Environmental Specialty Programs

If you are a budding underwater naturalist, join our Ecology specialty programs!

They are the perfect way to enhance your dive experience by learning about different marine life, how ocean ecosystems function and how to dive safely with sharks, rays and more. Whatever your passion, we have a specialty for you!

Any snorkeler aged 10 upwards can join these SSI Ecology courses, open water sessions are optional, and they can all be completed online - making them perfect for all to enjoy. Start now!

Become an Ecology Specialty diver

In the SSI Shark Ecology specialty, you will learn how to dive safely with sharks and discover why these charismatic animals are often misunderstood. It is perfect for shark fans! Love rays? Join the SSI Manta & Ray Ecology specialty to learn how to identify and dive safely with rays, plus why they are so important for healthy oceans. Delve into the fascinating world of sea turtles with the SSI Sea Turtle Ecology specialty or improve your identification skills with our Coral and Fish Identification specialties.

To gain a thorough understanding of the oceans, join the SSI Marine Ecology specialty. You will learn about the exciting science of Marine Ecology and how ocean ecosystems interact.

Marine Ecology

The SSI Marine Ecology specialty program is the best way to discover the exciting science of marine ecology and become an underwater naturalist. Enhance your dives in a new way. Earn the SSI Marine Ecology specialty certification now!

Shark Ecology

Sharks are vital for healthy oceans and are truly spectacular to dive with! Join the SSI Shark Ecology specialty program and learn how to dive safely with sharks, why their behaviors are misunderstood and more. Start online today!

Manta & Ray Ecology

Diving with mantas and other rays is one of the best dive experiences you will have. Learn how to safely interact with rays and recognize different species with the SSI Manta & Ray Ecology specialty program.

Fish Identification

Learn how to identify fish with the SSI Fish Identification specialty program and enhance your dives! Discover all you need to identify common families of Caribbean, Indo-Pacific and Red Sea reef fish and earn your SSI Fish Identification specialty certification.

Coral Identification

Discover the wonders of coral reefs with the SSI Coral Identification specialty program. In this coral dive specialty program, you will learn all that you need to identify common families of coral species and enjoy diving these incredible underwater ecosystems.

Sea Turtle Ecology

You will learn to identify sea turtles species, discover their history and role in marine ecosystems, and threats to their survival. Upon completion, you will earn the SSI Sea Turtle Ecology Specialty certification.

Marine Mammal Ecology

Do you have a passion to save the ocean and the marine animals that call these oceans their home? Does the thought of diving with whales fascinate you? Learn more about the biology and ecology of these fascinating marine mammals in the SSI Marine Mammal Ecology speciality program.

Marine Invertebrate Ecology

Unlock the mysterious world of marine invertebrates. From sea stars to squid and everything in between, discover fascinating facts about these unique animals in the SSI Marine Invertebrates specialty program.

Nudibranch Ecology

Explore sea slugs with SSI’s Nudibranch Ecology speciality program. Discover their movement, sensory organs, reproduction, feeding, defense, and ecological roles. This program offers a deep dive into these unique creatures, ideal for marine enthusiasts. Join us and delve into the world of nudibranchs.

Freshwater Ecology

The SSI Freshwater Ecology specialty program is the perfect way to discover the fascinating world of freshwater ecosystems and aquatic life. Expand your knowledge, dive with greater awareness, and experience your dives in a completely new way. Earn your SSI Freshwater Ecology specialty certification now.

Upgrade your Training

Upgrade your training experience by taking more Specialty Programs! These are a perfect way to explore new dive sites and use your Ecology skills! When you complete a certain number of Specialty Programs paired with Logged Dives, you will also automatically earn the SSI Recognition Ratings – SSI Specialty Diver, SSI Advanced Open Water Diver and SSI Master Diver. Continue your SSI Specialty training right away and earn recognition as you become a safer and more comfortable diver!

Deep Diving

Many exciting and iconic dive sites lie in deeper waters. The SSI Deep Diving Specialty will get you there - safely and with confidence. Learn how to plan and conduct dives to between 18 and 40 meters deep with SSI.

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Open Water Sessions

Enriched Air Nitrox

Extend your dive time, shorten your surface intervals and spend more time exploring the dive sites you love, with the SSI Enriched Air Nitrox Specialty certification program.

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Perfect Buoyancy

The SSI Perfect Buoyancy Specialty is the best way to improve your body position for relaxed dives, lower your air consumption and increase your bottom times. Take control of your enjoyment. Start online now!

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Handpicked destinations for aquatic enthusiasts

Scubago is an online platform connecting divers with dive centers and resorts worldwide, offering easy booking for courses, dive experiences, and accommodation — powered by the world’s largest dive site database.
With 10,000+ dive sites and detailed wildlife information, divers can find and book experiences at locations that match their dream encounters. The database is built on 20+ million logged dives and grows daily through the Digital DiveLog integrated in the SSI, MARES, AQUA LUNG and APEKS apps.
Using QR code technology, the Digital DiveLog connects dive sites, buddies, instructors, centers, and resorts, and supports multiple dive computer brands for seamless dive downloads.
The featured destinations are ideal for starting to explore the underwater world and are suitable for all age groups. Combine a vacation with your training and create a lifetime experience you can enjoy with your family!

Australia

The world’s largest coral reef, the Great Barrier Reef is the essence of diving in Australia.

© iStock/ferrantraite

Mexico

Diving in Mexico is a breathtaking, world-class experience. This country offers many adventures and a landscape full of natural wonders.

© iStock-Lunamarina

Florida

The Sunshine State Florida offers many great and divers dive sites from the tropical Florida Keys to deep shipwrecks and crystal clear freshwater springs.

© iStock/narvikk

Egypt

The Arab Republic of Egypt is a country that sits in the Northeast corner of Africa on the Mediterranean Sea to its north and the Red Sea to its east.

© iStock/valio84sl

Caribbean Sea

World-famous dive destinations such as Aruba, The Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Cuba, The Guadeloupe Islands and many others are located in the Caribbean Sea.

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