So You Want To Be A Dive Instructor…
- Kelly Carpenter
- Mar 29
- 8 min read
Picture this: you’re stuck inside on a cold, dark winter day just day dreaming about the pristine beaches and clear waters of your next tropical dive trip when you suddenly start to wonder…what if I just quit my life to become a dive instructor and live and work full time in the sun?!
Maybe it’s been your lifelong dream to become a dive instructor, or maybe you’re just fed up with the rat race and dreaming of a change…either way, all of us here at Divetech know exactly how you are feeling. A career in the dive industry might be hard work, but its also a literal dream come true - we get to share our passion for diving and the underwater world with so many incredible humans like you! So for this month’s blog we'll be focusing on a different aspect of the dive industry - how to become a dive professional and land that dream job.
Note: For this blog I’ll be focusing on PADI Professional training, although there are numerous dive agencies out there to choose from.
First Step: Divemaster Training
Your first professional certification level is to become a Divemaster. The Divemaster Training course teaches you how to give dive briefings, lead dives, assist with training, and conduct refreshers. The course is a well rounded introduction to working in the dive industry and you'll get hands-on experience to improve your knowledge and skills above and below the water. Divemaster training can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, and some places offer internships (sometimes better known as unpaid labor) to help you along.
Fun fact: you don’t have to want to actually work in diving to earn your Divemaster certification. In fact, I did my Divemaster training back in 2018 only because I wanted to learn how to be a better diver…little did I know I’d become obsessed, immediately sign up for my Instructor Development Course, start a new career in diving, and eventually end up here in Grand Cayman! In fact, for people who truly love diving I do genuinely recommend taking the Divemaster training course. It’s a great way to improve your dive skills and learn so much more about different aspects of the dive industry, from dive theory to equipment to giving briefings to demonstrating skills and guiding divers on fun dives. Who knew hauling tanks around would be so educational?!
Prerequisites for the PADI Divemaster Training Course:
18 years or older
PADI Rescue certification (or equivalent)
Emergency First Response Primary and Secondary Care (CPR and First Aid) training within the past 24 months
40+ logged dives
Medical statement signed by a physician within the last 12 months
In many places, Divemasters are able to work as dive guides. You can even earn an extra certification to become a DSD Leader, meaning you can run small groups of Discover Scuba Dives. However, there is a slight disclaimer. Many people earn their Divemaster certification and think that’s enough for a long and successful dive career…but that’s not the reality for many jobs in the dive industry. Most dive companies actually require a higher level of professional training - your Instructor certification to be specific. Which brings us to our next step…
Becoming a Dive Instructor
While "Divemaster" sounds like a pretty badass title, the actual basassery comes with the next level of professional dive certification: Open Water Scuba Instructor. Dive Instructors are required to go through some pretty rigorous extra training before they are able to teach dive training courses, and the end result is a qualified instructor who will follow professional standards to keep students safe and well-trained (and also have a lot of fun!). Dive Instructors can do everything Divemasters can do, with the added ability to teach a wide range of courses. This is why so many dive centers choose to hire Instructors over Divemasters.
Becoming a dive instructor is a challenging but rewarding endeavor. You’ll first sign up for an Instructor Development Course, aka a crash course of theory and skill practice to prepare you for the Instructor Exam. It’s definitely an investment - both of time and money - but becoming a dive instructor will open a lot of doors to get you towards that dream job!
Prerequisites for the PADI Instructor Development Course:
A PADI Divemaster who has been a certified diver for six months may enroll in the PADI Instructor Development Course. You also need:
At least 60 logged dives to start the course (and at least 100 dives to attend the Instructor Exam)
Emergency First Response Primary and Secondary Care (CPR and First Aid) training within the past 24 months
Medical statement signed by a physician within the last 12 months
You also need to be an Emergency First Response Instructor, but you can earn this rating during your instructor training
Of course, there are more professional dive courses and paths to take once you've become a dive instructor - like Master Scuba Dive Trainer, Tech Instructor, and Course Director to name a few. But those are up to you to explore once you become an instructor and start your new career!
The Joys of Dive Job Applications
Getting your Instructor certification is a hard-earned accomplishment, but the next step - finding a dive job - can be a challenge. While there are ample opportunities out there for dive instructors, don’t forget there are hundreds if not thousands of other keen instructors also looking for work and the competition can be fierce. Believe it or not, Divetech has received over one hundred job applications in a single day!
