In Jordan’s Gulf of Aqaba, a group of committed PADI Dive Centers is setting an example for the global dive industry, showing that sustainability and profitability can go hand-in-hand. Over the past year, dive operators in this Red Sea destination have adopted the Green Fins framework to reduce their environmental footprint, and the results are already measurable.
With coral reefs central to both the local economy and regional biodiversity, the dive community in Aqaba recognized the urgent need to take action. Through a growing commitment to sustainable operations, these PADI Dive Centers are proving that even modest operational changes can have a massive environmental impact.
Why Aqaba? Why Now?
Aqaba’s reefs are among the most vibrant and resilient in the region, but like reefs everywhere, they face mounting pressures. The introduction of Green Fins in Jordan one year ago gave local dive shops a structured path to reduce those pressures through practical, low-cost operational changes. And with the PADI Eco Center accreditation integrating Green Fins best practices, many Aqaba shops are now not only meeting global sustainability standards – they’re exceeding them.
“What we’re witnessing in Aqaba is a powerful example of how sustainability and diving excellence go hand in hand,” says Firas Jundi, PADI Regional Manager for Jordan. “These dive centers are showing that being an ocean steward strengthens — not limits — the dive experience.”
Measurable Results That Matter
In just 12 months since adoption of Green Fins environmental standards across multiple dive shops, remarkable improvements have been recorded:
- 69% reduction in diver contact with coral reefs
- 100% elimination of marine life being displayed or sold
- 46% improvement in waste management practices
- 28% reduction in chemical discharge
- 27% increase in positive role model behavior among dive guides
- 0 instances of anchoring damage by Green Fins Members
These results aren’t anecdotal. They come from standardized Green Fins assessments carried out by The Reef-World Foundation, the organization behind Green Fins.
The Business Case for Sustainability
According to JJ Jarvey, Operations Director at The Reef-World Foundation, the trend toward sustainable travel is only growing:
“Divers are increasingly making informed, sustainable choices. Aqaba offers them something special: the chance to experience thriving coral reefs while actively contributing to their protection.”
For dive professionals, this shift represents both a responsibility and an opportunity. Shops that embed sustainability into their daily operations are more likely to attract environmentally conscious divers, earn trust from international travel agencies, and stand out in competitive destinations.
How Your Shop Can Get Involved
PADI Dive Centers everywhere can follow Aqaba’s lead by:
- Becoming working towards the PADI Eco Center accredidation
- Training your team in eco-conscious guiding and customer interaction
- Phasing out damaging practices, like anchoring along coral reefs
- Tracking your impact using Green Fins environmental assessments
- Marketing your sustainable credentials to a growing base of eco-conscious divers
Becoming a sustainability leader is more achievable than ever. Whether you’re a shop in a developing dive destination or a high-traffic resort operator, you can help protect the marine environment that your business depends on while also strengthening your brand and guest experience.
Aqaba is showing the way forward. Will your dive business be next?
