Kids, with their natural curiosity and eagerness to learn, often make some of the best scuba divers. Introducing kids to scuba diving is an exciting adventure—especially for parents who already love exploring the underwater world. If that’s you, you’re probably just looking for the perfect way to share your passion with your kids!
In this section, we’ll explore some of the PADI scuba courses available for kids, the minimum ages required to get started, and the programs we offer here at Sail Fish Scuba in Key Largo.
Please note: All scuba courses for kids under 18 require parental consent.
Introduce your child to the exciting world of scuba diving with the PADI Bubblemaker Program—a fun, safe underwater adventure designed just for kids!
Under the direct supervision of a certified PADI instructor, young adventurers (ages 8 and up) will take their first breaths underwater in a confined water environment—no deeper than 2 meters (6 feet).
Kids will get hands-on experience with real scuba diving equipment, learning how it works while exploring the underwater world and having a blast! It's the perfect way to combine education, excitement, and confidence-building in one unforgettable activity.
Whether it’s part of a birthday celebration, a family outing, or simply a new adventure, Bubblemaker creates lasting memories and sparks a lifelong love for the ocean.
The PADI Seal Team is perfect for kids who love action, fun, and adventure—all in the safety and comfort of a pool environment.
Ever wondered what it’s like to float like an astronaut? This program makes it all possible—no ocean required!
Kids start with AquaMissions 1–5, where they learn essential scuba skills in a fun, hands-on way. These introductory missions focus on safety, confidence, and comfort in the water—perfect for young divers eager to explore.
After mastering the basics, the adventure continues with Specialty AquaMissions, including wreck diving, underwater navigation, peak performance buoyancy, environmental awareness, and more—all still within the pool.
The PADI Seal Team is more than just diving—it's about gaining confidence, learning water safety, making new friends, and discovering the thrill of the underwater world, all in a safe, supervised pool setting.
If your child is interested in taking this class further, they can also complete the PADI Master Seal Team Membership in which they complete an additional 10 Specialty AquaMissions and independently assemble and disassemble equipment.
PADI Bubblemaker Program- Pool Experience
The PADI Bubblemaker program is perfect for kids ages 8 and older who feel comfortable in the water. No prior scuba experience is required. A parent or guardian must provide consent before participation.
Program Overview
After a short, easy-to-follow introduction to basic scuba concepts, participants will head into the pool where they’ll experience breathing underwater using real scuba equipment—always under the close supervision of a certified instructor.
Prerequisites
No Experience Required: Beginners are welcome—no scuba background needed
Water Comfort: Participants should be comfortable in a pool environment
Parental Consent: Required for all children
Medical Clearance: Must answer “No” to medical history questions or obtain physician approval prior to the session
Location
Pool-Based Session: All activities take place in a controlled pool environment
What to Expect
The session begins with a fun and simple overview of scuba gear and basic underwater safety. Kids will learn key skills such as clearing their mask and regulator, along with safe breathing techniques. Afterward, they’ll be fitted with properly sized scuba equipment and shown how everything works
Shallow Water Dive Experience
In water no deeper than 2 meters (6 feet), participants will take their first breaths underwater. In this safe setting, they’ll practice using their gear, swim around, and enjoy games while being closely guided by their instructor.
Wrap-Up & Recognition
At the end of the session, each child receives a PADI Bubblemaker Certificate and can talk about their experience with their instructor—creating a fun and memorable milestone.
Maximum Depth
Confined Water (Pool): Up to 2 meters / 6 feet
Duration
Approximately 3–4 hours
Pricing
$250+tax per participant
What’s Included
Small group sizes for personalized attention
Full scuba rental equipment (included in program)
Bubblemaker Crew Pack, including:
Logbook
Kid-sized beach towel
Temporary tattoo
Sticker decal
Bubblemaker water toy
What’s Not Included
Transportation to/from the facility
Personal items your child may need
Program Highlights
Half-day experience for ages 8+
Beginner-friendly—no experience required
Conducted entirely in a pool
Small group setting
All equipment included
Led by certified, experienced instructors
The PADI Bubblemaker Program offers a safe, exciting introduction to scuba diving—perfect for young adventurers ready to explore the underwater world!
(Please note: All scuba diving courses for children under the age of 18 require parental approval.)
The PADI Seal Team program is created for kids ages 8 and older who enjoy being in the water and are ready for a new kind of adventure. No prior scuba experience is necessary. A parent or guardian must provide consent before joining.
The Seal Team program gives young divers the chance to build real scuba skills through a series of guided pool “missions.” It’s ideal for kids who want more than a one-time experience and are excited to learn, play, and explore underwater in a safe, controlled environment with a certified instructor.
Orientation & Gear Fitting
The experience starts with a simple and engaging introduction to scuba equipment and basic underwater guidelines. Kids will get comfortable with their gear and be properly fitted before entering the water.
AquaMission Challenges
During the session, participants will take part in PADI AquaMissions—fun, skill-building underwater activities designed to increase confidence and comfort in the water. These may include practicing buoyancy, learning basic navigation, and completing engaging challenges or games. Kids are also introduced to themed missions like underwater exploration and environmental awareness. The Seal Team experience is all about having fun in the pool and sharing the excitement of discovering the underwater world together.
