Sea Turtle Ecology & Conservation Course
3 Day | SSI Turtle Ecology Specialty
Get to know sea turtles.
Explore the science, data and decisions behind their conservation.
From Curiosity to Understanding
You don’t need to be a diver or a scientist to understand sea turtles, take part in citizen science or learn how conservation works in practice.
This three-day course takes you from the biology and behaviour of sea turtles into the science used to study and monitor them. Through Andaman Turtle Watch, you’ll work with real sightings, photo-ID images, local case studies and long-term data from across Thailand’s Andaman Coast.
You’ll also explore what happens beyond the sighting – how individual turtles are identified, how observations become data, what those records can tell us over time, and how evidence can help inform conservation decisions.
Curious about sea turtles and conservation?
You don’t need any previous diving, scientific or conservation experience. Join as a standalone course or add it to an existing dive, liveaboard or snorkelling booking – and take a closer look at the science behind the turtles you might encounter.
What you'll learn
Across three days, you’ll build a practical understanding of sea turtle ecology, conservation and citizen science – working with real examples and data from Andaman Turtle Watch along the way.
Sea turtle ecology & behaviour
Explore sea turtle biology, life cycles, habitats and behaviour, and understand the ecological roles turtles play within marine ecosystems.
Species identification
Learn to identify the sea turtle species found in the Andaman Sea using key physical characteristics, and understand the differences in their ecology and behaviour.
Photo-identification
Learn how individual turtles can be identified using their unique facial scale patterns, what makes a useful photo-ID image and how repeat sightings allow individuals to be monitored over time.
Citizen science & data
Explore how citizen science works in practice - from collecting and checking observations to individual identification, data entry and building long-term datasets.
From data to understanding
Work with real Andaman Turtle Watch sightings and data to explore what individual records can reveal about turtle behaviour, movement and site use - and how research questions can be investigated using long-term monitoring.
Conservation in practice
Explore the threats facing sea turtles and critically compare different conservation approaches used locally and around the world - including their strengths, limitations and practical challenges.
3-Day Schedule
Day 1
Sea Turtle Ecology
Meet the team and get to know Andaman Turtle Watch while exploring sea turtle biology, ecology and behaviour. Learn about life cycles, habitats, migration and the threats turtles face, before putting your new knowledge into practice through an interactive species-ID workshop focused on the turtles of the Andaman Sea.
Day 2
Photo-ID & Conservation in Action
Learn how individual turtles can be recognised using photo-identification and work with real sightings from the Andaman Turtle Watch database. Explore different conservation approaches used locally and around the world, then visit The Royal Thai Navy Sea Turtle Conservation Center to compare those approaches in practice and discuss their strengths, limitations and outcomes.
Day 3
From Sightings to Data
Go behind the scenes of Andaman Turtle Watch & follow a turtle sighting through the citizen-science process – from checking a submission, to photo-ID & analysis. Work with real project data to explore what long-term monitoring can tell us, before completing your SSI Turtle Ecology Specialty & learning how you can stay involved after the course.
Already have diving planned?
The three course days can be arranged flexibly around existing dive, liveaboard or snorkelling bookings. If your diving is booked with Big Blue, you’ll also receive 10% off this course.
Turtle Ecology, Built on Real Research
This isn’t generic turtle ecology taught from a textbook.
The SSI Turtle Ecology programme provides the foundation. Andaman Turtle Watch – the first public citizen-science sea turtle photo-ID project operating across Thailand’s Andaman Coast – brings real sightings, long-term photo-ID data, local case studies and active research from across the Andaman Sea into your learning.
Real turtles. Real sightings.
Meet some of the individual turtles monitored through Andaman Turtle Watch and work with their real sighting histories. Explore what repeat observations can reveal about behaviour, movement and site use – and the questions that emerge as a dataset grows.
From Sightings to Data & Analysis
Follow the Andaman Turtle Watch citizen-science process from checking sighting information and photo-ID images to data entry and analysis. Then work with real project data to explore patterns, ask questions and understand what long-term monitoring can – and sometimes cannot – tell us.
Conservation Isn’t Always Simple
Explore different conservation approaches used locally and around the world, and compare their strengths, limitations and practical challenges through discussion, case studies and your conservation field visit.
