The Dive Gurus: Instructor Development Course (IDC) Overview

The Dive Gurus is a PADI 5-star Career Development Center with a GoPro program exclusively dedicated to training new PADI Instructors. With over ten years of experience and the largest number of IDC graduates per year in the region, we are the leaders in professional diving education, consistently achieving a 100% pass rate and receiving great feedback from students and examiners. We train our candidates to begin their careers as PADI professionals with confidence, based on the knowledge, training, positive attitude, and experience we provide.

Let's be honest: IDC training is an investment, and you want to be sure you're getting high-quality education, an unforgettable experience, and professional mentorship. Even better if you can combine excellent instruction with a beautiful tropical island location, an outstanding reef system, and a welcoming community with an affordable cost of living. If this sounds like what you’re looking for, keep reading!

The basic IDC takes 10 - 12 days, but with the PADI instructor Exams a minimum of 14 days is needed
Over a minimum of 10- 12 days, the IDC teaches you to conduct all PADI core courses. You’ll be able to organise and present information, conduct skill development sessions, and control open-water dives. You become a better public speaker and develop confidence in demonstrating skills while watching out for student diver safety.

An optional two-day prep before the course start, gives everyone the chance to familiarize themselves with dive theory and in-water practice.

A PADI Divemaster certification or equivalent
6 months as a certified diver
At least 60 logged dives to enrol in an IDC
100 dives to attend an IE.
Emergency First Response Primary and Secondary Care (CPR and First Aid) training within the past 24 months.
A medical statement signed by a physician within the last 12 months
You also need to be an Emergency First Response Instructor, but you can earn this rating during your instructor training.

1. Reputation and Experience

With over a decade of experience, The Dive Gurus has established itself as the leader in professional diving education in the region, if not the World.

2. Top-Quality Training

Our IDC program is designed to equip candidates with the skills and confidence they need to succeed as PADI instructors. This includes:

- A comprehensive foundation of knowledge

- Hands-on, practical training

- Emphasis on developing a positive, professional attitude

- Experience and insight from expert instructors

3. Ideal Location

The Dive Gurus is based in an easy-to-reach tropical paradise, surrounded by stunning coral reefs and a friendly, welcoming community. The island offers an affordable cost of living, making it a practical choice for aspiring dive professionals looking to make a worthwhile investment in their future.

4. A Complete Learning Experience

Beyond simply learning how to teach diving, The Dive Gurus offers a well-rounded experience. We focus on providing professional development alongside an unforgettable experience in a beautiful setting.

Our goal is to create not only excellent instructors but well-prepared professionals ready for successful careers in the dive industry. If you’re seeking high-quality instructor training combined with incredible experiences, The Dive Gurus is the perfect place to start your journey as a PADI professional.

Highly Experienced Team: One of the most experienced Course Directors in the world leads the IDC, supported by a team of skilled staff instructors.

Proven Success: We have a 100% pass rate for all IDC participants.

Flexible Learning: Complete part of the program through eLearning from home.

Comprehensive Certifications: Our course includes Emergency First Response Instructor certification and EANx Diver Instructor & Oxygen Admin certification

Personalized Attention

Our IDC groups maintain a maximum ratio of six candidates max to one Course Director. This ensures that each participant receives focused attention and ample practice time. Small group sizes also foster stronger bonds, and many candidates leave with life-long friendships!

Frequent Course Availability

The Dive Gurus offers 5 or 6 IDC courses each year, providing flexibility to match your schedule and personal needs. 

No-Risk Guarantee

If you don’t feel ready to take the Instructor Examination after completing your IDC, you’re welcome to join a future IDC at no additional cost until you feel fully prepared to attend the next Instructor Examination (accommodation not included).

Ideal Learning Environment

Our facility is equipped with everything you need to succeed:

Classroom with AC and all necessary learning tools

Training pool and dedicated study areas

Free WiFi throughout the school

Many Accommodation Options

For candidates who choose the Gold & Platinum Packages, we offer free accommodation in an IDC-dedicated apartment. The apartment includes two bedrooms (each with two beds and AC), a shared bathroom, and a well-equipped kitchen.

Prime Location

The Dive Gurus is located in the heart La Paz at Marina Palmira, with stores, restaurants, convenience shops, and laundry services, making it easy for you to focus on your training.

Post-IDC Opportunities

Once you complete your IDC, you can extend your stay and gain hands-on experience by participating in our Instructor Mentor Program, where you’ll shadow and team-teach with our experienced instructors.

Over a minimum of 10 days, the IDC teaches you to conduct all PADI core courses. You'll be able to organize and present information, conduct skill development sessions and control open-water dives. You become a better public speaker and get good at demonstrating skills while watching out for student diver safety. Key topics include:

• PADI Standards and Procedures for courses you can teach with in-water workshops
• Learning, Instruction and the PADI System
• Risk Management and Diver Safety
• The Business of Diving and your role as an instructor
• Marketing Diving and Sales Counseling

The instructor course covers specific goals and performance requirements for the Primary Care, Secondary Care, Care for Children and CPR & AED courses, along with instruction on how to structure learning, the requirements of performance-based training, and your role as the instructor in the learning environment. You also learn how to motivate students, evaluate student knowledge, present course content effectively, become proficient in developing students’ hands-on skills practice sessions, and are taught how to present an effective scenario-based learning experience. You’ll also receive information helpful in marketing your EFR business.

PADI Instructor Examinations is conducted by a PADI Instructor Examiner from PADI Regional office. These friendly and encouraging Examiners will be evaluating your teaching presentations in classroom, confined water and open water settings, dive theory knowledge, understanding of the PADI System attitude and professionalism.

The way they evaluate you is exactly the same as how we evaluate you during your PADI Instructor training IDC. Basically, you just have to do what you have learnt during your PADI IDC one more time!

PADI IE is divided into 4 modules:

Written exams:

Dive theory exams (5 sections) – Physics, Physiology, RDP, Equipment and Skill & Environment. 12 questions on each section. You will need to complete these exam closed-book 90 minutes. Passing score is 75% on each section. System, Standards and Procedures exam – 50 questions open book exam. You can use your PADI Instructor manual and PADI's Guide to Teaching manual to find your answers (if you really need to). You have 90 minutes to complete it. Passing score is 75%.

Knowledge Development Presentation:

Prepare and present one prescriptive teaching in a classroom environment from as assigned missed question. Passing score is 3.5

Teaching in confined water:

Prepare and teach one skill in confined water environment. Passing score is 3.4. Demonstrate 5 skills from Open Water Diver course chosen by the PADI Examiner. Passing score is 17 points in total and all skills must be to a 3 or higher.

Conducting open water training:

Prepare and conduct two skills in an open water environment. Passing score is 3.4 average. Demonstrate rescue exercise number 7 in water too deep to stand in (Unresponsive Diver on the Surface using either mouth to mouth or mouth to pocket mask). This is a pass or fail evaluation.

Your general diving skills, attitude and professionalism as a dive professional will also be taken into account during the entire PADI IE program.