Volunteer Diving
Completion of the Florida Aquarium's Scientific Aquarium Diver program is a challenging yet rewarding undertaking which will enhance your basic diving skills while giving you access to experiences unavailable to most divers. If you provide an enthusiastic attitude and a willingness to learn, we’ll provide you with the training necessary to safely dive in our aquatic habitats.
Florida Aquarium Diver Prerequisites:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Be Open Water certified or above
- Completed at least 25 open water dives
If you meet these prerequisites, you will need to obtain clearance from a doctor before starting the Scientific Aquarium Diver program. NOTE: There are diving-specific evaluations which must be done by your health care provider that go above and beyond most annual physicals. To assist you, we can put you in contact with our diving physician. Because of the time needed to schedule and complete the dive physical, it’s important to plan ahead and schedule it as soon as your application is accepted. Once you finish your general aquarium volunteer orientation, you will complete a basic swimming and scuba skills assessment. It is HIGHLY recommend that you practice these skills BEFORE the evaluation so that you will be more relaxed during the actual assessment.
** Please understand you must have completed a Dive Physical prior to participating in the swim test.
After that, the Florida Aquarium Dive Operations Team will guide you through the Scientific Aquarium Diver course to allow you to safely work underwater. The best part is that all of the training will take place in the aquarium’s many underwater habitats!
If you have any questions about your dive training, please feel free to contact us.
Adam Duff, Manager of Volunteer Services
email 813.273.4121