Wrap-Up & Recognition
After completing their missions, kids receive a PADI Seal Team Recognition Certificate and have the opportunity to talk about their experience with their instructor.
Scuba diving can be an incredible way for kids to build confidence in the water and experience the underwater world. PADI offers different programs and certification options based on age, beginning with introductory pool experiences and progressing to full open-water training.
Long before a child is old enough to scuba dive, becoming comfortable and confident in the water is a great place to start.
Swimming lessons and age-appropriate water-safety programs can help children develop important skills such as floating, breath control, swimming and basic water safety. Strong swimming ability and comfort in the water provide an excellent foundation for learning to scuba dive later.
Children can begin participating in certain PADI scuba experiences at age 8. These programs take place in a controlled environment, such as a swimming pool, rather than on an open-water scuba dive.
Programs such as PADI Bubblemaker introduce children to scuba equipment and give them an opportunity to experience breathing underwater under the close supervision of a PADI Professional.
For kids who want to continue developing their skills, PADI Seal Team offers additional pool-based scuba activities through a series of fun underwater AquaMissions.
These programs are experiences rather than scuba certifications, but they can be a great introduction to the sport.
Age 10 is the minimum age to earn a PADI Junior Open Water Diver certification.
Junior divers complete the required knowledge development, confined-water training and open-water dives while learning many of the same fundamental skills as adult Open Water students.
PADI Junior Open Water Divers ages 10–11 have a maximum depth of 40 feet (12 meters) and must dive with a PADI Professional or a certified parent or guardian.
Children who aren't ready to commit to a complete certification course can also participate in a PADI Discover Scuba Diving experience beginning at age 10. This gives them an opportunity to try scuba diving under professional supervision before deciding whether certification is right for them.
At age 12, Junior Open Water Divers have additional opportunities to continue their training and gain experience.
Junior Open Water Divers ages 12–14 can dive with any certified adult as their buddy and may dive to a maximum depth of 60 feet (18 meters). Aside from the age-related depth and supervision requirements, the Junior Open Water Diver course follows the same training and certification requirements as the standard PADI Open Water Diver course.
Beginning at age 12, certified Junior Open Water Divers can continue their training with the PADI Junior Advanced Open Water Diver course. The course builds on their existing skills while introducing new types of diving and helping them gain additional experience underwater.
Junior Advanced Open Water Divers ages 12–14 may dive to a maximum depth of 70 feet (21 meters).
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At age 15, a Junior certification can be upgraded to the corresponding standard PADI certification.
For example, a PADI Junior Open Water Diver can become a PADI Open Water Diver, with a recreational depth limit of 60 feet (18 meters) based on their training and experience.
Age is only one part of determining whether a young person is ready for scuba training. Children also need sufficient swimming ability, comfort in the water, maturity, attention and ability to understand and follow scuba-diving safety procedures.
At Sail Fish Scuba, our priority is making sure young divers receive the time, supervision and instruction they need to develop safe and confident diving skills.
The PADI Junior Open Water Diver course is like the adult certification program but with smaller teacher-to-student ratios and shallower depth limits. To enroll, kids must be 10-15 years old and able to swim. PADI Junior Open Water Divers automatically become Open Water Divers at the age of 15.
The PADI Junior Open Water Diver certification has restrictions to ensure young divers don’t exceed their limits. Divers aged 10 and 11 must dive with a PADI Professional or a certified parent or guardian, and dives cannot exceed 12 meters (40 feet). Divers aged 12 years to 14 years old must dive with a certified adult, and dives cannot exceed 18 meters (60 feet) in depth.
After receiving a PADI Junior Open Water Diver certification, divers aged 12 years and older may continue to gain experience and explore deeper depths by enrolling in more advanced courses. These courses include PADI Junior Adventure Diver, PADI Junior Divemaster, PADI Junior Advanced Open Water Diver, PADI Junior Rescue Diver, and PADI Junior Specialty courses.
If your child is at least 15 years old, certified as a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver and PADI Rescue Diver, and have logged at least 20 scuba dives, they are eligible for the PADI Junior Divemaster Course! This course will be a first step into more of a leadership role and learn responsible diving practices in all their diving activities. Some of the segments that are completed during the PADI Junior Divemaster Course can be credited to the full PADI Divemaster certification.
This course allows young divers to earn an official scuba certification while learning the same core skills taught in the adult Open Water course. After certification, junior divers can enjoy underwater adventures with their families while following age-specific safety guidelines.
Younger students benefit from lower student-to-instructor ratios, providing more personalized instruction and added supervision throughout the course.
When a Junior Open Water Diver turns 15, their certification is automatically upgraded to a standard PADI Open Water Diver certification — no additional training required.
As certified adult divers, they can:
Our instructors are certified by the leading scuba and free diving organizations and have years of experience in the industry. We're passionate about sharing our knowledge and helping our customers become confident and skilled divers.
We use only the best equipment from top-quality brands to ensure your safety and comfort in the water. Our gear is regularly maintained and updated to meet the highest standards of safety and performance.
Do what the locals do – dive, snorkel, and explore the underwater wonders of Key Largo with Sail Fish Scuba. Discover why Key Largo is the self-proclaimed "Diving Capital of the World"!