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How to Become a PADI Skin Diver?

People get certified as skin divers for different reasons. But the main benefit is mastering some basic techniques associated with snorkeling and skin diving.

This section explains the prerequisites for the PADI® Skin Diver course, what skills you will learn, and how to use the certification to explore the underwater world.

PADI Skin Diver Course | Table of Contents

Snorkeling and skin diving (called duck diving) offer opportunities for adults and children to explore the marine life that exists in shallow water.

Even so, unless you already know how to snorkel, you will benefit from some basic tuition available at all good dive shops.

Beyond that, signing up for the PADI® Skin Diver course is an ideal way to see some aquatic life living beneath the waves. It also means you can interact better with the ecosystems in the 'Blue Planet', such as when taking pictures underwater.

Discover Snorkeling Programs

Most of the bigger dive shops based in popular resort areas will offer two options for adults and children to join the PADI Discover Snorkeling activities:

  • Swimming Pool Only (2,000 baht*): This is a good choice for people who can't schedule a full day.
  • One Day Snorkeling Tour (1,500 baht): If you join our day trip boat you can go snorkeling in Pattaya near the beaches at the shallow coral islands.

Note: Check out a section that contains snorkeling tips for non swimmers if you feel a little nervous about being in the open water for the first time.

What Comes after PADI Discover Snorkeling?

There is so much more you can learn about. If you enjoy relaxing snorkeling tours why not sign up for one of the non-diving (no scuba) courses that are available, such as:

Important: You will find more information in our blog about snorkeling with expert tips for beginners and answers to popular questions about swimming with a snorkel.


Age, Depth, and Prerequisite Certification

If you've already snorkelled in open water a few times, you might have found it difficult to get close to the fishes and the reef life.

The PADI Skin Diver course enhances the experience by getting you closer to the action underwater. You do not need to have any previous experience and there are only a few restrictions, including:

  • Minimum age: Eight (8) years old.
  • Complete and sign the Discover Snorkeling Skin Diving Statement.

You won't need to sit an exam. But, watching the PADI Discover the Underwater World DVD, and learning from the Snorkeler's Field Guide, will be a joy.


Digital Learning Programs for Self-Study

In general, students with a busy schedule will benefit from choosing online learning to complete the self-study portions.

Being able to complete the independent study part for certification courses offers some convenience with flexibility.

As long as you have a computer or a mobile device, you will be able to study the knowledge development portion at your own pace (online or offline).

Signing Up for PADI eLearning™

You can complete some self-study assignments online with eLearning®. Then, you would need to contact the dive shop to perform any required scuba training dives with a PADI Instructor.


PADI Skin Diving: What Will You Learn?

We can conduct the training in a swimming pool or in a confined open water environment (e.g. a shallow bay).

So, it is a good alternative for children who are too young to start scuba diving or in preparation for the PADI Bubblemaker or PADI Seal Team programs.

Most of the bigger dive shops based in popular resort areas will offer two options for adults and children to take the PADI Skin Diving course:

  • Swimming Pool Only (2,000 baht*): This is a good choice for people who can't schedule a full day.
  • One Day Snorkeling Tour (2,900 baht): If you join our day trip boat you can go snorkeling in Pattaya near the beaches at the shallow coral islands.

Note: Check out a section that contains snorkeling tips for non swimmers if you feel a little nervous about being in the open water for the first time.

The Academic Portion of the Course

Students learn how certain types of equipment help you skin dive (e.g. lead weights). You will also learn about:

  • Dive science
  • The underwater environment
  • Problem management
  • Safe practices for skin divers

The knowledge development sessions (usually conducted in a classroom) cover several other important topics, including:

  • How to make a safe entry into the water.
  • How to check for proper weighting (neutral buoyancy).
  • Weight belt removal and replacement.
  • Swimming at the surface and underwater.
  • Diving hand signals.
  • How to blast clear water from a snorkel tube.
  • The basic principles for performing surface dives.

Skin Diving Training in Water

In many ways, skin divers use the same basic skills and techniques to dive underwater that students learn in PADI Freediving courses (breath-hold diving).

Some basic snorkeling tuition and a few water-based games will help you learn the fundamental skills and techniques, such as:

  • Donning and adjusting snorkeling gear.
  • Basic water safety guidelines.
  • Fundamental techniques used in snorkeling and skin diving.
  • Making skin dives while snorkel swimming in open water at a local dive site (optional).

Note: Another section explains more about the history of the snorkeling breathing device and how the origins date back to many centuries ago.


Skin Diving Equipment and Accessories

Skin diving students will use certain types of equipment that is standard for most snorkelers, including:

  • How to Join the Discover Snorkeling Program and become a PADI Skin Diver?Mask
  • Snorkel
  • Fins
  • Buoyancy vest (if required)
  • Exposure protection (e.g. a wetsuit)
  • Dive weights
  • Knife
  • Skin diver flag (and float)
  • Whistle

Note: Check out a section that covers the best snorkel sets for kids with expert tips and advice about the gear you will use.


FAQ Section and Medical Questionnaire

Can You Fly after Making Breath-hold Dives?

The official data about the effects of flying after freediving is somewhat sketchy and limited. Nonetheless, having a longer interval between freediving and flying lowers the risk of decompression sickness (DCS).

What are Some Common Skin Diving Injuries?

Despite being a relatively safe sport, there are some common injuries and illnesses associated with skin diving activities, including:

Note: The accidents and incidents section is a growing database of scuba fatalities and free diving deaths and how we can learn from the misfortunes of others.

Medical Requirements: Free Download

You should be in good physical and mental health and be medically fit for recreational skin diving. You can review the Diver Medical Participant Questionnaire Online to check whether you need to be evaluated by a physician.

It is not appropriate to ask dive staff (e.g. divemasters, instructors) for medical advice or clearance to go diving. Instead, you can contact the Diver Alert Network (DAN) if you have questions about your medical fitness to dive.


YouTube Video and Knowledge Base for Participants

Most of the information and advice in this page focuses on skin diving activities conducted from different types of watercraft.

We also have a list of blog articles about snorkeling which relate to popular boating adventures - especially in Pattaya, Thailand.

Help Guides about Coral Reef Formations

Note: The short video presented by PADI® [1:01 seconds] spotlights the discipline and control needed to stay underwater while your breath allows it.


What Comes after PADI Skin Diver Certification?

Almost all snorkelers and skin divers enjoy swimming around rocks and coral formations in shallow, clear waters. So what comes next?

Ths skin diver certification has links to other non-diving and scuba courses offered by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), such as:

Note: All course prices for diving are subject to change and assume that all prerequisites have been met to start the training. Click here to contact the team at Private Scuba in Thailand to make a booking or send an enquiry.


Related Information and Help Guides

Pro Tip: Scuba diving or skin diving near sharks can be an exhilarating experience - try to relax, stay safe, and enjoy the moment.

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