Interested in diving but not certified? There are many options for a non-certified diver aboard a dive charter yacht from those who want to experience diving (testing the water, so to speak!) to those who desire to take a full Openwater Diver Course and become certified on their vacation.

• Discover Scuba (Resort course).
  This course is designed to introduce the dive experience. It consists of an orientation, teaching of fundamental skills in calm water shallow enough to stand up in, and a controlled dive under the supervision of the instructor to a maximum depth of 40 feet.

• Open Water Diver Course.
  This is the basic scuba diving certification level. The course consists of three parts: 1) Academic training by textbook, lecture, and video, with accompanying quizzes and tests; 2) Water skill training in calm, pool-like conditions, and 3) the Open Water Checkout Dives which are four to five dives with prescribed exercises to be accomplished in each dive.

• Referral Course (Open Water Checkout Dives).
  This is the ideal and most popular way to become a certified diver. The student diver takes the academic and pool sessions at home with their local dive shop or YMCA, for example, and completes the Open Water Checkout Dives in the warm, clear water of the Caribbean. This allows more time for diving and other activities rather than bookwork.

• Bubblemakers.
  The PADI Bubblemaker program is for children ages 8 to 11 years old. It introduces young adventurers to the thrill of breathing underwater. With a qualified PADI Instructor kids take the plunge to experience the underwater world. Start your children out on the right fin and let them join in the family fun. Maximum depth limit of six feet.

• Ages 8 and over may participate in PADIs Bubblemaker program. Maximum depth limit of 6 feet.

• Ages 10 - 11 may participate in Discover Scuba experience programs and can earn restricted certification as either a PADI Junior Scuba Diver or Junior Open Water Diver. PADI Junior Scuba Divers are limited to a maximum depth of 40 feet and may only dive with a PADI Professional. PADI Junior Open Water Divers are also limited to 40 feet, but may dive with a PADI Professional or a certified scuba diver parent or guardian.

• Ages 12 - 15. Divers in this age range earn junior certifications and can dive only when accompanied by a certified adult scuba diver. During training, these divers are limted to 40 feet for Dives One and Two and 60 feet for Dives Three and Four. Divers in this age group are limited to a 70-foot depth for all other PADI continuing education courses.

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