PADI Divemaster · Koh TaoYour first professional rating in diving

Divemaster (DM) is PADI's first professional rating. Once certified you can lead certified divers on guided dives, assist instructors on courses and work as a dive professional at dive centres anywhere in the world.

It isn't a classroom course. It's an internship: you become part of the team and learn from the instructors on the job.

Talk to us about Divemaster Entry requirements

Demonstrating a dive skill in confined water on Koh Tao

Price: ฿48,000THB
Length: 21-42days, at your own pace
dives minimum: 40+
Age: 18+

Where it sits on the route

Open Water
Advanced
Rescue + EFR
DivemasterYou are here
IDC

Why 21-42 days, not two weeks

Divemaster is a professional pathway, not just another card for your wallet. It sets the foundations you'll build your whole diving career on.

That's why we don't rush it. Time in the water - with many student groups, different teaching styles and changing conditions - is what turns a good diver into a professional people can rely on. Squeeze the course and you get a card. Give it time and you come out a good diver.

One price: training, internship and PADI materials

฿48,000 THB

All training and dives
PADI materials (Crew Pack)
The internship period

Not included: the PADI certification fee (about 286 AUD), paid separately - as at most Koh Tao dive centres. The PADI materials, which cost another 8,000-10,000 THB at some centres, are already in our price.

The price covers all the training, PADI materials, dives and the internship period. With us you don't pay separately for the internship.

In the Caribbean or Australia that usually costs another 2,000-3,000 USD.

Accommodation and food

Accommodation and food during the training are on you. A monthly room on the island costs about 8,000-15,000 THB.

Entry requirements

Rescue Diver (or the equivalent from another agency)
EFR (first aid) within the last 24 months
At least 40 logged dives
Age 18 or over

No Rescue or EFR yet? You can do them with us first: Rescue for 11,000 THB and EFR for 5,000 THB.

Rescue Diver · ฿11,000 EFR · ฿5,000

What you learn

Theory

Physics, physiology, equipment, the environment and dive theory

The 24 core skills

PADI's 24 core skills, at instructor demonstration quality

Assisting on courses

Assisting on Open Water and other courses

Leading dives

Leading supervised dives on the island's well-known sites

Emergencies and mapping

Emergency scenarios and mapping a dive site

Water skills tests. You don't need to be an athlete - you train up to them gradually.

400 mswim

800 msnorkel

100 mtow of an "unconscious" diver

15 mintreading water

A typical day

Morning
Out on the boat: help students with their gear and on the dive, then debrief on the way back.
Afternoon
A second dive, a theory session or hands-on practice.
Evening
Fill in your dive log and study.

What we expect from our trainees

Next to an instructor, your job is to learn, observe and assist. It's your chance to see different teaching styles and grow into a dive professional.

Learn, don't teach
Don't explain skills, correct students or give advice unless the instructor asks you to. Conflicting information confuses students.
Stay with the class
Keep your attention on the instructor and the students. Your own skills practice comes at another time.
The instructor leads
Follow their direction. If you disagree, talk to them afterwards - never in front of students.
Ask at the right moment
Questions are encouraged. Unless it's about safety, save them for when the instructor isn't teaching.
Ready and on time
Arrive prepared, with your gear sorted, and know your role before the dive starts.
Safety and professionalism
Help proactively without taking over, and never step beyond your training or the instructor's direction.

You're here to learn and assist - not to teach.

What comes after

Many go straight on to the instructor course (IDC). We are a PADI 5 Star IDC centre, so you can go from beginner to instructor in one place, with the same instructors.

About the IDC

There's Divemaster work in:

Southeast Asia
The Red Sea
The Maldives
The Caribbean
Australia

Frequently asked questions

How long does the Divemaster course take?

21 to 42 days, depending on your pace and availability. We recommend not cutting it short: the more time you spend in the water and the more courses you assist on, the better Divemaster you become.

Can I finish in two weeks?

Not with us. The minimum is 21 days. Anything shorter doesn't leave enough time to assist on real courses and lead dives in different conditions - which is exactly what the course is for.

What does the price include?

All the training, PADI materials, dives and the internship period. With us you don't pay extra for the internship. Not included: the PADI certification fee (about 286 AUD, paid separately), accommodation and food.

How much is accommodation during the course?

Accommodation and food are your own cost. A monthly room on the island runs about 8,000-15,000 THB.

What do I need to start?

Rescue Diver, an EFR certification from the last 24 months, at least 40 logged dives, and you must be 18 or older.

I don't have Rescue or EFR yet. What now?

You can do both with us before your internship starts: Rescue for 11,000 THB and EFR for 5,000 THB.

Do I need to be a strong swimmer?

You don't need to be an athlete. There are water skills tests - a 400 m swim, an 800 m snorkel, a 100 m tow of an "unconscious" diver and a 15-minute float - and you train for them gradually during the course.

What can I do after the course?

Lead certified divers and assist on courses at dive centres around the world. Many go straight on to the Instructor Development Course (IDC) with us - we're a PADI 5 Star IDC centre.

Ready to make diving your job?

Tell us how many dives you have and when you can come. If you still need Rescue or EFR, we'll fit them in before your internship starts.

Talk to us about Divemaster