Learning to scuba dive at a young age opens up a world of new adventures. Our teen scuba diving programs include beginner courses so that participants can learn how to dive safely, as well as more advanced specialty courses in navigation, species identification, and other high-level skills.
All our scuba courses at The Road Less Traveled are run through the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) or Scuba Schools International (SSI), which means your teen can be sure of being in the very best hands. Even better than that, they will receive a lifetime PADI or SSI certification upon successful completion of the course, so your teen can have many more scuba adventures in the future, and dive all across the world.
If your teen is interested in marine science, is looking for a new adventure, or even just loves the water, our carefully designed marine stewardship programs will allow them to develop new scuba skills while exploring some of the best diving locations out there.
Our teen scuba programs are not “just” scuba diving programs, but opportunities for students to also get first hand experience working in marine conservation, build relationships with marine science organizations, gain certified service hours, and be part of the positive change happening in our seas and oceans.
Our youth scuba diving trips will teach high schoolers to be competent and safe scuba divers, but they are also instrumental in expanding participants’ awareness of the broader world, and developing their own vision of service.
SCUBA SUMMER PROGRAMS for high schoolers
FLORIDA: CONSERVATION IS KEY
Completing Grades: 9-12
Courses Offered: PADI Junior Diver Open Water, PADI Open Water, PADI Advanced Open Water, PADI Beyond AOW, Enriched Air
Specialties Offered (for those already Open Water Certified): Peak Performance Buoyancy, Fish Identification, and Underwater Navigation
Duration: 14 Days
BELIZE: BENEATH THE SURFACE
Completing Grades: 9-12
Certifications Offered: PADI Open Water, PADI Advanced Open Water, PADI Rescue Diver
Specialties Offered (for those already Open Water Certified): Invasive Lionfish, Coral Reef Conservation, Fish Identification, Deep Diver, Emergency First Response, and Underwater Photographer
Duration: 14 Days
BALI: CORAL AND CULTURE
Completing Grades: 9-12
Certifications Offered: PADI Open Water, PADI Advanced Open Water
Specialties Offered: Peak Performance Buoyancy, Drift Diver, Fish Identification, and Underwater Naturalist
Duration: 16 Days
ITALY: DIVE THE MED
Completing Grades: 9-12
Certifications Offered: PADI Open Water, PADI Advanced Open Water
Specialties Offered: Peak Performance Buoyancy, Fish Identification, Underwater Navigation, and Emergency First Response
Duration: 14 Days
E-LEARNING
All RLT participants signed up for a scuba diving program are required to complete the classroom portion of the course through PADI or SSI E-Learning. If you are diving with RLT in Italy, Bali Florida, or Belize, this is a separate fee not included in your RLT tuition and you must purchase these courses through PADI. This online course must be completed before the student arrives for the program. PADI and SSI estimate that it takes 12-15 hours to complete the E-Learning courses, so please plan accordingly and allow enough time to complete the content. The cost for the in-person instruction (pool learning and ocean dives) is worked into your RLT program tuition.
Before you register for your E-Learning course, you will need to decide which certification you will be working towards. Please see your trip-specific certification options below.
Upon enrolling in a program, you will receive additional information regarding E-Learning. It is important that you do not begin E-Learning before receiving these details from our Admissions Team and/or your course instructors.
CERTIFICATION DETAILS
JUNIOR OPEN WATER DIVER CERTIFICATION
(Your only option if you are traveling with RLT to Florida and are 14 or younger)
ABOUT THE COURSE:
Junior Open Water Divers ages 12-14 years old can dive with a certified adult other than a parent, guardian, or PADI professional, and they may dive to 60 feet (18 m). Junior Open Water divers will need to complete the Open Water E-Learning course online prior to their program.
Important to Note: A 12-14 year old student is considered a Junior Open Water diver. There is no difference in their curriculum or training from a student who is 15+ and working on their Open Water Certification. The distinction occurs once they are certified. A 12-14 year old diver must dive with a certified adult, whereas a diver who is 15+ only needs another certified diver in the water. Once a diver turns 15, they can contact PADI directly to switch their Junior Open Water status to Open Water Certified.
OPEN WATER DIVER CERTIFICATION
(Your only option if you are NEW to diving and traveling with RLT to Italy, Bali, Belize, or Florida and are at least 15 years old)
ABOUT THE COURSE:
Open Water Diver is the first scuba certification level. If you have never been diving before, this is the course for you. A highly-trained instructor will teach you how to scuba dive in a relaxed, supportive learning environment. By the end of the course, you’ll have the skills and knowledge to dive at home or abroad and be an ambassador for the underwater world. Open Water divers will need to complete the Open Water E-Learning course online prior to their program.
