Understand how whales, dolphins, and other marine mammals live, and how to behave responsibly when you encounter them.
Marine Mammal Ecology covers the biology, behavior, and conservation challenges of the ocean's largest animals.
You learn about communication, feeding strategies, and navigation in different species, and the specific behavioral cues that signal comfort or stress in wildlife encounters. Theory and workshop-based. Applies to every ocean environment. Not just dive trips. Useful before any destination where marine mammal encounters are possible.
Most people who get certified at home spend their first real dive trip adjusting. Different visibility, colder water, unfamiliar conditions. On Bonaire, your training dives happen on the same reef you'll dive independently afterward. You get certified and comfortable in one trip. Nothing to re-learn the next time you come back.
Step by step training designed to build real confidence underwater.
Questions about your specific kit? Mention it when you fill in the dive plan form.
Wanderlust is run by Stephan and Linda. Not a franchise, not a large operation with rotating staff. The person who greets you on day one takes you into the water. Same face, start to finish.
Groups cap at four. Often smaller. Sometimes it is just you and an instructor. Your certification is processed the same day you complete your final training dive.
Wanderlust is the only SSI Instructor Training Center on Bonaire. We train instructors. That same bar applies to every course we teach.
No prior experience needed. Here's what applies.
Divers and ocean enthusiasts interested in marine mammals. No prerequisites, open to non-divers.
Tell us where you are in your diving and what you want to do on Bonaire. We'll help you pick the right starting point.
Request Your Dive PlanNo, theory-focused.
No, open to everyone.
Usually half a day.
Yes, SSI Marine Mammal Ecology specialty.
Yes, as a specialty credit.
Biology and behavior of whales, dolphins, and other marine mammals, plus encounter guidelines for responsible interactions in the wild.
Personal advice from our dive team. No obligation. Response within 12 hours.
Share your trip details and we'll build your dive plan within hours.
