
Ocean Conservation
Joining Together to Protect What We Love
Lahaina Divers has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to the environment through its course offerings, and partnering with organizations such as Project AWARE. We continue to learn, grow and share information with divers so that we can all take part in protecting fragile coral reefs and threatened ocean species.
Nonprofit Project AWARE works with scuba divers across the globe to protect underwater environments. Since its establishment in 1989, the community has grown to become a worldwide network of over 180,000 divers. To date, the volunteers have removed worldwide over one million pieces of trash from the ocean. The organiation is involved in many other conservation programs and advocacy.
Our PADI 5-Star Dive Center has committed to ocean protection through the 100% AWARE partnership. Lahaina Divers makes a donation to Project AWARE on behalf of each student we certify. These contributions provide vital funds for marine debris prevention and shark and ray protection. In addition, conservation messages are woven into classes we teach and on-board dive briefings.
Learn more about ocean conservation through these two courses:
Reef Safe Sunscreen
When you apply sunscreen then dive into the ocean, chemicals wash off your body and can harm the reef and marine eco-system. Two ingredients in particular are known to be harmful to corals- oxybenzone and octinoxate.
Scientific testing shows that oxybenzone and octinoxate may stunt the growth of baby corals, and oxybenzone causes bleaching, killing live corals.
Hawaii recently voted to ban the sale of sunscreens that contain the reef-damaging chemicals oxybenzone and octinoxate, beginning in 2021. Most island stores have already started converting over and offer reef-safe alternatives now.
Please- No Spray Products on Boats. When purchasing sunscreen for your dive trip, please make sure to use reef-safe lotion, not spray. Sprays of any kind make for slippery boat surfaces!