Breathing underwater starts here. This beginner scuba training session off St. Andrews State Park jetties is set up for first-timers, with Malin running clear safety instruction and lots of GoPro-style photos and videos. The one catch: you really do need to be on time, since the check-in window is tight and late arrivals can quickly turn stressful.

I like that the lesson is built around comfort, not bravado: you start in very shallow water (around 3 feet) and learn how to breathe through the regulator before you go farther out. You’ll also get gear handled for you, so you spend your energy on learning the skills—not assembling a bunch of equipment.

One possible drawback to plan for: the water can be silted, so if you drift away from your group you may feel a bit turned around. The good news is the training covers how to stay calm and keep your focus—so you’re not left guessing.

Key highlights

• Malin’s patient, step-by-step teaching for first-timers (including calm-it-down help if nerves spike)
• Shore practice in very shallow water before any deeper time
• Gear included, with guidance on using a heavy setup you might not expect
• GoPro photos and free videos plus an easy smartphone download via the Quik app
• Small group size (max 8) so you’re not lost in a crowd
• Jetties-based wildlife spotting, with real examples like seahorses, blowfish, crabs, clams, and lots of small fish

Check-In at St. Andrews Park Jetties (and Why 15 Minutes Matters)

Your experience starts at the public area pavilions at the St. Andrews State Park Jetties. The key detail is timing: plan to arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled tour time and check in at the jetties area.

This isn’t just for efficiency. It’s how your gear check and safety briefing stay on track, especially with a small group (up to 8 people). One review story went sour after someone got turned around and arrived late, and the takeaway is simple: if you want the experience to feel friendly and relaxed, give yourself extra buffer time.

Also note the location details. The pavilions are at the end of the parking lot, and the area can be busy. If you’re coming from out of town, I’d treat it like airport timing—arrive early, get your bearings fast, and then you’ll start the session calm instead of rushed.

Gear, Makeup Cleanup, and the Stuff You Need to Bring

One reason this works well for beginners is that all necessary scuba equipment is included. That means no hunting down a rental store, and no awkward first meeting while you’re trying to figure out what’s supposed to go where.

Before you arrive, the instructions ask you to remove any foundation/makeup/sunscreen from your face. This might feel like extra work, but it usually makes sense for mask fit and comfort. If you show up with a full face of product, you’re more likely to struggle during the early skills.

What you should bring:

• A towel
• A smartphone and the Quik app (you’ll use it to download the instructor’s GoPro photos and videos)
• Cash to tip your instructor

A quick heads-up from real first-time experience: some people don’t expect how heavy the equipment can feel at first. That’s normal. You’ll have time to get used to the setup while the instructor walks you through it.

Malin’s Safety Briefing: The Fundamentals First, Then Skills in Motion

Once you’re checked in, your instructor (Malin is the guide name that shows up repeatedly) starts with a safety briefing. This is where you learn the basics you need to feel in control—how the gear works, how breathing is supposed to feel, and what to do if something feels weird.

The format matters for beginners. Instead of dropping you into water and hoping for the best, you get guidance first, then you practice in a controlled way. Reviews highlight how Malin explains things clearly and checks in frequently, which is a big deal when your brain is still busy learning a whole new breathing rhythm.

You should also expect that the instructor will tailor pacing to your group and your comfort. The schedule of the underwater time depends on group size, water comfort level, performance, and air consumption. In other words, the goal isn’t checking a box—it’s getting you comfortable enough to enjoy it.

Shallow-Water Skills at About 3 Feet Deep (Your Real First Lesson)

Before any deeper water, you’ll start with shore-based practice in shallow water, around 3 feet deep. The session begins with fundamentals and then moves into basic underwater skills once you’re breathing comfortably through the regulator.

This shallow practice is where the learning becomes real. One review described practicing techniques until they felt perfect, including mask clearing and ear equalization. That’s the stuff that makes later moments feel smoother, because you’re not learning it for the first time while also trying to look at marine life.

You’ll also get a chance to practice in a knee-deep start and then gradually work your way to that shallow depth. Multiple reviews mentioned that the instructor repeats skills until everyone is ready, and that he stays alert to nervous moments—one parent described him calming their son during panic.

Practical tip: slow down with the early exercises. If you feel rushed, you’ll tense up. If you take the time to get your breathing steady and your movements slow, the rest of the session tends to feel much easier.

The Open-Water Pass From the Jetties: How Time and Comfort Are Managed

After the shallow-water portion, you’ll continue on into the underwater portion from the shoreline area. The exact duration depends on real-time factors: group size, your water comfort, performance, and air consumption. So don’t plan this like a fixed 2-hour stopwatch experience—think of it as about 2 hours total including instruction, with underwater time paced to you.

Your instructor stays focused on comfort and safety. Reviews repeatedly mention frequent check-ins during the underwater portion, and that he watches the group to make sure everyone stays calm and together.

One thing to understand before you go: the water can be silted. That doesn’t automatically mean it’s bad, but it can reduce clarity and make it easier to lose your sense of direction. If you drift away from your group, you may feel disoriented. The training is designed to counter that: remember to breathe, stay calm, and keep your attention on your instructor and the group.

What You Might See Off the Jetties (and When Visibility Is Best)

This is not a distant-offshore expedition. It’s an experience tied to the St. Andrews jetties area, which is known for attracting marine life near structure.

