Conservation Courses in Mexico
Conservation is the beating heart of everything we do at Dive Ninjas. From our partnerships with organizations like Nakawe Project & Sea Shepherd to our citizen science expeditions & true ecotours, we work hard to protect and preserve the beautiful oceans that bring us so much joy. It is our passion and our conservation courses are designed to share this passion with you. We hope to inspire the next generation of ocean heroes so that many more divers can experience the wonders of the oceans for generations to come. Our conservation courses are all taught by Team Ninja instructors that are actively working in marine research & conservation projects here in Cabo San Lucas and Baja California Sur.
Below you’ll find our full range of Conservaration courses. They make a great addition to any of our expeditions or local diving & tours. We offer PADI and Project AWARE courses, as well as custom built workshops. Give us a shout if you’d like to speak with one of our instructors or have any questions, and we can start planning your next adventure in beautiful Baja together.
Project AWARE Specialist Course
An Introduction to Ocean Conservation
This dry course introduces you to marine conservation and the Project AWARE global movement for ocean protection. It gives you a quick crash course into the threats our oceans face while focusing on 10 topics to protect our ocean planet. Through interactive discussions, you’ll learn how you can make a difference for ocean protection at home and every time you dive or travel. Since it is a dry course, the Project AWARE Specialty Course is ideal for divers and non-divers alike. It is open to all ages so it’s a great way to get the mini ocean ninjas started on protecting the oceans. It also makes the perfect solution to those bad weather days or when you can’t dive before your flight home.
Duration: 1/2 day
Cost: $100 USD
Includes: Everything. Learning materials, ninja instructor, Project AWARE Our World, Our Water manual, certification fee, special Project AWARE PADI certification card, and a donation in your honor to help fund Project AWARE’s hard work protecting our oceans.
Prerequisites: None. Open to all ages. No prior experience with diving, snorkeling or freediving is required.
PADI Whale Defender Distinctive Specialty
An Introduction to Whale Conservation
Once feared by sailors as sea monsters they now captivate the hearts and minds of so many of us. They are remarkable creatures. From the largest animal to have ever lived on earth, to their hauntingly beautiful songs, incredible migrations, playful calfs, and some even going out of their way to protect other species from harm. Our mammalian ocean cousins need our help. The PADI Whale Defender course distinctive specialty course was written by Dive Ninja’s very own Jay Clue and explores the complex intertwined history of humans & whales, as well as why whales are important for healthy oceans, threats they face, and how you can help protect these incredible ocean giants. You’ll learn about whale biology & evolution as well as citizen science projects you can get involved in right now and so much more. Join Team Ninja and become a Whale Defender today.
Duration: 1/2 day
Cost: $130 USD
Includes: Everything. Learning materials, ninja instructor, Project AWARE Our World, Our Water manual, certification fee, special Project AWARE PADI certification card, and a donation in your honor to help fund Project AWARE’s hard work protecting our oceans.
Prerequisites: None. Open to all ages. No prior experience with diving, snorkeling or freediving is required.
Coral Reef Conservation Course
Coral reefs are among the most biologically diverse and productive ecosystems on earth. The Project AWARE Coral Reef Conservation Specialty course helps you appreciate the complexity of coral reef habitats and teaches how you can help conserve these vital systems. You’ll learn how coral reefs function and why they are so important and most importantly, how you can help save them. As a “fins off” course (meaning no dives required), you only need to have an interest in the aquatic environment or a desire to take action for a clean and healthy ocean to enroll. There are no prerequisites or age restrictions and no water sessions are required to earn this non-diving certification.
Duration: 1/2 day
Cost: $130 USD
Includes: Everything. Learning materials, ninja instructor, AWARE Our World, Our Water manual, certification fee, special Project AWARE PADI certification card, and a donation in your honor to help fund Project AWARE’s hard work protecting our oceans.
Prerequisites: None. Open to all ages. No prior experience with diving, snorkeling or freediving is required.
AWARE Shark Conservation Course
Love sharks? Scared of sharks? Or do you just want to know more about them? Sharks are an essential part of a healthy ocean. The Project AWARE Shark Conservation course explores why they are vulnerable, the importance of a healthy shark population, managing threats and how to take action to protect them. You’ll discover the value of sharks to marine ecosystems and economies. You’ll learn more about the causes of declining shark populations and the actions you can take to become a knowledgeable and passionate shark defender. By being informed, you can dispel misconceptions and act to protect sharks. Sharks need you!
Duration: 1-2 days
Cost: $290 USD
Includes: Everything. 2 ocean dives, ninja instructor, Shark Conservation study guide, certification fee, special Project AWARE PADI certification card, and a donation in your honor to help fund Project AWARE’s hard work protecting our oceans.
Prerequisites: PADI (junior) Open Water Diver or equivalent and at least 12 years old.
