Written in Nov 2020
Where else but in beautiful Indonesia can your kids obtain their diving licence and start discovering the beauty of the underwater world!
The kids are fast learners and very natural in the water. They will have fun while applying lots of useful skills such as being resilient, relating and resourceful.
The kids are fast learners and very natural in the water. They will have fun while applying lots of useful skills such as being resilient, relating and resourceful.
You can find many dive shops that are well run by experienced Western or local dive masters and instructors. Always check reviews for the best dive centres in terms of safety.
Prior to your arrival, ensure that you communicate that the kids are experienced, check the dive centre is well equipped, have boats in good condition, are able to take you to kid friendly spots and will have enough staff to go with you only, without other divers in the group, for maximum safety and experience.
In Jakarta, you can do your PADI licence at these two recommended places:
Master Salam dive shop - https://www.masterselam.com/
Saca at Guerilla Divers - Jl. Antasari, Kemang - WA: +62811106565
Prior to your arrival, ensure that you communicate that the kids are experienced, check the dive centre is well equipped, have boats in good condition, are able to take you to kid friendly spots and will have enough staff to go with you only, without other divers in the group, for maximum safety and experience.
In Jakarta, you can do your PADI licence at these two recommended places:
Master Salam dive shop - https://www.masterselam.com/
Saca at Guerilla Divers - Jl. Antasari, Kemang - WA: +62811106565
You can also undertake the online theory learning prior to your arrival at the dive centre, do your pool training there and take the first open water dives in the sea to finish up your licence.
Here you will read about places where we have safely dived with kids.
Some are closer to Jakarta, some further away - (generally it is better to go with experienced kids to these far flung destinations). Bear in mind that the hospitals and decompression chambers are in the big cities only and sometimes it may take hours to get there.
I suggest prioritising morning dives for good visibility, less currents, everyone’s excitement and energy :)
Here you will read about places where we have safely dived with kids.
Some are closer to Jakarta, some further away - (generally it is better to go with experienced kids to these far flung destinations). Bear in mind that the hospitals and decompression chambers are in the big cities only and sometimes it may take hours to get there.
I suggest prioritising morning dives for good visibility, less currents, everyone’s excitement and energy :)
Prices:
Single fun dive: +/- 20 Eur/25USD
OWD licence: +/- 400 USD
“Bubble maker” (from 8yrs old one time training with 1 dive): 150 USD
Discovery dive (10yrs+ try a dive with a brief introduction and often pool jump): +/- 120 USD
Price always depends on where you are diving. It is cheaper from the shore and more expensive from a boat. There is always an extra charge to enter National Marine parks, usually 200.000rp per person.
Single fun dive: +/- 20 Eur/25USD
OWD licence: +/- 400 USD
“Bubble maker” (from 8yrs old one time training with 1 dive): 150 USD
Discovery dive (10yrs+ try a dive with a brief introduction and often pool jump): +/- 120 USD
Price always depends on where you are diving. It is cheaper from the shore and more expensive from a boat. There is always an extra charge to enter National Marine parks, usually 200.000rp per person.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1b4I5WfQZOw
1. Bali
Menjangkan Marine National Park
Stay in accommodation at Pemuteran village. There are many dive centres to choose from, best if you combine the two together.
From Pemuteran it is a 25min boat ride to Menjangan Island that features a number of dive sites. The coral runs all around the island and forms incredible shapes, is colourful and unspoiled. You regularly meet turtles, eagle rays, schools of small fish, barracudas.
You take a boat in the morning for two dives directly, lunch included. From a boat with a roof you can enjoy jumping and swimming or just sunbathing while having a break between the dives!
The water is warm and there is absolutely NO CURRENT. It is recommended for kids and beginners but is equally recommended for experienced divers who enjoy taking pictures or videos as the conditions are so suitable and you can really focus on more than just your buoyancy!
Stay in accommodation at Pemuteran village. There are many dive centres to choose from, best if you combine the two together.
From Pemuteran it is a 25min boat ride to Menjangan Island that features a number of dive sites. The coral runs all around the island and forms incredible shapes, is colourful and unspoiled. You regularly meet turtles, eagle rays, schools of small fish, barracudas.
You take a boat in the morning for two dives directly, lunch included. From a boat with a roof you can enjoy jumping and swimming or just sunbathing while having a break between the dives!
The water is warm and there is absolutely NO CURRENT. It is recommended for kids and beginners but is equally recommended for experienced divers who enjoy taking pictures or videos as the conditions are so suitable and you can really focus on more than just your buoyancy!
Where to stay and dive: Amertha Villas and Dive Shop is our pick. Fabulous spacious villas right on the black sand beach with shallow waters, huge green spaces, mountains in the distance, great food and a friendly dive shop with good boats right at your doorstep.
Amed
On the east-north side of Bali, Amed is still a quiet and laid back place, and it is beginner's diver’s heaven. Bubble makers feel easy and comfortable, same as “trial” divers ( DSD - Discover Scuba Diving).
You can simply go diving from the beach, see the natural corals and fish, also see the artificial schools of corals and how they are growing! Such a fantastic environmental friendly underwater discovery!
Where to stay:
Villa Bukit Malas - not directly on the beach, but just across the road, small place of 4 villas, very recommended (close to Adventure divers)
Coral View Villas - right on the beach with a spacious garden and pool in the shadow
Bukit Lipah Villas - to be finished soon, an awesome place on the hill with stunning views of the sea. Be careful with very small kids here.
There are many other hotels / villas to choose from!
Dive centre:
Adventure divers - very professional, very recommended - http://www.adventurediversbali.com/
Eurodive - close to all the accommodation mentioned above, instructors Alex and dive master Roda were both amazing with kids - exceptional in terms of instruction and safety! Check the diving equipment and pick up the new gear.
