See the whole ocean. Not just the highlights.
Discover how ocean organisms, habitats and food webs connect—and earn your SSI Marine Ecology Specialty certification.
The reef is a network. Learn to read it.
Marine life never exists in isolation. This SSI specialty explores how organisms interact with one another and with their surroundings, how energy moves through ocean communities and how different marine ecosystems are linked.
Once you understand those connections, every coral head, cleaning station and passing school of fish becomes part of a much bigger story.
Three steps to seeing the bigger picture.
Start at home, bring your questions to the classroom, then choose whether to take that knowledge beneath the surface.
Explore the digital learning
Use the MySSI app to explore habitats, communities, food webs and the flow of energy through marine ecosystems.
Before the courseConnect the ecosystem
Work with your SSI Instructor to understand the relationships between organisms, environments and neighbouring ocean habitats.
About 3 hoursTake it into the blue
Certified divers can add an optional dive and spot ecological relationships unfolding across Diani’s reefs.
Optional adventurePress play. Go deeper.
Start with the bigger conservation picture, then get a feel for the reefs where food webs, habitats and species relationships come alive.
Blue Oceans: Dealing with the Underwater World
See why better choices above and below the surface matter for every link in the marine ecosystem.
Dive Diani with Ocean Tribe
A quick look at the warm-water reefs and the team that brings your ecology learning to life.
Learn it. Then live it.
If you are already certified, add an ocean dive and turn theory into real-world awareness with the Ocean Tribe team.
- Open Water Diver certification required for the dive
- May be combined with an Open Water Diver course
- Planned around reef conditions and local ecosystems
Everything you need to arrive ready.
Who can join?
The classroom specialty is open to anyone interested in the ocean and how marine ecosystems work. Minimum age is 10.
What is included?
- SSI digital learning
- All training materials
- Transfers within Diani
- SSI specialty certification on completion
What to bring
- Water bottle and sun protection
- Swimsuit and towel if adding a dive
- Your curiosity and ocean questions
Marine ecology course FAQs
Do I need to be a certified diver?
No. Anyone with an interest can join the classroom specialty. You only need an Open Water Diver certification if you would like to add the optional dive.
What does marine ecology cover?
You will explore organism interactions, energy flow through communities and the links between different ocean ecosystems.
Is the course useful for snorkellers and ocean lovers?
Yes. The classroom specialty is open to anyone and adds meaning to what you see while diving, snorkelling or exploring the coast.
How do I check availability?
The specialty is offered daily. Check the online calendar or contact Ocean Tribe by WhatsApp or phone for live availability.
Ready to connect the ocean?
Start the SSI Marine Ecology Specialty in Diani Beach and discover the relationships that turn a reef into a living ecosystem.
