What is the Minimum age for Scuba Diving?
A regular question from parents who already scuba dive, or parents who have adventurous kids … can my kids go diving? Well, first of all .. it’s your choice if you are the child’s parents or guardians. We won’t force you to sign them up for diving. Some young kids are more physically capable than others and diving does need a certain amount of physical ability and anyone (not just kids) who wants to dive should be able to swim and be happy in the water. The absolute minimum age is 8 years old, at which time kids can do something called ‘Bubblemaker’ in the swimming pool, not in the sea, and a maximum depth of 2 meters. We actually don’t offer this option. Minimum age for actual scuba diving in the sea is 10 years old. Kids age 10+ can sign up for Discover Scuba Diving (1 day experience) or even for a full Open Water Diver course. Or if parents prefer we could just take the kids for a tryout in a pool.
Discover Scuba Diving
We can offer Discover Scuba trips any day with 2 or 3 dives at Racha Yai or Racha Noi islands. For smaller kids, the short 2 dive trips to Racha Yai may be ideal. The water there is shallow, there are no currents, the water is clear…
Racha Yai Island near Phuket
Kids age 10+ can join these trips and are accompanied by an instructor at all times. The maximum depth is 12 meters (40 feet) for anyone, kids or adults, doing this trip. It’s not a certification, just a chance to try scuba diving. And kids will love it :)
Open Water Diver Course
The Open Water certification course takes 3 – 4 days and includes classroom work, pool training and at least 4 dives in the sea. This can be quite a lot for a younger kid, but 10 is the minimum age for the course. It’s up to parents whether they think their kids are mature enough to complete the course. It’s exactly the same course for kids and adults, including FREE eLearning. The only difference is the maximum depth – for 10 and 11 year olds, maximum depth is 12 meters. From 13 years up, maximum is 18 meters. Age 10 – 14 the certification is “Junior” Open Water. Age 10 and 11 must dive with an instructor or divemaster, or a certified parent/guardian on any dives after certification, and age 12 – 14 must dive with adult certified divers after certification.
Getting Ready To Dive at Racha Yai Island
Kids age 12+ can progress on to the Advanced Open Water course also, though again there is a depth limitation of 21 meters for junior divers, compared to 30 meters for age 15+. It’s also possible to do the Rescue course, though we’d really only recommend that for the most physically able kids. We find that kids tend to make good divers – young people are better learners and kids are used to being at school so they pay attention to their instructor! So if you are a diver and want your kids to dive, or if your kids want to try something new and exciting … Let’s dive!
