SCUBA diving is an excellent choice of activity for families with young adolescents and teenagers. Even Dad and Mom will enjoy getting into the act.

Small Hope Bay Lodge on Andros Island in the Bahamas makes the idea an easy reality. The beachfront resort offers free introductory SCUBA lessons for the whole family-equipment included. There's no easier, more instantly rewarding way to try diving. And there' s no need for a big financial outlay in equipment costs and certification lessons.

Every afternoon at 2PM Small Hope Bay Lodge offers free "Discover SCUBA" lessons right off its dock. In a two-hour course, students can learn the fundamentals of diving, and don tank and fins to dive around the Small Hope dock, in 4-6 feet of water, mastering basic underwater skills. Once they have completed the free course, these new divers are welcome to join the Small Hope dive masters on the reef. The first open water dive will be in approximately 15 feet of water, and divers may gradually increase their depths in accordance with their comfort level. Within a week's time, "Discover SCUBA" divers are often doing the same dive schedule as certified divers. Of course, dive masters are in the water with them at all times.

Cost for the subsequent dives are $45 each for a single tank dive, and $55 for a two-tank dive. Students must be 10 years and older. For the under ten set, Small Hope offers "Bubble Maker SASY Lessons," a surface SCUBA experience for youngsters. Once they get the hang of it, youngsters may continue to use the SASY equipment for free, with parental supervision.

"SCUBA diving, especially in the Bahamas, really is a very easy activity," notes head Dive Master and Instructor Mike Hornby. "The waters here are warm and clear, and there is hardly any current. It's the perfect place to learn."

Once divers complete the free Discover SCUBA course, divers who want to continue on and get full open water certification are certainly welcome to do so. Cost is $250.

Small Hope Bay Lodge is the first dive-dedicated resort ever to open in the Bahamas. Since 1960, the Birch family has been introducing people to the world of SCUBA diving. The resort features 20 simple cottages on the beach, with a central Lodge of dining and socializing. In addition to a full service dive and snorkel program, the Lodge offers fishing, bikes, kayaks, windsurfers, and a small sailboat. Rates include meals and beverages.

For information contact Small Hope Bay Lodge, 800-223-6961; 242-368-2014; [email protected]; www.SmallHope.com