Sharks and rays draw more curiosity, and more misunderstanding, than almost any other animals in the ocean, and this one-day instructor course hands you the tools to turn that curiosity into real conservation impact. You'll learn to run engaging classroom and open water sessions, dismantle common myths, and help students walk away with behaviour that actually protects these threatened animals, not just certificates, plus how to market the specialty so divers actually sign up.

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In detail

About This Course

The AWARE Shark and Ray Conservation Specialty Instructor course prepares working PADI professionals to teach one of the most in-demand conservation specialties in recreational diving. Sharks and rays are among the biggest draws for divers worldwide, and also among the most misunderstood and threatened marine animals, so instructors who can teach this specialty confidently add real value to their dive centre and to the divers they train.

Rather than simply covering the academic content, this one-day instructor course focuses on how to deliver it well: structuring engaging classroom and open water sessions, correcting common myths about sharks and rays, and helping student divers connect what they learn to real behaviour change in the water. Just as importantly, it covers how to market and promote the specialty itself, since a well-run course only has impact if divers actually sign up for it.

To join, you need to already hold a PADI Instructor rating, or be currently enrolled in or have completed your IDC or OWSI within the last twelve months. You will come away with the standardised PADI Specialty Instructor Manual and guides needed to run the course to PADI standards straight away.

This specialty counts towards Master Scuba Diver Trainer status, and for instructors based with us who are building a broader specialty teaching portfolio, it is a genuinely popular one to add early, given how much interest divers show in shark and ray conservation.

The process

How The Course Works

Step 1
Species, Threats and Solutions
You build a proper working knowledge of the sharks and rays your students will actually encounter - what threatens them, and what real conservation measures are making a difference. It is the knowledge base that turns a fun encounter into a genuinely informed one.
Step 2
Turning Dives Into Data
You learn to guide students through logging real sightings as citizen science, feeding directly into PADI's global conservation effort rather than staying anecdotal. Every dive becomes a small contribution to a much bigger picture.
PADI states observations are logged through the PADI AWARE app and Conservation Action Portal as part of the Global Shark and Ray Census.

Course curriculum

What You'll Learn

Learning Outcomes

Course structure and delivery
shark behaviour/biology/conservation modules
marketing and outreach strategies

Getting ready

Before You Start & What's Next

What's Included

PADI Specialty Instructor Manual (digital or paper) with standardized specialty instructor guides

Prerequisites

Must hold a PADI Instructor rating, or currently enrolled/completed IDC/OWSI within 12 months

Next Steps

Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT) rating

Upcoming training

Dates & Booking

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Quick facts

Duration

1 day of structured training

Location

Unit 4, Bellman Court, Great Knollys Street, Reading, RG1 7HD

Certification

Recognised PADI qualification on completion

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Shark and Ray Conservation Specialty Instructor

What to expect