Mermaid Diving Center

Name

Mermaid Diving Center

Legal name

Mermaid Diving Center

Website

https://mermaid-divers.net

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Mermaid Diving Center is a privately held PADI-authorized scuba diving instruction business operating hotel-based dive centers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with a forthcoming Doha (Qatar) location. It serves tourists, UAE residents, and international families through certified courses and snorkeling experiences.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Scuba Diving Instruction

NAICS

Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (48721), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Dive Centers & Scuba Training (PADI/SSI, certifications) (THAAAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Scuba Diving & Freediving Centers (Training, Guided Dives) (THAAAKAD), Dive & Snorkel Guides / Dive Masters (Boat-Based & Shore-Based) (THAAALAC)

Keywords

• PADI scuba certification
• Scuba diving courses
• Snorkeling excursions
• Dive resort
• Underwater instruction

Headquarters

HQ city

Dubai

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Scuba Diving Courses and Experiences: The company generates revenue primarily through one-time course fees for PADI scuba diving certifications and snorkeling experiences. Customers pay upfront for specific courses ranging from beginner (PADI Open Water) to professional (Divemaster) levels, as well as adventure experiences like snorkeling by boat.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Mermaid Diving Center is a PADI-authorized dive resort that sells scuba diving certification courses and guided snorkeling experiences from its hotel-embedded centers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Its portfolio covers the full PADI pathway from children's introductory programs (Bubble Maker) through recreational certifications (Open Water, Rescue, Master Scuba Diver) to the professional Divemaster level, plus EFR first aid training and boat-based snorkeling tours. Course fees are charged as one-time payments per certification or experience, with equipment and instruction provided in multiple languages.

Product overview

Mermaid Diving Center is a single-location dive resort offering a unified portfolio of PADI-certified scuba diving courses and snorkeling experiences. The product suite spans from introductory programs (Bubble Maker, Junior Open Water) through recreational certification (Open Water, Rescue, Master Scuba Diver) to professional-level training (Divemaster), complemented by non-certification snorkeling experiences. All courses follow PADI standards and are conducted at hotel locations across Dubai (Rixos Palm Jumeirah, FIVE Palm Jumeirah) and Abu Dhabi (Le Méridien, Sheraton, Radisson Blu, Rixos Premium Qetaifan Island North). The center also offers Emergency First Response (EFR) first aid training as a standalone course and prerequisite for advanced certifications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PADI Open Water Course Entry-level PADI scuba certification course covering Knowledge Development, five Confined Water Dives (max 1.5m depth), and four Open Water Dives (max depths of 6, 12, and 18 meters). Certifies divers to dive to 18 meters. Priced at 3,000 AED.
• Junior Open Water Course PADI Junior Open Water Diver certification for children aged 10 and above, permitting diving to a maximum depth of 12 meters (40 feet). Priced at 3,300 AED.
• Bubble Maker Course Introductory scuba experience for children aged 8 and above, conducted in confined water at a maximum depth of 2 meters (6 feet). Participants receive a Bubble Maker certificate and card upon completion. Priced at 2,100 AED.
• Master Seal Team Course PADI Master Seal Team program requiring completion of AquaMissions 1-5 plus 10 additional Specialty AquaMissions. Participants learn to independently assemble and disassemble scuba equipment, with depths ranging from 2m to 4m.
• Snorkeling Course Certification program for snorkeling participants aged 8 and above, covering knowledge development and confined water skills at a maximum depth of 5 meters (15 feet).
• Snorkeling by Boat (Reef Discovery Program) Guided boat snorkeling experience for non-divers to explore the best reefs in Dubai. Includes equipment fitting, safety briefings, visits to multiple snorkeling locations, and a Fish Card keepsake. Priced at 1,000 AED.
• Snorkeling for Children (Reef Discovery Program) Adventure snorkeling program for children with flotation devices, wetsuits, fins, and masks available. Requires children to be able to swim and comfortable in the sea, with parental/guardian accompaniment required. Priced at 1,500 AED.
• Emergency First Response (EFR) Primary and secondary care training covering CPR, first aid, bandaging and splinting techniques, and emergency response skills. eLearning component requires 2-4 hours with 4-8 hours total time commitment. Prerequisite for advanced diving courses.
• Rescue Diver Course PADI Rescue Diver course teaching divers to identify and address minor issues before they escalate. Prerequisites include Adventure Diver certification with Underwater Navigation Dive and EFR training within 24 months. Time commitment: 4-7 days. Priced at 2,500 AED.
• Re-Activate Course Refreshment program for certified divers who have not dived recently. Includes knowledge review and water skills dive. Prerequisites include PADI Junior Scuba Diver certification or equivalent with minimum four open water training dives.
• Master Scuba Diver Course Pinnacle of recreational diving achievements in the PADI System. Requirements include minimum age 12, valid Advanced Open Water and Rescue Diver certifications, five PADI Specialty certifications, and minimum 50 logged dives. Priced at 3,500 AED.
• Divemaster Course Professional-level PADI Divemaster certification requiring completion of Knowledge Reviews, Emergency Assistance Plan, diver rescue technique evaluation, and minimum 60 logged scuba dives including night, deep, and underwater navigation experience. Priced at 4,000 AED.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Rixos Palm Jumeirah DubaicoreOthersPrimary Dubai location operating within the Rixos Hotel on Palm Jumeirah, one of Dubai's most iconic hotel properties. This hotel-based location provides the main dive center facility and serves as a key customer acquisition channel.
• FIVE Palm Jumeirah HotelcoreOthersSecondary Dubai location at the FIVE Palm Jumeirah Hotel, expanding presence in the Palm Jumeirah area and providing additional access for customers staying at this property.
• Le Meridien Abu DhabicoreOthersAbu Dhabi hotel location providing diving services to guests and visitors of the Le Meridien property, one of multiple hotel partnerships in Abu Dhabi.
• Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort Abu Dhabi CornichecoreOthersAbu Dhabi location at the Radisson Blu hotel on the Corniche, providing dive services and PADI courses for hotel guests and external visitors.
• Sheraton Abu DhabiminorOthersAbu Dhabi hotel partnership providing diving services and courses to Sheraton hotel guests and visitors.
• Rixos Premium Qetaifan Island NorthcoreOthersNew Abu Dhabi location at Rixos Premium Qetaifan Island North hotel property, expanding the company's presence in Abu Dhabi.
• PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAuthorized PADI Dive Center offering official PADI certification courses from Open Water through Divemaster levels. All instructors hold PADI certifications, and the company adheres to PADI standards and uses PADI training materials.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors): PADI is the global certifying body whose curriculum and standards Mermaid teaches. Not a direct competitor, but the parent ecosystem whose brand recognition directly underwrites Mermaid's certification value proposition.

