Mermaid | Advanced | EFR | Instructor
Who This Pathway Is For
This pathway is designed for mermaids who want to teach professionally and take responsibility for others in the water. It is a strong fit for performers, divers, freedivers, swim instructors, and ocean professionals who value safety, structure, and high training standards and want a clear route into teaching mermaid courses.
Who This Pathway Is Not For
This pathway is not intended for those looking for a costume-only experience, casual water time, or certification without responsibility. If you are not interested in teaching, evaluating students, or upholding professional safety standards, this program may not be the right fit.
PADI Mermaid Certification (Step #1)
$350 | eLearning | 4-6 Hours In-Person
We offer one scheduled PADI Mermaid Certification course each month for group training on Catalina Island. If a different timeline or setting works better for you, private classes can also be arranged—either on the island, in your own private pool, or through one of our trusted mainland training partners.
No prior experience is required. All equipment is provided, and the course is designed to take you from your first swim in a mermaid tail to confident, controlled underwater movement. You’ll learn essential mermaid swimming techniques, safety skills, problem-solving, and foundational breath-control, building the confidence and water awareness needed to progress to Advanced Mermaid and ultimately the Mermaid Instructor Course.
PADI Advanced Mermaid Class (Step #2)
$350 | eLearning | 4-6 Hours In-Person
We offer one scheduled PADI Advanced Mermaid course each month, held immediately before our monthly Mermaid Meet-Up. This allows advanced mermaids to complete their certification and then stay active in the water with qualified buddies. If you need a different schedule or setting, private Advanced Mermaid classes can also be arranged at other times, either on the island or through mainland training partners.
This course focuses on safely mermaiding in open water and ocean conditions. You’ll learn how to assess environmental conditions and determine whether it’s safe to enter the water, how to dive confidently in a mermaid tail to depths of up to 30 feet, and how to function as a strong, reliable buddy in dynamic environments. We also cover critical rescue skills, including responding to loss of motor control (LMC) and shallow water blackout, so you’re prepared to protect yourself and others in real-world conditions.
EFR | Emergency First Response (Step #3)
$250 | eLearning | 6-8 Hours In-Person
Emergency First Response (EFR) is a required prerequisite for the Mermaid Instructor Course—and an essential skill set for anyone working in or around the water. This course is designed to build real confidence; EFR isn’t about perfection, it is about preparedness.
PADI Mermaid Instructor Classes (Step #4)
$1300 | Hybrid Online/In-Person | 18+
The PADI Mermaid Instructor Course is offered once per month and is designed for mermaids who are ready to move into teaching and leadership roles. The course includes two nights of shared accommodation, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in learning, training, and community without outside distractions. Space is limited to maintain a focused, supportive training environment.
During the course, you will complete four in-depth lectures, a written exam, and four confined water workshops. Together, these components prepare you to confidently teach, evaluate, and certify mermaid students. The program emphasizes professional teaching standards, safety awareness, and practical instructor skills so you leave prepared to succeed as a PADI Mermaid Instructor.
Monthly Training Rhythm (How This Works)
Each month we have scheduled:
- Mermaid & Advanced Mermaid certifications once per month, and private courses can be scheduled based on Instructor availability.
- Emergency First Response course is offered on request only, in preparation for the PADI Mermaid Instructor Course, or the PADI Rescue Diver Course.
- One Mermaid Instructor Course
This structure allows you to plan, budget, and progress with clarity. You can do all four classes in one month, spread it out over multiple months, or even years. The most important part is just getting started on that first class. The tide typically takes you from there!
Instructor courses do not stack or repeat within the same month. Miss it, and the next opportunity is the following month.
Your Mermaid Instructor Trainer – Elaina Garcia
Elaina Garcia has been a PADI Professional for over 10 years and brings extensive real-world safety, teaching, and leadership experience to every course she runs. She is a PADI Mermaid Instructor Trainer, PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, PADI Freediver, Emergency First Response Instructor, an EMT, and a Reserve Firefighter. She is currently on the board of Love Catalina (Catalina’s Chamber of Commerce), and has experience building multiple profitable businesses. Her teaching style is fun, practical, patient, and rooted in real responsibility—preparing instructors not just to certify students, but to lead them safely.
In 2022, Elaina performed a real-life ocean rescue that made international news, saving the life of Pablo Avila during a critical emergency. The rescue highlighted the importance of training, preparedness, and the ability to remain calm and decisive when it matters most. This experience continues to shape how Elaina approaches instructor training—prioritizing safety, confidence, and sound judgment in every environment.
An Inside Edition interview covering the rescue is available below for those who would like to learn more.
Beyond Certification: Business Coaching & Mentorship
Completing the Mermaid Instructor Course is just the beginning. Graduates who want support building their own mermaid business can continue working with Elaina through optional business coaching and mentorship sessions. These sessions are designed for instructors starting from scratch and can cover pricing, class structure, risk management, client communication, scheduling, and sustainable business growth.
Mentorship is available on an as-needed basis and is not required to complete certification.
Sign ups are offered exclusively at the end of each PADI Mermaid Instructor Course. Pricing Varies.
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