Green Fins and PADI Eco Centre: what they mean, and why Purple Dive Penida holds both

Green Fins and PADI Eco Centre sound like they might be the same thing. They're not — and Purple Dive Penida holds both, which is rarer than it sounds. Here's what each one actually verifies, and what it means in practice.

What Green Fins certification actually means

Green Fins is an environmental accreditation run by the Reef-World Foundation in partnership with the UN Environment Programme. Dive centres are assessed against a detailed code of conduct covering waste management, chemical use, mooring practices, and marine life interaction, then re-assessed yearly to keep the rating current. Ratings range from Bronze up to Platinum depending on how thoroughly a centre implements the code. Purple Dive Penida holds a Silver Green Fins rating, and we get a physical assessment every year with an on-site visit.

What a PADI Eco Center actually means

PADI Eco Center is a separate designation awarded directly by PADI, covering criteria like reducing single-use plastics, supporting local conservation projects, and educating divers on responsible practices. Where Green Fins is assessed by an independent environmental body, PADI Eco Center status sits inside PADI's own network. The two aren't competing certifications — they measure similar commitments through different organisations, which is part of why so few dive centres carry both.

Why Purple Dive Penida holds both

While we work with PADI as our certification agency, and we want to abide by their best practices, we think it's also important to have various measurement indicators. Green Fins yearly visits give us some perspective on how we carry our operations, but also some valuable advice on how to improve. It allows us to not get complacent with our sustainability practices.

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What this means if you're choosing a dive centre

If sustainability credentials matter to your choice of dive centre or IDC location on Nusa Penida, check whether a centre is Green Fins-rated, PADI Eco Center-certified, or both — and ask what the rating is actually backed by. Two certifications from two different verifying bodies is a stronger signal than either one alone.