Every September, the global diving community rallies together for something truly special: PADI AWARE Week. This annual celebration is far more than a calendar date, it is a call to action. It’s our collective chance to give back to the ocean that gives us so much. From underwater cleanups to sharing your story online, every action taken during AWARE Week carries weight. Every signature, every dive, every small step ripples outward into a much bigger impact.
This year, from September 13–21, 2025, divers and ocean lovers everywhere are invited to step into their role as Ocean Torchbearers. Together, we’ll unite above and below the surface to protect what we love most — the underwater world that inspires us all.
This year’s theme: Local Action for Global Impact
The beauty of AWARE Week lies in its simplicity: no matter where you are, you can make a difference. Picking up a piece of plastic on your beach, logging marine debris from a dive site, or signing a petition for stronger ocean protections may seem small in the moment. Yet, when multiplied by thousands of people around the world, these “local” actions transform into a global force for change.
This year also brings something new and exciting: the launch of the PADI AWARE Conservation Action Portal (CAP). Think of it as your digital ocean headquarters. Whether you’re submitting Dive Against Debris® data, finding Adopt the Blue™ sites, or joining conservation campaigns, CAP makes it easier than ever to channel your passion into real, lasting impact. You can access it on your desktop or download the AWARE App on Android or iOS to keep your efforts flowing anytime, anywhere.
The people behind it: PADI AWARE Foundation
It is a non-profit entity with three registered charities worldwide! PADI AWARE leverages the influence of the diving community to solve the issues our oceans struggle with.
Backed by the globally recognized PADI® brand and supported by thousands of dive centers, resorts, and instructors, the Foundation is uniquely positioned to amplify the voices of divers and create an unshakable force for ocean protection.
Above the Surface: Join the Torchbearer Community
Being a Torchbearer means more than just caring about the ocean, it means stepping into a global family of people who are turning concern into action. Together, this community has built the world’s largest underwater marine debris database, pushed for protections for over 104 species of sharks and rays, and helped free more than 35,000 entangled marine animals. That’s the power of united action.
Through the Conservation Action Portal, you can:
- Collect your personal Torchbearer Badge
- Submit citizen science surveys that inform policy decisions
- Discover Adopt the Blue™ sites near you
- Sign petitions that protect vulnerable species and habitats
- Donate to strengthen grassroots conservation programs
- Track your personal conservation journey
If you’ve ever wondered whether one person can make a difference, this is your answer. Each action you take joins thousands of others to form a global tide of change. Start today by taking the Ocean Torchbearer Pledge because the ocean needs all of us.
Below the Surface: Make Every Dive Count
As divers, we see the ocean in ways most people never will. That unique perspective gives us a responsibility, and an opportunity, to act. Each dive can be a chance to give back.
Take part in Dive Against Debris®, where you do more than just collect trash. By logging your findings, you help build a dataset that guides governments and conservationists in protecting our oceans. It’s citizen science at its finest: simple actions creating evidence-based solutions.
Or, turn every single dive into a Survey Dive by submitting your data through the CAP. Your contributions feed directly into the PADI Blueprint for Ocean Action, which drives global efforts to safeguard vulnerable species, restore marine habitats, expand protected areas, and address the scourge of plastic pollution.
Scuba.com’s Ocean Conservation Efforts
Our California crew rode the wave of ocean conservation this year, and I couldn’t be prouder! In May, they teamed up with the amazing folks at The Surfrider Foundation for a beach cleanup at Bolsa Chica. They proudly waved the PADI AWARE flag!
Led by Andrew Moore, the manager of Scuba.com, this cleanup was more than just a day at the beach. It showed our commitment to caring for the ocean.
They gathered along the shoreline, with trash bags and determination to get the beach as clean as possible. But this cleanup was one of many our team has done. Boy, have we made an impact! So far this year, the North Orange County chapter has collected over 4,000 lbs of trash!
Be Part of PADI AWARE Week
Of course, conservation is even more powerful when it’s shared. During AWARE Week, dive centers, clubs, and communities worldwide will host cleanups, educational workshops, and conservation dives. You can find one near you using the Conservation Activities Locator. And if you don’t see one nearby, why not create your own event? Even a handful of divers gathering for a Dive Against Debris can leave a meaningful mark.
The ocean has always given us wonder, adventure, and peace. Now it’s our turn to give something back. By signing a petition, joining a cleanup, logging your dives, or sharing your story, you’re helping create a brighter, bluer future for generations to come.
So, let’s dive in — together.
