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Ecology & Conservation Programs
Go beyond the dive. Our SSI ecology programs teach you to understand, appreciate, and actively protect the ocean environments you explore.
View Upcoming Sessions ↓Upcoming Ecology Program Sessions
All ecology programs run throughout the year. Select your program and preferred date below to reserve your spot.
Why It Matters
Understand the Ecosystem
Learn to read the underwater world — species behavior, reef health, and the relationships that keep ocean ecosystems alive.
Become a Citizen Scientist
Your dives contribute real data to global marine conservation efforts through SSI's research partnerships.
Earn SSI Specialty Ratings
Each program earns a recognized SSI specialty certification that counts toward your SSI Master Diver rating.
Programs We Offer
All programs are taught by our SSI-certified instructors. Use the booking widget below to find upcoming dates — we run multiple programs each month.
Coral Reef Conservation
Learn what makes coral reefs tick and how to dive without causing damage. Covers reef biology, threats, and hands-on conservation techniques.
Dive Against Debris
Remove and document underwater debris while contributing data to the largest marine debris database in the world. Make every dive count.
Shark Ecology
Understand shark behavior, biology, and their critical role in healthy oceans. Learn safe and respectful interaction techniques in the water.
Manta & Ray Ecology
Explore the fascinating world of mantas and rays — their migration patterns, feeding behavior, and why protecting them matters.
Dolphin & Whale Ecology
Study marine mammal communication, social structure, and conservation status. Includes responsible wildlife interaction guidelines.
Sea Turtle Ecology
Dive deep into sea turtle biology, nesting habits, and the threats they face. Learn how to identify species and report sightings to conservation networks.
Whale Shark Ecology
The ocean's gentle giants. Learn whale shark biology, global population status, and best practices for respectful encounters in the wild.
Ocean Ecology
A broad introduction to ocean ecosystems — food webs, climate impacts, and the interconnected systems that make marine life possible.
Fish Identification
Train your eye to recognize local and exotic species underwater. Covers anatomy, behavior cues, and using identification slates on dives.
Invertebrate Ecology
The ocean's smallest residents matter most. Study crustaceans, mollusks, echinoderms, and the roles they play in reef health.
Common Questions
Most ecology programs require only an Open Water certification. A few involve deeper dives and recommend Advanced Open Water — those are noted in the session details when you book.
Absolutely — and we encourage it. Each program earns a separate SSI specialty rating. Collect enough specialties and they count toward your SSI Master Diver certification.
All ecology programs take place in open water — that's where the learning happens. Academic portions are completed online or in our classroom before the dive day.
Both are globally recognized. We teach SSI ecology programs, which are fully digital, agency-agnostic in most dive communities, and recognized worldwide. Your PADI Open Water card is a perfectly valid prerequisite.