How to Become a Divemaster

For all you Scuba Diving lovers out there, here’s my recent research on how to become a Divemaster…

A Divemaster (DM) is a recreational diving role that includes organising and leading recreational dives, particularly in a professional capacity, and is a qualification used throughout most of the world in recreational scuba diving for a diver who has supervisory responsibility for a group of divers and as a dive guide. As well as being a generic term, Divemaster is the title of the first professional rating of many training agencies, such as PADI, SSI, SDI, NASE

Option 1: Paid Divemaster Internship with a dive school

If you have the money, this is the most simple and enjoyable option — you pay for it.

There are hundreds of reputable dive schools all over the world. Some of the top diving spots can be found at the lowest prices in South east Asia, for example in the Philippines and Thailand.

There is also incredible diving in the Red Sea, the Caribbean, the Maldives and many other countries — when it comes to scuba diving in beautiful locations, we are really spoilt for choice and it’s the perfect way to explore above and below the sea.

For more information you can check out the wealth of dive resources online, such as PADI’s official dive shop locator or travel guides such as lonely planet’s best places to learn to dive.

If you pick a cheap location like Philippines for your Divemaster then the rough costs list looks something like this —

Return flights from UK (LDN) to Bangkok (BKK): €400-€450
2 Month Divemaster Training Course: €790
Dive computer (rental): €35
PADI Theory Set: €270
PADI Certification Fee: €135
PADI Medical Statement: Free from a doctor
Travel Insurance: €150 (check out someone like the Divers Alert Network)
Food: €5 per day x 60 days = €300
Accommodation: €10 per day x 60 days = €600
Indonesian Visa: €70
TOTAL = €2,800

Bare in mind that there are pre-requisite requirements in order to start the Divemaster training course you must have Open Water, Advanced Open Water and Rescue Diver Certificates (including a recent First Aid Certificate), have a minimum of 40 logged dives, be 18 years or older and be physically and psychologically fit.

Option 2: “Free” Divemaster Internship in a dive shop

This work exchange option involves working for a dive shop (marketing, sales, shop assistant, cleaning, kit maintenance) in exchange for the Divemaster training course for free.

I put “free” in inverted commas since there are still quite a lot of costs involved in the internship. One dive shop that runs a 3-month Divemaster Internship programme on the Thai island of Phuket quoted me the following costs:

Accommodation (room in a shared house): €350
Food: €9 per day x 90 days = €810
Alcohol (if you drink): €810
Extended Visa: €57
Motorbike rental (optional transport): €105
Divemaster Crew Pack Materials: €184
Certification PADI Membership Fee: €80
Dive equipment (BCD & Regulator, wetsuit, torch, slates, mask and fins): €750
Dive computer (to buy): €240
TOTAL (without alcohol) = €3,736

The advantage is that you can work as part of a team and have a great group experience. The disadvantage is that it is longer in time and costs overall more money than paying for the Divemaster course in the first place (Option 1).

Option 3: Free Divemaster Internship in a dive resort

This option involves working in a dive resort (free Scuba taster sessions for guests, upselling diving trips, marketing, cleaning, equipment maintenance, assisting on dives) in exchange for all food, accommodation, and diving training paid for by the all-inclusive resort.

My research shows that interns work quite hard and long hours each day, but the advantage is being part of a team and getting the full Divemaster qualification for the cost of a return flight to the dive resort. The internships tend to be 6 months long. For an example of intern life check out this video on life as an intern at Dressel Divers in their Carribbean dive resort.

There you have it. 3 interesting options each with their pros and cons — but if you love diving and want to get the professional Divemaster qualificaiton then don’t hesitate to get involved and explore the underwater flying magic that is scuba diving at a higher level!

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Get in touch! To chat about transformational travel and creative copywriting gigs you can email me anytime joshuaphillips95@gmail.com. Peace, J