Course: Advanced Mermaid
The PADI Advanced Mermaid/SSI Ocean Mermaid certification program is the next step if you have already completed the Mermaid Course and you are ready to develop your skills in open water.
$400
All courses require the completion of the Diver Medical Form, Assumption of Liability Form, and Safe Mermaid Practices Statement of Understanding Form, before participating in a course.
Minimum age ~ 12 yrs. A 3-day certification course with a certified PADI/SSI Mermaid Instructor. Through classroom and in-water sessions in open water, Build upon your basic mermaid skills and learn to navigate open water environments, refine your mermaid swimming techniques, and learn advanced safety techniques. You'll also learn how to be environmentally friendly in open water mermaiding, including what to expect from aquatic life and how to avoid harm. To enroll, participants must be able to swim 100m and float for 10 minutes unassisted.
Mermaid Program FAQs
Check the Calendar to join an existing class.
$400
All courses require the completion of the Diver Medical Form, Assumption of Liability Form, and Safe Mermaid Practices Statement of Understanding Form, before participating in a course.
Minimum age ~ 12 yrs. A 3-day certification course with a certified PADI/SSI Mermaid Instructor. Through classroom and in-water sessions in open water, Build upon your basic mermaid skills and learn to navigate open water environments, refine your mermaid swimming techniques, and learn advanced safety techniques. You'll also learn how to be environmentally friendly in open water mermaiding, including what to expect from aquatic life and how to avoid harm. To enroll, participants must be able to swim 100m and float for 10 minutes unassisted.
Mermaid Program FAQs
Check the Calendar to join an existing class.
Course Information
This course contains (1) in person classroom session, (1) pool session with your instructor and (2) open water sessions where you learn and practice freediving & mermaid skills. Build upon your basic mermaid skills and learn to navigate open water environments, refine your mermaid swimming techniques, and learn advanced safety techniques. In two confined water sessions, in which you'll learn to prepare for mermaiding, rescue/problem management skills and the conduct of mermaid dives. You also learn mermaid skills, such as dolphin (butterfly) kicks, C-shape and U-shape side turns, and some skills distinct to mermaid diving, including backward somersault turn, underwater handshaking mermaid bubbles, and back glides. You'll also learn how to be environmentally friendly in open water mermaiding, including what to expect from aquatic life and how to avoid harm.
Upon mastery of course skills you will receive a PADI Advanced Mermaid certification.
For Ages 12-Adult. Minor children must have a parent or guardian remain on site.
REQUIRED SWIM ABILITY:
The ability to swim at least 50m without swim aids / floatation devices.
The ability to back float on the water's surface at least 5 minutes without sinking.
The ability to submerge and swim under water without panicking.
INCLUDED EQUIPMENT: 1 Fabric mermaid tail rental with Monofin
WHAT EQUIPMENT / SUPPLIES TO BRING:
PERSONAL TAIL USAGE: Cape Cali Divetails (Mahina monofin) and the Mertailor Guppy (Linden monofin) are the preferred brand of choice for this class. Please contact us to discuss your personal tail if it is another type.
LOCATIONS: Dive Utah; Holladay, Neptune Divers; SLC, Utah & appropriate open water sites surrounding SLC, UT
Freediving requires a minimum level of health and fitness. Chronic health conditions, certain medications and/or recent surgery may require you to get written approval from a physician before diving.
Avoid disappointment, download, review, and complete the Diver Medical form at least one week prior to your course start date to ensure you won’t need a physician’s approval to dive before enrolling in a freediving course. Instructors, divemasters and dive shop staff are not physicians and should not be asked for medical advice; only medical professionals can give medical clearance to dive.
Upon mastery of course skills you will receive a PADI Advanced Mermaid certification.
For Ages 12-Adult. Minor children must have a parent or guardian remain on site.
REQUIRED SWIM ABILITY:
The ability to swim at least 50m without swim aids / floatation devices.
The ability to back float on the water's surface at least 5 minutes without sinking.
The ability to submerge and swim under water without panicking.
INCLUDED EQUIPMENT: 1 Fabric mermaid tail rental with Monofin
WHAT EQUIPMENT / SUPPLIES TO BRING:
- 1 Low-Volume, Freediving or SCUBA Mask
- 1 J-Style Freediving Snorkel
- A SECURE swimsuit for training purposes
- Towels
- 1 Pair of Freediving Long Fins OR Bifins (standard SCUBA style fins) These are available for rental if needed.
