Dive Against Debris Specialty Course
Learn to remove, record, and report marine debris in Taganga while making every dive contribute to global ocean conservation through Project AWARE actions!
Price range: $ 630.000 through $ 720.000
Indicated price only applies to cash payments.
Important
Indicated price is our promotion price which only applies when paying in cash. For card payments, original price applies. To be eligible for the cash discount:
- Reserve your spot with a deposit online
- Upon arriving, pay with cash at the counter
VAT: Colombian residents +19% (not included in price). Foreign tourists are exempt. Cash discount available.
PADI 5 ★ IDC Resort
Professional teaching for all levels
6 languages
English, Spanish, German, Dutch, Italian & French
Small Groups
Personalised teaching with individual focus
Secure credit card payments with Bancolombia's Wompi
Overview
Make your dive count.
The PADI AWARE Dive Against Debris Specialty Course in Taganga combines scuba diving with real citizen science and direct action for the ocean.
You’ll learn how to safely remove marine debris, determine what should — and shouldn’t — be removed, conduct a standardized underwater debris survey and record your findings.
After the dive, the debris is sorted, categorized and documented so the information can contribute to broader understanding of marine pollution.
This is more than a clean-up dive — it’s a way to turn your diving skills into meaningful ocean action.
Course Itinerary
Conservation Workshop
Learn about:
- The global marine debris problem
- How debris affects marine ecosystems
- Responsible debris removal
- When objects should remain underwater
- How Dive Against Debris surveys work
- Safe collection techniques
- Citizen science and data reporting
Dive Against Debris Survey Dive
Conduct a real underwater survey while practicing:
- Good buoyancy while collecting debris
- Safe removal techniques
- Buddy cooperation
- Responsible interaction with the reef
- Survey-area awareness
After the Dive
Work with your instructor to:
- Sort collected debris
- Categorize items
- Count and weigh the collection
- Record the survey information
- Prepare the data for reporting
Requirements
- PADI (Junior) Open Water Diver or qualifying equivalent
- Minimum age: 10 years
- Medically fit for diving
Good buoyancy control is highly recommended.
What’s Included
- PADI AWARE Dive Against Debris learning materials
- Conservation and survey workshop
- 1 Dive Against Debris survey dive
- Marine debris collection equipment
- Sorting and data-recording materials
- PADI Dive Against Debris certification
- Certified PADI Instructor
- Small-group, personalized instruction
- Personalized feedback throughout your training
- High-quality full scuba equipment throughout the course
- Boat transportation
- Drinking water and fresh seasonal fruit
Add-Ons & Extras
Underwater Photographer – 110,000 COP/person: Document your conservation experience with professionally edited high-resolution photos and videos delivered via Google Drive. Group discounts available.
Underwater Camera Rental – 65,000 COP/day: Available when appropriate, although safe debris collection and good buoyancy remain the priority. All raw files delivered via Google Drive.
Daily Scuba Diving Insurance – 15,000 COP/day: Available if you don’t have active specialized diving insurance. Coverage is subject to policy terms.
15L / 100 cu ft Large Tank Upgrade – 10,000 COP/tank: Additional gas capacity for higher-air-consumption divers. Subject to availability.
Dive & Stay: Stay at our ocean-themed hostel directly beside the dive center and combine conservation with more diving in Taganga. Check out our current Dive & Stay packages here.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Regular Environmental Park Closures – #RespiraTayrona
Ocean conservation doesn’t stop when Tayrona National Park closes.
During the annual closure periods, Dive Against Debris activities can be conducted at appropriate sites around Taganga, Santa Marta and outside the official national park boundaries.
Why Book With Ocean Lovers Taganga?
At Ocean Lovers, conservation isn’t simply a topic in a course manual. We regularly participate in beach and underwater clean-ups and other local ocean-protection activities.
Your course combines education, diving, physical debris removal and citizen science.
Not everything underwater should be removed. You’ll learn to recognize when debris has become habitat and how to make responsible decisions.
Personal instruction allows your instructor to focus on safe collection techniques and buoyancy while minimizing additional impact on the reef.
Learn conservation skills while training with a professional PADI team that integrates environmental responsibility across its diving programs.
Combine Dive Against Debris with Fish Identification, Coral Reef Conservation and Peak Performance Buoyancy for a broader conservation-focused diving experience.
Dive With Purpose
Remove debris, collect useful information and learn how your future dives can contribute to ocean protection.
Book your PADI Dive Against Debris Specialty in Taganga.
| Package Options | Course + Dives + Stay, Course + Dives |
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