Direct peers

• Nemo Diving Center: Nemo Diving Center is a Dubai-based PADI dive center offering scuba courses, snorkeling, and dive excursions in the same UAE waters as Mermaid. Directly competes on certification ladder, hotel partnerships, and tourist customer base.
• Orca Dive Club Hurghada: Orca Dive Club is a Red Sea PADI dive center/resort in Egypt offering the same full PADI certification ladder plus snorkeling and dive excursions. Comparable as a regional resort-embedded dive training operator serving international tourists.
• Al Boom Diving: Al Boom Diving is a long-established UAE-based PADI dive center with multiple locations and boat operations, offering comparable scuba instruction, snorkeling, and dive trips in Dubai and the Gulf. Directly competes with Mermaid for the same tourist and resident diver segments.
• Extra Divers: Extra Divers is an international PADI-affiliated dive center franchise operating resorts and training centers across the Red Sea and beyond, with a comparable full PADI certification ladder and resort-based delivery model. Comparable in offering breadth and certification pathway.
• The Dive Centre: The Dive Centre is a Dubai-based PADI dive center offering scuba courses and dive trips targeting tourists and residents in the same UAE waters. Directly competes with Mermaid on certification offerings and Gulf diving excursions.

Emerging players

• Yellow Boats Dubai: Yellow Boats Dubai is a Dubai-based water-based tour operator offering guided boat and snorkeling experiences. Competes for the same tourist water-recreation spend in Dubai though it does not offer PADI certifications.

Regional players

• Desert Islands Diving & Snorkeling Tours: Desert Islands is a UAE-based operator running snorkeling and diving excursions from Abu Dhabi-area hotels and marinas. Operates in the same Gulf waters with overlapping tourist customer base, though it leans more toward excursions than certification training.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/mermaid_divers
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mermaid-diving-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mermaid Diving Center