In reviews, people mention seeing seahorses, blowfish, crabs, clams, and lots of small fish. Water clarity isn’t always like a Caribbean postcard. One review noted that visibility wasn’t as clear as in the Caribbean, but was still clear enough for enjoying the wildlife.

Want a better shot at clearer water and a calmer entry? Several reviews suggest booking earlier in the day. Mornings often come with fewer crowd pressures at the park and better conditions for a first-timer experience.

And yes, even weird weather can happen. There’s a storm-story review that describes the guide still keeping things safe and fun. The big lesson for you is weather matters here, and the operator requires good conditions for the experience to run.

Photos, Videos, and the GoPro Moment You’ll Actually Want

One of the most praised parts of this beginner session is the photo/video package. You get free videos, and the instructor takes GoPro-style footage during the underwater portion.

The practical angle matters: you’re not just relying on shaky phone memories. You’ll have real images and videos to keep, and you’ll download them using your smartphone with the Quik app.

Reviews mention that Malin took a lot of photos and videos throughout, including creative shots like taking pictures upside down. Another review emphasized that having the GoPro content made the whole experience feel extra special—especially for first-timers who might be too focused on learning skills to remember everything visually.

Bring your phone ready to go and make sure you have the Quik app installed before you arrive.

Price and Value: What $99 Really Buys You

At $99 per person for about a 2-hour experience, the value is mainly in three areas:

• You don’t need prior certification or swimming skills. That can save both money and time compared with learning tracks that require additional classes.
• Gear is included. Equipment rental can quietly turn pricey elsewhere, so getting it packed into the base price is a big win.
• You get instruction plus media. You’re not just paying for access to water—you’re paying for an instructor-led skills lesson and the GoPro photos/videos that help you relive the day.

What’s not included:

• Parking fee ($8)

Also think about tipping. The instructions ask for cash to tip your instructor. That’s part of the real-world cost if you want to reward great teaching.

One more “value” detail that’s easy to miss: the group size is capped at 8 travelers, so you tend to get more attention than you would with larger groups.

If you’re traveling, note that the typical booking pattern is about 13 days in advance. That doesn’t mean you can’t book last minute, but it does signal the slots get snapped up—especially for people who want morning times.

Health and Flying After: The Practical Safety Checks

This experience requires that you’re in reasonable physical and mental health. You’ll also complete a health questionnaire 1 day prior to your tour.

The information specifically calls out that some pre-existing conditions (like asthma, and certain heart or back surgeries) may prevent you from diving. If you have any of those, don’t guess. Plan to check with the operator through the questionnaire and follow whatever medical guidance is appropriate.

Two timing notes matter too:

• The activity says flying up to 12 hours post session is not recommended. So if you have a flight on the same day, build in more time.
• The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor conditions, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

That combination—health screening plus weather-dependent scheduling—is part of what keeps the experience beginner-friendly rather than chaotic.

Who Should Book This Beginner Scuba Session (and Who Should Think Twice)

This is a great fit if:

• You’re at least 10 years old and want a structured first underwater experience
• You don’t have scuba certification and you don’t want to wait on training elsewhere
• You want guided practice in shallow water first, then a controlled underwater portion
• You’ll appreciate patience and frequent check-ins (reviews highlight this heavily)

You should think twice (or at least confirm medical eligibility first) if:

• You’re dealing with asthma or have had heart/back surgery, since the questionnaire may disqualify you
• You’re planning to fly within 12 hours after the session
• You’re extremely sensitive to feeling off-balance in low-visibility or siltier water conditions (the training helps, but you should know this is part of the environment)

Also, expect that some nervous moments can happen. One review described someone getting scared and choosing to not complete the underwater portion right then. That’s part of being honest with yourself: the session is designed for learning, and breathing underwater is a skill. If you need a slower pace, say so early.

Should You Book This?

If you want an affordable first scuba learning experience that doesn’t require certification and doesn’t assume you already know how to breathe underwater, this is a strong bet. The standout strength is how instruction is handled—clear basics, shallow-water practice, and an instructor who keeps checking in.

Book it if you:

• Want gear included and instruction that aims to keep you calm
• Care about photos and videos enough to bring your smartphone and the Quik app
• Can arrive early and show up on time

Skip it (or research more) if you know you’ll struggle with siltier visibility, have a medical condition that could block participation, or you’re trying to fit it into a tight schedule with an upcoming flight.

Bottom line: if you arrive prepared, follow the pre-arrival face-cleanup instructions, and give yourself time to learn at your pace, you’ll likely leave with more than memories—you’ll leave with the confidence to try again.

FAQ

What age do you have to be to participate?

The minimum age listed is 10 years old.

Do I need scuba certification or a license?

No. A certificate is not required for this activity.

Do I need to know how to swim?

No swimming skills are required.

Where do we meet the instructor?

You meet at the St. Andrews State Park Jetties public area pavilions, located at the end of the parking lot.

What time should I arrive?

Check-in is 15 minutes before your tour time at the jetties area.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, your smartphone (with the Quik app) for downloading GoPro photos/videos, and cash for tipping your instructor.

Is parking included in the price?

Parking is not included. The listed parking fee is $8.

Can I fly soon after the session?

Flying up to 12 hours after the session is not recommended.

What if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.