Become a PADI® Pro and Start Living Your Dream
PADI Scuba Instructor & Dive Master Courses
WHY SHOULD YOU JOIN THE DIVE INDUSTRY ?
There are many reasons to become a divemaster or scuba instructor: to work and travel and build a career you love, to share your love of the underwater world with others, or simply for the personal challenge.
Here at Dive Zone we offer all of our courses in the beautiful Bay of Islands at our 5 star PADI IDC rated facility. Phenomenal diving, warm weather and loads of outdoors fun right on our doorstep for our days off, this really will be the best year of your life!
Frequently Asked Questions
about our professional courses:
DO I NEED TO KNOW HOW TO DIVE BEFORE I JOIN ON THE DIPLOMA? No. We will teach you everything you need to know, starting with basic snorkeling, skin diving and scuba skills. If you are 'on the fence' as to whether diving is for you, get in touch for a free 'try dive'.
WHAT ARE THE HOURS FOR THE DIPLOMA? The course is Full time - Monday to Thursday 9am to 4pm each week with some days finishing earlier and some evening sessions to complete night dive training.
DO I NEED TO BE A STRONG SWIMMER? No, a base line would be good but you will improve while you are on the course. Every student must be able to swim 200m or snorkel 300m and float/tread water for 10mins at the start of the course. We have had non-swimmers learn to swim through the year and pass their swim tests when reaching Divemaster.
WHAT EQUIPMENT DO I NEED? None in the beginning. We will provide all of the gear you need for your course. Throughout the year, We highly recommend you purchase your own dive gear, and Dive Zone offer great package deals and ‘lease to own’ options.
WHAT IS THE MEDICAL CRITERIA? For the course we require you to sign a Recreational PADI Diver Medical and be cleared to dive by a GP. Downlaoad this form at the bottom of the page.
IF I HAVE ASTHMA CAN I DIVE? This depends and can only be answered by a qualified Doctor.
AM I ABLE TO GET A STUDENT LOAN FOR MY COURSE ? YES, Student Loans and Allowances are available to eligible domestic students. Please access the Studylink website at www.studylink.govt.nz for eligibility criteria.
HOW OLD DO I NEED TO BE ? You must be18yrs at the completion of Divemaster.
IS MY QUALIFICATION VALID WORLD WIDE? Yes, PADI is the world’s largest diver training organization and is active in over 184 Countries. Due to NZ diving conditions and the fact we dive all year round. Divers that train with Dive Zone gain experience that will enable them to dive and teach diving in almost any environment in the world.
WILL I ACTUALLY BE ABLE TO GET A JOB AS A DIVE INSTRUCTOR? Yes! Dive shops in NZ and across the world are screaming out for instructors at the moment. There are approximately 5-10 new jobs advertised EVERY DAY on the PADI website alone. If you are motivated to get employed the job opportunities are waiting.
WHERE WILL I BE DIVING DURING MY PROGRAMME? You will be diving in the stunning Bay of Islands. Some of the main sites are places that people travel far and wide to dive - we are VERY spoilt to be diving them weekly! Sites include the Deep Water Cove, the HMS Canterbury Wreck, Matauri Bay, Rainbow Warrior Wreck. We also do up to 2 trips away to different dive locations while we are on the DIPLOMA course, to places such as Whitianga, Taupo orThe Poor Knights Islands.
DO YOU DIVE IN WINTER? Absolutely - we live in the winterless north! The water temp usually gets to about 16deg min so we just add extra layers under our wetsuits. Though we don't dive everyday like we do in the summer time.
HOW MUCH DOES THE EQUIPMENT COST? During your first week, we will talk to a range of suppliers and go through your equipment fit. We will look at what you need specifically for your course and while you are deciding on what to get our students use the hire gear that we have free of charge. You can apply for up to $1000 course-related costs to go towards your equipment. Once certified you will be a professional instructor and it is expected that you have your own dive equipment when you are applying for jobs.