Unforgettable aquatic adventures for kids – Go underwater and discover the wonder of Snorkel, Scuba, Mermaid, and Freediving Explorer programs.

 The SSI Explorers program allows children starting at age eight to go underwater and sample the different ways they can explore the aquatic world around them. They will gain a solid foundation in ocean conservation and have the opportunity to experience four main aquatic adventures: snorkelling, scuba diving, freediving, and swimming like a real mermaid. SSI Explorers can also expand their diving knowledge as they continue their underwater experience with speciality courses like marine mammal ecology, underwater photography, and many others.

Besides fun for the whole family, your children who have not yet achieved the minimum age for scuba diving will learn important life skills. These underwater adventures will enable young divers to acquire maturity, self-esteem, and a sense of responsibility.

SSI Explorers – The brand-new program for young aquatic enthusiasts

SSI Explorers takes kids’ diving to a whole new level. Combined with the guidance and supervision of qualified SSI Explorers Instructors, this program includes a comprehensive printed Explorers manual to help your child learn the knowledge and skills they need to safely participate in snorkelling, mermaid, freediving, and scuba in a pool or confined water environment. The manual is very engaging, with colourful cartoon drawings and authentic ocean images for this young audience.

Join Emma and Nico on exciting underwater adventures as they guide your children through the educational content in a fun and engaging way, using Spike the shark as their equipment expert and Shelly the sea turtle as the ocean environment champion. 

What is the SSI Explorers Program?

The SSI Explorers program is an introductory experience program that includes kid-friendly components from each of SSI’s training categories. It updates and replaces the SSI Scuba Rangers program, incorporating snorkelling, freediving, mermaid, and scuba experiences to teach children between eight and twelve years old about marine conservation and the underwater world.

The program is divided into six parts:

• Blue Oceans Explorer

• Snorkel Explorer

• Mermaid Explorer

• Freediving Explorer

• Scuba Explorer

• Explorer Specialty Experiences

What do you do on the program?

We offer almost 30 different Explorers sessions, which all build towards the ultimate goal of Master Explorer.

Participants must complete the Blue Oceans and Snorkel Explorers programs first. These two programs introduce the participant to marine conservation and safe snorkelling skills. Once they are finished, the participants can complete the Scuba Explorer program, consisting of 5 Scuba sessions, learning all the skills from the Open Water Diver course. It doesn’t stop there; Scuba Explorers are now eligible to complete many cool explorer specialities like:

• Wreck
• Spaceship
• Ecology
• Underwater Communication
• Night and Limited Visibility
• Mermaid
• Mermaid Photo
• Freediving
• Static Freediving
• Dynamic Freediving
• Photo
• Video
• Navigation
• Scooter and DPV
• Search and Recovery
• Disco
• Perfect Buoyancy
• Rescue
• Explorer Assistantant

For each part they complete, participants will earn a digital recognition card.

How much does it cost, and when does it run?

Pool sessions are £25 per session and last for 1.5 hours. They take place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, from 5pm till 6.30pm and on Saturday mornings, from 11am till 12.30pm. Please note that the cost of pool sessions and materials and certifications are separate.

Pool sessions are booked online through our booking platform here.

What materials and certifications are needed? 

There are two SSI Explorers kit options. You can choose Pay As You Go or The Master Explorer package. All participants will receive a beautifully designed and colourful workbook that uses underwater characters like turtles and sharks to explore the different parts of the program. The book includes diplomas for completing Explorers content, a logbook, and a sticker collection to keep your participants engaged and excited about their learning experience.

Pay as you go (£25) includes the materials needed to begin Scuba Explorers, including Blue Oceans, Snorkel and Scuba, and one digital recognition card. Certification cards cost £8.50 after this.

Our Master Explorer materials package (£75) includes the materials for the entire Scuba Explorers program and unlimited digital recognition cards.

With either option, recognition milestones are key to SSI training; Explorers can receive the following recognition ratings based on their experience.

Speciality Explorer - Scuba Explorer + 2 Explorer Specialties

Advanced Explorer - Scuba Explorer + 4 Explorer Specialties

Master Explorer - Scuba Explorer + 4 Explorer Specialties and Rescue Explorer

Divemaster Scuba Explorer Pro - Scuba Explorer, Rescue Explorer + 8 Explorer Specialties and Explorer Assistant

Safety is our priority, all of our Scuba Explorers sessions have a maximum ratio of 2 instructors to 1 Explorer, so your child is well looked after, and gets the most out of each session.