DIVE Atlantis at Atlantis The Palm, Dubai has unveiled a range of new dive programs with youngsters in mind, allowing them to get even closer to the 65,000 marine animals that call Atlantis their home. In collaboration with PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors), the resort has developed world recognized certification processes for kids and adults, in the form of three brand new programs. The first of the new dive programs tailored for young divers is the PADI Bubblemaker course. PADI-approved and available to kids ages8to 12, the PADI Bubblemaker course is as fun as it sounds – a chance for kids to blow bubbles while scuba diving. Children can learn the skills of using scuba gear to breathe underwater and swim around the shallows in a safe, controlled environment. The two hour program costs AED490 (AED420 for resort guests) and is a fantastic way to build kids' confidence, both socially and in the water. For kids who have caught got the scuba bug, the newly launched PADI Seal Team and PADI Seal team specialty program are world recognized certifications which welcome young scuba divers who are looking for action-packed fun surrounded by sharks and rays by completing exciting AquaMissions. Children ages8to 12 will learn what it islike to dive with flashlights, take digital pictures underwater and float effortlessly like an astronaut. Beyond learning basic scuba skills, there are specialty AquaMissions, such as wreck diving, navigation, buoyancy, environmental awareness and more. Part one, AquaMissions 1 - 5, covers basic scuba diving skills, such as breathing underwater, clearing a mask of water, recovering a regulator and swimming around experiencing the sensation of being weightless. Each session takes about an hour and costs AED1,450 (AED1,250 for resort guests). Part two, which requires PADI Seal Team as a prerequisite, offers 10 specialty AquaMissions, including adventures like creature identification, search and recovery diving, and skin diving, AED250 (AED210 for resort guests). Complete all of these and you will become a PADI Master Seal Team Member – joining an elite group of young scuba divers. Divers ages10 and above can also apply to the PADI Scuba Diving program at Atlantis, which upon completion, young drivers are certified to dive up to 12m anywhere in the world, accompanied by a dive master or instructor. Lasting 12 hours over two days, the experience includes three confined water sessions, three knowledge reviews and two open water dives in The Ambassador Lagoon for DHS1,950 (DHS1,700 for resort guests). Steve Kaiser, Vice President, Marine Sciences & Engineering for The Lost Chambers comments ‘Children have a natural curiosity about the world around them. They want to know how things work, how creatures live, and especially where they live. They also have an urgent need for exploration. Scuba diving is an excellent way to really satisfy this need whilst simultaneously teaching them about conservation and habitat preservation to ensure generations to come strive to keep our waters a clean, safe place to live for their new ocean friends. We havealso found that many children who learn to dive early on become proactive in their community and teach their friends the responsibility of keeping our planet clean. As an added bonus, SCUBA diving also teaches a child math skills, physics, and natural science, which can make them more critical thinkers in the classroom'. In addition to the range of new programs, adults can also enjoy existing Lost Chambers Marine Animal Adventures programs such as Ultimate Snorkel, Dolphin Scuba Dive, Atlantis Dive Discovery, Atlantis Dive Explorer, and The Ultimate Dive Experience. Kaiser added: “Every visitor and hotel guest can experience the amazing new programs at Atlantis, The Palm this summer. Kids and adults alike will be aided by our experts at the Dive Centre to enjoy a unique underwater world that cannot be found anywhere else in Dubai. We are currently offering discount packages of up to 33% on the dive adventure for online bookings.” Home to over 65,000 marine animals, including sharks, fish and many species of rays, The Ambassador Lagoon at Atlantis, The Palm is the perfect place for diving. During diving activities, experienced marine experts guide guests on a journey through this 11 million liters, 10 meter deep, marine habitat and underwater exhibit. This habitat focuses on marine life found in the local waters of the Arabian Gulf, including Golden Trevallys, Cobias, Crescent Angelfish and a variety of sharks and rays. Here, guests can watch the sea life peacefully, learn about fish species and ocean preservation and even feed some of the hungry rays and sharks. — SG
