Divemaster questions

How long will it take to become a Divemaster?

If you are already Rescue Diver certified with at least 45 logged dives you can complete the Divemaster Express course with us in just 14 days. It’s a good mix of class, pool and ocean sessions. If you do not meet these requirements or would like to gain more experience, we highly recommend joining a longer internship program. A Divemaster internship program can be anywhere from 3 to 8 weeks duration and will be tailored to suit your needs. With a longer program you’ll get A LOT more diving in and really benefit from assisting on courses and helping to guide certified divers. It’s a great chance to enjoy the world-class diving available here in Bali.

What can a PADI Divemaster do?

• Guide and supervise certified divers
• Supervise training activities
• Conduct scuba reviews
• Conduct skin diver courses
• Assist in Discover Scuba programs
• Have a great reason to stay in the Tropics
• Work your way around the world – Live the Dream!

Where will I be spending my time?

Bali Scuba is in the village of Sanur in Denpasar (Bali Island, Indonesia). We’re about 20 minutes from the airport. All your classrooms sessions and pool sessions will be at our dive centre. We are lucky enough to have our own purpose-built scuba training pool so you can have unlimited pool practice in addition to the scheduled sessions. You’ll be doing most of your training at Sanur reef, Tulamben and Padang Bai. You’ll also get to dive at Nusa Penida. The longer you stay, the more dives you can do!

Can I get any deals if I buy scuba equipment while I’m there?

We stock ScubaPro dive equipment and Suunto dive computers. Anybody taking their Divemaster course with us is entitled to 15% discount on any scuba equipment or dive computers in our shop. It’s the best deal around. The only exceptions are items costing IDR 130,000 or less, cameras and camera accessories, spare parts, batteries or equipment servicing. Email us in advance if you want a specific item so we can have it waiting for you when you arrive.

Will I be used as slave labour on my internship?

No way! This is a very big difference between the Divemaster course at Bali Scuba and at other dive centres in the region. We will never use you in place of a qualified Instructor because this internship should be a continual learning experience for you. There will always been an Instructor together with you even when you are leading dives in the ocean or working with students in the pool. The legal and moral responsibility for the program will always be with the Instructor. You will be learning from them every step of the way.

What kind of lunches are provided?

You’ll get lunch every day so please inform us in advance if you are vegetarian or have any religious dietary restrictions. We usually serve traditional Balinese food (not too spicy) so you can get a taste of the East while you are here. The ‘nasi campur’ is always a popular choice. If for some reason you don’t enjoy the food please let us know. We’ll do our best to find something you like.

How soon can I start working as a Dive Pro after finishing the course?

You can begin working after PADI process your Divemaster certification – this usually takes 1 week. And then the world is your oyster! Explore beautiful new countries, live a great life, share your passion and inspire other divers!

IDC questions

Where is the Instructor Exam in Bali?

The IE is always here in Sanur so you will be on familiar territory on the big day. The great thing is that the ocean dives for the IE are in the same place that you will do all your ocean training on the Bali Scuba IDC. This means that you will already know the site like the back of your hand when you come to take the IE ocean sessions there.

The theory exams and knowledge development take place in a hotel in Bali which is chosen by PADI and the confined water sessions are taken in a pool at a Sanur based dive centre – this changes each time – for some IE’s it’s actually the Bali Scuba pool!

You don’t need to worry about how you will get around – we deal with all planning and logistics for you.

What PADI materials will I need for the IDC?

The IDC ‘Crew Pack’ is all the books and materials you need for your PADI Instructor course (currently IDR 9,900,000) this includes;

• Guide to Teaching (with hologram sticker)
• PADI Open Water Diver Quizzes and Exam booklet
• PADI Rescue Diver Final Exams booklet
• PADI Divemaster Final Exams booklet
• Aquatic Cue Cards for Open Water Diver Course, Confined Water and Open Water
• Aquatic Cue Cards for Adventures in Diving
• Aquatic Cue Cards for Rescue Diver
• Aquatic Cue Cards for Divemaster course
• Confined Water Lesson Preparation slate
• Open Water Training Dive Lesson Planning slate
• PADI Specialty Instructor Manual (DVD)
• PADI EFR Instructor Manual

You will also need to bring your laptop or tablet for your study sessions

What dive equipment do I need during my Instructor training?

You’ll need your essentials (mask, snorkel, fins, dive computer, compass, knife/diver’s tool and two surface signalling devices – one audible and one visible). We offer free BCD, regulator and wetsuit rental if yours are to heavy to carry.

Can I rent equipment from Bali Scuba?

If you do not have any of your own gear it is possible to rent mask, fins, booties, snorkel and dive computer (rental fee applies). You will need to purchase the rest of the items. BCD, regulator and wetsuit rental is free of charge.

What else do I need to bring?

