PADI AWARE Foundation

Three decades of ocean conservation

Local Action. Global Impact.℠

 Thanks to the support from our donors, community and partners, we have:

Helped secure international protection policies for over two-dozen vulnerable shark and ray species.

Contributed ground breaking science on marine debris, removing 2 million pieces of trash from the ocean.

Created the largest and quickest growing underwater citizen science movement on the planet.

Educated 1 million divers on the environmental threats facing the ocean and how to take action.

Who We Are

PADI AWARE Foundation is a publicly funded non-profit with three registered charities across the globe. Our mission is to drive local action for global ocean conservation. We advance our mission through citizen science, public policy and community grants. With PADI - the world's leading scuba diver training organization - we drive towards our collective vision to achieve balance between humanity and the ocean.

Stronger Together

For over 30 years, PADI and AWARE have built a truly unique voice for the protection of the underwater world. Together, we have set ambitious ocean conservation targets through a shared Blueprint for Ocean Action that commits to actions that combat climate change, help create marine protected areas and protect vulnerable species.

Backed by the power of the PADI® brand and supported by the world’s largest global network of 6,600 dive centers and resorts and more than 128,000 professional members worldwide, PADI AWARE Foundation can fully leverage the collective influence of divers and the dive industry to address key threats facing the marine environment.

Become a PADI Torchbearer

Join the community and stay connected with PADI AWARE Programs and opportunities to save the ocean.  

Conservation Issues & Programs

PADI AWARE programs address the key threats facing the marine environment, advance the PADI Blueprint for Ocean Action, support the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and engage the PADI Torchbearer Community.

Marine Debris

Program Goal: Reduce marine debris by 50% in targeted countries through partnerships and PADI AWARE's Community Grant Program. 

Shark & Ray Species Protection

Program Goal: Protect 20 vulnerable shark and ray species by deploying in-country conservation campaigns. 

Climate Change

Program Goal: Achieve carbon neutrality across the PADI organization and fund seagrass and mangrove habitats to offset carbon. 

Coral Reef

Program Goal: Restore 5% of coral reef habitats through citizen science programs and project funding.

Marine Protected Areas

Program Goal: Protect 30% of the ocean by 2030 through partnership collaboration and Adopt The Blue. 

PADI Mission Hub Programs

Are you a PADI Dive Center, Resort or Professional? Join our programs below. 

Adopt the Blue

Adopt your favorite dive site and help reach the goal of 10,000 adopted sites by 2023 to help protect 30% of the ocean by 2030.  

100% AWARE Partnership

The 100% AWARE partnership program has been a vital lifeline for funding our key conservation work for over two decades. 

Community Grant Program

We provide resources to community-led efforts that sustainably manage the world’s marine ecosystems. 

Green Fins

Help reduce the global environmental footprint of your dive center and the dive industry, ensuring dive industry sustainability. 

AWARE Courses

All the PADI AWARE training resources that are available to use to rise up and continue to take action for a clean and healthy ocean.

Green Star Award

The gold standard in dive operator environmental best practice. 

Meet our dedicated staff across the globe

Create new account | PADI AWARE (diveagainstdebris.org)

Connect with the AWARE Foundation 

Search for tools to help you take action

Become a champion for the ocean

Read our financial and annual reports

Join our Team!

Donate to AWARE Foundation

All of our work is made possible by generous donors like you.