TAKE THIS COURSE IF YOU WANT TO:
-Explore the other 70 percent of our planet
-Support ocean protection
-See things you've never seen before
-Learn from a scuba diving expert
-Carry the world's most recognized scuba certification
LEARN HOW TO:
-Be a confident and skilled diver
-Assemble and use scuba gear
-Manage your buoyancy
-Respectfully approach marine life
-Handle common problems
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Prerequisites: Able to swim; medically fit for diving
Total time commitment: 4-7 days
Depth: expect shallow dives (12m/40ft), the maximum allowed depth is 18m/60ft
INWATER TRAINING:
After completing your E-Learning you are ready to get in the water. To complete your in-water training you will complete a minimum of five confined water dives. Next you will move on to your open water dives where you will successfully execute a minimum of four dives with your instructor. Following these dives your instructor will show you how to properly log your dives.
ADVANCED OPEN WATER (SSI: ADVANCED ADVENTURER)
(For those who have completed the Open Water Diver Certification and want to work towards specialty courses and you’re traveling with RLT to Italy, Bali, Belize, or Florida)
ABOUT THE COURSE:
The Advanced Open Water Diver course is all about advancing your skills. You'll practice navigation and buoyancy, try deep diving and make three specialty dives of your choosing (it's like a specialty sampler platter). For every specialty dive you complete, you can earn credit toward PADI specialty certifications. Advanced Open Water divers will need to complete the Advanced Open Water E-Learning course online prior to their program.
TAKE THIS COURSE IF YOU WANT TO:
-Gain more diving experience
-Practice navigation
-Sample different types of diving
LEARN HOW TO:
-Explore below 18m/60ft
-Improve your buoyancy
-Use a compass
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
-Prerequisites: Open Water Diver/Junior Open Water Diver (or qualifying certification)
-Total time commitment: 2-3 days
-Depth: The maximum depth depends on your age, but maximum depth is up to 21 meters/70 feet
INWATER TRAINING:
After completing your E-Learning, you’re ready to get in and complete the Adventure Dives, including the Deep and Underwater Navigation Adventure Dives and three more Adventure Dives chosen with your instructor. Your instructor will make sure you log your dives and explain how your dives credit toward PADI Specialty Diver courses. All Adventure Dives are introductions to specialty diving.
ALREADY ADVANCED OPEN WATER CERTIFIED?
If you are already Advanced Open Water Certified, please contact the office for additional details regarding Rescue Diver Certifications and specialty courses offered.
FAQS
Q: My student has an Open Water Certification with another company, is that recognized by PADI? (ex: NAUI – National Association of Underwater Instructors, SSI – Scuba Schools International, SDI – Scuba Diving International, TDI – Technical Diving International)
A: Yes. They do not need to retake the equivalent course through PADI, they may continue their education at the next level with PADI. Please email admissions@theroadlesstraveled.com with confirmation of this course completion.
Q: My student can’t find their certification card. Will they be able to look up their info at the dive center?
A: Yes. You can also try using PADI’s online card replacement tool or call PADI HQ at 800-729-7234 and give them your student’s first name, last name, and date of birth, and they can provide you with your student’s diver number. It’s important to note that each certification your student receives will have a different diver number.
Q: My student wants to get their PADI Master Scuba Diver Rating. Can they do this on an RLT trip? What are the requirements?
A: They can work towards their Master Scuba Diver on an RLT trip! To receive a PADI Master Scuba Diver rating you must have completed your Rescue Diver certification, earned 5 Specialty Diver certifications, and have logged a minimum of 50 dives. All specialty courses and logged dives from RLT trips will count towards your Master Scuba Diver Certification.
Q: Can my student take Advanced Open Water AND Rescue Diver on an RLT trip?
A: Unfortunately not, there is not enough time to do both courses on the same trip.
Q: What about Open Water AND Advanced Open Water?
A: Unfortunately not, there is not enough time to do both courses on the same trip.
Q: Can they take 2 Specialty courses?
A: Yes, they can! And should! Specialty courses are only available for those who have completed their Open Water Certification and are working on or have completed their Advanced Open Water Certification. Your RLT tuition will cover up to 2 Specialty Courses (3 if you count the Coral Restoration Distinctive Specialty). Any further courses will incur an additional fee.
Q: My student has a Junior Open Water Certification. Do they need to take the regular Open Water course before moving on to Advanced Open Water?
A: If your student is 12 or older, they may begin the Advanced Open Water course. However, depth restrictions still apply. Students ages 12-14 may only dive to 60ft/12M maximum.
Q: Do PADI or SSI certifications expire?
A: Nope! They are both lifetime certifications.
If your participant is interested in learning more about scuba programs, or isn't sure which trip would be the best option, get in touch with us! We are happy to talk through the different scuba courses available, our safety protocols, and how RLT diving programs work. Please also refer to PADI and SSI for additional information.