This one day course will take you to the unique Poor Knights Islands marine reserve to not only develop your personal conservation and preservation ethics but to also appreciate and study the enormous variety of fauna, fish species and encrusting life that the islands have to offer.
Have you ever wondered why there are so many of one kind of fish in one place but only one or two other species?
- What brings a fish to a certain area?
- Why are some fish poisonous and the others harmless?
These are the type of questions you'll find the answers to with the PADI Naturalist Specialty course. This one day course will take you to the unique Poor Knights Islands marine reserve to not only develop your personal conservation and preservation ethics but to also appreciate and study the enormous variety of fauna, fish species and encrusting life that the islands have to offer.
We aim to create awareness, evoke a sense of responsibility, expand your knowledge of the aquatic realm.
Pricing Information
$369 including full equipment hire
What does the course involve?
You will be reading, and completing theory work which includes a Knowledge Review, and then exploring the underwater world with a full day out at the Poor Knights Islands.
Divers will be asked to locate and identify two local aquatic plants, four local aquatic invertebrates, and five local vertebrates. You will be using techniques that minimise disturbance and observe symbiotic predator/prey relationships.
Snorkelers will be looking for the same issues but at a shallower depth.
What do I need to supply?
You do not need to be a diver to take this course! A diver can choose to complete the two dives as part of the Specialty Course, and a non-diver can complete the classroom theory and spend a day snorkelling and exploring the aquatic environment.
- We’ll get you to complete a medical questionnaire. It is very important that you have no history of asthma, epilepsy, diabetes, heart or lung conditions, or chronic sinus/ear conditions. If you have any of these we will need to see a doctor’s certificate stating that you are fit to dive.
Prescription medication, surgery in the last 12 months, as well as a positive COVID-19 test, are recent additions - please make sure you are good to go on all of these - we hate disappointing people in the morning, 'cos we really want to get you diving!
Don't forget to download the PADI App before you arrive.
What's included?
- All theory sessions
- 2 dives at Poor Knights
- Full equipment hire
- Electronic certification card
- PADI fees
When do you run the courses?
We run this course on demand, and as we are out at the Poor Knights every day, it is easy to fit you in!