Recycled Roof Tiles to Coral Nurseries

From Recycled Roof Tiles to Thriving Coral Reefs

How Ceningan Divers is Giving New Life to Waste While Restoring Bali’s Coral Reefs

Healthy coral reefs don’t begin underwater—they begin with careful planning, preparation, and a commitment to sustainability.

At Ceningan Divers, every coral restoration project starts long before a diver enters the ocean. Behind the scenes, our marine conservation team works tirelessly to prepare coral nurseries, care for fragile coral fragments, and create the perfect foundation for new corals to grow. It’s this attention to detail that gives every transplanted coral the best possible chance of surviving and helping rebuild our reefs.

A Coral Nursery That Gives Corals the Best Start

One of the newest additions to our conservation program is a dedicated Coral Holding Tank, which acts as an ex-situ (land-based) coral nursery.

Rather than immediately placing freshly collected coral fragments onto the reef, we first care for them in a controlled environment. This allows our team to monitor their health, clean away algae and sediment, and ensure each fragment is strong enough before being transplanted onto our underwater restoration structures.

By giving corals this extra level of care, we significantly improve their chances of survival once they return to the ocean.

Turning Construction Waste into Coral Homes

One of the most exciting parts of our restoration program doesn’t involve buying new materials—it involves giving old materials a completely new purpose.

During one of our regular village clean-up events, our team collected discarded ceramic roof tiles (known locally as genteng) that had been dumped as construction waste.

Instead of sending these tiles to landfill, we transform them into sturdy bases for coral fragments.

Each tile is:

• Thoroughly cleaned to remove dirt, algae and contaminants.
• Carefully inspected for strength and durability.
• Precision-cut into smaller coral attachment bases using diamond saws.
• Prepared for use in our coral nursery.

These recycled ceramic bases provide a stable surface for young corals while reducing waste and supporting a more circular approach to conservation.

It’s a simple idea with a powerful impact—turning waste into something that helps rebuild our reefs.

Science Behind Every Coral

Our coral nursery is managed by Tsabita, a member of our Marine Geochemistry team.

Marine geochemistry studies the relationship between seawater chemistry, sediments, and marine life. This scientific knowledge plays an important role in coral restoration by helping us understand how environmental conditions affect coral health, growth, and survival.

By monitoring water quality and coral condition throughout the nursery phase, we can make informed decisions that improve the long-term success of our restoration projects.

Science is at the heart of everything we do.

Preparing Coral Fragments for Life on the Reef

Before corals can be transplanted, healthy donor colonies are carefully fragmented into small pieces known as coral nubbins.

Each fragment is prepared with great care to minimize stress and tissue damage while ensuring it has enough living tissue to recover quickly.

Once prepared, every fragment is attached to one of our recycled ceramic bases before being placed into the nursery.

Over the following weeks, our conservation team regularly monitors each coral, checking for:

• Healthy tissue growth
• Algae build-up
• Sediment accumulation
• Signs of stress or disease
• Overall survivorship

Only the healthiest corals are selected for transplantation onto our underwater restoration structures.

Conservation Training That Goes Beyond Diving

Many people imagine coral restoration as simply attaching coral underwater.

In reality, the work begins on land.

Our Divemaster Trainees are actively involved in every stage of the restoration process, learning how to:

• Prepare coral substrates.
• Handle living coral safely.
• Build coral nursery systems.
• Monitor coral health.
• Understand the science behind reef restoration.

This hands-on experience gives future dive professionals a much deeper understanding of marine conservation and the planning required to restore coral ecosystems successfully.

Every Piece Matters

Successful coral restoration isn’t one single dive or one day of work.

It’s a continuous journey that combines science, sustainability, community involvement, and long-term monitoring.

By recycling discarded roof tiles, caring for coral fragments in our nursery, and using evidence-based restoration techniques, we’re helping create healthier reefs while reducing waste within our local community.

Recycled tile becomes a new home for coral.

Every healthy coral helps rebuild the reef.

Each volunteer, trainee, and guest who joins our conservation program becomes part of that story.

Join Our Coral Restoration Program

Whether you’re a certified diver, a future Divemaster, or simply passionate about protecting the ocean, there are many ways to get involved with marine conservation at Ceningan Divers.

You can:

• Join our Coral Restoration dives.
• Participate in our Marine Conservation Internship.
• Enroll in one of our Marine Conservation specialty programs.
• Volunteer during reef monitoring and restoration activities.
• Support local village clean-ups and sustainability initiatives.

Together, we can help restore Bali’s coral reefs—one coral, one recycled tile, and one dive at a time.

Ready to make a difference? Join us at Ceningan Divers and become part of a growing community dedicated to protecting and restoring one of the world’s most incredible marine ecosystems.