PADI Divemaster
Turn Your Passion for Diving Into Leadership.
There comes a point in every diver’s journey when you stop thinking only about your own diving and begin helping others enjoy theirs.
The PADI Divemaster course is the first professional level within the PADI system. It develops your diving knowledge, leadership skills and confidence, preparing you to supervise certified divers, assist instructors during training and become a respected role model within the diving community.
Why Become a Divemaster?
For many divers, Divemaster represents far more than another certification. It’s an opportunity to develop exceptional diving skills, build confidence leading other divers, gain extensive real-world experience, learn from experienced instructors and join the worldwide community of PADI Professionals.
At Wiltshire Scuba we don’t believe in rushing candidates through a checklist. Instead, you’ll work alongside experienced instructors, assisting on genuine courses, supporting real students and gaining practical experience that prepares you for life as a dive professional.
Is Divemaster Right for Me?
This course is ideal if you:
- Love diving
- Enjoy helping others
- Want to improve your own skills
- Are considering a career in diving
- Hope to become a PADI Instructor
What You Will Learn
Throughout the programme you’ll develop skills in leadership, supervising certified divers, assisting instructors, demonstration-quality scuba skills, dive planning, dive site management, risk assessment, briefings and debriefings, and problem solving.
You’ll also expand your understanding of diving physics, physiology, equipment, the aquatic environment and the Recreational Dive Planner (RDP/eRDPML).
Course Structure
Real Experience
Depending on scheduling and your progress, you may assist on Discover Scuba Diving experiences, Open Water Diver courses, Advanced Open Water courses, Rescue Diver courses, specialty courses and club dives and events.
Fitness & Watermanship
As part of the programme you’ll complete the practical assessments required by current PADI standards, including watermanship exercises, stamina assessments and demonstration-quality scuba skills.
Prerequisites
- Minimum age of 18 years.
- PADI Rescue Diver certification (or qualifying certification).
- Emergency First Response, or qualifying first aid and CPR training, completed within the last 24 months.
- A diver medical statement signed by a physician within the last 12 months. This is required for every PADI professional-level course, not only where a medical question is answered yes.
- At least 40 logged dives to begin the course, and 60 to certify.
What Is Included?
- Instructor mentoring
- Practical workshops
- Course assistance
- Skills development
- Divemaster certification upon successful completion
- No personal kit is required to start — we advise candidates to begin acquiring their own equipment during the programme and can help with that
Already planning to continue to Assistant Instructor? Book them together and pay £1,190 instead of £1,290 (a £100 saving). Your Assistant Instructor training is arranged once your Divemaster certification is confirmed — PADI requires it to be held, not just booked, before Assistant Instructor training can begin. View Assistant Instructor
No upcoming dates are currently scheduled for this course.
Includes instructor-led tuition, practical course sessions and PADI certification upon successful completion. Any site entry, boat fees, equipment hire or other course-specific costs are listed separately where applicable.
Classroom & Practical Sessions
Private Training
We can offer 1:1 teaching and private pool sessions by enquiry for many of our PADI courses.
This is ideal if you would prefer a quieter learning environment, want extra support, or need training arranged around your availability.
Private training is subject to instructor and pool availability, so please get in touch and we’ll be happy to talk through the best option for you.
Contact UsWhy Train With Wiltshire Scuba?
Our goal is simple: to produce Divemasters who are confident, knowledgeable and genuinely ready to lead divers safely.
- Mentoring by Mark Taylor (PADI Course Director, teaching since 2009)
- Practical course assistance
- PADI 5★ Instructor Development Centre
- Flexible training schedules
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Divemaster?
Yes. Once certified and meeting current PADI membership requirements, Divemasters can perform the duties permitted by their PADI rating.
How long does Divemaster take?
Training duration depends on your availability, experience and how frequently you can assist on courses.
Is Divemaster difficult?
It’s certainly more demanding than recreational training, but it’s also one of the most rewarding courses in the PADI system.
Will I be helping with real students?
Yes. Whenever appropriate and in accordance with current PADI standards, you’ll gain valuable experience assisting on real training programmes under instructor supervision.
What comes after Divemaster?
Most candidates continue with Emergency First Response Instructor, Assistant Instructor and the Instructor Development Course (IDC).
Related Courses
Professional Training Tailored to Your Experience
Every diver's route through the PADI professional system is a little different. Talk to us about your professional pathway -- the stages below show how they typically connect.
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Divemaster — you are here
The first professional level -- lead certified divers and start assisting instructors during training.
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Assistant Instructor Optional / can run standalone
Develop teaching skills and begin instructing under supervision. Requires a current Divemaster certification.
Included within the full IDC below -- or take it on its own first if you're not ready to commit to the whole programme yet.
View Assistant Instructor -
Instructor Development Course (IDC)
Become a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor. Includes Assistant Instructor training if you haven't already completed it separately.
View Instructor Development Course (IDC) -
Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT)
Broaden your teaching range with specialty instructor ratings and build your value to dive centres.
View Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT) -
IDC Staff Instructor
Assist Course Directors on future Instructor Development Courses and mentor the next generation of PADI Professionals.
View IDC Staff Instructor
Ready to Take the First Step Towards Becoming a Dive Professional?
As a PADI 5★ Instructor Development Centre, Wiltshire Scuba is committed to producing capable, confident professionals — not simply issuing certifications.