For this video, we’re taking you all the way to beautiful Rhode Island for Reef Retreat V2, and honestly, this was one of those trips that reminded me why I love this hobby so much. Let me elaborate.
Lena Fitzgerald, one of the show organizers, had been emailing us for months before Reef Retreat, sharing different opportunities and experiences we could take part in while we were there. Instead of simply showing up for the event, I decided to take full advantage of everything they had planned, and I’m so glad I did.
Our first stop was the Long Island Aquarium for the pre Reef Retreat meeting, sponsored by ESV, Abyzz and us here at Reefs.com. Joe has been inviting me for many years, so finally getting to experience the aquarium in person was something special. Hearing how this incredible facility went from an idea and sketches on a napkin to a fully realized public aquarium was fascinating. The planning, passion and execution behind it were incredible. And check out these Acropora colonies. Some of them were literally taller than I am.
The next day took an unexpected turn. We were originally scheduled to visit a local high school, but plans changed and we decided to visit Island Fish and Scales, a local fish store opened by my friend Ryan. What a shop it is. Beautiful animals, thoughtfully designed systems and a serious commitment to doing things properly. What impressed me most was that every fish is fully quarantined before entering the main systems. That kind of dedication to animal health and responsible husbandry is something I genuinely appreciate.
Then came Reef Retreat.
This is where it becomes difficult to explain what makes this event so different. Reef Retreat isn’t just another trade show. There are no endless rows of vendors trying to make a sale and no pressure to buy something every few minutes. Instead, you get something that is becoming increasingly rare in our hobby: time to actually learn.
You sit with some of the most knowledgeable and passionate people in the reefing community, along with scientists and professionals working with corals in the real world. You hear stories, experiences, failures, successes and information you simply wouldn’t get at a typical show or even online. Conversations continue long after presentations end. Someone shares an idea, someone challenges it, another person adds their experience, and suddenly you’re having a conversation that can completely change the way you think about your own reef.
That was Reef Retreat for me.
Learn. Listen. Eat. Process. Talk. Laugh. Sleep. Repeat.
And somehow, there still wasn’t enough time.
We ended the retreat with a cruise into the sunset, which was the perfect way to close out an incredible few days. Except we weren’t done yet.
The following day, our group headed to the New England Aquarium, where our friend Summer was kind enough to give us a behind the scenes tour. Seeing what happens away from the public exhibits and learning from the people responsible for maintaining these incredible animals was another experience I won’t soon forget.
That is what makes Reef Retreat so special. It isn’t just the retreat itself. It’s the people you meet, relationships you build, conversations you have, places you experience and the knowledge you take home with you. I’ve been to a lot of reefing events over the years, and Reef Retreat genuinely feels different. If you’ve been following this channel and watched our previous show coverages, I think you can see exactly why.
If you’ve never been, you’re missing out. If you love this hobby and want to learn, meet passionate people, exchange ideas and experience the reefing community in a completely different way, you need to experience Reef Retreat for yourself. Tickets are limited, so don’t wait until everyone is posting about what you missed. Come experience it with us next year.
I hope you guys enjoyed my recap of Reef Retreat V2, and I truly hope we’ll see you there next year.
