Instructor Development Course

Become a PADI Scuba Instructor with Blue Marlin’s Instructor Development Course.

Gain the skills and confidence to teach and inspire divers worldwide, guided by our expert Course Directors.

Start your professional diving career today!

From USD 1600

What can i do as a scuba instructor?

Work

Dive Shops
Liveaboard Boats
Diving Yachts
Exotic Dive Resort
Dive Training Agencies
Equipment Development
Conservation & Research

TEACH

Scuba Diver/Open Water
Advanced Open Water
Rescue Diver
Divemaster
Skin Diver/Discover Snorkeling
Discover Scuba Diving
Seal Team/Bubblemaker
ReActivate/Discover Local Diving
Peak Performance Buoyancy
Project AWARE Specialty
Coral Reef Conservation

*certified EFR Instructor

LEAD

Certified Divers
Student Divers
Dive Expeditions

mentor

Aspiring Instructors
Continuing Education

WHAT WILL MY TRAINING CONSIST OF?

Understand the Structure and Purpose of the IDC:

Gain insight into the two main components of the IDC: Assistant Instructor (AI) and Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI).
Learn about the direct entry option into the OWSI for instructors from other organizations.
Explore how the IDC is designed to transition you from Divemaster to a confident and effective PADI Instructor.

Teaching Techniques

Dive Theory Mastery: Develop your ability to teach dive theory, including physics, physiology, and equipment.
Presentation Skills: Practice organizing and delivering educational presentations in a classroom setting.

Interactive Learning

Engage with Students: Learn how to adapt your teaching methods to different learning styles and needs.
Use of Teaching Aids: Enhance your presentations with the effective use of teaching materials and visual aids.

Skill Demonstration

Effective Teaching Methods: Learn the best techniques for demonstrating and teaching essential scuba skills in a confined water environment.
Session Organization: Practice organizing a sequence of skills into clear, efficient training sessions.

Student Management

Control and Safety: Develop the ability to maintain control and ensure the safety of your students during confined water sessions.
Feedback and Correction: Learn to provide constructive feedback to students, helping them improve their skills.

Real-World Application

Transferring Skills: Apply your confined water teaching skills in an open water setting, where conditions are more dynamic and challenging.
Group Management: Learn to manage groups of student divers in realistic diving conditions.

Adaptability

Teaching in Various Environments: Gain experience in adapting your teaching methods to different underwater environments and conditions.
Problem Solving: Develop your ability to anticipate and address potential issues that may arise during open water training.

Skill Refinement

Repetitive Practice: Engage in multiple sessions to refine your skill and knowledge presentations.
Demonstration Quality: Work towards delivering skills at demonstration quality, ensuring clarity and effectiveness in your teaching.

Feedback and Improvement

Instructor Feedback: Receive detailed feedback from your Course Directors and Instructor Trainers to continuously improve your instructional techniques.
Practice Real-World Scenarios: Prepare to handle real-world scenarios, such as managing nervous or struggling students.

PADI Standards

Course Requirements: Study the detailed standards and requirements for each PADI course you’ll be qualified to teach, from Open Water Diver to Divemaster.
Sequencing and Scheduling: Learn how to sequence and schedule courses to meet PADI standards while catering to student needs.

Risk Management

Safety Protocols: Understand the principles of risk management, including how to conduct courses safely and in compliance with local regulations.
Emergency Preparedness: Learn the correct procedures and protocols to follow in the event of a diving-related emergency.

Personal Growth

Continuous Feedback: Receive ongoing feedback throughout the IDC to identify areas for improvement and build on your strengths.
Career Opportunities: Explore the various career opportunities within the diving industry and how to advance as a PADI Instructor.

Professional Development

The Business of Diving: Learn about the business side of diving, including marketing, customer service, and managing a dive operation.
Global PADI Network: Understand how to leverage the global PADI network for career advancement and professional growth.

Prerequisites

At least 6 months as a Certified Divemaster

Minimum of 100 logged dives to attend a PADI Instructor Examination (I.E).

Current Emergency First Response Primary and Secondary Care (CPR and First Aid) training within the past 24 months.

Medical clearance signed by a physician within the last 12 months.

Emergency First Response Instructor certification required (can be earned during your training).

Don’t have the required certifications? Check out our Divemaster Course page and plan your journey towards becoming an Instructor.

HOW TO BEGIN?

PADI eLearning®

PADI eLearning makes it easy to integrate your Instructor Development Course (IDC) into your busy schedule. Dive deep into dive education theory, teaching methods, and course standards whenever and wherever it’s convenient for you. It’s your course on your time! Study offline or online using a computer or mobile device. Have a question about teaching techniques or PADI standards? Connect with your Course Director anytime. Start your journey to becoming a PADI Instructor before you even arrive, mastering essential knowledge at your own pace!