• Medical Examination Form signed by a physician (max. 12 months old). Or you can get one here from a local doctor
• Verification of CPR and first aid training (max. 24 months old). Or you can take your EFR refresher course here
• Certification proof for OW, AOW, Rescue, EFR, DM or equivalent. (If any of your previous dive courses were non-PADI you’ll need to bring a photocopy of the front and back of your certification cards)
• Diving logbook showing your 100th dive.(If you don’t keep a log-book let us know)
• 2 passport size photographs
• Laptop or tablet, pens, notebook and a calculator
• Credit card to pay your fees to PADI on the day of your Instructor Exam (PADI only accept credit card for these fees. You don’t need the actual card but you do need the card details including security code from the back of the card)
• Don’t forget to bring a smile and a sense of fun and adventure!

How about the free Nitrox Instructor course included in the IDC package?

To become a PADI Nitrox Instructor you need to be certified as a Nitrox diver (PADI or any other agency) and have done at least 10 dives with Nitrox. If you aren’t Nitrox certified yet you can take it here with us for IDR 2,300,000 (with 25% discount). Don’t worry about the 10 dives with Nitrox because we will give you free Nitrox so you can log those 10 Nitrox dives during your Instructor training.

Can you tell me in more detail about your IDC pass guarantee?

Firstly, you won’t need it because our IDC pass rate is 100% or very close to 100% each year. However, in the unlikely event that you aren’t successful on the Instructor Exam, or if you don’t take the exam because you are advised by your Course Director not to join the exam just yet, you can come back to Bali and take the whole IDC (including the 3-day Dive Skills & Theory Workshop) at any time within the next 12 months.

This is our cast iron guarantee to you. This pass guarantee only applies if you take the whole IDC (including the 3-day Dive Skills & Theory Workshop) and if the IE you join is the one in Bali immediately following your IDC. Note that you will need to pay IE fee again (direct to PADI).

What’s the best way to prepare for the IDC?

There are four ways to prepare for your IDC to give you the best chance of passing the IE;

1). Arrive early enough to take the Dive Skills & Theory workshops. These take place in the 3 days before the official start of the IDC and are completely free of charge. You’ll cover the dive skills and dive theory that you’ll be tested on in the Instructor Exam. This is the best option and the one we strongly recommend. Don’t forget, your IDC pass guarantee only applies if you join this program.

2). Take the dive theory online before arriving in Bali. You’ll need to pay AU$162 directly to PADI when you sign up for the online study. This is a good option to brush up on your dive physics, physiology etc. 

3). Buy the ‘Diving Knowledge Workbook’ (PADI product #70214) and self-study before arrival in Bali. As with Option 2 this will help with dive theory but not with dive skills.

4). Stay behind each day for a few hours for after-hours IDC support. This isn’t a good option because it will leave you exhausted and with little time to do your homework assignments for your IDC. Don’t forget, you’re supposed to enjoy your IDC too, right?

How can I pay the balance for my IDC?

You can pay your course fee in any major cash currency or with Visa/Mastercard, Wechat pay or Alipay (3% bank fee applies), AMEX 4% fee applies.   

Is there anywhere I can store my stuff?

A dive centre is a public area so we cannot accept responsibility for any lost, missing or damaged items. However we do have lockers you can use for valuable items and you’ll have your own place in the IDC classroom for all your books. There is also a communal fridge where you can store your favourite food and drinks!

How soon can I start teaching after I pass the IE?

You can begin teaching after PADI process your exam paperwork. This usually takes 7-10 working days. Contact the PADI office in the region you are registered if you don’t receive notification about this after 10 working days. And then the world is your oyster! Explore beautiful new countries, live a great life, share your passion and inspire your students!

Can I fun dive while I’m there?

Yes! You can and you should because the diving here is truly world-class. As soon as you’ve paid in full for your IDC you’ll get IDR 6,500,000 credit for you to use on dive trips. You can use this credit any time starting 15 days before the start of your IDC and/or up to the 15 days after the Instructor Exam. If your credit runs out – don’t worry – you can still join any trips we have scheduled with last-minute availability by paying just IDR 400,000 per dive.

Additionally, you can take as many pool dives as you want and join as many class sessions as you want completely free of charge. This is a great opportunity to prepare for your IDC by watching our in-house Instructors in action.

Can I get any deals if I buy scuba equipment while I’m there?

We stock ScubaPro dive equipment and Suunto dive computers. Anybody taking their IDC with us is entitled to 20% discount on any scuba equipment or dive computers in our shop. It’s the best deal around. The only exceptions are items costing IDR 130,000 or less, cameras and camera accessories, spare parts, batteries or equipment servicing. Email us in advance if you want a specific item so we can have it waiting for you when you arrive.

What’s it like training in Bali?

Check out our Bali FAQ for a ton of information about our beautiful island.