Families welcome
Diving for kids, at their own pace
Two programmes by age: Bubblemaker from age 8 in shallow water, Junior Open Water from age 10 as a real certification. Beach entry, small groups and all the time it takes.
What puts parents at ease
Beach entry
No boat, no navigation. You walk into the water straight from Tanote beach, where your child can stand.
Small group
We keep it tiny, often one instructor for your child, never lost in a whole class.
At the child's pace
No pressure, no boat schedule to keep. We move step by step and stop the moment they need to.
Close supervision
An instructor stays right beside your child the whole time, within arm's reach, underwater and at the surface.
Why Calypso
A family-run centre in a calm bay
Calypso is a small centre set in Tanote Bay since 1999, away from the crowds. That is what makes it a calm place for a first family dive: clear, shallow water, sand underfoot, and nobody rushing your child.
We take the time to build the child's confidence before we even get in the water. If they are shy or unsure, that is no problem: we adapt, reassure, and never go further than where they feel comfortable. The goal is a happy memory, not ticking a box.
The two kids programmes
Depending on your child's age, two ways to discover diving. Tap a card to see the full detail of each one.
Bubblemaker
- From age 8
- Shallow water (max 2 m)
- A first breath underwater
The first breath underwater, in shallow water, step by step with an instructor right beside them. It is a playful, low-stakes discovery made for younger children. A lovely first memory of the water, with no obligation to go further.
See Bubblemaker
Junior Open Water
- From age 10
- Reduced depth (up to 12 m)
- The real certification, kids version
The real Open Water, kids version: same skills, same theory, but a reduced depth suited to their age. A recognised certification they can continue later, earned with beach entry and at the child's pace.
See Junior Open WaterHow it goes
A first dive, step by step
From arriving at the centre to walking back out of the water, here is how a first dive unfolds for a child.
- 1
A simple briefing
We explain everything calmly, in words a child understands and with a small whiteboard. No jargon: just enough to feel ready and reassured.
- 2
We start where they can stand
We begin in shallow water from the beach. The child tries the gear and breathes underwater for the first time, keeping their footing right beside us.
- 3
The instructor stays close
An instructor stays within arm's reach from start to finish. We go slowly, stop whenever the child needs to, and never push.
- 4
The pride, and the keepsake photo
Coming out of the water, there is usually a big smile. We grab a keepsake photo: a first dive is something you never forget.
Parents' questions
The questions we hear most
Before coming, parents tend to ask the same things. Here are our honest answers.
Does my child need to know how to swim?
For the Bubblemaker, they need to be comfortable in the water and able to move around a little, with no swimming level required. For Junior Open Water, basic water confidence is expected, just like for an adult. If you are unsure, message us and we will talk it through before you book.
What if they get scared once in the water?
It is very common and not a problem. The instructor stays right beside them, we start where the child can stand, and we never go further than they want to. If they would rather stop, we stop: no pressure.
Can parents watch, or dive too?
Yes. You can stay on the beach a few metres away and follow the session. And while your child dives, you can go snorkelling, do a fun dive or simply enjoy the beach.
How is safety handled?
An instructor stays with the child the whole time, in a very small group. We stay in shallow water for the Bubblemaker, and at reduced depth for the Junior. The gear is sized for them.
From what age?
The Bubblemaker is open from age 8. Junior Open Water starts at age 10. Under 8 we can still talk: depending on the child, we often find a way to introduce them to the water.
How long does it take?
The Bubblemaker is a short discovery over part of a day. Junior Open Water runs over several days, like the adult certification. We set the pace with you to fit your stay.
And while your child dives
You do not have to sit and wait. You can go snorkelling, book a fun dive or simply relax on Tanote beach. We speak German, English, French and Spanish, so it is easy to plan around you.
Fancy coming over with the kids?
Message us on WhatsApp or book a short call: we will set the programme, the pace and anything you want to know before you come.