There are many other dive shops in the area to choose from.
On the east-north side of Bali, Amed is still a quiet and laid back place, and it is beginner's diver’s heaven. Bubble makers feel easy and comfortable, same as “trial” divers ( DSD - Discover Scuba Diving).
You can simply go diving from the beach, see the natural corals and fish, also see the artificial schools of corals and how they are growing! Such a fantastic environmental friendly underwater discovery!
Where to stay:
Villa Bukit Malas - not directly on the beach, but just across the road, small place of 4 villas, very recommended (close to Adventure divers)
Coral View Villas - right on the beach with a spacious garden and pool in the shadow
Bukit Lipah Villas - to be finished soon, an awesome place on the hill with stunning views of the sea. Be careful with very small kids here.
There are many other hotels / villas to choose from!
Dive centre:
Adventure divers - very professional, very recommended - http://www.adventurediversbali.com/
Eurodive - close to all the accommodation mentioned above, instructors Alex and dive master Roda were both amazing with kids - exceptional in terms of instruction and safety! Check the diving equipment and pick up the new gear.
There are many other dive shops in the area to choose from.
Tulamben and Kubu area
A shipwreck from WWII. is the main attraction in Tulamben. Once your kids have done a few dives already, feel free to take them to have a fantastic adventure! The wreck is huge and it goes from the depth of 5m so plenty of space to discover even for the beginners. We saw white tip sharks, turtles and oceanic manta last time we dived here!
The sea is usually calm but can be very rough around the full moon. Be aware that you dive directly from the beach.
Another wreck with a jeep in it has been sunk in Kubu, by the Relax Bali resort with government approval in 2010. The jeep and a house reef is reachable right from the beach of the resort, no boat ride needed.
Where to stay and dive: Relax Bali Dive & Spa Resort, Kubu
A shipwreck from WWII. is the main attraction in Tulamben. Once your kids have done a few dives already, feel free to take them to have a fantastic adventure! The wreck is huge and it goes from the depth of 5m so plenty of space to discover even for the beginners. We saw white tip sharks, turtles and oceanic manta last time we dived here!
The sea is usually calm but can be very rough around the full moon. Be aware that you dive directly from the beach.
Another wreck with a jeep in it has been sunk in Kubu, by the Relax Bali resort with government approval in 2010. The jeep and a house reef is reachable right from the beach of the resort, no boat ride needed.
Where to stay and dive: Relax Bali Dive & Spa Resort, Kubu
2. Lombok
Gili Meno
A turtle’s heaven!!! Boat dives only, but all sites are within a 5-10min ride.
It is not only the kids who will love to swim amongst the giant kareta’s and green turtles!
Blue coral is another special area, also the sunken statues. These you can also see if snorkeling.
A turtle’s heaven!!! Boat dives only, but all sites are within a 5-10min ride.
It is not only the kids who will love to swim amongst the giant kareta’s and green turtles!
Blue coral is another special area, also the sunken statues. These you can also see if snorkeling.
Gilli Meno has an amazing white sand beach with views of the island of Lombok on its east side. The other side of the island has spectacular sunsets and coral beaches with clear water ideal for snorkeling.
There are no cars, no motorbikes on the island, only horse and carriages.
The island is very quiet compared to its two neighbours Gili Air and Glli Travangan, so if you are looking for peaceful and relaxing time, this might be the place for you.
There is a village in the middle of the island and you can ride on the bike from one side to the other within 10 min.
There are no cars, no motorbikes on the island, only horse and carriages.
The island is very quiet compared to its two neighbours Gili Air and Glli Travangan, so if you are looking for peaceful and relaxing time, this might be the place for you.
There is a village in the middle of the island and you can ride on the bike from one side to the other within 10 min.
Where to stay: Mahamaya, on the west side of the island (bikes provided for free) - spectactular sunsets
http://www.mahamaya.co/
Where to dive: Blue Marlin, well established dive shop with its own pool, experienced instructors - all ladies, Ana, Juli, Tamar all wonderful currently in 2020.
www.bluemarlindive.com/gili_meno/
We like to combine our holidays with three days diving at Gili Meno and three days surfing at Selong belanak beach, Kuta area, Lombok. Read more at Destinations - our tips for October or March break!
http://www.mahamaya.co/
Where to dive: Blue Marlin, well established dive shop with its own pool, experienced instructors - all ladies, Ana, Juli, Tamar all wonderful currently in 2020.
www.bluemarlindive.com/gili_meno/
We like to combine our holidays with three days diving at Gili Meno and three days surfing at Selong belanak beach, Kuta area, Lombok. Read more at Destinations - our tips for October or March break!
3. Raja AMPAT
Raja Ampat is a diving heaven for adults as same as for kids. Those lucky kids who have a chance to dive here will never forget this life time experience.
Be sure to dive with recommended dive shops only. They are used to little divers and can adjust the program and sites according to their abilities. Safety goes always first.
Papua Explorers and Sorido Bay are one hundred percent recommended for diving with kids. The managers are professional diving instructors, they will pick up the best sites at the best time, the dive shops are well equipped and the boats are reliable.
If you have a younger child with you, he/she can always stay on the boat with reliable staff or have their own snorkeling guide allocated!
Be sure to dive with recommended dive shops only. They are used to little divers and can adjust the program and sites according to their abilities. Safety goes always first.
Papua Explorers and Sorido Bay are one hundred percent recommended for diving with kids. The managers are professional diving instructors, they will pick up the best sites at the best time, the dive shops are well equipped and the boats are reliable.
If you have a younger child with you, he/she can always stay on the boat with reliable staff or have their own snorkeling guide allocated!