BleachWatch Distinctive Specialty Diver Program (Select Dates Only)

Looking to Support Florida's Coral Reefs?  

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Coral Reef Conservation Program invites local divers to help monitor coral health. To participate, divers must attend a free 2-hour training session covering how to identify coral bleaching and disease, as well as how to report findings online. After completing the class, divers have the option to participate in an open water training dive. 

To earn PADI credit through the SEAFAN BleachWatch Distinctive Specialty Diver Program, participants must complete the in-class training focused on coral reef conservation and data submission to the BleachWatch Early Warning Program, as well as the open water training.

 Step #1: In-Class Course Structure

The program includes both knowledge development and open water dives. Participants first complete the knowledge development portion, where they learn about coral reefs, coral bleaching, disease identification, and environmental stressors that impact coral health. They are also trained on how to accurately fill out a SEAFAN BleachWatch datasheet, report observations, and recognize various coral growth forms and conditions. This theoretical foundation is followed by two open water dives, where students apply their skills in real-world scenarios.

• 2-hour class offered for FREE, once a month, at Gold Coast Scuba
• Dates will be posted on our website's dive trips calendar tab & you must book ahead of time
• Private scheduling is available at additional cost

Step #2: Open Water Training (Optional, but required for PADI certification)

During the two dives, participants practice identifying various coral species, assess their health, and collect data on bleaching or disease. Divers must demonstrate strong buoyancy control to avoid damaging coral reefs and properly use the equipment needed for data collection. After completing the dives, participants must successfully submit a SEAFAN BleachWatch report based on their observations.

• Cost for scheduled dive dates: $185 (includes boat ticket, 2 tanks, 2 dives, data slates, & PADI PIC processing fee) 
• Rental gear or private guided tours are available at additional costs  

 Certification

To earn the SEAFAN BleachWatch Specialty certification, participants must complete the in-class course and meet all performance objectives, which include knowledge comprehension, accurate field data collection, and safe diving practices. Upon successful completion, divers are awarded the specialty certification, which also counts toward the PADI Master Scuba Diver rating, provided they meet additional PADI certification requirements.

Minimum age is 15, and participants must have a recent Diver Medical Form completed prior to the open water dives. Open Water dives limited to 4:1 Student to Instructor Ratio. All dives subject to weather or they can be rescheduled for the next available date with no additional fees. Participants are responsible for their own parking.