SSI Marine Ecology Course Online

Do I need a scuba certification to sign up?

No!  This course is open to everyone interested in the ocean. The Marine Ecology course is two parts, a digital learning portion from SSI in course format and a supplementary recording of marine biologist guest speaker, Emily Wilson. The video expands on the course material to cover the uniqueness of the Hawaiian archipelago. The online coursework is available as soon as you sign up.

What is in the Marine Ecology course?

In the SSI Marine Ecology course, you will study how organisms interact with each other and their environment, the flow of energy through communities, and the link between ocean ecosystems.

Our ocean’s hold over 96% of all Earth’s water, yet only 5% of our oceans have been explored! If you are intrigued by all of the known and diverse marine ecosystems, their unique characteristics, and the wide range of biodiversity living within them, then we recommend this course for you.

We offer a fully online Marine Ecology SSI specialty, including in-depth digital learning and accredited certification. Keep an eye out for our online ecology events which we post on our Facebook & Instagram pages. On our live Zoom events, we specifically explore the waters here in Hawaii. Although for your certification we do not require you to join our live sessions, we welcome you to come with budding ocean enthusiasm!

Dive into the Marine Ecology course to gain an overview of our dynamic ocean environments and discover what your role is in changing marine ecologies worldwide. Knowledge is power, you can learn how to be an ocean advocate.

How do I sign up for Marine Ecology Online?

Click on the image below ↓↓↓ and start setting up your free SSI online diver profile – if you don’t already have one.

With your account at the ready, please call our dive shop, email or sign up live on the online course calendar at the bottom of the page. We then issue you the digital learning to your personal SSI account. As a bonus, you will receive free access to SSI Blue Oceans, try freediving, snorkeling and scuba digital materials.

Participation in our online course plus your certification is $125 ($100 for Club Members). This includes our online Zoom presentation and live Q&A session with Emily. If you do not wish to take the full course but are keen to join our online class, you can sign up for just $10.

For your certification, you need to complete the knowledge reviews and final exam. We then issue you with your digital Marine Ecology Certification Card!

If you are not a diver, we want you! You are very welcome to indulge in the exploration and research of our marine ecologies through the online program. If you are a diver, you can email to ask about our dive charters to see Hawaii’s intertidal, subtidal and coral reef ecosystems.

Does the Marine Ecology Specialty count toward my FREE Master Diver Rating?

Why yes, yes it does!  A Master Diver is one that has 50 dives logged, 4 specialty courses (like this one) and the Stress and Rescue Course. The Marine Ecology Program counts as one of those specialties to earn your FREE Master Diver Rating. Once attaining the Master Diver rating, you will automatically be entered into a sweepstakes to win a dive travel trip for 2 on a liveaboard.  These drawings are held in January for everyone that made Master Diver the previous year.

When is the next ecology class?

We offer all 6 SSI ecology courses, fully online for you to complete at your own pace and place of comfort. For instance, we have Manta & Ray Ecology, Shark Ecology, Sea Turtle Ecology, Coral Identification, and Fish Identification courses available. As well as, a LIVE Zoom class every month.

Check out our online ecology class schedule! ↓↓↓