Dive Against Debris Specialty
Do you want to make a difference on every dive but are not sure where to begin? Pay the ocean forward by helping clean it up on your next dive. You’ll learn about the problems of marine debris, conducting Dive Against Debris surveys, and how divers are a part of the solution to keeping our oceans clean. Gain the knowledge and skills to activate your inner citizen scientist by taking the Dive Against Debris Specialty and help keep you your local dive sites healthier by removing trash.
Duration: 1-2 days
Cost: $290 USD
Includes: Everything. 2 ocean clean-up dives, ninja instructor, Dive Against Debris Survey Guide, certification fee, special Project AWARE PADI certification card, and a donation in your honor to help fund Project AWARE’s hard work protecting our oceans.
Prerequisites: PADI (junior) Open Water Diver or equivalent and at least 12 years old.
Whale Shark Conservation Course
One of the most incredible experiences you can have as a diver is to encounter the largest fish on earth – the Whale Shark. This Whale Shark Awareness Distinctive Specialty course introduces you to Whale Shark biology and behavior and their distribution around the globe. You will also learn about Whale Shark monitoring programs, research and conservation efforts as well as the correct diving and photographing techniques to adopt for diving and snorkeling with a Whale Shark. The course starts in the classroom and then the next day we head out with our shark biologist friends to visit the whale sharks of La Paz or go search for them at Gordo Banks or one of our other whale shark hotspots.
Duration: 2 days
Cost: $370 USD including Whale Shark day trip, or $130 USD for theory only
Includes: Ninja instructor, learning materials, certification fee, and a donation in your honor to help fund Project AWARE’s hard work protecting our oceans. Please note this price only includes the theory portion of the course. If you would like to receive the PADI card we will add in a whale shark snorkeling trip for an additional cost.
Prerequisites: Open to both snorkelers & certified divers that are at least 10 years old.
Sea Turtle Conservation Specialty Course
Sea turtles are one of our oceans most remarkable creatures and Baja is home to a massive nesting grounds for multiple turtle species. The PADI Project AWARE Sea Turtle Awareness Distinctive Specialty course introduces divers to basic sea turtle identification and conservation. You’ll learn about the different sea turtle species, how they evolved, and how to identify them. You’ll also learn about the threats they face and how important they are to marine biodiversity, and most importantly what you can do to help protect these incredible creatures. In nesting season you can also add-on a tour to our nearby turtle nesting camp to learn more from the turtle conservationists and help release the newborn babies into the sea!
Duration: 1-2 days
Cost: $290
Includes: Everything. 2 ocean dives, ninja instructor, learning materials, certification fee, special Project AWARE PADI certification card, and a donation in your honor to help fund Project AWARE’s hard work protecting our oceans.
Prerequisites: Open to both snorkelers & certified divers that are at least 10 years old.
Underwater Naturalist Specialty Course
Get a better understanding about the local ecosystem and the differences between terrestrial and aquatic worlds. Take the PADI Underwater Naturalist Specialty course and you’ll see new things, even on the most familiar scuba diving sites. Why? Because when you 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 ecosystems, how you can help protect their incredible inhabitants, and take a closer look on your next scuba diving adventure.
Duration: 1-2 days
Cost: $290
Includes: Everything. 2 ocean dives, ninja instructor, learning materials, certification fee, special Project AWARE PADI certification card, and a donation in your honor to help fund Project AWARE’s hard work protecting our oceans.
Prerequisites: PADI (Junior) Open Water Diver or equivalent and at least 10 years old.
Fish Identification Course
“What was that fish?” is a common question heard after any dive. If you want to be the scuba diver with the answers, instead of the one asking the questions, then the Fish Identification Specialty course is for you. This course teaches you how to identify characteristics of local fish families and species, surveying techniques & strategies, as well as how you can help protect aquatic life. You’ll enjoy your dives even more when you recognize the creatures that you see and can identify the main fish families and their characteristics.
Duration: 1-2 days
Cost: $290
Includes: Everything. 2 ocean dives, ninja instructor, learning materials, certification fee, special Project AWARE PADI certification card, and a donation in your honor to help fund Project AWARE’s hard work protecting our oceans.
Prerequisites: PADI (Junior) Open Water Diver or equivalent and at least 10 years old.
Ninja Conservation Master Diver Package
Is conservation your passion too? Want to make the most out of your trip and learn as much as you can about how you can help our oceans and all the beautiful creatures that call them home? Then the Ninja Conservation Master Diver package is for you! This package consists of conservation courses of your choice and counts towards achieving your Master Scuba Diver rating. You can choose 5 of any of the above courses, plus you get a one on one session with one of the awesome marine scientists Team Ninja is working with on research & conservation projects in Baja! You’ll also have the chance to assist us on some of our ongoing research and conservation projects too! Sound good? Contact us for more info!
Duration: 3-7 days
Cost: Varies
Includes: Everything. ocean dives, ninja instructor, learning materials, certification fees, special Project AWARE PADI certification cards, Master Scuba Diver application & fees, and a donation in your honor to help fund Project AWARE’s hard work protecting our oceans.
Prerequisites: PADI (Junior) Open Water Diver or equivalent and at least 10 years old.