Thirty young adventurers are spending five days learning to become “Pirates of the Abyss” aboard a 13-metre catamaran operated by Monaco’s Académie Monégasque de la Mer…
Led by four-time freediving world champion Pierre Frolla and his team, the programme combines adventure with practical education. After safety briefings and preparing their wetsuits, masks and fins, the children head to a different dive site each day, where activities range from scuba diving, snorkelling and freediving to rescue exercises, seamanship, jumping and treasure hunts.
Designed primarily for children aged eight and over, the programme has been running for 25 years. Young divers progress through a series of levels at their own pace, eventually working towards qualifications allowing them to dive to depths of 12 and 20 metres.
Competition, however, is not the objective. At the heart of the experience is a desire to introduce children to the extraordinary biodiversity beneath the Mediterranean and encourage them to protect it. Recent sightings included wrasse, moray eels and barracudas.
The experience can even inspire careers. Instructor Marine first attended as a child and later discovered a passion for marine biology.
By 4pm, the little pirates are back at Larvotto, already looking forward to their next voyage.
Image: Monaco Info