Level 5 NZ Diploma
Become a Dive Instructor & Travel the World!
Diploma in professional scuba instruction
If you love the outdoors, have a passion for diving or the moana and want to live an extraordinary life - become a PADI Scuba Instructor. Join us in the Bay of Islands for 1 year of epic diving and start an adventure-filled career working in the ocean and travelling the world! Here’s exactly how your journey from complete beginner to certified dive instructor unfolds.
Feb-Nov
44 weeks of study
100+
ocean dives
4 days
Mon - Thurs weekly
Fees
Student loans though Studylink
Course Information AT A GLANCE
Designed for aspiring dive professionals, this diploma takes you from entry-level diver to a fully qualified, industry-ready PADI Instructor. Through intensive hands-on practical training, advanced theory, emergency management and real-world dive center experience, you’ll gain the leadership skills and logged dives needed to work globally in the dive industry.
Course Time & Location
Study for 1 year or 44 Weeks to be exact ( incl. 4 weeks holiday)
2x enrollments per year with courses starting in February and August
Compulsory course days are Mon - Thurs 9am-4pm
Our campus is in Waipapa, Kerikeri (Northland)
Prerequisites
No experience needed, you will learn everything you need to know during the course.
18 Years of Age (before starting Dive Master)
Be able to pass a dive medical from a GP
certification
PADI Open Water Diver
PADI Advanced Open Water Diver
EFR - Primary and Secondary First Aid
PADI Rescue Diver
PADI Divemaster
PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor
EFR Instructor
5 Specialty Instructor Ratings
Course Fees & Costs
$20,939 (2026) for the whole year study
Studylink approved - Fees can be paid with a student loan
Students can apply for student allowance if eligible
What to expect
Where are our graduates now?
From superyachts in the Maldives, Marketing for PADI International to working as a local instructor, our graduates are successfully working in the industry. What is your dream destination?
Why train in the Bay of Islands?
Your training environment shapes your entire instructor journey. Here’s why the Bay of Islands is the perfect location: Our Dive sites are some of the best in NZ and world renowned! We dive the incredible HMNZS Canterbury Wreck, Rainbow Warrior, deep pinnacles, walls, rocky reefs and more. We will also complete 1-2 away trips to dive in other locations around the North Island.
Marine Life
We are lucky to be in the Winterless north with New Zealand’s warmest waters where water temperature are between 15-22 year round. Comfortable water means you can focus on perfecting your diving and teaching skills, not just surviving the cold.
The marine life here is incredible due to the East Auckland Current sometimes bringing tropical species so you get a huge diversity of marine life. We have had visitors like Turtles, Mantas and unique Nudibranch’s, maybe you will be just as lucky!
Who is this course for ?
This course is for you. An ocean lover, an outdoorsy person. Someone ready for their next adventure or challenge. A gap year student or someone looking for a career change. Its an amazing year of personal development and growth. So come on and join us !
GEAR SORTED. HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED.
To start the course you can use hire gear provided but by your instructors you should have your own full setup. While you are on your course you will have a student discount and we can help you find gear that works for you. We know buying gear is exciting but we also encourage student to wait until they have a bit more knowledge behind them so they can make a sound decision on their gear of choice. Confirm any exclusions with the shop.
The most cost effective way to become an Instructor
To become an instructor, you require over 100 dives, each potentially costing between $200 to $300 per dive. Without studying through our program, this accumulation of dives could exceed $30,000 in expenses alone without the certification costs.
READY WHEN YOU ARE
Enrolling is easy! Click the button below to enrol and we will get in touch with more info and what the next steps are. Then you can apply for your StudyLink. Nervous about your first dive, unsure about medical requirements? Talk to us first, we're here to help.