Hi! I’m Kari, Founder of Fast Manta Diving Krabi — and if you’ve ever dived with us, you’ve probably noticed that we talk a lot about conservation. Not just in the classroom, but also on the boat, during our briefings, on your dives, and probably over a post-dive coffee too. That’s because, for us, conservation is not an optional add-on. It’s the reason we dive.
In this post, I want to share why ocean conservation matters, how it connects to every dive you do, and what PADI AWARE Week (13-21.9.2025) means to us here in Ao Nang, Krabi.
Why Should Divers Care About Conservation?
Let’s be honest — if you’ve ever hovered above a coral reef or watched a turtle glide past in the blue, you do care. That feeling of wonder, peace, connection — that’s what brings most of us underwater in the first place.
But the truth is, coral reefs are under threat. Ocean temperatures are rising, plastic pollution is everywhere, and destructive fishing practices continue. We’ve already lost more than 50% of coral reefs in the past few decades. If we don’t act now, we risk losing one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet.
Here’s the good news: Divers are in a perfect position to help. And we’re already doing it.
At Fast Manta, Every Dive Is an AWARE Dive
We believe that every dive can — and should — contribute to something bigger.
That’s why we:
- Teach all students in neutral buoyancy from day one — protecting the reef while improving diver skills
- Organize underwater and beach cleanups, removing ghost nets, plastic bags, and fishing lines from the sea
- Provide mesh bags and cutting tools to every diver and teach you how to safely remove debris
- Train our team and guests to use the PADI AWARE Dive Against Debris app, contributing real data to global research
- Include conservation workshops and ecology briefings in all our experiences and courses — starting from Discover Scuba Diving all the way to Instructor level. Every guest learns about the marine life they’ll see and how to protect it, even before their very first breath underwater.
We’re also proud to be:
✅ Krabi’s first PADI Eco Dive Center
✅ A member of Green Fins, supporting sustainable diving practices
✅ A supporter of Shark Guardian, helping protect endangered marine species
✅ A partner of Nature Mind-ed, integrating seagrass and mangrove restoration into our programs
✅ Actively collaborating with Coralyfe to assist coral restoration in our region
Because when we say “protect what you love” — we mean it. And we want to become better every day. Whether it’s through new conservation initiatives, better training, or simply leading by example, our goal is to keep improving — dive by dive.
What Is PADI AWARE Week?
PADI AWARE Week is a global celebration of ocean conservation, held every September. It’s a time for divers around the world to come together, take action, and amplify our impact.
For us at Fast Manta, AWARE Week is more than just one week. It’s a mindset. But we still love making it extra specialby organizing events like:
- Dive Against Debris dives at all our dive sites — not just our adopted site, Koh Yawasam, but every reef we visit
- Snorkel cleanups and community beach cleanups
- Coral and seagrass education sessions for both divers and non-divers
- Free conservation talks at our dive center
- Citizen science workshops with our in-house marine biologist
- Special offers on AWARE Specialty Courses like Dive Against Debris, Coral Reef Conservation, and Shark Conservation
It’s a chance to connect with like-minded people and inspire new divers to start their conservation journey.
Conservation Courses — Dive With Purpose
Want to do more than just pick up trash on your next dive?
Fast Manta offers a range of PADI AWARE specialty courses, all of which can be done as part of your regular dive day:
- Dive Against Debris Specialty: Learn how to plan, execute, and record debris surveys that support real marine science
- Coral Reef Conservation: Understand how coral ecosystems work and what threatens them — even from land-based activities
- Shark Conservation Diver: Bust the myths around sharks and learn how divers can help protect them
- AWARE Fish ID and Underwater Naturalist: Improve your knowledge of reef life and learn how to ID what you’re seeing
You can even combine these with your Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver, or Divemaster course and training. The more you know, the more you can protect.
Want to Help? Here’s How
Whether you’re brand new to diving or a seasoned pro, you can make a difference:
- Choose to dive with eco-friendly operators (like us!)
- Take a conservation specialty or join a cleanup dive
- Say no to single-use plastics and harmful reef-damaging sunscreens
- Learn neutral buoyancy and dive with good trim
- Talk to other divers about what you’re doing — you might inspire someone
My Personal View
For me, conservation is not just a business value — it’s personal. This ocean, this coastline, this incredible marine life — they’ve given me everything. A career, a purpose, a community, and a way of life.
So this is my way to give back. To nature. To Krabi. And to the people I get to dive with every day.
If we can do something during every dive — even something small — we must. Because this is not about being perfect. It’s about being responsible. And if you love the ocean, then protecting it should always come naturally.
Final Words: Together, We Can Do More
Conservation is not about being perfect — it’s about being aware. It’s about choosing to leave the ocean a little better than you found it. And it’s about working together, one dive at a time.
At Fast Manta, we believe the ocean gives us so much — peace, joy, adventure, purpose — and it’s up to us to protect it in return.
So whether you’re joining us for a fun dive, a Discover Scuba Diving experience, an Advanced course, or a full 6-week Divemaster internship, know this: you’re part of something bigger.
Join us for AWARE Week or any week — because here, every week is an AWARE week.
See you underwater 💙
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