Do I need to be scuba certified to participate?

No certification is required. This event is designed for ages 8 and up with no prior experience, and all necessary gear and training are provided.

What is the minimum age to scuba dive with Santa?

Participants must be at least 8 years old to dive during the event.

What should I bring to the session?

Bring a swimsuit or rashguard, towel, hair ties if you have long hair, and a change of clothes. Holiday-themed clothing is encouraged but optional.

Is all scuba gear provided?

Yes, all scuba gear including tanks, regulators, masks, and fins are provided. You can bring your own mask and fins if preferred.

How long is the photo session?

Each family or group has a 15-minute time slot including check-in and safety briefing, with about 10 minutes underwater with Santa.

How do I receive my photos?

Photos are processed after the event and sent via an email link for digital download and sharing.

Dive Into Holiday Magic: Underwater Photos with Santa in Punta Gorda, Florida | Events | Attraction

Every holiday season, Punta Gorda, Florida transforms an ordinary community pool into an extraordinary underwater winter wonderland. At the South County Pool, families with kids aged 8 and up can experience a playful and unforgettable twist on holiday photos: swimming alongside Santa Claus—underwater. The “Underwater Pictures with Santa” event, hosted by Depth Finder’s Scuba, invites participants to trade the familiar backdrop of snow and sleigh bells for bubbles and scuba gear in this delightfully unique local tradition.

Located at 670 Cooper Street, the South County Pool is a vital part of the Punta Gorda outdoor recreation scene, bringing the magic of scuba diving to the whole family. What makes this experience so special is its accessibility—you don’t need any scuba certification or prior experience. Depth Finder’s Scuba supplies all the necessary gear, from masks and fins to tanks and regulators, plus an expert dive team ensuring every participant is safe and comfortable. This means kids and adults alike can get a first taste of diving in a safe, controlled environment while enjoying the festive fun.

The event runs in 15-minute arrival slots with a structured itinerary that starts with gear fitting and a safety briefing. Once suited up, participants dive into a 10-minute underwater photo session with Santa—who swaps his sleigh for a full scuba rig—posing happily beneath the surface. The photographer captures bright smiles and joyful bubbles, making memories that literally bubble to the surface. After the session, families receive a digital photo link to relive and share the experience, perfect for holiday cards, social media, or just keeping the spirit alive year-round.

Punta Gorda’s South County Pool isn’t just a facility; it’s a community hub where festive imagination meets active play. This annual free event creates a vibrant bridge between holiday celebrations and outdoor sports, engaging families in a way that’s rare and distinctly local. The underwater setting offers a surprising twist to traditional photo shoots, with shimmering water, filtered light, and the quiet hum of scuba tanks providing a scene unlike any other.

Whether it’s a once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunity or the start of a holiday tradition, the Underwater Santa dive promises laughter, wonder, and a splash of adventure everyone can safely enjoy. It’s an accessible dive into the holiday spirit that makes Punta Gorda stand out as a destination for family-friendly outdoor fun during the festive season.

About Depth Finders Scuba

Depth Finders Scuba is a Punta Gorda, Florida dive center offering a broad range of scuba training, guided dives, and community events. The business provides NAUI courses—including Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver, and a NAUI Dive Master course—alongside specialty training such as Enriched Air (Nitrox) classroom and eLearning sessions. Depth Finders Scuba runs Open Water classes in day and weekend formats at locations like Lake Denton and Florida’s East Coast, plus guided two-tank dives at Boynton Beach and Gulf dives with Florida Gulf Coast Scuba.

For technical and rebreather divers, Depth Finders Scuba offers Intro to Technical Diving courses, CCR Crossover programs, and a CCR Cave Diver Crossover Course. Specific CCR training includes a CCR Crossover Course tailored to the Dive Rite O2ptima chest-mount unit, and multi-day cave crossover instruction focused on closed-circuit rebreather techniques and scenario-based training.

Training formats vary by course: brief classroom and eLearning sessions for Nitrox certification, two-day CCR crossovers, 2–3 day technical introductions, and three-day cave or rescue courses. The shop also organizes a Dive Club social event with presentations, trip planning, and member networking opportunities, and seasonal experiences such as Underwater Pictures with Santa.

All offerings emphasize hands-on dives, unit-specific skills, emergency protocols, and buoyancy management where applicable. Depth Finders Scuba operates from Punta Gorda, FL and coordinates dives across nearby springs, keys, coastlines, and Gulf locations. Interested divers can select entry-level certifications, advanced training, technical rebreather crossovers, guided reefs and wreck dives, or community events. Registration and scheduling information is available on-site directly.