Marine Ecology - Ecology 2026

This course includes the Specialty Instructor Seminars for: Drysuit Instructor Navigation Instructor Night & Limited Visibility Instructor Deep Instructor React Right Instructor

This globally recognized certification is the best way to begin your lifelong adventure as a diver. Personalized training is combined with sessions in the water to ensure you have the skills and experience needed to become truly comfortable underwater. You too deserve an SSI Open Water Dive certification!

This globally recognized certification is the best way to begin your lifelong adventure as a diver. Personalized training is combined with sessions in the water to ensure you have the skills and experience needed to become truly comfortable underwater. You too deserve an SSI Open Water Dive certification!

The SSI Try Scuba program is the best way to dive for the first time. You will be in sheltered water and well cared for by your instructor so you can enjoy those first unforgettable breaths underwater and experience the magic of diving. By the end of this short course, you will have earned your SSI Try Scuba certification and will undoubtedly want to go diving more. Endless diving adventures await you and this course is where it all begins. Let's get started today.

It's easy for diving skills to get rusty and lose confidence if you haven't dived for a while. The SSI Scuba Skills Update will get you back in the water and diving quickly. This refresher course allows you to review and practice the diving skills you learned in your Open Water Diver program, under the guidance of an SSI Professional. This is a great course to take right before a diving vacation, so you can worry less about your skills and have more time to admire marine life. If you're an unrestrained Open Water Diver student, a Scuba Skills Update is ideal for practicing your diving skills before taking open water dives. With no set course length, you are able to take your time and focus on the skills you need help with.

Coral reefs are prized among divers and rightly so; floating over a healthy reef full of vibrant life is truly magical. These precious ecosystems are fascinating and the SSI Coral Identification Specialty program is the best way to learn more about coral reefs and get the most out of diving on a reef. In this program, you will learn the skills and concepts you need to identify corals and earn your SSI Coral Identification Specialty certification.

The ocean is filled with thousands of fascinating and beautiful fish of every shape and size. Learn how to identify fish and get more out of your dives with the SSI Fish Identification Specialty program. You'll learn everything you need to identify common families of fish in the Caribbean, Indo-Pacific and Red Sea and earn the SSI Coral Identification Specialty certification.

Sea turtles are some of the most beautiful animals you will ever dive with. You'll want to dive with them even more after completing the SSI Sea Turtle Ecology Specialty program. This program teaches you the skills and knowledge you need to recognize and identify common species of sea turtles, describe their history and role in marine ecosystems, and threats to their survival. Upon completion, you will earn the SSI Sea Turtle Ecology Specialty certification.

Join the SSI Manta and Ray Ecology specialty program and you will learn how to dive with rays and identify different species of rays. You will learn how rays contribute to healthy marine ecosystems and why these precious animals need our protection. Upon completion, you will earn your SSI Manta & Ray Ecology Specialty certification.

In the SSI Marine Ecology Specialty Program, you will learn how organisms in the ocean interact with each other and their environment. You will learn how energy flows through communities and the connections between different ocean ecosystems. With your new knowledge, you'll appreciate the marine life you dive with even more! Start online today and earn the SSI Marine Ecology Specialty certification.

In SSI's Shark Ecology program, you will learn how to interpret shark behavior, why they are often misunderstood and how to dive with sharks. This is a perfect course for shark fans and for divers who are nervous of sharks but want to overcome their fears. Upon completion of this program, you will earn your SSI Shark Ecology Specialty certification.

Welcome to the Nudibranch Ecology course, where you will explore the world of sea snails in seven detailed sessions. Begin with their classification and habitats, then learn about their locomotor, sensory and respiratory systems. Discover their complex reproductive strategies, relationships with other marine organisms, feeding habits and crucial role in ecosystems. Explore their defense mechanisms and interactions with humans and highlight their importance for research and conservation. This course deepens your understanding of these extraordinary creatures, perfect for marine biology enthusiasts, students or the curious. Join us and uncover the secrets of nudibranchs.

The SSI Snorkel Diver program is the first step to discovering your inner mermaid. It is the best way to learn to snorkel and develop enough confidence in the water so you can go snorkeling and explore the ocean's enchanting landscapes and marine life. You do not need to be an experienced swimmer to participate in the Snorkel Diver program and there is no minimum age to join. You just need to be comfortable in the water, be able to maintain your buoyancy and you are ready to begin the adventure of a lifetime! This program will introduce you to the equipment and skills you need to snorkel safely. Earn an SSI Snorkel Diver recognition certification today!

Become a Certified (Advanced) Wreck Diver Note! This course includes both the SSI Wreck Diver and Advanced Wreck Diver training. Wreck Diver: Many of the best dive sites in the ocean are wrecks. These impressive structures attract unusually high amounts of life and give you the chance to immerse yourself in history as you dive. Nothing beats wreck diving, and the SSI Wreck Diving Specialty teaches you all the skills and knowledge you need to become a safe and confident wreck diver. With a combination of theory and water sessions, you will be taught how to safely make non-penetration dives around wrecks and artificial reefs, down to depths of 30 meters. You will also practice your wreck diving skills during open water dives. All this ensures that you can confidently enjoy wreck diving and get the most out of every dive. Upon completion of this program, you will receive your SSI Wreck Diving Specialty certification. Continue your adventures and become a wreck diver. Get started online today Advanced Wreck Diver: Dive even deeper into the world of wrecks! We will spend time with the Advanced Wreck Diver working with a reel, for penetration (entering) the wreck. You'll learn to trim in an overhead environment (an environment where you can't go directly up) and we'll go deeper into the planning, preparation and execution of a penetration wreck dive. We will also go deeper into deep wreck diving, night wreck diving, wreck photography and videography or underwater archaeology. You will discover what you like most on a wreck and how to deepen your interest.

SSI designed the Computer Diving program to familiarize certified divers with the functions and benefits of using a dive computer. By understanding and knowing how to use all the features of a dive computer, you not only increase your dive safety, but also make planning and executing your dive easier. The SSI Computer Diving program explores the features and capabilities of different dive computers and explains how to use these features before, during and after your dive. Often divers buy a computer and only use it for basic information. Get the most out of your investment by learning to use your dive computer to its fullest potential, start your SSI Computer Diving specialty online today!