A coral planting experiment in the Philippines, spring 2026
After having been involved in planting corals in other parts of the Philippines and other places and having seen different solutions and attempts, I wanted to do my own little "project" and see if it could work.
During our fantastic diving trip to the Philippines and Anilao in the spring of 2026, we had set aside the opportunity and diving and purchased some equipment to try out. We had checked with the resort in advance who approved our initiative and we had support from local authorities as well, so now it was time.
Many times It is with both sadness and anticipation that we slide below the surface and are met with the sight of small fragments of coral scattered across the bottom. Like the rubble of something once mighty and alive, they look forgotten and exiled to a quick death. We knew from what I had previously seen and experienced that they still had a chance, an opportunity to grow and become part of a new reef.
We set aside a dive to collect these fragments of coral in catch bags and plastic boxes. Each little piece felt like a seed for the future and was carefully lifted from the sand and brushed off. With the fragments collected, we headed back to shallower water and let the coral pieces rest for a while while we exhaled nitrogen for dive number two.
The place where we would build
We had been given a place where we could do this, not entirely ideal but there was no anchoring here and relatively little marine life so not too bad anyway. Mainly sandy bottom but the occasional rock with some growth and the occasional coral were here.
The basis for the “construction” of our garden was that Klas and I rolled out long sections of aluminum chicken wire. Once they were out, Bent took all the divers down and then everyone in the group started lifting the net up from the sandy bottom. We had to secure it with rebar and old glass bottles that we had with us.
The corals are fragile and need to be given the opportunity to escape sand and rapid algae growth so this was an ideal way to do it and one that we have seen work in other places.
The rebar was a story in itself, where I had cut it into pieces and bent it to make it easy to lower into the sand and lift it up from the bottom while keeping it in place. Then our work began on creating a new underwater garden.
Building hope beneath the surface
As we rolled out the long strips of chicken wire on the bottom, it felt like we were building the foundation for something bigger than ourselves. Using rebar and empty bottles, we raised the netting off the sand, giving the corals room to grow and andaThe construction almost looked like small bridges, ready to bear new life. Then came the most patience-testing and semi-chaotic moment where it was good that there were so many of us.
Attaching each little piece of coral to the net. The fingers had to be a little gentle, but still firm. It was like planting flowers in a garden, but here below the surface, each fragment is a possibility for a whole new world.
The importance of corals – the rainforests of the sea
As we worked down there, it was impossible not to think about why this is so important. Coral reefs are often called the rainforests of the sea. Despite covering only a fraction of the ocean floor – less than one percent – they are home to a quarter of all marine life.
Fish, turtles, seahorses, echinoderms, crustaceans, mollusks and various cnidarians all find shelter and food in these very complex structures.
But corals do more than give life to the ocean. They also protect people. Reefs act as natural barriers that dampen the force of waves and reduce the risk of erosion and storm damage along the coasts. For communities in the Philippines, this is crucial. Without corals, both homes and lives would be more vulnerable to the forces of nature.
Another side is the economic side. Millions of people depend on fish from coral reefs for their livelihood. The tourism attracted by these colorful underwater worlds is worth billions. So corals are not only beautiful, they are vital for both nature and us humans.
Threats to reefs
Every time I see the broken fragments on the bottom, it becomes clear how vulnerable the corals are. Climate change is making the sea warmer and more acidic. This leads to coral bleaching, more fragile corals and eventually death. Bleaching is a process in which corals lose their vital algae and slowly die. Pollution from plastic and chemicals is poisoning the environment. Destructive fishing methods, such as dynamite fishing, have previously destroyed large areas in the Philippines, in particular. And the increasing acidity of the ocean due to increased amounts of carbon dioxide makes it more difficult for corals to build their limestone structures. It's a race against time. Scientists estimate that over 75 percent of the Philippines' coral reefs are threatened.
Coral planting, a ray of hope and help in the Philippines
But amidst all this negativity, there is a movement of hope. In the Philippines, coral restoration has become a growing force. Local communities, scientists, and volunteers are working together to restore the reefs. The methods vary. Just like we did, fragments can be attached to nets or cement blocks. Others spread coral larvae over damaged areas to create new colonies. There are even projects that use 3D-printed structures for the corals to grow on.
Perhaps most inspiring is how local fishermen, dive centers and villages are participating. By planting and protecting the corals themselves, they become part of the solution. This strengthens both nature and communities.
Our experience – more than just a dive
When we swam to the surface after more than an hour of work, it felt like we had left something bigger than ourselves down there. Not just coral, but a promise of a future. It was amazing to see the commitment and enthusiasm among all the divers. Once the nets were in place, it was like a self-propelled, well-oiled machine of enthusiasm, will, passion and interest from everyone involved.
In the midst of the half-chaos and half-organization that arose, Hanna and Stefan swam and took pictures of us. All while we were busy fixing the chicken wire so it would come up, cutting holes for bottles and then planting coral in the middle of the shallow water in the Philippines. Thanks for the pictures and the help, fantastic job.
This wasn't just diving. It became a story about cooperation between man and nature. A reminder that even small actions can be the beginning of something big. Planting corals is not a quick fix. It takes time for them to grow into full reefs. But every little bit makes a difference. Every fragment we attached to the net was a chance for the future. If even a single piece of all the ones we picked up from an obvious death survives, there is the potential for a new reef, with life and a future.
And maybe that's what makes the work so meaningful. We didn't just plant coral, we planted hope. Coral reefs are the heart of the ocean. They are home to life, shelter for people, and a source of beauty and inspiration. Our day in the Philippines was a reminder that we can all be part of the solution.
Quick review
When I think back to how everyone collected the little fragments and attached them to the net, I don't just see an underwater garden. I see a future where the ocean can heal, if we just give it a chance.
Thanks to everyone who participated, thanks for the enthusiasm and interest. Thanks to everyone who participated and made this possible. Of course, we will follow up on “Pink Unicorn reef”* and see what this leads to. If the results are good, there is an opportunity to develop it. Regardless, we have still tried and that is what feels most important.
* PS
I found the pink unicorn on a dive this morning and of course it had to be included not just because it's fun but to symbolize the "trash" we throw into nature.
