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★★★★★
“In a relaxed atmosphere, I was able to complete an additional SSI training quickly and without any problems. A great experience at a lovely location. Definitely recommended!”
The SSI Sea Turtle Ecology Specialty introduces you to different sea turtle species, their history and the important role they play in marine ecosystems.
You learn to recognize and identify common sea turtle species and explore the threats they face. This gives you a better understanding of these remarkable animals and the environments they depend on.
You can complete the theory online at your own pace. If you would also like to put your knowledge into practice underwater, you can choose the option that includes a guided open-water dive in Curaçao.
The program gives you a deeper understanding of the world of sea turtles. You learn not only how to recognize different species, but also why these animals are so important to healthy marine ecosystems.
The SSI Sea Turtle Ecology Specialty consists of 5 theory sections. According to SSI, no previous diving certification is required for the specialty itself.
To take the option that includes an open-water dive with us, you must hold a valid Open Water Diver certification or equivalent.
Curious what the SSI theory looks like? Preview the digital learning materials for free and discover some of the topics covered in the Sea Turtle Ecology Specialty.
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More than 1,200 reviews of our dive center
“In a relaxed atmosphere, I was able to complete an additional SSI training quickly and without any problems. A great experience at a lovely location. Definitely recommended!”
“A very good experience with this dive center. They are flexible, think along with you and are experienced, skilled instructors. We completed the Open Water course and a Skills Update here. Highly recommended!”
“Friendly, calm and very knowledgeable. They really take the time to teach you.”
These experiences relate to different SSI training programs at our dive center.
Complete the SSI Sea Turtle Ecology program online and deepen your knowledge of sea turtles, their characteristics, behavior, habitat and ecology without a practical dive.
You complete the theory online in advance. You can then finish the specialty without a dive or put your knowledge into practice during one guided open-water dive in Curaçao.
You complete the digital theory for the SSI Sea Turtle Ecology Specialty through the DiveSSI APP or directly through SSI.
No previous diving certification is required for the Sea Turtle Ecology Specialty itself, so you can complete the entire program without a dive.
You can complete the specialty entirely online without a practical dive. If you would like to apply your knowledge underwater, you can choose the VIP or Classic option, including one guided open-water dive.
If you choose the option with a dive, we discuss your certification, experience, equipment and how to observe sea turtles calmly and respectfully beforehand.
Before the dive, you complete the medical questionnaire in advance. If you answer one or more questions with yes, a physician’s clearance is required before you can take part in the dive.
We make the guided Sea Turtle Ecology dive at La Palapa. Here you can apply what you learned in the theory while observing marine life calmly and respectfully.
View La Palapa →The actual dive depth is adapted to your certification, experience, conditions and the dive site.
After successfully completing the required components, your digital SSI Sea Turtle Ecology recognition card is issued in MySSI.
If you choose the option with a dive, you will also have applied your knowledge directly during the guided dive at La Palapa.
Curaçao is a beautiful place to put your knowledge of sea turtles into practice. During a guided dive, you do more than simply look at what you encounter underwater: you learn to pay closer attention to behavior, habitat and the animals that share the underwater world with you.
The aim is never to touch sea turtles or disturb their natural behavior. By learning more about these animals, you can observe them more thoughtfully while diving and with greater respect for their habitat.
The Sea Turtle Ecology Specialty goes beyond learning how to recognize a sea turtle. You gain a deeper understanding of these remarkable animals and learn to look more closely at their habitat and Curaçao’s underwater world.
If you choose the option with a dive, you can apply this knowledge directly during a guided dive. We believe it is important to observe sea turtles calmly without disturbing their natural behavior.
As a family-run dive center, we work with small groups and personal guidance. This gives you time during the dive to observe calmly, ask questions and enjoy the underwater world.
Completed the SSI Sea Turtle Ecology Specialty? Explore our other SSI Ecology programs and learn even more about marine life and marine ecosystems.
Learn more about sharks, their behavior and their important role in marine ecosystems.
View Shark Ecology
Discover the world of manta rays and rays and learn more about their behavior, habitats and important role in the ocean.
View Manta & Ray Ecology
Learn to identify different corals and discover why healthy coral reefs are so important to marine life.
View Coral IdentificationYou learn to recognize and identify common sea turtle species and gain a better understanding of their history, their role in marine ecosystems and the threats to their survival.
The SSI Sea Turtle Ecology Specialty consists of 5 theory sections.
According to SSI, the Sea Turtle Ecology Specialty is available from age 6.
For an actual open-water dive, the usual age and certification requirements for diving also apply.
According to SSI, no previous diving certification is required for the SSI Sea Turtle Ecology Specialty itself.
If you choose our option including an open-water dive, you must hold a valid Open Water Diver certification or equivalent to take part in the dive.
Yes. You can complete the specialty entirely online without a practical dive.
After successful completion, you receive the digital SSI Sea Turtle Ecology recognition card.
Yes. With us, you can choose the option including one guided open-water dive in Curaçao.
During this dive, you can apply what you learned in the theory and observe sea turtles more consciously.
No diving medical questionnaire is required for the online-only option because no dive is involved.
If you choose the option with a dive, you complete the medical questionnaire in advance.
If you answer one or more questions with yes, a physician’s clearance is required before you can take part in the dive.
The maximum training depth for the SSI Sea Turtle Ecology program is 30 metres.
The actual depth of our dive is adapted to your certification, experience, conditions and the chosen dive site.
Yes. The option with a dive includes all required scuba equipment and guidance.
The SSI Sea Turtle Ecology learning materials are in English.
A good command of English is therefore important for completing the online theory.
The option Sea Turtle Ecology without a dive costs $115 per person / XCG 200 per person.
The option Sea Turtle Ecology with dive – Classic costs $172 per person / XCG 300 per person.
The option Sea Turtle Ecology with dive – VIP costs $200 per person / XCG 350 per person.
Yes. You can preview the SSI Sea Turtle Ecology learning materials for free before starting the specialty.
The most important thing is to observe sea turtles calmly without disturbing their natural behavior.
We do not touch the animals and keep a respectful distance. Learning more about sea turtles helps you observe them more consciously while diving and with greater respect for their habitat.
Discover the fascinating world of sea turtles with the SSI Sea Turtle Ecology Specialty and, if you wish, put your knowledge into practice during a guided dive in Curaçao.
Plan your Sea Turtle Ecology Specialty →