With Earth Day taking place tomorrow, PADI has announced verified PADI Eco Centres around the globe – the first of their kind.

Last year, PADI’s long-term partner, The Reef-World Foundation, released their study Sustainability in a Recovering Travel World, which found 95% of divers are looking for sustainable operators when booking a trip, but often struggle to book with confidence.

In response to this, PADI, with the full support of The Reef-World Foundation, has established PADI Eco Centres, a prestigious credential awarded to those who exhibit continued commitment to conservation efforts that support both the goals and objectives of the PADI Blueprint for Ocean Action and the global agenda to protect the ocean.

The PADI Eco Centre credentials designate members who exemplify environmental stewardship in their operations, with the ultimate goal is to connect ocean lovers with sustainability leaders in the dive industry through a rigorous verification that gives travelers the confidence that their tourism dollars are going to make a positive impact.

Julie Andersen, PADI’s Global Director of Brand comments: “PADI is committed to protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030, which is fueled by creating like-minded partnerships, mobilising our PADI Mission Hub Members, re-envisioning the way people travel and encouraging daily changes we all can make for a better – and healthier – planet, with PADI Eco-Centres being the catalyst for real change in the tourism sector.”

The robust PADI Eco Centre verification process is performed in conjunction with PADI’s partner The Reef-World Foundation and their United Nations Green Fins Initiative. Three sets of criteria must be achieved by PADI Members to demonstrate an exemplary level of environmental best practices above and beneath the surface.

Requiring approximately a year’s elapsed time to officially become verified, the process integrates the core values of conservation and sustainability across the entire PADI network.

PADI Eco Centres are not just advocating for positive ocean change, but they are actively leading the way forward to create a better future for our shared blue planet.

Wherever you find them, PADI Eco Centres reliably ensure that the cost of their marine adventure goes hand in hand with the protection and restoration of natural resources and the well-being of local communities.

Below are the first 11 PADI Eco Centres that have been hand-selected by PADI to represent the true ethos of the programme.

1. Red Sea Diving Safaris | Egypt

With three villages along the southern Red Sea coastline in Marsa Alam, Red Sea Diving Safaris is one of Egypt’s leading environmental activists and pioneer of sustainable tourism development, offering scuba divers a chance to give back to local communities and coastlines.

2. Dive Ninja Expeditions | Mexico

Marine research and conservation has always been at the heart of Dive Ninja Expeditions, who are focused on bridging the gaps between tourism, science and conservation in Baja, Mexico.  From supporting the local community through a scholarship programme to conducting vital marine research, Dive Ninja Expeditions is creating opportunities for divers to connect, gain unique citizen science skillsets, and personally drive ocean change.

3. Fifth Point Diving Centre | UK

Believing that every adventure can protect the ocean, Fifth Point Diving Centre offers scuba divers the chance to book eco-adventure holidays as well as empowering the younger generations of scuba divers and professionals to take the leading role in creating positive ocean change.

4. Silent World | USA

Making every dive course or adventure memorable by integrating conservation efforts and minimizing crowds, Silent World in Key Largo makes saving the ocean and exploring beneath the surface stress free in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

5. Excel Scuba | Spain

Located in the Canary Islands, this PADI Eco Centre is committed to protecting the beautiful coastlines and offering internship programmes to the local community so they can not only change the course of their carreer opportunities, but also educate others about the importance of conservation.

6. Ceningan | Indonesia

Recognized globally as one of the most eco-friendly dive resorts, Ceningan Divers have already won numerous industry sustainability awards and are ranked amongst the top three Green Fins operators in the world and operate in the Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area.

7. Sea Voice Divers | Malaysia

Sea Voice Divers is a small but mighty PADI Eco Centre in Malaysia determined to represent the voices of the ocean by keeping their dive groups small, running numerous conservation programmes and encouraging all their customers and team members to obtain their AWARE Specialist certification.

8. Scuba Elite | Bonaire

Committed to supporting their community, Scuba Elite supports educating and empowering both local youths and visitors in how to protect the coastline and coral reefs that are critical to the eco-system through their PADI Reef Renewal Specialty Course.

9. Evolution | Philippines

Evolution is a small owner operated PADI Eco Centre located on Malapascua Island who are committed to not only taking guests beneath the surface to explore some of the best dive sites in the world, but equally ensuring that every dive is a Dive Against Debris dive.

10. Scubacao Diving Adventures | Curacao

Not only is Scubacao Diving Adventures a great place to learn to dive on holiday, but offer divers the chance to give back to our shared blue planet through offering the PADI Reef Renewsl Spcialty and providing volunteer opportunities to protect the local coral reefs.

11. Oceans Unlimited, Costa Rica

Located on the Pacific Coast side of Costa Rica, Oceans Unlimited is a PADI Eco Centre that works alongside local non-profit Marine Conservation Costa Rica to run a coral restoration programme in Quepos and provide both education and outreach opportunities to locals and visitors alike.

To further encourage everyone on the planet to join PADI in creating positive ocean change, the organisation has also launched the Save the Ocean Pledge this Earth Day.

Designed to unite ocean torchbearers who share a love for the blue and a desire to protect it for generations to come, the pledge is a commitment of five actions to take regardless of where in the world you are exploring.  

To sign the Save the Ocean pledge, visit padi.com/conservation/save-the-ocean-pledge