Prerequisites & Certification
To join the course you will need:
To be aged 6 or over. This course is designed for anyone interested in sea turtles, marine conservation and citizen science. No diving, snorkelling, scientific or conservation experience is required.
What you'll receive:
SSI Turtle Ecology Specialty certification - delivered as our Andaman Turtle Watch edition, combining the SSI programme with real local sightings, photo-ID, citizen science and conservation learning.
What’s Included
- SSI Turtle Ecology Specialty - delivered as our unique Andaman Turtle Watch edition
- Sea turtle species-ID and photo-ID workshops
- Citizen-science, data and conservation workshops
- Access to real Andaman Turtle Watch sightings, case studies and datasets throughout the course
- All scheduled field visits and course activities
- Transport for all scheduled field visits and course activities
- Lunch on all three course days
- Living Blue Welcome Pack - 2 T-shirts and reusable tumbler
Already diving with Big Blue? Add this course to your existing dive, liveaboard or training booking and receive 10% off the course price.
Not included: Accommodation, flights, airport transfers, breakfasts and dinners. Airport transfers can be arranged through Big Blue, and we’re happy to recommend local accommodation.
Common Questions
Do I need any diving or conservation experience?
No. You don’t need to be a diver, snorkeller, scientist or conservationist. The course starts from the foundations and is designed for anyone curious about sea turtles, citizen science and conservation.
Is the whole course classroom-based?
A large part of the course is classroom-based – this is first and foremost an educational Sea Turtle Ecology and conservation course, not a diving or snorkelling programme. Expect plenty of discussion, workshops, species ID, photo-ID, case studies and time working with real sightings and data.
We keep the learning interactive and practical where possible, and you’ll also head out for a field visit to The Royal Thai Navy Sea Turtle Conservation Center to explore different approaches to turtle conservation in practice.
Can I fit the course around diving or snorkelling I already have booked?
Yes. The three days can be arranged flexibly around existing dive, liveaboard or snorkelling bookings where scheduling allows. You don’t need to be diving with Big Blue to join – and if your diving is booked with Big Blue, you’ll receive 10% off the course price.
Will I work with real Andaman Turtle Watch data?
Yes. Real sightings, photo-ID images, individual turtle records and long-term datasets are used throughout the course. You’ll learn how submissions are checked, turtles are identified and records are processed, then explore what those accumulated sightings can tell us over time.
Can I contribute to Andaman Turtle Watch after the course?
Yes – and contributing to a conservation project doesn’t only mean collecting data underwater. You’ll learn how to document and submit useful turtle sightings if you encounter them while diving or snorkelling, but there are plenty of other ways to get involved too.
Depending on your interests and skills, that might include helping with data, education and outreach, developing resources, photography or communications, supporting fundraising and grant work, or helping others understand and engage with the project. Good conservation projects need lots of different people and skills – not just scientists and divers.
Is this course suitable for children?
Yes. The minimum age for the SSI Turtle Ecology Specialty is 6 years old, and activities can be adapted to suit different ages and learning levels. SSI scuba diving courses begin from age 10 for those who want to combine Turtle Ecology with learning to dive.
Still have questions?
Looking for Something Different?
Want to combine Turtle Ecology with learning to dive!
Start with our Open Water Diver + Sea Turtle Ecology Course .
Learn the foundations of scuba diving while exploring turtle ecology, photo-ID and citizen science with Andaman Turtle Watch along the way.
Already know how to dive?
Open Water certified? Develop your diving through our Advanced Diver + Sea Turtle Ecology Course.
Already Advanced? Take our Sea Turtle Ecology & Citizen Science Diving Course – combining Turtle Ecology, Perfect Buoyancy and citizen-science dives with Andaman Turtle Watch.
Want more time to develop your diving?
Start from the beginning with our 12-Day Sea Turtle Ecology & Open Water to Advanced Course.
Progress through Open Water and Advanced, build confidence and experience across more dives, then put those developing skills into practice through dedicated citizen-science dive days.
Ready to Get Started?
Begin Your Diving Journey
Three days. One SSI certification – and a chance to get to know sea turtles, work with real monitoring data and understand more about the science behind their conservation.
Check our upcoming course dates or get in touch with the Big Blue team if you have any questions before booking.