The Sunshine State is home to some of the best dive sites in the country, but unlike many other states, Florida does not legally require any certification for those who want to try it. While there are no laws that require divers to be certified, it is strongly recommended for safety reasons. To enroll in a PADI Open Water Diver course (or Junior Open Water Diver course), you must be 10 years of age or older and have proper swimming skills and good physical health. No previous diving experience is required. If you meet the requirements, consider obtaining your diving certification and booking some diving classes.
Children certified as junior open water divers move to the standard level of open water diving when they turn 15 and complete the other required parts of the course. Depending on what you're interested in, you can also book an underwater photography or videography course, ride an underwater scooter, try deep and wreck diving, or even a shark diving specialty. You can visit your local dive center to cool off in your hometown pool or book directly at your vacation destination. Some dive sites may have restricted access or special requirements, so it's important to check before you dive. With Pura Vida Divers, you also have the opportunity to try enriched air (nitrox) on your last open water dive for free. Pura Vida Divers is licensed by the Florida Independent Education Commission as a professional diving training agency.
Young open water divers must be accompanied by a certified open water diver who is at least 18 years old, and they are only allowed to dive up to 12 meters or 40 feet. During this part of your PADI open water certification, you'll learn the basic theoretical knowledge you'll need to become an expert diver. Once you've completed and passed all three sections of the open water diver certification course and the final exam, which in most cases is a multiple-choice test, you're now officially certified by PADI and have earned your diving certification. If you are going to obtain the diving certification at your local dive center, it may take a few weeks to obtain it, since classes are usually scheduled once or twice a week. Once you arrive at the Florida Keys dive center, you'll learn and practice skills with us in the pool before completing your four open water dives.
