The PADI AWARE Foundation® is a publicly-funded nonprofit that drives global change through local action. In the past three decades, more than one million people have taken an AWARE conservation course to learn about threats to our oceans and how they can make a positive impact.
Why Take an AWARE Conservation Course?
Some divers don’t need a reason to learn something new. Many divers want to learn as much as they can about marine life and the underwater environment.
But some divers would rather spend every free moment diving rather than taking a class. But keep in mind: these conservation classes are designed to help you get more out of every dive.
Would you like to:
- Get better at finding and identifying marine life?
- Reduce your air consumption and wear less weight?
- Feel more comfortable underwater?
- Inspire friends and family to care about the ocean as much as you do?
- Become a Master Scuba Diver™?
If you answered “yes” to any of the questions above, read on for a short description of the PADI Specialty courses that focus on conservation. For pricing or additional information, please contact your PADI Instructor, Dive Center or Resort.
AWARE Shark & Ray Conservation Specialty Course
Whether you’re fascinated by sharks and rays or simply curious, the AWARE Shark & Ray Conservation Specialty helps you understand these animals in an informed manner, without myths getting in the way.
In this course, you’ll explore the role sharks and rays play in keeping ocean ecosystems balanced, and why so many species are now under threat. You’ll learn how to identify key species, understand the pressures they face and take part in real conservation through the AWARE Global Shark & Ray Census — a citizen science program where your observations contribute to global data.
The data will be logged in the Conservation Action Portal (CAP), PADI AWARE’s platform where divers can find, participate in and share impactful conservation actions. The platform hosts AWARE’s citizen science programs (Dive Against Debris, the Global Shark & Ray Census and the AWARE Biodiversity survey).
There’s one optional training dive, but sightings aren’t required. What matters is learning how to observe, record and report responsibly, whether underwater or from the surface.
By the end, you’re scientifically informed and equipped to act, both as a diver and as an Ocean Torchbearer.
PADI AWARE Specialty Course
During this short, half-day course, you’ll learn about the problems facing our oceans and what actions you can take to preserve our beautiful blue planet. The PADI AWARE Specialty course was previously known as the Project AWARE Specialty.
“I believe we, as divers, have a moral obligation to do all we can for the ocean to safeguard it for future generations to enjoy. The AWARE Specialty course provides a better understanding of some of the issues the ocean is facing and what divers can do to help,” says Michelle Holland, PADI Elite Master Instructor and Dive Centre Manager at Excel Scuba (Tenerife, Spain)
But you don’t have to be a diver to take this course; it’s open to anyone who cares about the ocean.
This dry, ‘fins off’ course is open to divers and non-divers alike. Through interactive discussions, you’ll develop an action plan with your PADI Instructor will help you create an action plan to make a positive difference.
“Most newbies don’t realize that they can get involved in conservation straight away. They assume it’s only something experienced divers can do,” states Nic Emery, co-founder and PADI Course Director at Fifth Point Diving Centre (Northumberland, UK)
Coral Reef Conservation Specialty Course
In a single morning or afternoon, learn about the complex nature of life on a reef and how coral reefs protect both humans and fish. By the end of the Coral Reef Conservation Specialty course, you’ll see the underwater world through new eyes.
“The PADI AWARE Coral Reef Conservation course explains what corals are, why they’re so important, how we can protect our reefs and so much more,” Rena Hall, Director of Conservation at Silent World Dive Center (Florida Keys, USA), tells us.
The Florida Keys are home to 45 species of stony corals and 35 soft corals. “Silent World Dive Center instructors Gabe and Mike always bring dive slates with them to identify the conditions the corals are in and what species,” Hall adds.
This course is open to anyone curious about coral.
There are no prerequisites, age restrictions or inwater sessions. Certified divers who want to learn about coral reef restoration and try some coral gardening should also look for the PADI Coral Reef Restoration Distinctive Specialty.
Dive Against Debris
There are two common misconceptions about the Dive Against Debris® Specialty course. First, many students think it’s “just” a dive where you pick up trash. But one of the many important things you’ll learn during the course is which objects shouldn’t be removed from the ocean. For example, if you find a glass bottle covered in algae, the best choice may be to leave it in place.
The other misconception is that only certified divers can take the course. In fact, PADI Advanced Mermaid™ and PADI Freedivers™ (or those with similar, qualifying certifications) can collect and report marine debris data.
