Coral Identification

Don't Just Dive Over the Reef—Understand It.

To the untrained eye, a reef is just a colorful background. To an SSI Coral Identification Specialist, it is a bustling city of distinct species, complex behaviors, and vital relationships.

This course is your gateway to becoming an underwater naturalist. You will move beyond simply pointing at "pretty coral" to identifying specific families, understanding their biological functions, and recognizing the signs of a healthy—or threatened—ecosystem.

Why Choose the SSI Coral Identification Course?

• Digital Learning First: Start immediately with the MySSI App. Our digital materials are environmentally friendly and accessible anywhere—perfect for studying on your flight to your next dive destination.

• Flexible Certification: As an SSI Ecology Specialty, this course focuses heavily on knowledge and observation. It can be completed as a "dry" course (classroom only) or combined with open water dives to put your new skills into practice.

• Earn Your Ratings: This specialty counts as one of the four required certifications to reach SSI Advanced Open Water or the prestigious SSI Master Diver rating.

What You Will Learn:

• Coral Biology: The fascinating anatomy of coral polyps and colonies.

• Identification Skills: How to distinguish between Hard Corals (like Brain, Star, and Elkhorn) and Soft Corals (like Sea Fans and Gorgonians).

• Reef Ecology: The symbiotic relationships between coral and marine life—learn who lives where and why.

• Conservation: Understanding coral bleaching, disease, and how divers can protect these fragile structures.

Course Prerequisites:

• Minimum Age: 10 Years Old

• Certification: None required for the academic portion (perfect for snorkelers and non-divers!). Open Water Diver certification is required if optional training dives are included.