Scuba Certifications for Children and Teenagers

Get your whole family involved in scuba diving so you can share extraordinary memories together and take your vacations to new depths. Check out PADI’s scuba programs below for children starting as young as eight years old.

Just Turned Fifteen?

You can upgrade your scuba certification card so you’ll no longer have age-related restrictions while scuba diving.

Bubblemaker (ages 8+) 

This is a good way for children to experience scuba diving in the pool in less than six feet of water. Celebrate a birthday by throwing a memorable, exciting Bubblemaker party with friends at your local PADI dive shop or resort.

Seal Team (ages 8+) 

The PADI Seal Team is for young divers who are looking for action-packed fun in a pool by doing exciting scuba AquaMissions. Divers are introduced to underwater photography, navigation, environmental awareness and more.

Junior Open Water Diver (ages 10-14) 

Young people can take the full PADI Open Water Diver scuba certification course and upon completion will become Junior Open Water Divers with certain age limitations for scuba diving:

• Junior Open Water Divers ages 10-11 years old must dive with a PADI Professional or certified parent/guardian. Dives must not exceed 12 metres /40 feet.
• Junior Open Water Divers ages 12-14 years old must dive with a certified adult. (13+ years old can take the Open Water Diver course online.)

Junior Advanced Open Water Diver(ages 12-14) 

Young people can continue the adventure and build their skills by taking the Advanced Open Water Diver course with a few limitations

• Junior Open Water Divers ages 10-11 years must complete three adventure dives to become a Junior Adventure Diver. They must dive with a PADI Professional or certified parent/guardian.  Dives must not exceed 12 metres/ 40 feet
• Junior Open Water Divers ages 12-14 years may complete three Adventure Dives to earn the Junior Adventure Diver rating or five Adventure Dives to earn the Junior Advanced Open Water rating. If they complete the Deep Adventure Dive it must not exceed 21 metres/ 70 feet. They must dive with a certified adult.

Junior Rescue Diver (ages 12-14) 

Young divers ages 12-14 rise to challenges and learn how to master them in the PADI Rescue Diver course. Upon completion, they become Junior Rescue Divers. They must dive with a certified adult.

Junior Master Scuba Diver (ages 12-14) 

Young divers ages 12-14 can continue building experience and exploring unique diving environments on their way to the Master Scuba Diver Rating. They must dive with a certified adult.