Once you know how to do it, reporting the marine debris you’ve collected is easy. The information reported becomes part of a global database used by policymakers and ocean advocates around the world.
Dive Against Debris students sometimes find debris from across the world, which makes them return home with a powerful story to tell.
Fish Identification
In the PADI Fish Identification Specialty course, you’ll learn how to identify fish all over the world in addition to the area where you do your training. Don’t worry, you won’t have to memorize an entire fish ID book!
Your instructor will teach you how to identify fish based on body shape, size, behavior and where you saw the fish (under a rock versus pecking at a coral head, for example). By the end of the course, you’ll be better at both identifying and finding interesting fish.
“Knowing what you’re seeing during a dive enhances your diving experience even further,” says Kelly Paterson, PADI Master Instructor and Fish Identification Instructor at PADI Five Star IDC Bocas Dive Center in Bocas del Toro, Panama.
“In Bocas del Toro, we have a massive variety of fish and creatures. Our dive leaders all take the PADI Fish Identification Specialty to ensure our divers see everything that can be seen and enjoy a wealth of information about their dives,” she adds.
Peak Performance Buoyancy
Buoyancy is a struggle for many new divers and some don’t even realize it. They think, “I’m an air hog,” or, “I guess I just need to wear more weight than everyone else.” Or worse, “I hope no one saw me accidentally kick the reef…”
The PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty course (PPB) is one of the most valuable courses in the PADI Specialty course lineup. It can help you carry less weight, observe marine life without disturbing their surroundings and use less air when scuba diving.
“A lot of students don’t see the benefit of the PPB course because they don’t believe they’re learning something new, compared to the Wreck Diver course for example,” says Jay Clue, conservationist and founder of Dive Ninja Expeditions (Cabo San Lucas, Mexico). “After taking the course? They see why it’s so important. Divers feel more confident, more comfortable and more in control. It’s amazing how much a diver can grow in such a short course with a good instructor.
“Buoyancy is one of the most important skills to perfect for any diver. Having complete control of buoyancy and trim not only makes diving more comfortable and easier, it also helps us to protect the beautiful environments we dive in,” he adds.
Underwater Naturalist
There’s no denying sharks and turtles are exciting, but there’s a lot more to the ocean. Ask any PADI Pro, and they’ll tell you that some of the best ocean moments happen when you slow down and look past what meets the eye.
The PADI Underwater Naturalist Specialty course helps you see more on every dive, even at sites you’ve visited before. When you understand how marine life interacts, where different species live, and how ecosystems function, the underwater world opens up in a completely new way.
Over two dives, you’ll learn to identify key aquatic life groups, spot behaviors you may have missed before and understand the connections between plants, animals and habitats. You’ll also build the skills to interact with marine life responsibly and learn how to observe without disturbing.
This course is open to PADI (Junior) Open Water Divers ages 10 and up, and the first dive can even count toward your Advanced Open Water Diver certification.
Digital Underwater Photographer
Want to bring your ocean adventures home with you? The PADI Digital Underwater Photographer Specialty course helps you turn moments underwater into images you’ll actually want to share.
Instead of learning through trial and error, you’ll pick up practical techniques from the start, including how to use strobes, avoid backscatter and restore color lost underwater. You’ll also learn how to properly approach marine life, choose correct angles and compose shots that feel alive.
The course begins with self-paced eLearning, followed by two dives where you practice using the SEA (Shoot, Examine, Adjust) method to improve every shot.
It’s also a powerful skill to pair with AWARE conservation courses. Being able to document species, the behaviors of marine life and marine habitats makes your observations more useful for citizen science and conservation efforts.
All you need is a digital camera or action cam. Your instructor can also help you choose the right setup and accessories based on your goals and experience.
By the end, you’ll be equipped to tell stories through great ocean imagery and help protect the ocean.
Support Ocean Conservation
If you care about what you see underwater, there’s a way to protect it.
Every dive, every observation, every action adds up. Through PADI AWARE, you can support global efforts to reduce marine debris, protect vulnerable species like sharks and rays and restore critical habitats.
These conservation courses are a starting point. They give you the knowledge and tools to take meaningful action in and out of the water. You can also get involved in local conservation activities or support ongoing projects by making donations that directly fund ocean conservation.
The ocean doesn’t need just a few people doing everything perfectly. It needs more of us doing what we can, consistently.
