Learn how to recognise and identify the marine life you see on your dives.

The PADI Fish Identification Specialty helps divers become more observant underwater. Instead of just seeing “fish,” you’ll learn how to recognise common fish families, notice body shapes, colours, patterns, behaviour, and habitats, and describe what you saw after a dive.

For Port Elizabeth / Algoa Bay diving, this course is a great way to connect more deeply with local reef life. It helps divers slow down, observe carefully, and better understand the marine environment they are exploring.

Course Includes

• PADI Fish Identification specialty training
• Fish ID theory / knowledge development
• Common fish family recognition
• Observation techniques
• Underwater slate use
• Marine life behaviour awareness
• Responsible observation practices
• Instructor-led practical training
• Course paperwork and certification process
• Guidance from the Pro Dive team from booking to completion

Course Requirements

To join the PADI Fish Identification Specialty, students should:

• Be a certified PADI Open Water Diver or hold an equivalent certification
• Be medically fit to dive
• Complete the required medical questionnaire
• Provide a PADI / certification number or proof of certification
• Be comfortable observing marine life without touching or disturbing it

What You’ll Learn

You’ll learn how to:

• Identify fish by shape, colour, markings, and behaviour
• Recognise common fish families
• Use an underwater slate to record sightings
• Notice where different species are found
• Observe marine life calmly and respectfully
• Improve your awareness during reef dives
• Describe sightings more accurately after a dive
• Become a more engaged and environmentally aware diver

Why Take THE PADI Fish Identification Specialty Course?

The Fish Identification Specialty makes diving more interesting because it gives you a better understanding of what you’re seeing underwater.

It is ideal for:

• New divers wanting more confidence underwater
• Divers who enjoy reef life
• Underwater photographers
• Conservation-minded divers
• Families and younger divers
• Anyone who wants to learn more about local marine life

For Algoa Bay divers, this course pairs well with reef dives, relaxed observation dives, and conservation-focused training.

This course pairs well with:

• Underwater Naturalist
• Peak Performance Buoyancy
• Dive Against Debris
• PADI AWARE courses
• Advanced Open Water

Booking Process

After purchasing this course online, you’ll be asked to provide your PADI / certification number or proof of certification at checkout.

Once your booking is complete, you’ll receive the required medical form and course information by email. The Pro Dive team will then contact you directly to confirm your schedule, dive plan, conditions, and next steps.