Course at a Glance

Minimum Age: 10 years old
Prerequisite: PADI Junior Open Water Diver / Open Water Diver or equivalent
Course Dives: 2 open water dives
Best For: Divers interested in sharks, rays, marine conservation, and citizen science
Availability: Contact Sugar Land Dive Center for scheduling

Course Overview

Sharks and rays are some of the most misunderstood animals in the ocean. The PADI AWARE Shark and Ray Diver Specialty Course is designed to change that. You will learn how to identify common shark and ray species, understand their behavior and biology, and interact with them responsibly underwater.

This course is part of PADI's Project AWARE program, which connects divers with marine conservation efforts around the world. When you complete your training dives, you will contribute real sighting data to Project AWARE's global database — making you part of an active citizen science network working to protect these animals.

At Sugar Land Dive Center, the PADI AWARE Shark and Ray Diver course is a great choice for divers who want to deepen their understanding of marine ecosystems, prepare for travel to destinations where shark and ray encounters are common, or simply learn more about the animals that make the ocean worth protecting.

What You Will Learn

In the PADI AWARE Shark and Ray Diver course, you will learn how to:

• Identify common shark and ray species found in recreational diving destinations
• Understand shark and ray biology, behavior, and ecology
• Recognize the threats sharks and rays face globally
• Interact with sharks and rays safely and responsibly
• Use citizen science techniques to record and report sightings
• Contribute your dive data to Project AWARE's global shark and ray database
• Understand how divers can support shark and ray conservation

Course Prerequisites

To enroll in the PADI AWARE Shark and Ray Diver course, you must be at least 10 years old and hold a PADI Junior Open Water Diver certification or equivalent. No prior experience with sharks or rays is required.

Who This Course Is For

This course is ideal for any certified diver who is curious about sharks and rays, interested in marine conservation, or planning trips to destinations where encounters with these animals are likely — including the Caribbean, the Maldives, the Galapagos, the Red Sea, or anywhere along the Gulf Coast.

It is also a strong choice for divers who want to make their time underwater count beyond the dive itself. Citizen science participation gives your dives real-world impact, contributing to research that informs conservation policy and protection efforts worldwide.

The PADI AWARE Shark and Ray Diver Specialty counts toward the PADI Master Scuba Diver rating, which requires five specialty certifications, a Rescue Diver certification, and at least 50 logged dives.