With Your Course Directors

Dive into immersive, hands-on training from day one! At Blue Marlin, you’ll have the unique opportunity to learn from two experienced Course Directors. You’ll work alongside different instructors, participate in comprehensive workshops, and gain invaluable insights from both Course Directors. This collaborative environment ensures you get a well-rounded experience, honing your teaching skills and leadership abilities while training with some of the best in the industry. Get ready to take your first big step into the world of professional diving instruction!

MEET YOUR COURSE DIRECTORS

HOLLY MACLEOD

With over 20 years in the diving industry, Holly leads the Instructor Development Course (IDC) at Blue Marlin. Her global experience spans top destinations like Thailand and Australia, where she has mastered all PADI courses. Specializing in IDC for the past decade, Holly has certified over 3,000 instructors, earning her PADI’s Platinum and Elite 300 Awards for nine consecutive years. Holly’s expertise and passion make her a guiding force, equipping new instructors with the confidence and skills to excel in the diving world.

DOUG HOY

Doug Hoy, PADI Course Director at Blue Marlin, brings over 15 years of global diving experience. Known for his dynamic teaching style, Doug has trained divers in premier locations from the Caribbean to Southeast Asia. His expertise in dive education and mentorship has made him a respected figure in the industry. Doug excels in preparing new instructors to not just meet but exceed PADI standards, ensuring they are ready to succeed in their professional diving careers.

PRICES & BOOKINGS

Professional PADI Dive Course Prices

PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC): USD 1600

2 weeks of diving before the course
Lunch during course
Team teaching after the IDC
EFR Instructor training included
Free water refills, tea and coffee
Extended IDC schedule with additional workshops & practice

PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) & MSDT: USD 2100

In addition to the IDC course above, get:

5 specialties of your choice at the cost of 4 (applies to application fees also)
Team teaching after the IDC & MSDT

Emergency First Response Instructor (EFRI): USD 275

Practical training sessions
Feedback and tips from our experienced EFR Instructor Trainer
Flexible course dates

PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT) Course: USD 600

Tips and advice from our experienced Course Directors
Get 5 specialties of your choice
Great local training sites
Wide range of specialty options available
Practical training dives and practice
Opportunity to team teach and increase your certifications

PADI Staff Instructor (SI) Course: USD 700

Work alongside our experienced Course Directors
Become part of our Instructor Development team
Real experience in the role of a Staff Instructor
Improve presentation and evaluation skills
Refresh your own professional knowledge
Staff a complete IDC

PADI Materials and Fee’s

PADI Instructor Crew Pack: USD 790

Includes:

PADI Instructor Manual
Confined and Open Water Lesson Guides
Instructor cue cards
Dive Theory Exams
Knowledge Review Questions
Quizzes and Exams
Slates for Confined and Open Water
eLearning Access
IDC (Instructor Development Course) Workbook
Certification Application Forms
PADI EFRI Crew Pack

PADI EFRI Crew Pack: USD 100

Includes:

Emergency First Response Instructor Manual
EFR Participant Manual
EFR Lesson Guides
EFR Exam and Knowledge Review Questions
Certification Application Form

PADI Instructor Examination Fees: AUD 1190

This fee covers:

Participation in the PADI Instructor Examination (IE)
Assessment by PADI examiners
Evaluation of teaching skills in confined water, open water, and classroom environments
Certification processing after successful completion
Access to PADI examiner feedback and guidance

PADI Membership Application Fee's

Assistant Instructor: AUD 146
PADI OWSI (Open Water Scuba Instructor): AUD 350
Specialty Instructor: AUD 139 per specialty
Emergency First Response Instructor (EFRI): AUD 242
PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT): AUD 188 + AUD 139 per specialty
Staff Instructor: AUD 227

To book your spot, please fill out the booking form below.

If you’re ready to secure your eLearning, go ahead and pay the deposit or click the button below.

Once that’s done, we’ll assign your eLearning materials and send you your arrival schedule.

IDC Dates	IE Dates
8 Jan – 27 Jan 2025	28 Jan – 29 Jan 2025
12 Feb – 3 Mar 2025	4 Mar – 5 Mar 2025
19 Mar – 7 Apr 2025	8 Apr – 9 Apr 2025
23 Apr – 12 May 2025	13 May – 14 May 2025
28 May – 16 Jun 2025	17 Jun – 18 Jun 2025
2 Jul – 21 Jul 2025	22 Jul – 23 Jul 2025
6 Aug – 25 Aug 2025	26 Aug – 27 Aug 2025
10 Sep – 29 Sep 2025	30 Sep – 1 Oct 2025
15 Oct – 3 Nov 2025	4 Nov – 5 Nov 2025
19 Nov – 8 Dec 2025	9 Dec – 10 Dec 2025