Global environmental change is happening at unprecedented rates. Coral reefs are among the ecosystems most threatened by global change and for wild populations to persist, they must adapt. However, little is known about corals’ complex ecological and evolutionary dynamics making prediction about potential adaptation to future conditions precarious. Here, we review the process of adaptation through the lens of quantitative genetics and make suggestions about how incorporating genomic tools can help to both understand and predict adaptive potential in corals. In many cases, small changes in experimental design may provide large increases in the power, precision, and accuracy of information produced for predicting corals’ adaptation to environmental changes. We also outline where quantitative genetic principles may be incorporated into current research programs that aim to bolster coral tolerance to future warming conditions.