Gain the skills and knowledge needed to lead and guide divers in one of the world’s best diving regions. The Divemaster course combines classroom, pool, and open water sessions to build your confidence and professionalism underwater.
The course kicks off with a mix of classroom learning and pool sessions where you’ll sharpen your diving skills and deepen your understanding of dive theory. You’ll spend time practising safety procedures and rescue skills in controlled environments before moving on to real open water dives. The training pool, designed specifically for dive courses, offers a safe space to perfect your techniques under instructor supervision.
Once you’re comfortable with the basics, you’ll start assisting instructors during beginner courses and take on responsibilities such as conducting dive briefings and supervising dive activities. This hands-on experience is key to developing the confidence and leadership skills required for the role. Open water dives form a significant part of the programme, giving you plenty of chances to explore local dive sites while putting your knowledge into practice.
Throughout the course, physical fitness is tested through stamina exercises and rescue drills, preparing you for the demands of professional diving. Mentorship from experienced instructors means you’re never on your own — they guide you through challenges and help tailor the training to your individual needs. If you don’t yet have the minimum logged dives, an internship option allows you to gain experience while completing the course at a pace that suits you.
The course takes place in Manado, North Sulawesi, a region known for its vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life. The warm tropical waters here provide excellent visibility and easy access to world-class dive sites, including protected marine parks and unique muck diving spots. The dive centre’s location offers both convenience and a relaxed atmosphere, ideal for combining study with exploration.
Manado itself has good transport links and a range of facilities to support your stay, from local markets to cafés and cultural sites. This makes it easy to balance your dive training with downtime and sightseeing.
You must be at least 15 years old and have PADI Advanced Open Water certification or equivalent. A minimum of 40 logged dives is required to start, with 60 dives needed to complete the course. A medical statement signed by a doctor and a valid Emergency First Response (EFR) certification from the last 24 months are also necessary. Refresher courses for EFR can be arranged if needed.
If you don’t yet have enough logged dives, the programme can be extended with an internship option to help you gain the required experience while training. Good physical fitness and comfort in open water conditions are important for success in the course.
This dive centre is a PADI 5-star rated facility known for its commitment to safety and high-quality training. The family-run operation provides friendly, personalised service with instructors who speak both English and Indonesian. Their flexible approach means your course fits around your holiday plans, giving you time to enjoy the local surroundings.
With full equipment hire included for course participants and access to a dedicated training pool, the centre offers excellent facilities for learning. The team’s experience and dedication ensure you receive thorough, practical training to prepare you for a professional diving career.
To start the course, you must have completed the PADI Advanced Open Water certification or an equivalent qualification. Additionally, you need at least 40 logged dives before beginning training and 60 dives to complete it. This ensures you have sufficient practical experience and comfort underwater to handle the course demands safely.
Along with diving experience, participants must be at least 15 years old. You also need a current Emergency First Response (EFR) certificate obtained within the last 24 months. If your EFR is outdated, refresher courses can be provided. A medical statement from a doctor confirming fitness to dive is also required before you start.
The typical duration for the course is around two weeks for those who meet the logged dive requirements. However, it’s common for participants to extend the course to three or four weeks to gain more practical experience and to better fit their holiday schedule. The pace of training is flexible and tailored to individual needs.
If you have fewer than 40 logged dives, an internship extension is available. This lets you build up the necessary dive experience alongside the course. Many find this option helpful to feel fully prepared for the responsibilities of a professional dive leader.
Daily activities include classroom sessions covering advanced dive theory, leadership skills, and safety protocols. Pool training helps you practise and perfect your dive techniques and rescue skills in a controlled environment. These sessions build your confidence and technical ability.
Open water dives are a key part of the course, where you assist instructors, guide certified divers, and manage dive activities. You will also complete stamina tests and emergency drills to prepare you for professional dive environments. Each day balances theory, practical skills, and real-world experience.
Yes, the course is based in Manado, which provides access to a variety of dive sites around North Sulawesi. You’ll experience coral reefs, marine parks, and diverse underwater environments including both reef and muck diving. This variety enhances your skills and exposes you to different conditions.
Diving at multiple sites also helps you practice navigation, dive planning, and client supervision in varied settings. It’s an excellent way to build confidence and adaptability, both crucial for a dive professional.
Full equipment hire is included for the duration of the course, covering all standard dive gear such as wetsuits, regulators, BCDs, masks, fins, and tanks. This means you can focus fully on training without needing to invest in your own gear upfront.
For advanced courses beyond beginner levels, full rental gear is available to ensure you have what you need. Equipment is well-maintained and regularly serviced to meet safety standards, providing reliable support throughout your training.
The course includes physical fitness requirements, such as in-water stamina tests and rescue exercises. These are designed to prepare you for the demands of professional diving work and ensure you can manage emergency situations confidently.
If you have concerns about fitness, instructors provide guidance and support to help you prepare. It’s recommended to maintain a reasonable level of fitness before starting. If necessary, training can be paced to suit your abilities and progress.
Yes, if your EFR certificate is older than 24 months, refresher courses are available at the centre. These refreshers cover CPR and first aid skills required for the Divemaster certification.
Completing the EFR refresh ensures you meet PADI’s standards and are ready to handle emergencies. The centre provides flexible scheduling for these courses, so you can complete the refresh without delaying your Divemaster training.
You can find our EFR course among our other sessions below.
Becoming a Divemaster qualifies you to work as a dive guide, assistant instructor, or dive centre staff member around the world. It’s the first professional level in the PADI system, opening doors to various roles in the dive industry.
You can gain experience guiding certified divers, assisting with courses, or managing dive operations. Many use the Divemaster as a stepping stone towards instructor-level certifications or specialist dive training.
About the centre
Murex Resorts Manado, Jl. Raya Tanawangko No.1, Kalasey Satu, Mandolang, Minahasa Regency, North Sulawesi 95661
We partner with Rewilding Britain to help protect our natural spaces for future adventures.
All centres are vetted for safety and quality. Your adventure is in good hands with adventuro.
Operated by Murex Resorts, a partner of adventuro.
North Sulawesi, Indonesia
From $3447
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