Tickets are not yet available for Reef Retreat 2026.

Please check back in January 2026.

Reef Retreat 2025 was held June 6-8 at Roger Williams University, 1 Old Ferry Road, Bristol, RI, conveniently located for easy access to both Boston and Providence airports.

Ground Transportation:

Renting a car from the airport or driving the the conference? The address is 1 Old Ferry Road, Bristol, RI 02809 and parking is free on site!

Flying into Logan Airport (Boston, Ma?)-there are a couple ways to get to RWU:

1. Car rental from Logan to Bristol - this is about 1 hour and 10 minute drive. If you are arriving around 3 pm-5 pm you may be stuck in the Boston after work traffic and depending on the day could add sometime to your journey.

2. Public transportation: You will take the silver line from Logan Airport to South Station. From there you will get on the commuter rail to Fall River Depot. Here is the link to the schedule website. https://www.mbta.com/schedules/CR-NewBedford/timetable?date=2025-06-06  From there it is 15 minute Uber or car ride from the train station to Roger Williams University (If a few attendees are arriving to the Fall River Depot at the same time we can arrange transportation)

Flying into Providence airport?

1. car rental from TF Green to RWU- 35 minutes

2. Uber from TF Green to RWU

3. Public transportation- Bus from TF Green to RWU with a bus transfer in Providence (the 60 bus to the 66 Bus).

Arriving Early?

For fun things to do if your arriving before 5

  1. Newport, RI- 20 minute drive away

  2. Providence, RI- 30 minute drive

  3. Cape Cod ,MA- 1-2 hour drive away depending on what part you go to

  4. Mystic, CT - 1 hour 15 min away

  5. Boston- 1 hour 15 min away

While the retreat housing and events will be entirely on campus, attendees and their guests will benefit from a prime location that is just a short 15-minute drive from scenic Newport. With its welcoming campus and modern facilities, Roger Williams University provides the perfect setting for our event. We look forward to seeing you there!

Reef Retreat 2025 has been designed as a small conference that fosters connections and interactions with world-renowned scientists and hobbyists. RWU Global Heritage Hall is our venue of choice, providing the perfect setting for an intimate gathering. Our sponsors will have dedicated spaces where you can explore their products and initiatives in depth.

The speaking area will serve as the focal point during talks, with plenty of room to spread out in between sessions. For evening entertainment, we’ll utilize the lawn (weather permitting), or indoor spaces, featuring some of the world's best beers and other beverages. RWU is consistently rated as having some of the best food at any college in the country. Our renowned dining service, managed by Bon Appétit, focuses on local, sustainable food options. Your conference registration includes all meals for the event. Special dietary needs? No problem the professional chiefs have you covered.

Lodging is available on campus at our North Residence Hall, which offers comfortable accommodations in pods of rooms, including doubles, singles, and a limited number of suites. Many attendees enjoy reuniting with friends from across the country at these conferences, and the pod setup is an excellent way to group friends together in nearby rooms. If you belong to a reef club, online forum, or similar group and wish to stay together in a pod, we’ve got you covered. If you’re attending solo or don’t know many people, don’t worry—we’ll ensure you feel comfortable and welcome throughout the event.