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Make Every Dive Count.

PADI Turtle Watch Distinctive Specialty

An in-person specialty for certified divers who want to turn recreational diving into meaningful conservation action.
Learn marine turtle biology, key threats, and structured underwater monitoring — while contributing real data to TurtleWatch Egypt 2.0 in the Red Sea.

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 ✅ Conducted entirely in person — this is not an online course.

Why this course matters and how it works

Marine turtles in the Red Sea face increasing pressure from pollution, coastal development, boat traffic, habitat degradation, and climate change.
By training divers and instructors in standardized monitoring techniques, the Turtle Watch Distinctive Specialty builds a structured citizen science network capable of generating scientifically usable data — while also teaching best practices in the water.

Every certified diver becomes a data contributor.
Every dive becomes meaningful.

The PADI Turtle Watch Distinctive Specialty is designed for certified divers who want to deepen their ecological knowledge and gain field skills that support marine turtle research and protection.
This course combines marine biology, conservation science, and structured monitoring dives in the Red Sea — with a strong focus on responsible underwater behavior, citizen science, and photo-identification.

You can take the Turtle Watch Specialty:

  • Directly with TurtleWatch Egypt 2.0, with Instructor Trainer Abdallah Rabie Taher
  • Through authorized teaching locations, once they have certified Turtle Watch Instructors

If you’re unsure what option is available during your travel dates, contact us and we’ll guide you.

Because your dives can generate real scientific data.
By enrolling in the Turtle Watch Specialty, you will:

  • Learn how to safely and responsibly approach marine turtles
  • Understand turtle biology, ecology, and identification
  • Recognize key threats affecting turtle populations
  • Conduct structured monitoring dives
  • Participate in photo-identification research
  • Submit validated data to TurtleWatch Egypt 2.0
  • Receive feedback on your sightings (and maybe register and name a marine turtle!)
  • Contribute to long-term conservation efforts in the Red Sea

This is not just another specialty — it transforms recreational diving into meaningful conservation action.

Important: This course is conducted entirely in person. It is not an online course.
The program includes:

  • 1 theory session
  • 2 open-water dives
  • Monitoring protocol training
  • Photo-identification workshop
  • Data submission and validation process

You’ll learn what to observe, how to document it correctly, and how to submit data that can be used for ongoing research.

  • Open Water Diver certification
  • Minimum 25 logged dives

Not sure you meet the requirements? Write to us — we’ll help you assess readiness.

The PADI Turtle Watch Distinctive Specialty Instructor Training is conducted by Abdallah Rabie Taher, Course Creator and PADI MSDT (#623912).
This training ensures scientific consistency, high data quality, and standardized course delivery across all future teaching locations.

What the Instructor Training includes

  • Theory session (approx. 2 hours)
  • One open-water dive (organized through the hosting dive center)
  • Teaching methodology
  • Scientific protocol and validation standards
  • Course delivery framework

Certified instructors receive:

  • Official Student Manual
  • Instructor Guide
  • Monitoring and data submission protocol
  • Ongoing support from TurtleWatch Egypt 2.0

We support dive centers and professionals with materials, standards, and ongoing guidance.

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Certified Turtle Watch instructors

Our network of certified Turtle Watch Instructors consists of dive professionals trained under the official methodology developed by TurtleWatch Egypt 2.0.

All instructors listed below have:

Successfully completed Instructor Training
Been evaluated in-water
Received official teaching materials
Committed to standardized monitoring and data validation protocols

Course Creator & Instructor Trainer

Name:
Abdallah Rabie Taher

Credentials:
PADI MSDT #623912 — Course Creator, PADI Turtle Watch Distinctive Specialty

Abdallah created the Turtle Watch Distinctive Specialty and leads all Instructor Training programs. His role ensures scientific consistency, teaching standards, and quality control across the entire network.

Certified Instructors

Norman Popp, Germany,
Certified 2023

Claus Borvang, Denmark,
Certified 2025

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For Dive Centers & Business Partners

Why offer the Turtle Watch Specialty at your dive center?

Partnering with TurtleWatch Egypt 2.0 can help you:

Expand your specialty portfolio
Strengthen your environmental positioning
Increase sustainability credibility
Attract conservation-focused divers
Provide structured citizen science training
Elevate your professional profile

Instructor certification also supports your center’s educational standards and long-term value proposition.

How it works

For Dive Centers

  • Contact TurtleWatch Egypt 2.0
  • Schedule Instructor Training
  • Certify your instructors
  • Receive manuals and teaching materials
  • Offer the specialty to divers
  • Submit validated monitoring data

We provide:

  • Student and Instructor manuals
  • Teaching standards
  • Data validation protocol
  • Brochure material (digital-ready)
  • Ongoing support

For Divers

  • Choose TurtleWatch Egypt 2.0 or an authorized teaching location
  • Book your course
  • Complete theory + 2 open-water dives
  • Submit turtle sighting data
  • Become part of the conservation network
REQUEST INFO

Coming soon…

Authorized teaching locations

We are currently expanding our network. A dedicated list of officially trained and certified Turtle Watch Instructors and authorized teaching locations will be published here.
Until then courses can be organized:

  • Directly with TurtleWatch Egypt 2.0
  • Through Instructor Trainings hosted at selected dive centers

Get in touch to plan your course!

Special Packages

We will soon introduce exclusive course packages including:

  • A customized TurtleWatch Egypt T-shirt
  • Co-branded with the hosting dive center logo
  • Limited edition design
  • A new design released each year

Full details will be announced soon.

Ready to make your dives count?

Tell us your dates, diving level, and where you’ll be in the Red Sea — we’ll recommend the best option.

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