From Category 5 hurricane conditions to nature-based coastal protection

Site Visit Host:
  • Wednesday, September 16
  • Afternoon, following the conclusion of CARIF
  • $150 USD, including round-trip transportation
  • Limited to 25 participants

As governments and investors across the Caribbean push for infrastructure built to withstand more extreme conditions, CARIF is offering a rare look at how that resilience actually gets tested. Join a limited group of delegates behind the scenes at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, where researchers can recreate Category 5 hurricane conditions, with winds up to 155 mph, to see how coastal infrastructure performs under extreme loads.

At the Alfred C. Glassell Jr. SUSTAIN Laboratory, delegates will observe controlled wind-wave-surge experiments used to test structural performance and inform coastal design, bringing to life the science behind how ports, seawalls and shoreline assets are engineered to withstand more extreme conditions.

 

The visit goes beyond the hurricane simulator to explore University of Miami research on ECoREEF, SEAHIVE, hybrid reefs and coral resilience, examining how engineered and nature-based approaches can work together to protect coastlines, communities and critical assets.

At a Glance

  • Wednesday, September 16 | Afternoon, following the conclusion of CARIF
  • Approximately 1.5–2 hours of technical programming on campus, excluding transportation
  • Live demonstration at the SUSTAIN Laboratory
  • Category 5 hurricane-force winds of up to 155 mph
  • ECoREEF, SEAHIVE, hybrid reefs and nature-based coastal protection
  • Direct exchange with University of Miami researchers
  • $150 USD, including round-trip transportation from The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove
  • Overall group size limited to approximately 25 participants

Exact departure and return times will be confirmed with registered participants.

What You’ll Experience

Hurricane Simulation

See wind, waves and storm surge recreated at Category 5 intensity.

Physical Testing

Understand how real-world testing informs infrastructure design and resilience decisions.

Hybrid Protection

Explore how engineered reefs and nature-based systems can complement traditional infrastructure.

Measured Performance

See how natural and hybrid systems are tested for protective performance.

Researcher Access

Engage directly with UM researchers working at the forefront of coastal resilience.

Caribbean Application

Discuss what it takes to move promising solutions toward scalable deployment across the region.

Reserve Your Place

  • Site Visit Fee: $150 USD
  • The fee includes round-trip transportation from The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove and full participation in the technical program at UM Rosenstiel.
  • The site visit is limited to approximately 25 participants and is available as an optional add-on to CARIF registration.
  • A limited number of places are available to CARIF registrants. Advance registration is required and available places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Reserve Your Place