How Old Do You Have to Be to SCUBA Dive in Hawaii?
Page At‑a‑Glance
- Minimum Age: 10 years old (PADI Standard)
- Ages 10-11: Maximum depth 12m (40ft), strict adult supervision.
- Ages 12-14: Maximum depth 18m (60ft), Junior Open Water certification.
- Ages 15+: Full adult certification standards.
Ken is a master scuba instructor and licensed boat captain with over two decades of experience navigating Hawaiian waters. A contributing author, he specializes in scuba certification, advanced diving instruction, underwater asset inspection, and marine salvage.
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SCUBA Diving: A Family Adventure
Scuba diving is a fantastic ocean activity for the entire family while on your vacation in Hawaii. It combines outdoor exploration with physical activity, creating unforgettable vacation memories. Similar to a family hike through a jungle, everyone can participate—but it is truly dependent on the individual's desire to explore the underwater world.
While we love taking families out, safety is our primary concern. Children mature at different rates, and physical age is just one factor in determining if they are ready to dive.
Is Your Child Ready to Dive?
To best determine if your child is ready to try diving (either the "Discover Scuba" experience or a full certification course), ask yourself these questions:
- Desire: Does the child actually want to scuba dive, or is it the parent's wish?
- Medical Fitness: Is the child medically fit to dive? (No asthma, ear issues, etc.)
- Water Comfort: Can they swim comfortably? Most importantly, are they comfortable in the ocean environment?
- Attention Span: Do they possess a sufficient attention span to listen to and follow a detailed instructor's briefing?
PADI Age Requirements & Restrictions
Children Ages 10 to 14 (Junior Open Water)
Children as young as 10 can try diving for fun with the PADI Discover Scuba program or earn their certification. However, strict depth and supervision limits apply:
- Ages 10-11: Must dive with a PADI Professional or certified parent/guardian. Maximum depth is limited to 12 meters (40 ft).
- Ages 12-14: Must dive with a certified adult. Maximum depth is limited to 18 meters (60 ft) for Junior Open Water divers.
Once certified, Junior Open Water divers can advance to the Junior Advanced Open Water course, earning specialty ratings in areas like Night Diving and Underwater Photography. With 50 logged dives and 5 specialties, they can even earn the coveted Junior Master Scuba Diver rating.
Teens Ages 15 to 17
At age 15, all Junior-level certifications can be upgraded to their adult equivalents. Teens aged 15 to 17 take the same non-professional level PADI courses as adults and share the same standards and depth limits. This is often the perfect age to start building skills that will last a lifetime.
Start Your Family Adventure
Ready to get the family in the water? Whether your kids are 10 or 17, we have a safe and exciting program for them.