Shark and Ray Conservation Specialty

Few animals are as misunderstood as sharks and rays, and few dives leave as lasting an impression as the one where you finally meet one face to face. Known on our booking system as PADI Shark Conservation, this one-day specialty is built to replace fear with fact, giving divers a genuine understanding of why these animals matter and why so many populations are in trouble.

The course blends PADI eLearning theory with in-person classroom discussion and open water dives, so you are not just reading about shark and ray biology, you are seeing it in context. You will cover how these species fit into the wider marine ecosystem, the pressures they face from fishing, habitat loss and the wildlife trade, and the everyday choices divers can make that genuinely help.

This is a practical, action-focused course rather than a theoretical one. Alongside the science, you will look at real conservation initiatives and how citizen divers contribute data and awareness that researchers rely on. It suits anyone who has ever surfaced from a shark or ray encounter wanting to know more, and it is equally valuable groundwork for divers considering further work in marine conservation.

To join, you will need a PADI Open Water Diver certification, or Junior Open Water Diver from age 12. By the end of the day you will dive with a clearer, calmer understanding of sharks and rays, and a concrete sense of the part you can play in protecting them.