AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Koh Tao

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Learn to become a Koh Tao Shark Conservation Diver

Learn to become a marine protector and help save sharks. As apex predators, sharks are essential to marine ecosystems, maintaining a balance of populations of the species below them in the food chain.

Sharks have a huge role to play in keeping the oceans healthy by removing sick, diseased or weak animals.

AWARE Shark Conservation Distinctive Specialty Course Koh Tao
AWARE Shark Conservation Distinctive Specialty Course Koh Tao

Global Decline of Shark Species

Unfortunately, sharks are in global decline. Shark populations around the world are threatened by overfishing and numbers have fallen by as much as 80% in many areas.

Shark species in Europe are in real danger with over 30% of species threatened with extinction.

We hope that what we teach you during the AWARE Shark Conservation Diver course will contribute towards shark conservation by making you more aware of the serious issues facing sharks.

We hope we can inspire you to speak up and act, educate others and join the movement to protect sharks.

Learn how to help and make a difference.

AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course

Included in the AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Specialty Course

  • AWARE Shark Conservation Study Guide
  • Project AWARE – Ten Ways a Dive Can Protect the Underwater Environment
  • 2 Open Water training dives
  • PADI Certification card
  • Rental of all scuba equipment
  • FREE use of Dive Computer
  • Log book
  • Maximum 4 students per PADI Instructor
  • Black Turtle Dive customer (and environmental) promise

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To enrol on our AWARE Shark Conservation Diver distinctive specialty course you must:

  • Be an Open Water diver
  • Have recent diving experience – we recommend completing a scuba review if you have not dived within the last 12 months
  • 12 years of age or older
  • Medically fit to dive
Marine Resource Management Koh Tao Thailand
Marine Resource Management Koh Tao Thailand

1 Day AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Specialty Course

The course consists of two sections:

Knowledge Development

  • Attend the ‘Shark Conservation’ presentation
  • Understand the Guide to impacts of Sharks
  • Complete the AWARE Shark Conservation Diver knowledge review

Open Water training – 2 Open Water dives

AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Course Cost: 6,000 baht

At Black Turtle Dive we take our customer promise very seriously. All courses are conducted with a maximum of 4 students per PADI Diving Instructor.

Our Diving Instructors are highly trained and will ensure you receive lots of attention and most importantly, progress at your own pace in a relaxed environment.

During your training we will slowly build your confidence and ability as you develop the skills necessary to become a competent marine protector and Shark conservation diver.

AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Specialty Course Schedule

The AWARE Shark Conservation Diver course schedule at Black Turtle Dive is flexible and we can work around your own personal needs and timeframe.

Please ask us about any special requests you have either via email or on one of the messenger apps on this page. 

Course Schedule:

Day 1:

09.00 – 11.30: Orientation & Knowledge Development
12.30 – 17.00: AWARE Shark Conservation Diver training dives 1 & 2

You are now a certified AWARE Shark Conservation Diver.

AWARE Shark Conservation specialty course Koh Tao
AWARE Shark Conservation specialty course Koh Tao

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AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Course Information

Orientation & Knowledge Development

We start the AWARE Shark Conservation Diver distinctive course at 09.00 with an Orientation that includes completion of some paperwork and the PADI Medical statement.

The AWARE Shark Conservation Diver distinctive course consists of 2 training dives.

There is also a AWARE Shark Conservation Study Guide for you to read, a guide to impacts on sharks you must familiarize yourself with, as well as Project AWARE’s Ten Ways a Dive Can Protect the Underwater Environment.

There is an open book knowledge review with 12 questions that your instructor will guide you through and review.

The Dive Instructor led knowledge development is conducted during the morning of day 1. Some of the subjects you will cover include:

  • The unique physical attributes of sharks
  • Traits that make sharks vulnerable to overfishing
  • Reasons why sharks are important to marine ecosystems
  • The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List Review of 1044 Shark, Ray and Chimaera Species
  • Key management strategies that can protect sharks
  • Responsible environmental guidelines for diving with sharks
Koh Tao AWARE Shark Conservation Specialty Dives
Koh Tao AWARE Shark Conservation Specialty Dives

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AWARE Shark Conservation Dives – Marine Protectors

There are 2 Open Water training dives to complete to become a Shark Conservation Diver.

AWARE Shark Conservation training dive 1

During the first Shark Conservation training dive you will Identify potential surface hazards to sharks in the dive location as well as potential underwater hazards to sharks.

Throughout the dive you will be expected to demonstrate appropriate and responsible diving practices and behaviours to minimise negative environmental effects.

AWARE Shark Conservation training dive 2

We will dive one of Koh Tao’s dive sites where there is a higher probability of seeing one of the species of shark that visit Koh Tao.

Your instructor will ask you to Identify surface features that may reduce impacts on sharks at the dive site and Identify underwater features that may reduce impacts on sharks.

During both dives, if we are fortunate enough to see sharks we will observe natural shark behavior and identify shark attributes.

Observations include: natural shark behavior, identification of shark species, identify non-natural injuries to sharks and demonstrate an ability to follow responsible environmental guidelines for diving with sharks.

Congratulations. You are now a certified Shark Conservation Diver.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the AWARE Shark Conservation Specialty course on Koh Tao?

The AWARE Shark Conservation Specialty course takes 1 day to complete on Koh Tao.

You will meet your instructor to go through the theory portion of the course.

Afterwards, you will go out on the dive boat to put what you have learned into practice on your dives. You will typically visit 2 different dive locations around the island.

We are very flexible and can always adjust the course schedule to your travel plans.

What is the price of the AWARE Shark Conservation Specialty course on Koh Tao?

The cost of the AWARE Shark Conservation Specialty is THB 5,000. Included in this price are all course materials, dive equipment rental (including dive computer), instructor fees, boat trip and insurance.

Food and accommodation are not included. However, you can contact us to find out about accommodation options. We have rooms available at discounted rates when taking a diving course with us.

Ex-students will enjoy a 10% discount on the course price.

How many dives is the AWARE Shark Conservation Specialty course Koh Tao?

The AWARE Shark Conservation Specialty consists of 2 Open Water training dives.

On dive one you will identify potential hazards to sharks at the dive site, both at the surface and under water.

On the second dive, you will identify features that may reduce impacts on sharks. All this will be done using appropriate and responsible diving practices that minimize negative impact to the local environment.

Who can sign up for AWARE Shark Conservation Specialty course Koh Tao?

To enroll in the AWARE Shark Conservation Specialty, divers need to be a certified (Junior) Open Water Diver and minimum 12 years old.

When completing the course, you will gain the AWARE Shark Conservation Specialty Diver certification.

This certification counts towards the PADI Master Scuba Diver rating, the highest certification and black belt in recreational scuba diving.

Will I see sharks if I take the AWARE Shark Conservation Specialty course?

We cannot guarantee you will see sharks during the course and it is not a requirement for certification.

Obviously for your dives we will visit sites that offer a higher possibility of seeing sharks, but it is not guaranteed.

There are sharks in the waters around Koh Tao, but these are very shy and harmless to divers or swimmers.

The AWARE Shark Conservation Specialty focuses more on identifying potential hazards to sharks and for features that may reduce impacts on sharks at a local dive site.