PADI Underwater Naturalist Instructor course on Koh Tao

Underwater Naturalist Instructor Course in Koh Tao

Develop your understanding of the marine environment and inspire your students to become more aware, responsible divers with the PADI Underwater Naturalist Instructor Specialty course at IDC Koh Tao.

This course is perfect for instructors who want to go beyond teaching diving skills and instead help their students truly understand the underwater world. As a PADI Underwater Naturalist Instructor, you will be qualified to teach divers how aquatic ecosystems function, how marine species interact, and how to identify different forms of underwater life.

By building your own knowledge of marine biology and ecology, you will be able to confidently answer student questions and deliver a more engaging, educational, and meaningful diving experience.

Marine Life & Ecosystems Around Koh Tao

Koh Tao is one of the best locations in Thailand to teach the Underwater Naturalist Specialty. The island offers a wide range of dive sites, from shallow coral reefs to deeper granite pinnacles, all rich in marine biodiversity.

This variety provides the perfect natural classroom for teaching ecosystem awareness. From reef fish and invertebrates to larger pelagic species, Koh Tao allows you to demonstrate real examples of marine life interactions in their natural habitat.

As an instructor, you will guide your students in observing aquatic ecosystems objectively, helping them understand the relationships between species and the importance of marine conservation.

Who Can Enrol on the PADI Underwater Naturalist Instructor Course?

To enrol in this course, you must be:

• A renewed PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI)

Note: IDC/OWSI candidates may complete the Underwater Naturalist Instructor training during their IDC but can only apply for certification after successfully passing the PADI Instructor Examination (IE).

To qualify for certification, you must have a minimum of 10 logged naturalist dives. This is a course exit requirement and may be completed either before or after the training course.

What Will You Learn?

This course is designed to give you the knowledge and teaching skills to deliver the Underwater Naturalist Specialty effectively.

During the program, you will:

• Deliver and be evaluated on a knowledge development presentation based on the Underwater Naturalist curriculum
• Review PADI Underwater Naturalist standards, procedures, and course structure
• Learn how to organise, conduct, and promote the Underwater Naturalist Specialty course
• Complete an open water training session where you will demonstrate and evaluate student-level naturalist skills

You will also develop the ability to teach:

• Identification of aquatic plants, vertebrates, and invertebrates
• Marine life classification and recognition techniques
• Symbiotic relationships and ecosystem interactions
• Environmental awareness and the impact of human activity on marine ecosystems
• Responsible diving practices that minimise environmental impact

Upon completion, you will be certified to independently teach the PADI Underwater Naturalist Specialty course.

PADI Materials

Please bring the following materials:

• PADI Specialty Instructor Manual (from your IDC Crew Pack)
• PADI Instructor Manual (available as a free download for renewed PADI Members via PADI Pro / MyPADI)

PADI Fees

• PADI Underwater Naturalist Instructor Application Fee: AUD $145

Why Add the Underwater Naturalist Instructor Specialty?

The Underwater Naturalist Specialty is an excellent way to enhance your teaching by adding an educational and environmental focus. It allows you to deliver more meaningful dives and help your students develop a deeper connection with the ocean.

This specialty is particularly valuable in marine-rich destinations like Koh Tao and contributes toward your PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT) certification.