Short answer. Children aged 8 and over can snorkel with us with an adult, in the shallow lagoon at Polhena or Madiha, and children up to 9 pay $9. From age 10 they can take a first dive or the PADI Open Water Diver course (ages 10 to 14 certify as Junior Open Water Divers). From 12, Advanced Open Water, Nitrox and Rescue Diver open up. Divemaster is from 18.
| Day or night snorkeling | Age 8 and up, with an adult |
|---|---|
| Try Diving Experience | Age 10 and up |
| PADI Discover Scuba Diving | Age 10 and up |
| PADI Open Water Diver | Age 10 and up (10–14: Junior Open Water) |
| PADI Advanced Open Water | Age 12 and up (12–14: Junior Advanced) |
| Nitrox and Rescue Diver | Age 12 and up |
| Divemaster | Age 18 and up |
Snorkeling from age 8
The lagoon at Polhena is 1 to 3 m deep, with standing depth in places, and we also snorkel from Madiha Beach, whichever is clearer that day. Everyone gets a mask, snorkel, fins and a life jacket, and a guide stays in the water with you, so children do not need to be strong swimmers. Children aged 8 and over are welcome with an adult.
Day tours start every 30 minutes from 7:00 to 9:30 am and take about 2 hours. Adults pay $18 and children up to 9 pay $9. Night snorkeling starts at 6:30 pm for $28 per person, with a dive torch each, and is also from age 8. Details are on the snorkeling page.
A first dive from age 10
From age 10, children can breathe underwater for the first time with a professional beside them. The Try Diving Experience ($70) goes to 5–10 m and is our own beginner dive, not a PADI programme. PADI Discover Scuba Diving ($110) goes up to 12 m, gives a PADI e-card and counts toward Open Water if they continue with us.
Both start with a short medical form. Some conditions need a doctor's sign-off, so ask us before you book if you are unsure. Read what a first dive is really like.
Junior Open Water from age 10
The PADI Open Water Diver course is open from age 10, and divers aged 10 to 14 certify as Junior Open Water Divers. It takes 3–4 days and costs $395 with theory in our classroom or $450 with PADI eLearning. Students need to swim 100 m and float for 10 minutes, at their own pace. The learn to dive guide explains how the course works.
Teens: Advanced, Nitrox and Rescue from 12
From age 12, certified young divers can take PADI Advanced Open Water (ages 12 to 14 earn Junior Advanced Open Water), the one-day Enriched Air (Nitrox) dry course and the PADI Rescue Diver course. The Divemaster internship is from age 18.
Planning a family morning
Snorkeling slots run every 30 minutes from 7:00 to 9:30 am, try dives start at 8:00 am and fun dives at 8:30 am. Tell us who wants to do what when you send your request and we plan the morning around it. Free tuk-tuk pickup from hotels within about 5 km of the centre, and from Mirissa.
Not sure what suits each person? The Find your dive quiz suggests a trip in four questions.
Snorkeling with turtles
Your first scuba dive
Learn to dive in Sri Lanka