Where We Work

Reef Without Borders field site at Mactan Island Cebu Philippines
Field Operations

Where we work.

Our restoration work is centered at Kontiki, Mactan, Cebu, within the Coral Triangle. We work at specific reef sites with GPS-recorded baselines and named coral fragments.

Phase 1 field site

Kontiki, Mactan, Cebu.

Our first restoration mission will take place at Kontiki, Mactan, Cebu, selected with our science partner based on reef health baseline, restoration potential, and access for our dive team.

Mactan Island in Cebu sits within the Coral Triangle, where 76% of all coral species and 37% of reef fish species are found.

Restoration site

Kontiki, Mactan, Cebu, Philippines

First mission

Q4 2026

Field lead

Dindo C. Paquibot, PADI Instructor, 20+ years

Science partner

Local Partner

Why Cebu

The Coral Triangle.

The Philippines lies within the Coral Triangle, the most biodiverse marine region on Earth. Philippine reefs have experienced significant decline over the past decade from warming water, overfishing, and destructive fishing.

76%

Of known coral species

37%

Of reef fish species

120M

People dependent on these reefs

1%

Of ocean floor, but 25% of marine life

Reef threats

What the reefs face.

Warming waters

Ocean temperatures during the 2023-2025 global bleaching event caused widespread coral bleaching across Cebu's reef systems.

Destructive fishing

Dynamite fishing and overfishing damage reef structures and disrupt the ecological balance that keeps reef ecosystems functioning.

Tourism pressure

High-volume dive tourism in parts of Cebu creates physical reef damage from anchor drop zones and direct diver contact with coral.

Where we are going

Cebu is where we start.

Our first restoration mission is scheduled for Q4 2026 at Kontiki, Mactan, Cebu, in partnership with a local marine science institution. We do not enter a new region until we have a confirmed science partner, a documented site baseline, and community relationships in place.

Help fund the first dive at Kontiki.

Every dollar you give funds a documented reef restoration dive at Kontiki, Mactan, Cebu.

U.S. 501(c)(3) • EIN 42-2691547 • Tax-deductible

Reef Without Borders

Houston, Texas • info@reefwithoutborders.org

501(c)(3) Nonprofit • EIN 42-2691547 • © 2026 Reef Without Borders

Underwater reef landscape at Mactan restoration site Cebu Philippines
Marine ecosystem at Reef Without Borders field station showing biodiversity
Coral reef habitat at Reef Without Borders Cebu restoration site Philippines
Reef Without Borders field team coral restoration operations Cebu Philippines
Marine conservation work in progress at Reef Without Borders Cebu field site
Coral reef monitoring at Reef Without Borders Philippines restoration base