This course provides a structured introduction to snorkelling and basic breath-hold diving, ideal for anyone who wants to explore underwater life from the surface and during short dives. It focuses on technique, comfort, and safe practice, with no depth requirement and a relaxed, accessible format suitable for beginners.
Course duration: 2 hours
Training type: Snorkelling and breath-hold
Minimum age: 8
The course begins with a briefing on equipment selection, fit, and care. You’ll learn how to adjust your mask, snorkel, and fins correctly for efficient movement in the water. Instructors explain buoyancy checks, safe entries, and foundational safety principles to help you feel confident before starting practical skills.
In the water, you will practise controlled surface swimming, snorkel clearing techniques, and streamlined movement. Once comfortable, the instructor introduces simple breath-hold exercises and surface dives, allowing you to descend briefly to observe marine life from a closer perspective. These drills develop efficiency and reduce energy use while maintaining safe breath-hold limits.
Depending on the conditions and session plan, you may complete an optional skin dive at a suitable site. This gives you the opportunity to explore an area with better visibility or natural features while applying the skills learned during training. The focus remains on technique, comfort, and safe breath-hold practice.
Training takes place in confined or shallow-water environments with consistent visibility and stable conditions. These settings allow you to focus on learning snorkelling and breath-hold techniques without dealing with challenging currents or depth variations. The calm environment is ideal for beginners and younger participants.
Facilities include briefing areas, equipment stations, and easy-access entry points. Everything is arranged to make the experience simple, safe, and enjoyable, whether you are training in a pool or a suitable natural site.
You must be at least eight years old, comfortable in the water, and able to swim unaided. No previous experience with snorkelling or freediving is required. The course introduces all skills from the beginning and progresses at a steady pace.
Participants should be able to follow instructions, remain comfortable with face immersion, and demonstrate basic swimming ability. Equipment is provided, but personal masks or fins may be used if preferred.
The programme is delivered by instructors experienced in snorkelling and entry-level breath-hold training. Their structured approach ensures you gain practical skills while feeling supported throughout. Clear demonstrations and step-by-step practice build confidence quickly, making the course accessible to all ages above eight.
Facilities are well maintained and designed to support beginner training. Equipment is clean, comfortable, and suitable for extended surface sessions. The team prioritises safety, clear guidance, and a welcoming environment, helping you develop skills you can use confidently on future snorkelling or holiday trips.
The PADI Skin Diver course introduces you to snorkelling and short breath-hold dives. It focuses on comfort at the surface, safe descent techniques, and observing marine life from a close but controlled distance.
The programme is suitable for beginners and requires no previous snorkelling or freediving experience, making it a simple, fun entry point to underwater activities.
Yes. The minimum age is eight, and the skills are taught in a relaxed, step-by-step format suitable for younger participants. Shallow-water training ensures children can learn safely and without pressure.
Instructors closely supervise all exercises, adapting the pace to match each child’s comfort level and swimming ability.
You do not need advanced swimming skills, but you should feel comfortable in the water and be able to swim short distances unaided. Basic snorkelling techniques are introduced progressively to help you build confidence.
If you have limited experience, the instructor will adjust the session to support your needs.
You will learn how to choose and adjust snorkelling equipment, check buoyancy, enter the water safely, clear a snorkel, swim efficiently at the surface, and perform simple breath-hold dives. You will also learn basic safety guidelines for being around the water.
These skills form the foundation for more advanced breath-hold training if you choose to continue in the future.
The course lasts around two hours, including preparation, equipment fitting, and practical exercises in the water. The pacing is flexible so that beginners and children can learn comfortably.
Sessions may be shorter or longer depending on group size and how quickly skills are mastered.
All snorkelling equipment, including mask, snorkel, fins, and exposure protection if needed, is provided. You may bring your own gear if you prefer, and the instructor will help ensure it fits correctly for safe use.
Using well-fitting equipment helps improve comfort and technique during surface and breath-hold tasks.
This course involves shallow breath-hold dives only. The focus is on safe, short descents rather than depth progression. You will learn how to perform comfortable surface dives and return to the surface smoothly.
If you are interested in deeper breath-hold diving, you can progress later to entry-level freediving courses.
The activity involves light swimming and low-intensity breath-hold tasks. It is suitable for most fitness levels and remains approachable even for those new to water-based training.
Proper technique, relaxation, and efficient finning are emphasised to reduce effort and improve enjoyment.
Bring swimwear, a towel, slippers or poolside footwear, and a refillable water bottle. All technical snorkelling equipment is supplied, though you may use personal items if preferred.
Comfortable clothing for briefings and breaks is also helpful.
Yes. The Skin Diver course provides a useful foundation for breath-hold comfort, snorkel clearing, and efficient movement—skills that translate naturally into beginner freediving training.
If you enjoy the experience, progressing to the Basic Freediver or full Freediver course is a straightforward next step.
About the centre
Azure Residences, The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, UAE
We partner with Rewilding Britain to help protect our natural spaces for future adventures.
All centres are vetted for safety and quality. Your adventure is in good hands with adventuro.
Operated by Nemo Diving Center, a partner of adventuro.
