Marine Life & Conservation
Introducing the first 11 PADI Eco Centres

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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
Marine Life & Conservation
Watch The Real Watergate from Live Ocean Foundation (Trailer)

Sailors Peter Burling and Blair Tuke established Live Ocean Foundation out of their deep concern for health of the ocean and the life in it. Through their sport they champion action for the ocean, taking this message to the world.
Many of the issues the ocean faces are out of sight, but the science is clear, the ocean is in crises from multiple stressors; climate change, pollution and over-fishing. We’re not moving fast enough, not even close.
Live Ocean Foundation supports exceptional marine scientists, innovators and communicators who play a vital role in the fight for a healthy future.
Thanks to generous core donors who cover their operating costs, 100% of public donations go directly towards the marine conservation projects they support.
Find out more at https://liveocean.com/foundation/
WATCH THE REAL WATERGATE AT https://www.realwatergate.com/
Marine Life & Conservation
World Oceans Day: Fourth Element and Love The Oceans join forces

FOURTH ELEMENT AND LOVE THE OCEANS JOIN FORCES TO CELEBRATE WORLD OCEANS DAY AND ADVANCE MARINE CONSERVATION WITH A NEW PARTNERSHIP
Fourth Element, a leading provider of high-quality dive gear, and Love The Oceans, a non-profit organization dedicated to marine conservation, have announced their new partnership on World Oceans Day, June 8th, 2023. This collaboration represents a shared commitment to protecting our oceans and promoting sustainable practices within the diving community.
Love The Oceans is widely recognized for their exceptional work in marine conservation and their dedication to community development in Mozambique. The organization’s approach involves not only protecting marine wildlife and habitats but also empowering local communities to become guardians of their own environment.
They place a strong emphasis on empowering women in the field of marine conservation. The team actively supports and encourages women to participate in their research programs, providing opportunities for training, leadership development, and career advancement, inspiring a new generation of female scientists and conservationists.
Love The Oceans seek out passionate individuals within local communities and provide them with training and resources. Fourth Element will then support these champions to become divers and ambassadors of the ocean, spreading awareness, implementing sustainable practices, and inspiring others to join the movement.

Photo: Mario Guilamba
“We are thrilled to embark on this partnership with Love The Oceans,” said Jim Standing, co-founder of Fourth Element. “Our shared commitment to sustainable practices and marine conservation makes this collaboration a natural fit. We believe that by joining forces, we can amplify our efforts to protect our oceans and inspire positive change within the diving community.”
Francesca Trotman, Founder and CEO of Love The Oceans, expressed her excitement about the collaboration, stating, “We’re thrilled to be working with Fourth Element, a brand that aligns with our values and ethos. This partnership will enable us to get more local community members scuba diving in Mozambique, monitoring our reef systems, and striving for better protection of our marine world. Working together, we’re conserving Mozambique’s coastline for generations to come.”
For more, visit www.fourthelement.com
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