

The Coral Academy sits directly over the water. You can hear the ocean beneath the floor.

Inside, Nichole gave us a presentation about the Academy, including a marine-life mural created by Aruban wildlife photographer and artist Armando Goedgedrag, who was there for the opening.

An interactive Reef Builder let visitors create their own reef on a screen and email it to themselves.

After the presentation, Nichole invited us into the lab to meet the students and see their work.

Growing Coral, Slice by Slice

They showed us coral at different stages of growth and what they do when broken pieces are found on the reef. Carefully cutting the pieces creates more growing edges, helping the coral regenerate faster.

The children compared it to slicing a pizza: more slices, more edges.

We adored the comparison.

Nichole proved that geometry still comes in handy. I’ve known her since her days teaching geometry at the International School of Aruba, where my son was one of her students.

She was the cool teacher.

On weekends, she took students diving, sharing her love of the sea and teaching them about Aruba’s reefs. That little group became the original ScubbleBubbles.

Jolly Pirates became involved in a small way during those early days, which made being invited to the opening of the Coral Academy especially meaningful.

ScubbleBubbles aboard Jolly Pirates in the early days.

Meet Rygel and Riker

Rygel, 13, and his brother Riker, 15, both attend Mon Plaisir and help care for the tanks and coral. They come from a diving family; their uncle Carlos operates Mermaid Divers, although the boys told me they call him Tanchi.

Riker introduced us to a teeny spotted crab tucked inside the coral, a little “visitor” he’d been watching. I put on my glasses, and there it was, so tiny I never would have noticed it without him.

Rygel showed us bleached coral in his tank that he helps care for and rehabilitate.

He and the other young interns also dive with Nichole to help care for 14 coral trees in a protected area around De Palm Island.

Brothers Riker and Rygel, two of the young people helping care for Aruba’s coral reefs.

Growing More Than Coral

The Coral Academy is part of TUI Sea the Change Aruba, a partnership between the TUI Care Foundation and ScubbleBubbles Foundation, co-funded by De Palm Tours, with the impressive goal of restoring 6,000 square meters of coral reef around Aruba.

Just as impressive is what Nichole has passed on to the children working beside her: her love of the sea and the desire to protect it.

We talk so often about protecting Aruba for the next generation.

Here they are.

Aruba Coral Reef FAQs

How can visitors help protect Aruba’s coral reefs?

When snorkeling or diving in Aruba, never stand on or touch coral, and give marine life plenty of space.

Can visitors learn about coral restoration in Aruba?

Yes. The Coral Academy at De Palm Island gives visitors a chance to learn about ScubbleBubbles and coral restoration in Aruba.

Can children get involved with the Coral Academy?

Nichole encourages Aruba’s young people to become involved. ScubbleBubbles can provide current information about educational, volunteer and internship opportunities.

Where can I snorkel and see Aruba’s marine life?

Boca Catalina and the Malmok coastline are popular snorkeling areas for tropical fish and sea turtles. Jolly Pirates has been taking guests snorkeling along Aruba’s coast for nearly 30 years.

Want to Help?

Learn more about ScubbleBubbles, support its coral restoration work or encourage a young person in Aruba to get involved.

And if you’d like to experience the underwater world they’re working to protect, come snorkeling with Jolly Pirates.

Save us a seat.