BEST DEAL!
PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC)
Become a dive leader and start teaching what you love.
Ready to take the leap and become a dive educator? The PADI Instructor Development Course is your gateway to becoming a certified PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor—and launching a career that takes you around the world. Based in Playa del Carmen, our IDC program blends hands-on training, real-world teaching experience, and expert mentorship to prepare you for success in the water and in the classroom. Choose from three different bundles to fit your goals and schedule—this is where your dive career takes the fly.
IDC CALENDAR 2025
Course Details
What it is
The PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) is your gateway to becoming a professional dive educator. Delivered in partnership with Scuba Playa, a 5 Star PADI IDC center in Playa del Carmen, this program transforms experienced divers into confident, career-ready instructors.
Who it’s for
If you’re a certified Divemaster (or equivalent) and ready to turn your passion into a profession, this course is your next step. Whether you're looking to teach locally or travel the world, the IDC prepares you to work globally as a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor.
Options
The IDC is available in three tiers to match your dive career ambitions:
Standard – IDC + Emergency First Response Instructor + Oxygen Provider Instructor
Premium – All Standard inclusions, plus 5 Specialty Instructor ratings (EANx, Deep, Wreck, Drift and Aware Shark Conservation) and an equipment maintenance workshop.
Elite – Everything in Premium, plus a 10-day internship where you'll assist and teach real courses alongside experienced instructors—boosted by pro development workshops to sharpen your skills and confidence:
SEO & social media for dive shops/pros
CV building
Course pricing strategies
What you learn
How to teach all core PADI courses—from Open Water to Divemaster—and conduct experience programs like Discover Scuba Diving
Conduct academic presentations and confined/open water teaching sessions
Apply PADI’s risk management standards and dive theory
Structure effective briefings, debriefings, and performance assessments
Manage student stress and promote safe dive practices
Use the PADI System and digital tools to plan and deliver courses
Develop your professional communication and leadership skills
Additional Development in Premium & Elite Bundles
Premium Bundle:
Expand your teaching range and boost employability through MSDT prep
Gain practical understanding of gear care in the equipment workshop
Elite Bundle:
Strengthen your teaching style and confidence through guided internship
Acquire tools for career success with workshops on dive industry marketing, pricing, and job readiness
Build comfort and dive habits with additional fun dives in local environments
Course Structure and Schedule
The IDC is structured in four parts:
eLearning – Flexible, self-paced knowledge development you can complete before arriving. Learn the foundations of dive education anywhere, anytime.
Live Videoconference Classes – 6 days of interactive online sessions covering standards, methodology, and teaching tips. (Premium and Elite packages include additional specialty-focused sessions.)
Practical Training in Playa del Carmen – 8 action-packed days including confined and open water teaching sessions, academic presentations, rescue scenarios, and specialty prep. Elite students also join exclusive professional workshops.
Instructor Exam (IE) – A 3-day evaluation conducted right here in Playa del Carmen.
Training takes place in a dedicated dive training pool, fully equipped classroom, and on private dive boats, with access to cenotes when sea conditions require. Our schedule is designed for focused, hands-on learning with room for mentoring and feedback.
IDC Calendar 2025
Distance Learning | Practical Part | Instructor Examination |
May 3 - 8 | May 18 - 25 | May 26 - 28 |
Jun 26 - Jul 1 | Jul 10 - 17 | Jul 18 - 20 |
Aug 28 - Sep 2 | Sept 12 - 18 | Sep 19 - 21 |
Nov 13 - 18 | Nov 27 - Dec 4 | Dec 5 - 7 |
MSDT preparation, extra workshops and internship will start two days after the IEs.
Why Choose This Course
Train with a Silver Status Course Director with 20+ years of global diving experience and a hands-on mentoring approach
Internationally recognized 5-star IDC center in Playa del Carmen with professional-grade facilities and real-world training conditions - Scuba Playa Dive Shop
Career-ready focus with added workshops in equipment maintenance, SEO, social media, and course pricing
Customizable training paths with three packages tailored to your goals and future plans
Access to cenotes and private dive boats ensures quality training even in bad weather
Strong conservation ethic integrated into your development as a dive pro
Job placement support through a wide international network of dive centers and industry contacts
Train where others come to dive
Playa del Carmen offers a dynamic mix of reef and cavern environments ideal for developing real-world teaching skills. Your pro-level dives will take place in coral gardens and reef walls alive with parrotfish, angelfish, sea turtles, and the occasional nurse shark. From November to April, you might even witness the impressive Bull Sharks in their seasonal habitat. Want to level up your experience? You can upgrade your training to include Cozumel’s legendary drift dives or the sacred freshwater cenotes—both signature highlights of the Riviera Maya. Just ask how to add them to your journey.
Pricing
Standard: $1,800 USD
Premium: $2,200 USD
Elite: $2,600 USD.
Please note: PADI applications and examination fees are not included. See the “PADI Fees” section below for full details.
Ready to dive in?
Join the IDC and become a dive instructor with purpose, skill, and a competitive edge. Pick your package and start your instructor journey today.
Before booking, please review our Cancellation Policy and ensure you meet the requirements of the mandatory Diver Medical Form.
PADI Fees
IDC and Instructor Examination fees: 1060 USD
EFR Instructor Application fee: 146 USD
Specialty Instructor Application: 92 USD per specialty (AWARE Shark Conservation fee is a discretionary donation to PADI AWARE)
Course Prerequisites
PADI Divemaster or:
• an instructor member in good standing (renewed or eligible to renew) with another recognized recreational diver training organization.*
• have a leadership-level certification in good standing (renewed or eligible to renew) with another recognized recreational diver training organization;* 60 logged dives; documented experience in night diving, deep diving, and underwater navigation.18 years old
Medical clearance attesting to dive fitness signed by a physician within the previous 12 months, and have had no medical condition changes.
Certified diver for at least six months.
Completed the EFR Primary and Secondary Care course, or other qualifying training, within the last 24 months. Note: Emergency First Response Instructor (or qualifying rating) is required for Open Water Scuba Instructor certification.
Documentation of any non-PADI qualifying entry-level, advanced, rescue, and leadership level certifications* is required.
*Contact us with questions about eligibility or for more information.