Our Favorite Ways to Protect the Underwater World as a PADI Eco Center

When Paul and Erik founded Dive2gether, they did not necessarily set out to build a PADI Eco Center. They simply loved diving and the underwater world and wanted to share the magic of the Mediterranean Sea with their guests. But when you love something, you want to protect it. That’s why they prioritized running Dive2gether as sustainably as possible. Eventually Dive2gether teamed up with Mare Mundi to start our own small field station, hired marine biologists and found more and more creative ways to support our incredible underwater world.

In 2025, we had the honor of receiving the title PADI Eco Center in recognition of our ongoing efforts to protect our precious underwater world. For us, this title isn't just an award – it’s a commitment we live out on every single dive. We’d love to share some of our favorite ways we protect these underwater miracles, and how you can dive with a purpose alongside us:

Reusing and Recycling Old Gear

At Dive2gether, we believe conservation starts on land. That’s why we came up with a recycling program that prevents old gear from ending up in the garbage. While most dive gear lasts for a very long time – thanks to the regular maintenance of our skilled in-house service technicians – wetsuits tend to wear out quicker and need replacement after a few seasons of intensive use.

When a wetsuit is no longer dive-ready, it begins a second life protecting our guests during our popular snorkel trip to the Kourtaliotiko waterfalls which involves some climbing (and occasionally sliding) over rocks. Older wetsuits are perfect for this program as guests don’t need to worry about accidentally ripping a hole into their rental suit while the suits keep them warm in the fresh spring water.

When a suit retires from the waterfall program, we recycle it by using its fabric to patch other suits or to mark our tanks. 

Focus on Education

We fully agree with Jacques Cousteau, who famously said, "People protect what they love, and they love what they understand." While every dive naturally makes you fall in love with the ocean, we want to deepen that connection through knowledge.

Twice a week, one of our expert marine biologists gives a free presentation about varying topics around the wonders of the Mediterranean Sea, adding context to what you see on your dives.

For anyone who wants to dive even deeper, we offer the PADI AWARE Fish ID specialty, in which our marine biologists teach guests to identify all the wonderful fish of the Mediterranean Sea.

Conservation “To Go”

Protecting the environment doesn't always require 'big splashy' actions; it happens in the consistent, small habits we practice every day. On land, we keep it simple by using reusable cups and containers at the dive school and on the beach. Once underwater, we aim to leave the ocean better than we found it by picking up any debris we encounter. We even turn our daily fun dives into moments of discovery; our guides invite every group to join a 'Fish Count,' collecting vital data on native and invasive species to contribute to global marine research. While these habits are easy to do on the go, together they make a massive difference for our blue planet.

Making Conservation Accessible

You don’t need to study marine biology to make a positive impact. Besides having regular beach and ocean cleanups with guests during their PADI Dive Against Debris specialty, we’ve made conservation accessible to every certified diver through our specialized Marine Biology Dives. You get to join our expert marine biologists in monitoring the health of fragile Posidonia seagrass meadows and supporting the "lungs of the Mediterranean" by replanting seagrass, as well as collect sand and plankton samples. By participating in these citizen science dives, our guests play a vital role in real-time research and conservation.

If you can’t wait to join in on the action, click here to secure your spot in one of our Marine Biology Activities.