Reef Cells is a Marine Conservation
Organization Dedicated to Restoring and
Creating Bio-Productive Marine Ecosystems

Reef Cells is a Marine Conservation
Organization Dedicated to Restoring and
Creating Bio-Productive Marine Ecosystems

Reef Cells is a Marine Conservation Organization
Dedicated to Restoring
and Creating Bio-Productive
Marine Ecosystems

Reef Modules
that Reinforce
Nature's Miracle

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Bio-productive marine habitats designed to encourage marine life

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Responsibly Built Reef
Structures using
Sustainable Materials

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Engineered for Safe Transport and Speedy Deployment

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Designed for Maximum Colonization by Marine Organisms

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We Design, Build and Deploy a Variety of Artificial Reef Modules
with Interconnected Interior Cellular Habitat, Exterior Micro-Habitat, Complex Surface Rugosity, Coral Lok Devices and Sculptural Elements.

Hollywood Florida - Guardians of the Reef habitat reef modules and sculpture built by Reef Cells for Ocean Rescue Alliance.
- Video courtesy of WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company.
Florida Keys - Coral mounted to Coral Lok plugs screwed into Coral Lok Base which has been attached to natural reef substrate in the Florida Keys by University of Miami scientists.
- Video courtesy of Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science at the University of Miami.
Barbuda - Coral mounted to Coral Lok plugs screwed into Coral Lok receivers on reef modules built by Reef Cells adjacent to Coco Point Beach.
- Video courtesy of Deborah Brosnan & Associates, Washington, D.C.

Reef Cells are a new and unique solution to
bio-marine enhancement.

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Meet the Inventor
and learn about his ideas.

Christopher Xavier O'Hare is an American artist and architectural sculptor with works exhibited throughout the United States and on projects from Okinawa Japan to Abu Dhabi UAE.

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American Artist Christopher Xavier O'Hare
American Artist
and Reef Cells inventor
Christopher Xavier O'Hare

Learn why our reefs are
unique and see how
they work.

Reef Cells start out with a heavy irregularly shaped concrete base which provides both support to the upper structure and resistance to the dynamic forces found in the ocean.

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Coral Lok, a revolutionary idea that might just save our reefs.

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Coral Lok and
Reef Cells maquette

These are our objectives,
join us in making
them a reality.

ENVIRONMENTAL DEVELOPMENT

REEF CELLS' goal is marine enhancement designed to provide species specific habitat and optimized substrate for colonization by attaching organisms while preserving the natural marine aesthetic. Natural reefs benefit by experiencing reduced stress typically caused by frequent diver visits because REEF CELLS provide an alternative natural underwater attraction and dive experience thus drawing human activity away from more sensitive nearby natural reefs.

ECO TOURISM

Divers prefer natural reef formations. The complexity and intense productiveness of REEF CELLS increase their attractiveness to divers. Marketing and social media opportunities increase awareness of this recreational asset while strengthening an area's "brand" as a unique diving destination.

ECONOMIC IMPROVEMENT

Reef tourism provides significant economic benefit throughout local economies. Boat charters, dive shops, hotels, restaurants, car rentals, travel companies and many other tourist industry businesses benefit from a healthy and robust diver destination. The economic benefits of a continue to provide positive repercussions in other market sectors that support tourism.

News & Media

PALM BEACH POST

PHOTOS: PALM BEACH COUNTY'S ARTIFICIAL REEFS

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. - September 19, 2019

Palm Beach County has a robust artificial reef program with more than 100 sites, managed by the Environmental Resources Management department. These artificial reefs create additional areas for fishing, diving, and snorkeling, and protect natural reefs from overuse. They are most often made out of limestone, concrete, and occasionally decommissioned ships that become beautiful marine habitats for algae, corals, and other marine life....

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PBS - YOUTH SOUTH FLORIDA - WPBT

STUDENTS REPORTING LABS - 1000 MERMAIDS

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. - May 3, 2019

Just a few years ago a new coral disease was discovered off of Downtown Miami and has since spread throughout the Florida Reef Tract - as far north as Martin County down to the Keys. As scientists race against time to try to save what's left of South Florida's vanishing coral, student reporters from Pine Crest School in Ft. Lauderdale learn about a unique art project that is providing hope....

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WPTB NEWS - WEST PALM BEACH FLORIDA

ARTIFICIAL REEF BUILD TO HONOR ANDREW "RED" HARRIS

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. - May 29, 2015

Courtesy of: WPTV is South Florida's top-rated television station, covering Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast.

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HERALD-TRIBUNE

FLORIDA DIVERS CAN FIND MERMAIDS AT THIS NEW ARTIFICIAL REEF

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. - August 21, 2019

Adding to its cache of artificial reefs, Palm Beach County Environmental Resources Management on Wednesday morning will deploy 100 tons of concrete donated by GL Homes and 18 sculptures created and donated by Boynton Beach-based artist Chris O’Hare.

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ABC LOCAL 10 NEWS

HERE IS A LIST OF EARTH DAY EVENTS IN SOUTH FLORIDA

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. - April 22, 2019

Dozens of volunteers walked around the beach collecting garbage Monday in Fort Lauderdale to mark Earth Day.

Here is a list of other Earth Day events in South Florida :

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THE COASTAL STAR

ALONG THE COAST: SCULPTO'S ARTIFICIAL REFFS READY FOR DIVERS

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. - October 31, 2012

Christopher O’Hare first started worrying about the fish in Lake Worth Lagoon when he moved to Ocean Ridge in 1992 and saw the sea walls that had replaced the native mangroves that grew at water’s edge.    “Mangroves provide ideal habitats for fish. It’s one of the big issues facing environmental management of Lake Worth Lagoon,” O’Hare said.

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CBS4 NEWS - MIAMI

FOCUS ON SOUTH FLORIDA: 1000 MERMAIDS

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. - July 28, 2019

There’s a unique South Florida based art project underway, and fittingly, it comes in the form of mermaids, which symbolize our relationship with water.

Local artists are casting the life-sized mythical creatures out of real people, and they come with a purpose.

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PALM BEACH POST

ARTIFICIAL REEF SLATED FOR JUPITER AS A MEMORIAL TO ANDREW "RED" HARRIS

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. - September 23, 2016

The Andrew “Red” Harris Foundation is set to deploy an artificial reef off the coast of Jupiter as a memorial to Andrew Harris, who was killed while snorkeling last year.The reef, which is tentatively scheduled to be sunk Aug. 19, will be made of 40 “reef cells” modeled after Bahamian coral heads, and will cost about $100,000.

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THE COASTAL STAR

REEF CELLS TO BE DEPLOYED AT PHIL FOSTER PARK

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. - August 8, 2012

New REEF CELL modules ready for deployment at the Blue Heron Bridge dive area. Come snorkel in 8' of clear protected water just off the beach at Phil Foster Park. This spot is a favorite dive sight in Palm Beach County.

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