PADI Bubblemaker (8–10)
For 8- to 10-year-olds, in Nilaveli's calm, clear shallows. Properly supervised, properly shallow: a first breath underwater they'll bring up for years.
A PADI Bubblemaker is how a child first breathes underwater: safely, in shallow water, never out of reach of an instructor. It’s not a course and not a deep dive; it’s a carefully controlled first taste, in water no deeper than 2 metres. A parent or guardian needs to be there. Most kids come up grinning.
What’s included
- Full equipment: regulator, BCD, wetsuit, mask, fins and a 12-litre tank of air
- An experienced instructor or guide
- Drinking water at the centre, plus tea and snacks after
Not included
- GoPro photos and video (not included on PADI Bubblemaker)
- Certification
Good to know
Ages 8–10, and a parent or adult guardian must be present.
Highlights
- A child’s first breath underwater, fully supervised.
- Shallow and controlled, maximum 2 m depth.
- Built for ages 8–10.
Requirements
- Ages 8–10 (PADI Bubblemaker: minimum 8; upper limit 10; older kids do a Discover Scuba Dive).
- A parent or adult guardian must be present.
- Maximum depth 2 m.
- Diver medical questionnaire, completed by the parent or guardian.
Programme & duration
- 08:15Arrive with your child (a parent or guardian stays throughout)
- 08:30Welcome and briefing for child and parent
- around 08:50Kit fitting with child-size equipment
- around 09:10Bubblemaker session in the poolpool
- around 10:15Rinse off and certificate
- 10:30Finish
Times on the water are approximate and follow the sea and the group on the day.
08:30–10:30: briefing plus the PADI Bubblemaker session in shallow, controlled water (maximum 2 m), supervised throughout.
Medical, flight & insurance
Most people answer “no” to every question on the diver medical questionnaire and are cleared to dive. A “yes” to any question means a physician must sign the medical form confirming you’re fit to dive. Bring the signed form with you on Day 1.
Planning to fly after diving? PADI and DAN recommend waiting at least 12 hours after a single dive, 18 hours after multiple dives, and ideally 24 hours for complete peace of mind.
We recommend DAN Europe (Divers Alert Network) dive insurance: recommended, not required, and no sign-up is needed to book. Dive safe, dive insured. Get covered with DAN →
What to bring
- Swimwear
- Towel
- Sunscreen
- A parent or adult guardian present
Meeting & pick-up
- Arrive 15 minutes before your start time for registration, briefing and equipment fitting.
- Our centre is right on the beach. Most accommodation is a short walk or tuk tuk away. There is no tuk tuk pick-up service on the east coast.
- Your confirmation email carries the exact meeting point and time.
Who it’s for
For: Kids 8–10 curious about diving.
Not for: Not for under-8s, and not a certifying course.