Sea Turtle Ecology

Swim with the Ocean’s Ancient Mariners

Description: Sea turtles are among the most beloved creatures in the ocean, surviving for over 100 million years. Yet, spotting one on a dive is often a fleeting moment. Do you know which species you just saw? Was it a Loggerhead or a Green Turtle? A Hawksbill or a Ridley?

The SSI Sea Turtle Ecology program provides an in-depth look into the lives of these resilient reptiles. You will uncover the secrets of their incredible migrations, their unique nesting behaviors, and the challenges they face from hatchling to adulthood. This course transforms a chance encounter into a meaningful observation, giving you the skills to identify species and understand their critical role in marine health.

Why Choose the SSI Sea Turtle Ecology Course?

• Enhance Your Encounters: Whether diving locally or traveling to the Caribbean, turtles are a highlight. Knowing their behaviors makes every sighting more rewarding.

• Flexible Certification: As an SSI Ecology program, this course is academic-focused. It can be completed as a "dry" specialty (classroom/digital only) or combined with dives to practice identification.

• Digital Convenience: The MySSI App allows you to complete your learning materials anywhere—perfect for studying before a big trip.

• Earn Recognition: This certification counts as one of the required specialties for SSI Advanced Open Water and helps you reach the prestigious SSI Master Diver rating.

What You Will Learn:

• Species Identification: How to use physical traits—like shell patterns (scutes) and head scales—to identify the seven species of sea turtles.

• Life Cycle: The journey from sandy nests to the open ocean, including the "lost years" and the instinctual return to nesting beaches.

• Diet & Behavior: Why some turtles eat jellyfish while others graze on seagrass, and how this affects the reef.

• Conservation: Understanding the threats of plastic pollution, fishing nets, and habitat loss, and how you can help protect them.

Course Prerequisites:

• Minimum Age: 10 Years Old

• Certification: None required for the academic portion (Open to snorkelers and non-divers!).