Another challenge is the difficulty of applying from afar - many dive job postings are in locations where it’s not practical (or affordable) to show up and meet your potential employer face to face. This means you really need to sell yourself digitally and make a good enough impression to make it to the interview stage. So how can you separate yourself from the masses? Well our lovely manager Rachael has come up with some tips for you, a culmination of her 12 years in the professional dive industry. Thanks Rach!
10 Ways to Stand Out with Your Dive Instructor Application
1. Write a Cover Letter – Do NOT Just Send Your CV!
In this modern age sending out a CV is not enough to differentiate you from the sea of applicants. Take the extra time to write a genuine cover letter that indicates your work experience, relevant skills, passion for diving, unique skills or certifications, etc. You need to prove to the dive centre that you’re the ideal candidate for their team.
2. Personalize Your Application to the Dive Shop
Absolutely do not send out the same exact application to every job you are applying to. Hiring managers can spot them from a mile away, and will immediately throw it in the trash! Use the shop’s name in your intro, explain why you’d like to work there and why you’d be a good fit, and that you understand the role you are applying for as well as their business. It always makes a difference to include a personal touch.
3. Thoroughly Research the Company & Location
Know where you’re applying! If you’re submitting an application to a dive shop in the UK (famous for low visibility and cold, sometimes challenging conditions), emphasizing your experience in warm waters with great viz and little to no current might not be relevant—and could even give the impression that you haven’t researched the location. Instead of just listing impressive but unrelated experience, connect your skills to the shop’s needs. Explain how your background benefits their operation, whether it’s through strong customer service, marine life knowledge, or experience in relevant diving conditions. Tailoring your application shows you understand their environment and what they’re looking for in an instructor.
4. Read the Job Advert Carefully
Don’t just apply blindly. Look over the specific requirements — are they seeking a boat captain, multilingual instructor, or marine biologist? If you don’t check their must-have boxes, don’t waste their time (or yours).
Something else to consider is visa/work permit requirements when applying to a job in a different country. Some job postings will list which nationalities they are able to hire, while others may require a quick google search. For example, if you are looking at a job posting in Greece that specifies only EU citizens can apply, don’t apply if you aren’t an EU citizen. It seems so basic and obvious but still happens far too often. Insert facepalm here.
5. Demonstrate How Your Experience Meets Their Needs
If the job advert lists specifics like excellent customer service, marine conservation knowledge, or deep diving specialties, mention your experience in those areas. Rather than just listing your certifications, describe how you’ve utilized them to enhance diver experiences. Customize your application to show you are what they really want.
Guiding, teaching, servicing, crewing, office work, filling tanks...all in a day's work here at Divetech!
6. Be Professional, but Add Personality
Almost all dive jobs have a crucial element - customer service. Whether you are in a popular tourist destination or an LDS, most dive roles are customer facing. Dive shops are looking for passionate, friendly, and enthusiastic instructors—your email and cover letter should be no different! Demonstrate that you’re not only good at your job, but that you’re someone they’d want to work alongside. In summary: don’t be an asshole.
7. Keep It Concise & Error-Free
A written application that is short and concise is better than one that is long winded or poorly written. And don’t forget to proofread your email and CV before you send them — typos and formatting errors make a very bad impression. First impressions matter, and you want to come off as professional and responsible, not careless and lazy.
8. Emphasis on Relevant Experience & Adaptability
If you’re applying to somewhere in a new location, demonstrate your ability to adjust to other diving conditions or dive styles. Perhaps you haven’t worked in the Caribbean, but you have done tropical diving in Thailand or the Maldives. Or maybe you haven’t crewed a boat before but you have knot tying experience - find those bridges.
This goes for showing you’ll be a good fit for life outside of diving as well, especially for the local culture. For example, if you are applying for work on a tiny island, talking about your experience growing up in a small town and understanding you have to travel to get to places like malls and cinemas can really give you a boost. Dive operations want to hire people who will see out their contract, not quit after 2 weeks because there’s no McDonalds nearby.
9. It's not always about diving!
In a world where it can be challenging to stand out, highlighting non-diving experiences that add value can give you a huge competitive edge. Skills like social media marketing, office administration, photography, retail, or customer service are highly beneficial and can set you apart from other candidates. If you have relevant experience outside of diving, be sure to showcase how it can contribute to the dive shop’s success—it might just make you the ideal candidate for the role.
10. Follow Up (But Don’t Be Annoying!)
If you don’t hear back within a reasonable time, send a polite follow-up email. That way you also show you are truly interested in working there but don’t spam them — no one wants a clingy dive buddy!
And there you have it! You are just two professional dive courses and a banging cover letter away from living your best dive pro life. Happy bubbles!
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