Aquarium Ecology Diver Specialties Course

Are you ready for some serious diving fun? If so, our AQUARIUM ECOLOGY SPECIALTIES COURSE is for you!

Scuba diving opens the door to exploring the magic of the underwater world. Our Denver Downtown Aquarium Ecology Specialty Diver Course has been recognized as “one of the most unique courses of its kind in the country.” It will provide an up-close and personal experience and enhance your knowledge of the cool critters you often encounter while diving.

You’ll apply the information you learn while reading the Shark Ecology, Sea Turtle Ecology, Fish Identification, and Manta & Ray Ecology digital specialty manuals, gain a better sense of how to identify a large variety of animals, observe their characteristics, and behaviors, and identify their many shapes, sizes, and colors. You’ll leave with a greater appreciation of the fragility of the underwater world and more knowledge of sharks, turtles, fish, eels, rays, and coral than you thought possible.

The opportunity to apply the information you learned in two amazing diving environments at the Denver Downtown Aquarium, will make for an extraordinary diving experience.

Please note:  Once the scheduled weekend day fills we may add a group option for the other day of that same weekend.   

What You’ll Learn

Click here to see associated tasks during the dives

FISH IDENTIFICATION AND MARINE ECOLOGY

  • Observe and identify different species of fish
  • Record sightings, abundance, sizes, and shapes of fish
  • Describe behaviors and characteristics of a variety of fish

MANTA & RAY ECOLOGY

  • Identify different species of Rays
    • Southern
    • Cownose
    • Reticulate
    • Guitarfish (yes, it’s a ray)
  • Note the body shape differences, gill slits, spiracles, eye location
  • Note the tail shape differences
  • How do they swim?

SEA TURTLE ECOLOGY

  • Note turtle species
  • Record identifying characteristics
  • Note the behavior exhibited by the turtles

SHARK ECOLOGY

  • Identify several shark species
  • Record identifying characteristics of each species
  • Record the largest and smallest body sizes
  • Note unique behaviors

Aquarium Ecology Diver Specialty Course

Prerequisites and Documents

Click here to see course prerequisites

  • Be a certified Open Water Diver or Junior Open Water Diver from a recognized certification agency.
    Please note: you’ll be asked to show proof of certification when you arrive for the course at the aquarium 
  • Create a personal MySSI account with an uploaded digital photo

Click here for required course documents

  • IMPORTANT  – When completing the Diver Medical/Participant Questionnaire If there is a YES response to questions 3, 5, or 10 on page 1 of the Diver Medical form or to ANY of the questions on page 2, the participant will need to sign and date the Participant’s Signature on page 1 AND take all three pages of the Participant Questionnaire to their physician for a medical evaluation.  Their physician must approve, date, and sign page three, the Medical Examiner’s Evaluation Form, and include their medical credential MD or DO with their signature.  We are not permitted to accept the signature of a PA or Nurse Practitioner. Unfortunately, you’ll not be able to begin the water session until all of the documents have been completed, collected, and reviewed for accuracy.      

Course Fee – $495

Click here for course inclusions and exclusions

Includes

  • SSI Diving Professional
  • Shark Cage Experience
  • (1) Scuba Dive
  • Four SSI Ecology Specialties (Fish ID, Sea Turtle, Shark, Ray/Manta-Ray, and Marine Ecology) 
  • Use of:  Tank, BCD, Regulator, Gauges, Exposure Suit, Gloves, and Beanie
  • (1) day aquarium pass (that day)

Not Included

  • Required Dive slate (for recording important information while underwater)
  • Mask, Fins & Booties
  • Parking (there is a separate fee for this)
  • Swimsuit, towel, and personal hygiene items
    VERY IMPORTANT
  • Sorry, no bare feet allowed.  Please bring shoes (Keens, flip-flops, water shoes, etc) to wear on the wet deck
  • Cannot use an underwater camera (still or video) during the training dives

SSI Advanced Diver

Once you complete the Aquarium Ecology Course and digitally log 24 dives, you will automatically be sent the SSI Advanced Diver (Level 3) digital recognition card………….for FREE!

Eco Diver Specialty Program
$495
Our Aquarium Ecology Specialty Diver Course provides a unique underwater diving experience that will help you enjoy the diving experience and enhance your knowledge of the cool critters you often encounter while diving.
REGISTER/VIEW DATES

If you have any questions please call us at (303) 789-2450

CANCELLATION AND TRANSFER POLICY
Payment in full was required to reserve your space in the class.

  • Once the e-Kits are issued there is no refund for the digital materials.
  • Should you cancel or transfer, FOR ANY REASON, less than 48 hours before the starting date of the course, all fees will be forfeited.
  • Should you transfer less than seven days, but more than 48 hours before the starting date of the class, there will be a 50% transfer/cancellation fee.