Project AWARE Specialty Courses

Project AWARE, in conjunction with Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), has developed several specialty courses to introduce more than a million divers and non-divers a year to environmental issues. Each program encourages understanding of and respect for the aquatic world’s delicate ecosystems. Contact your local PADI Dive Center or Resort to enroll in one of the following:

AWARE – Coral Reef Conservation Specialty Course 
Targeted at divers, snorkelers and ocean enthusiasts, this course includes an overview of coral reef ecology, a look at problems facing reefs and practical guidelines on responsible interaction in these fragile environments.

AWARE – Fish Identification Specialty Course
This course introduces divers to the most common fish families in temperate and tropical waters throughout the world. It emphasizes the importance of Project AWARE and involves people in identifying and recording local fish populations.

Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty Course
Divers learn to fine tune their buoyancy skills, helping to prevent disturbance of underwater environments.

Project AWARE Specialty Course
Divers and nondivers learn about the plight of aquatic ecosystems and how they can help protect them. Current environmental issues and the status of endangered underwater habitats are also explored.

Underwater Naturalist Specialty Course
This course is an introduction to many types of aquatic life and an overview of responsible human interactions. Students learn dive techniques to help preserve underwater environments.

Whale Shark Awareness Distinctive Specialty Course 
A course which gives divers and snorkelers essential knowledge and skills to dive or snorkel responsibly with whale sharks and learn how to contribute images and data to the Whale Shark Sightings Database. 

AWARE Sea Turtle Distinctive Specialty Course 
This course has been set up to help educate divers and non-divers about the plight of the world’s sea turtle populations.