Get a better understanding about the local ecosystem and the differences between terrestrial and aquatic worlds. See new things, even in the most familiar dive sites.
Program Structure
The Underwater Naturalist course is a one evening and one full day in the ocean program. Meet you dive buddies and instructor on the first day. The ocean session is done over one day, with two dives in total.
Evening Discussion
- Intro to the aquatic realm
- Mythology of marine plants and animals
- Survey of aquatic life
- Responsible human interaction
- Get you ready for the two dives
Dive #1
- Passively observe aquatic life
- Use neutral buoyancy to preserve bottom dwelling critters
- Locate and identify local marine plants
- Locate and identify at least four local invertebrate animals (snails, starfish, crayfish, octopus, anemones etc)
- Locate and identify at least five local vertebrate animals (fish and critters with bones)
Dive #2
- Passively observe aquatic life
- Use neutral buoyancy to preserve bottom dwelling critters
- Identify and observe as many symbiotic; predator/prey relationships as possible.
- Locate as many indications of impact by man on the local environment as possible, and evaluate the cause
Requirements
- Student need to be at least 10 years old
- Hold Open Water Diver (or Junior Open Water Certification) or equivalent
What’s Included
- Underwater Naturalist Manual
- Instructor tuition and administrative fees
- Underwater Naturalist International Certification Card upon completion of the program