Diving for Kids: Top Family-Friendly Dive Courses
March 4, 2025
Scuba diving for kids offers an incredible opportunity to learn about the underwater world firsthand, inspiring curiosity, confidence, and a lifelong appreciation for the ocean. It is also a unique way for families to bond and share adventures that go beyond the typical vacation experience. Diving as a family encourages teamwork and communication while creating unforgettable memories. With SSI’s specialized programs tailored for young divers, families can safely and comfortably explore the ocean together, bringing them closer to nature and each other. We are going to look at the top family-friendly dive courses, along with some great places to learn.
Top Family-Friendly Dive Courses
1. SSI Explorers Program
The SSI Explorers program is an introductory course designed specifically for children aged 8-12, making it an excellent choice for young beginners. In this course, participants learn the basics of diving for kids, including equipment handling and underwater safety, all in a safe and controlled environment like a pool.
SSI Explorers is focused on making learning fun through games and activities that keep young divers engaged. The emphasis is on confidence-building, safety, and teamwork, helping children ease into diving before venturing into open waters.
2. SSI Junior Open Water Diver
For children aged 10 years and older, the SSI Junior Open Water Diver program offers a more in-depth experience, mirroring the adult Open Water Diver certification with modifications to accommodate younger divers. This program includes both confined water training and open water dives under professional supervision.
This program is an excellent stepping stone for kids who are ready to experience open water diving. Parents can also take this course alongside their kids, making it a shared learning experience!
3. SSI Basic Freediver
The SSI Basic Freediver program allows those aged 10 and up to learn the basics of freediving in a safe and structured setting. The course covers breath-holding techniques, underwater safety, and marine life awareness, which are key skills for budding freedivers.
The program is an exciting way for families to enjoy the ocean without scuba tanks. It is perfect for kids who enjoy snorkeling and want to take their underwater experience to the next level.
4. SSI Snorkel Diver
Although not a full diving certification, the SSI Snorkel Diver program is ideal for families who want a safe, enjoyable way to introduce younger children to the underwater world. This program covers the fundamentals of snorkeling, including equipment use and underwater breathing techniques.
Since it does not involve deeper diving, it is suitable for children of all ages, including those younger than 10. Parents and kids can explore together, creating a relaxed and accessible way to start a lifelong journey of underwater exploration.
5. SSI Try Scuba
Unsure if your kids will like scuba diving? The SSI Try Scuba program is an excellent introduction to diving for kids, offering a safe, fun, and educational experience. Designed for beginners aged 8 and upwards, this program allows children to experience the underwater world in a controlled environment under the supervision of a certified diving instructor.
They will learn basic skills, use real scuba equipment, and discover the magic of breathing underwater in a shallow pool or confined open water setting. It is the perfect way to spark a lifelong love of diving for kids in a safe and supportive atmosphere.
Top 6 Destinations With Great Diving for Kids
1. Bonaire, Caribbean
Known as the shore diving capital of the world, diving in Bonaire offers calm, shallow shore entries that are ideal for young divers. Kids and adults alike can practice their diving skills in a safe, protected environment while enjoying exceptional visibility and abundant marine life.
Bonaire is home to vibrant coral reefs, calm waters, and an abundance of marine life, including colorful parrotfish, angelfish, and sea turtles. The entire island is surrounded by the Bonaire National Marine Park, a protected area that ensures thriving coral reefs and pristine underwater habitats. Its shallow, easy-access shore dives and gentle conditions make it perfect for diving for kids, allowing them to safely explore and fall in love with the underwater world in a beautifully preserved environment.
2. Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Diving the Great Barrier Reef is a bucket-list experience that boasts both beginner-friendly sites and vibrant, diverse marine life. This destination also offers exciting activities for non-diving family members. The reef’s calm lagoons provide ideal conditions for young divers to safely explore.
Green Island and the Low Isles offer excellent diving for kids, with shallow reefs, calm conditions, and ample marine life such as sea turtles, clownfish, and colorful corals. There are numerous dive centers to choose from in Cairns, or you can dive the southern Great Barrier Reef from Bundaberg, Gladstone, and Yeppoon.
3. Egypt, Red Sea
Diving in Egypt is famous for its aquarium-like coral reefs, crystal-clear waters, and warm temperatures, offering perfect diving for kids. Egypt’s coastal towns, like Hurghada, Marsa Alam, and Sharm El Sheikh, offer plenty of dive sites as well as family-friendly accommodations and activities. Added to that, it is a very budget-friendly dive destination and offers year-round diving.
The house reefs and shallow coral gardens around Sharm El Sheikh are ideal for beginners, with both shore and boat diving available. Families can spot a variety of species, including lionfish, moray eels, eagle rays, and even the occasional dolphin.
4. Maldives
When it comes to dream destinations, it does not get much better than the Maldives. You might not think of diving in the Maldives as suitable for families, but this country caters to families well - it is not just a luxurious destination for romantic getaways.
The Maldives boasts shallow lagoons, gentle currents, and warm water, making it an idyllic spot for kids to learn to dive. Resorts here often cater to families, with diving facilities tailored for young and beginner divers.
The Southern North Male Atoll and South Ari Atoll have a variety of gentle dives in shallow water, where families can encounter manta rays, sea turtles, and many tropical fish. You might even get the chance to snorkel with whale sharks.
5. Cayman Islands
Cayman Islands diving is known for safe, calm waters with minimal currents, as well as fantastic shore diving options. The local dive operators cater to families, providing shallow, sandy-bottom sites perfect for new divers.
Stingray City in Grand Cayman is a magical experience for kids, where they can interact with friendly southern stingrays in shallow, clear waters. With a sandy bottom and depths of just 3–5 feet, children can stand, snorkel, or dive alongside these gentle creatures, creating unforgettable memories.
Eden Rock offers great diving for kids with its shallow reefs, easy shore access, and fascinating swim-throughs filled with colorful fish, sponges, and coral formations. It is a safe and exciting site for young snorkelers and beginner divers to explore marine life up close.
6. Hawaii, USA
Hawaii offers some of the best diving in the USA, with warm, clear waters and family-friendly beaches making it a great destination for young divers. There is also a range of other activities to keep kids entertained, from whale watching to exploring volcanoes.
There are numerous places to go diving in Hawaii and each has its highlights for kids. In Oahu, Hanauma Bay is a popular spot with calm, shallow waters. Kids can enjoy snorkeling and diving while encountering green sea turtles.
Kealakekua Bay on the Big Island is a favorite for families, with calm waters and abundant marine life, including colorful fish and sea turtles. Kauai’s sheltered lagoons provide easy diving for kids, whilst Kona is famed for its manta ray night diving and snorkeling.
However you learn and whichever destination you choose, scuba diving is a rewarding and educational activity for kids and families alike. With the right family-friendly programs children can build confidence in the water, gain new skills for skills, and develop a strong connection to marine conservation.
Ready to inspire your family with a new adventure?