When can kids learn to dive?

How old is old enough?

Almost every scuba diver will tell you that they love being beneath the ocean’s surface, feeling free from the pressures of daily life and being at one with nature. They will also often tell you how much they enjoy sharing the experience with their loved ones and for those of us who have children, seeing their excitement at taking their first breaths underwater and seeing their first fish is an amazing experience. As dive centre owners and dive instructors we are frequently asked, “When can I get my kids involved?” and the simple answer is you can get your PADI Junior Open Water Diver license at the age of 10 years old however there are also many more options to consider .


The PADI Junior Open Water Diver course is very much similar to the full adult certification programme and prepares kids to become fully-fledged divers able to experience the underwater world. To begin the course you must be aged a minimum of 10 years old and be able to swim, you then complete exactly the same course as everyone else however to ensure that young divers do not exceed their physical limits the certification does come with restrictions. Divers 10-11 years old must dive with a PADI Professional or a certified parent or guardian, and dives cannot exceed 12 meters/40 feet. Divers 12-14 years old must dive with a certified adult and dives cannot exceed 18 meters / 60 feet.


A good way to tell if your child is ready for the full PADI Junior Open Water Diver course is to complete a Bubblemaker, Seal Team or Discover Scuba Diving experience first. This makes sure that they have the opportunity to try the equipment and witness what it is like in the water prior to committing to the full course. The Bubblemaker and Seal Team experiences are also available to those who are aged between 8-10 years old meaning that your child doesn’t have to wait desperately for their 10th birthday and can already experience what it is like to be at one with the underwater world. If your child is not yet aged 8 years old then we can also arrange snorkelling sessions alongside one of our staff team.


The PADI Bubblemaker course is designed for those aged 8+ and takes place in shallow confined water meaning that you can complete a dive in either the swimming pool or one of Malta’s shallow calm bay areas where you can reach a depth of 2 metres and enjoy some of Malta’s crystal clear waters and shallow water fish life. If you are lucky you may even see an Octopus.


If you are planning on coming to Malta this summer or you live here year round and would like to get your children involved in Scuba Diving then please do get in touch and we can see what we can arrange for you. At Corsair Diving we have a nice selection of kids wetsuits and equipment meaning we can arrange something suitable for all ages and introduce your children to the wonder of Scuba Diving in Malta.


Check out our Courses section above or get in touch via the contact form for more information on how to get your child involved in Scuba Diving.