When you learn to scuba dive, it’s hard not to daydream about finning under the ocean as a mermaid. The human art of “mermaiding” has long been part of scuba diving history—Florida’s legendary Weeki Wachee mermaid show launched in 1947, four years after Jacques Cousteau introduced the Aqua-Lung. The PADI Mermaid course offers the chance to live your dream of becoming a mermaid through varying levels of continuing education.

Benefits

The comprehensive, entry-level PADI Mermaid course is open to anyone who can comfortably swim at least 165 feet (50 meters) and float on the surface for at least five minutes. The greatest benefits include the empowerment and wish fulfillment of donning a mermaidstyle monotail to move gracefully underwater. The course builds freediving skills, as all mermaid dives are done using breathhold techniques Self-expression, fun and stress relief are additional pluses.

What You'll Learn

The course includes a knowledge development section—online or in person—that covers mermaiding fundamentals. Next, you’ll participate in two confined-water sessions to practice everything from in-water safety to the specialized moves that mermaids use, including tail kicks, C-shape and U-shape side turns, somersaults and back glides. The only prerequisites for the PADI Mermaid course are that you must be at least 10 years old, be able to complete the swim and float requirements for the course level you’re taking, and be in good physical health. The Discover Mermaid course has no swim or float requirements and is open to kids as young as 6 years old.