- You are welcome to bring a 3-5mm wetsuit to wear if you get cold easily, but our dive site is warm year round.
- 1 Swimming / Synchro Style Nose Clip OR Sinus Saver Nose Plugs - optional.
- A notebook, water bottle, snacks, sandals, and a warm change of clothes.
- Mermaid Portraits in a Mermaid tail
- Videos of the in-water session
PERSONAL TAIL USAGE: Cape Cali Divetails (Mahina monofin) and the Mertailor Guppy (Linden monofin) are the preferred brand of choice for this class. Please contact us to discuss your personal tail if it is another type.
LOCATIONS: Dive Utah; Holladay, Neptune Divers; SLC, Utah & appropriate open water sites surrounding SLC, UT
Freediving requires a minimum level of health and fitness. Chronic health conditions, certain medications and/or recent surgery may require you to get written approval from a physician before diving.
Avoid disappointment, download, review, and complete the Diver Medical form at least one week prior to your course start date to ensure you won’t need a physician’s approval to dive before enrolling in a freediving course. Instructors, divemasters and dive shop staff are not physicians and should not be asked for medical advice; only medical professionals can give medical clearance to dive.
"What a fun way to learn about the magic of becoming a mermaid - the ultimate fantasy! Great instruction about not only the art but the skill and safety of swimming underwater with proper breathwork."
~ PADI Advanced Mermaid
Advanced Mermaid
$440.00
A 3-day certification course with a certified PADI Mermaid Instructor. Through class and in-water sessions in open water, learn what you need to know for safe mermaid diving at an advanced level. To enroll, participants must be able to swim 100m and float for 10 minutes unassisted and complete the required forms.
- Friday, May 8th, 7-9pm MST, Online classroom session (Google Meet). Details sent individually.
- Friday, May 15th, 8am -12pm, 2026 - In-water training at the Swimstitute
- Saturday, May 16th, 7am-10am, 2026 - Lake Natoma, CA
Course includes:
- Three days of learning with 8+ hours of pool and open water time
- Elearning (online homework), please complete prior to class dates.
- Students will learn how to translate their mermaid skills to open water environments, learn essential safety and buddy procedures for this type of work. From the elite instructor, students will gain essential tips and tricks about performance, modeling, environmental activism, and industry work for Advanced Mermaids.
- Students who successfully complete the class will receive the PADI Advanced Mermaid certification.
STUDENTS MUST BRING:
- Monofin with compatible fabric tail
- MASK and snorkel (NO GOGGLES)
- Bi-fins suitable for freediver type rescues
- Weight belt and weights in small increments as needed.
Recommended:
- Thermal protection as preferred for water temperatures (rashguard, thin wetsuit)
- Defog (Use this link and code: Mermaidani10 for 10%off Stream2Sea)
- Additional comfort: Towel, sunscreen, and water!
Workshop FAQ
- This workshop takes place May 8th and 15th, 16th, 2026.
- eLearning Date is self-scheduled but must be completed prior to class.
- This workshop includes one complementary group photo for all students, and underwater video.
- This workshop is available to students ages 15+.
- Ticket sales close May 14th to accommodate eLearning.
Mermaid
$300.00
Minimum age ~ 10 yrs. A 2-day certification course with a certified PADI Mermaid Instructor. Thru class and in-water sessions, learn everything you need to know for safe mermaid swimming ~ whether you want to be a mer for fun or career! To enroll, participants must be able to swim 50m and float for 5 minutes unassisted, and complete the required forms.
Mermaid Instructor Course
$2,000.00
The PADI Mermaid Instructor certification program is the next step if you are ready to develop your skills as a Mermaid Instructor and help bring others to the world of mermaiding. You'll work with Elite PADI Mermaid Instructor Trainer, Ani Ferguson, to receive professional guidance and instruction throughout this course. This program will bring you to the PADI Professional level and prepare you to work with PADI Standards & Curriculum.
This course contains in person classroom sessions, pool sessions with your instructor and open water sessions where you learn to effectively teach freediving & mermaid skills of the PADI Mermaid Program. Upon mastery of course skills you will receive a PADI Mermaid Instructor Certification.
