What is the minimum age for scuba diving at ScubaDive.ae?

10 years old for try dives and the PADI Open Water course. Snorkelling is listed from 6 years old.

Does my child need to be able to swim?

Not for a try dive: the centre says no swimming or diving experience is needed, only reasonable physical health. Snorkelling does need swimming skills. The PADI Open Water course needs basic swimming skills.

How much does a try dive cost?

The try-dive page (last updated March 2024) lists a Basic try dive marked 'Promo' at 249 AED, a VIP try dive at 499 AED and a Fujairah boat try dive at 599 AED. The same page also quotes 299 AED for the promo and 490 AED for VIP, so confirm the current price when you book.

The centre is open every day from 8am to 7pm, with dive sessions at 9am, 12pm and 3pm.

How much is the PADI Open Water course?

1,499 AED over 3 to 4 days, from 10 years old (younger divers take the Junior Open Water Diver course), with equipment, wetsuit, refreshments and photos included; basic swimming skills are needed (courses page, updated May 2025).

ScubaDive.ae: try dives and PADI courses from age 10

Q: How long does it take and how deep do they go?

The Dubai try dive takes about 2 to 2.5 hours, with at least 45 minutes underwater. The FAQ gives a maximum depth of 8 to 10 metres. The Fujairah boat trip takes up to 4 hours.

Water SportsScuba Diving

Checked Oct 2026Details checked October 2026

Al Satwa

Book online

ScubaDive.ae (the shop trades as Great White Diving) is a dive centre next to Max Metro station on 2nd December Street, running try dives, snorkelling and PADI courses. For families, the key number is 10: the centre takes divers from 10 years old for its try dives and for the PADI Open Water course (or Junior Open Water for younger divers), which needs basic swimming skills. You do not need to be able to swim for a try dive, only to be in reasonable physical health. The Dubai try dive happens off the beach in Jumeira and takes about 2 to 2.5 hours, with at least 45 minutes underwater, a shallow-water practice first and time with fish and marine life. Underwater photos and videos are included. There is also a boat try dive in Fujairah and a snorkelling trip in Jumeirah for children from 6 who can swim. The centre has a 4.9 rating on Google from 415 reviews. It is open every day, with dive sessions at 9am, 12pm and 3pm.

scubadive.ae

The activity

Scuba Diving, explained

Scuba diving means breathing underwater from a tank of air, using a mask, fins and a regulator held in the mouth. A first 'try dive' starts with a safety briefing on land, then practice in shallow water before a short, guided dive with an instructor close by. Children learn to stay calm, control their breathing and follow simple hand signals, and they get close to fish and the seabed. At this centre, try dives and the PADI Open Water course start from age 10. Once confident, a young diver can work towards Open Water (younger divers take the Junior Open Water Diver course) and keep diving on family holidays.

Who it's for

Children from 10 years old and adults for try dives and the PADI Open Water course; no swimming skills are needed for a try dive, but divers must be in reasonable physical health. The PADI Open Water course (Junior Open Water for younger divers) needs basic swimming skills. Snorkelling is listed from 6 years old and needs swimming skills (snorkelling page last updated 2023). Pregnant guests are asked to come after the baby is born.

What to expect

On the Dubai try dive you arrive, get a briefing about scuba diving, then practise in shallow water before diving with an instructor. Plan on about 2 to 2.5 hours, with at least 45 minutes underwater; the FAQ gives a maximum depth of 8 to 10 metres. Full scuba equipment is provided, drinks are free on the dive site, and underwater photos and videos are included. The VIP option adds a private instructor, towels, slippers, snacks and pick-up and drop-off. For snorkelling, bring shorts and a towel; the rest is provided. Where exactly to meet on the beach: ask the provider.

Highlights

Try dives and PADI Open Water from age 10 (scubadive.ae)
No swimming needed for a try dive (scubadive.ae)
At least 45 minutes underwater, with free underwater photos and videos (scubadive.ae)
Dive sessions every day at 9am, 12pm and 3pm (scubadive.ae)
Snorkelling in Jumeirah from age 6 for swimmers (scubadive.ae)
4.9 on Google from 415 reviews (Google listing)

Why parents rate it

What parents say on Google

ScubaDive.ae has a 4.9 rating on Google from 415 reviews. Of those, 392 are five stars and 18 are four stars, with five reviews of three stars or fewer.

The facts

Ages: 10+ for try dives and PADI Open Water (Junior Open Water for younger divers); 6+ for snorkelling (swimmers)
Prices: Try dives (page last updated March 2024; confirm current)
Basic, marked Promo: 249 AED
VIP: 499 AED
Fujairah boat try dive: 599 AED
PADI Open Water: 1,499 AED (courses page, May 2025)
Snorkelling: 149 AED (2023 page; confirm current)
Schedule: Dive sessions every day at 9am, 12pm and 3pm
Trial: The try dive is the first-timer option: from age 10, no swimming needed, at least 45 minutes underwater
Where: Office: Great White Diving, Shop 3, Al Dyafa Building, 2nd December Street, next to Max Metro station, Dubai · Dubai try dives and snorkelling: Jumeira beach (exact spot: ask the provider) · Boat dives: Fujairah
How to book: scubadive.ae/try-dive-basic-in-dubai · +971 50 344 3789 · +971 4 326 2325 · [email protected]
Opening hours: Every day8am–7pm

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Questions parents ask

Good to know

The shop trades as Great White Diving: Shop 3, Al Dyafa Building, 2nd December Street, next to Max Metro station; the Dubai dives take place in Jumeira and boat dives in Fujairah (scubadive.ae)
The Fujairah boat try dive needs at least 2 divers per trip and takes up to 4 hours (scubadive.ae)
Public parking is available at the diving centre (snorkelling page, 2023)
Showers are available after snorkelling (snorkelling page, 2023)
Wheelchair-accessible entrance and car park; cards and mobile payments accepted (Google listing)