Scuba Diving And Snorkeling Lessons For Kids In Hong Kong

There’s no need to waste time in the classroom getting qualified to snorkel or dive while you’re on holiday. Instead, get your training done in Hong Kong pre-vacation.

What is PADI?

PADI is the world’s leading scuba diver training organization, and dive centers around the world run PADI programs ranging from snorkeling and scuba lessons to technical diving and emergency first response courses.

Learn to Dive at Mandarin Divers

There are dozens of dive centers in Hong Kong that offer PADI courses, and you can search for one near you HERE.

If you’re looking for courses in English, the ironically named Mandarin Divers is your best bet. A 5-star dive center, they are friendly, helpful, and offer the full range of PADI courses for kids and families. Mandarin Divers also offers classes in Cantonese and Mandarin, with other languages also available on request.

PADI Courses for Kids

At the most basic level is the Bubblemaker course, where children 8 years old and above can learn to take their first breaths using a regulator and familiarize themselves with scuba gear in shallow water. Bubblemaker is a great activity for birthday parties.

Another youth course that is one up from Bubblemaker is the PADI Seal Team, where aspiring young divers (8 and up) can complete fun AquaMissions in a pool, whilst learning basic scuba diving skills such as breathing underwater, mask clearing, and recovering a regulator.

Moving on from youth courses, there are several beginner courses that are available to children starting with Discover Scuba Diving – a quick and easy introduction to diving for those who want to try it out but aren’t quite ready to take the plunge and do a whole certification course. This particular program is offered in a pool, off a beach, or from a dive boat and divers must be at least 10 years old.

For those who do want the certification, Open Water Diver is the most relevant choice.  This course comprises three main phases including Knowledge Development (either online, through independent study, or in a classroom) to lock in the basic diving principles; Confined Water Dives to learn basic scuba skills; and Open Water Dives to test skills from the boat Mandarin Divers in Sai Kung. Aspiring divers must be at least 10 years of age, be able to swim comfortably, and the time commitment for this course is approximately 8-15 hours. This particular course comes in at HK$4,500 per person for a group program or HK$7,000 per person for one-on-one.