PADI Mermaid Instructor
Become a PADI Mermaid Instructor and take your passion to the next level!
2026
January 15-18th
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.
$1300 + Open Water Fees
Student Testimonial
"The wide variety of topics pointed out the broad base of knowledge necessary for mermaiding. I really appreciated the expansion of my personal activity into a wider context with clearly articulated objectives. It's nice to move beyond me playing around and place myself into a group and develop new goals."
2026
January 15-18th
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.
$1300 + Open Water Fees
Student Testimonial
"The wide variety of topics pointed out the broad base of knowledge necessary for mermaiding. I really appreciated the expansion of my personal activity into a wider context with clearly articulated objectives. It's nice to move beyond me playing around and place myself into a group and develop new goals."
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.
Get in touch for detailed Itinerary lodging and group transportation options.
PREREQUISITES
GOALS OF THE COURSE:
INCLUDED:
BONUS FEATURES:
ADD ON:
REQUIRED SWIM ABILITY & PREREQUISITES:
Completed Mermaid & Advanced Mermaid Courses & assisted with 2 Mermaid Courses.
The ability to swim at least 400m without swim aids or floatation devices, and 800m with mask, snorkel and fins.
The ability to back float, tread, or bob on the water's surface at least 10 minutes without aids.
The ability to submerge and swim under water, without a mask, without distress.
WHAT EQUIPMENT / SUPPLIES TO BRING:
All courses require the completion of the PADI Medical Form, Assumption of Liability Form, and Safe Mermaid Practices Statement of Understanding Form, and full payment to Dive Utah before participating in a course.
LOCATION: Salt lake City, 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 and review the Diver Medical form 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.
Get in touch for detailed Itinerary lodging and group transportation options.
PREREQUISITES
- 18 years old
- Certified PADI Advanced Mermaid or proof of mermaid diving experience with 15 mermaid diving sessions including 3 or more open water mermaid sessions
- EFR (Emergency First Response) or qualifying certification within the last 24 months
- Current medical form or statement signed by a physician within the previous 12 months
GOALS OF THE COURSE:
- Assure that Instructor Candidates understand the PADI Mermaid Program structure, philosophy, requirements and procedures.
- Prepare Instructor Candidates to teach Courses that are low stress, performance based, safety-oriented, and learner-centered.
- Refine Instructor Candidates' mermaid skills to a role-model level.
- Provide Instructor candidates with a practical toolkit to organize and market courses.
- Develop professional growth plans to ensure future success.
INCLUDED:
- Instructor Guide
- Course Materials
- Professional Instruction & Guidance from a Career Educator and Professional Mermaid
BONUS FEATURES:
- Resume & Marketing Workshop
- Land Mermaid Portraits by Aqua Native
- Videos of In-Water Sessions & Underwater Coaching
- Makeup Workshop
ADD ON:
- Emergency First Response Certification
- Emergency Oxygen Provider
- Dive Against Debris Specialty Certification
- Professional Underwater Photography
- PADI Mermaid Instructor Application Fee
- Open Water Entry Fees as applicable
REQUIRED SWIM ABILITY & PREREQUISITES:
Completed Mermaid & Advanced Mermaid Courses & assisted with 2 Mermaid Courses.
The ability to swim at least 400m without swim aids or floatation devices, and 800m with mask, snorkel and fins.
The ability to back float, tread, or bob on the water's surface at least 10 minutes without aids.
The ability to submerge and swim under water, without a mask, without distress.
WHAT EQUIPMENT / SUPPLIES TO BRING:
- Wetsuit for 60 degree in-water training (the training pool is warm, no wetsuit needed)
- Mermaid Monofin and Skin
- Sun protective clothing
- Reef Safe Sunscreen (use code mermaidani10 with Stream2Sea)
- Low-Volume, Freediving or SCUBA Mask
- J-Style Freediving Snorkel
- A secure swimsuit for training purposes
- Towel
- 1 Pair of Freediving Long Fins OR Bifins (standard SCUBA style fins)
- 1 Swimming / Synchro Style Nose Clip OR Sinus Saver Nose Plugs - optional.
- A notebook, water bottle, snacks, sandals, boat coat.
- Course materials as needed to conduct presentations: Laptop, iPad, mobile device.
All courses require the completion of the PADI Medical Form, Assumption of Liability Form, and Safe Mermaid Practices Statement of Understanding Form, and full payment to Dive Utah before participating in a course.
LOCATION: Salt lake City, 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 and review the Diver Medical form 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.
“Ani is an amazing trainer! She is clearly very comfortable in the water, and I feel like she works hard to ensure that her students feel comfortable as well. She hits the perfect balance of fun and education, even when covering serious topics that involve water safety. An expert in many different water disciplines, I highly recommend Aqua Natives for mermaid courses and beyond!” ~ Cassie, student