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Underwater Naturalist

About the Course

Take the PADI Underwater Naturalist Specialty course and you'll see new things, even on the most familiar scuba diving sites. Why? Because when know more about symbioses, underwater ecology, and aquatic plant and animal habitats, you notice behaviors and see creatures you may have previously missed. Learn more about the local ecosystem and take a closer look on your next scuba diving adventure.

PADI (Junior) Open Water Divers who are at least 10 years old are eligible to take the Underwater Naturalist Specialty course.

Getting Started

Pick up your PADI Underwater Naturalist Manual at your local PADI dive shop as you enroll in the course. After reading the manual and filling out the Knowledge Review, you're ready to meet with your PADI Instructor and plan your underwater naturalist dives.

Academic

Through class discussions and on two scuba dives, you'll learn:

  • Key differences between the terrestrial and aquatic worlds.
  • Major aquatic life groupings, interactions and information that dispels myths.
  • Responsible interactions with aquatic life.

The first dive of this PADI Specialty Diver course may credit as an Adventure Dive toward your Advanced Open Water Diver certification - ask your instructor about earning credit.

    Equipment

    Besides your basic scuba equipment, you'll need a slate and pencil to record your observations. Ask your PADI Instructor or PADI Dive Center or Resort staff about additional equipment you may want, such as a dive light to better see into cracks and crevices.

      The PADI Difference

      For over 50 years, PADI has undeniably been the Way the World Learns to Dive®, setting the standard for the highest quality dive training, underwater safety and conservation initiatives while evolving the sport of diving into a passionate lifestyle.

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      (and counting) PADI certified divers to date!

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