PADI Instructor Development Ccourse Package Options and Pricing

PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) Package Options and Pricing

Jump to your current certification level

Complete Beginner Open Water Certified Advanced Open Water Rescue Diver Certified Divemaster

Pathway 1 of 5 — No Experience Required

Complete Beginner to PADI Instructor

The full journey from your first breath underwater to certified diving educator — the most comprehensive pathway available.

Total investment: $5,712  —  all courses, materials & PADI fees included
Important PADI requirement — read before planning your trip You must hold an entry-level dive certification for a minimum of six months before you can begin the IDC. This requirement cannot be waived. We strongly recommend obtaining your Open Water certification as early as possible, then returning to Roatan at least three months later to complete the remaining pathway in a single visit within the 90-day tourist visa.

Your journey

1

Open Water

First dives
2

Advanced OW

Deep & nav
3

Rescue Diver

Safety
4

Divemaster

Pro level 1
5

IDC / OWSI

Instructor

Cost breakdown

Open Water Diver course $350 (incl. $50 bundle discount)
Advanced Open Water course $350 (incl. $50 bundle discount)
Rescue Diver course $350 (incl. $50 bundle discount)
Divemaster training $800
Divemaster materials $250
Instructor Development Course (IDC) & EFR Instructor $1,650
IDC materials $600
Training subtotal $4,350

PADI certification fees — paid directly to PADI

Divemaster application fee$162
Instructor Exam (IE)$1,060
EFR Instructor application$140
Total PADI fees $1,362
Complete Beginner to PADI Instructor — Total $5,712

Bundle discounts of $50 per course ($150 total) apply when completing all courses through to Divemaster with us. All dives required to reach the 40-dive minimum for Divemaster are included. PADI fees are subject to change by PADI headquarters.

Advanced career options — Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT)

MSDT Preparation Programme — $600 3 PADI Specialty Instructor certifications of your choice, including all PADI application fees. Popular options: Night Diver, Navigation, Fish Identification, Search & Recovery. Positions you for MSDT rating once 25 PADI certifications have been issued.
MSDT Mentorship Programme — $500 Supervised real-world teaching experience under Course Director guidance. No fixed duration — stay as long as needed to build your certification portfolio and teaching confidence before pursuing paid employment.
Recommended complete package — Beginner to MSDT-ready: $6,312 Includes all certifications, IDC, MSDT Preparation, and Mentorship Programme. The most comprehensive pathway from zero experience to Master Instructor level preparation.

Programme structure & timeline

Phase 1 — Open Water & Advanced Open Water (approx. 1 week)

  • Open Water: 3–4 days of foundational skills and safety awareness
  • Advanced Open Water: 2 days, 5 adventure dives including deep and navigation

Phase 2 — Rescue Diver (3–4 days)

  • Emergency response and rescue scenarios
  • Leadership mindset and critical thinking under pressure

Phase 3 — Divemaster Training (5–7 weeks)

  • Professional leadership and PADI standards
  • Dive theory, customer service, guiding techniques
  • Real-world experience assisting live student courses

Phase 4 — Instructor Development Course (12 days, 09:00–17:00)

  • Teaching methodology and presentation skills
  • PADI standards and business of diving
  • Dedicated multimedia classroom adjacent to accommodation
  • Followed by 2-day Instructor Exam (IE) in Roatan

Phase 5 — MSDT Preparation & Mentorship (optional, 2–6 weeks)

  • 3 Specialty Instructor courses of your choice
  • Supervised teaching of actual PADI courses to build your certification record
Recommended total stay Minimum 10–12 weeks to reach OWSI. 12–14 weeks recommended for full preparation. 14–18 weeks for those pursuing MSDT. Honduras grants a 90-day tourist visa on arrival; extensions are available for longer programmes. British passport holders must obtain a visa before travel — check with the Honduran consulate.

On-site accommodation — exclusively for IDC candidates

Both options represent a $5/night discount on our standard rate, available only to candidates who complete their IDC with us.

Private Room
$5 / night
  • Private bathroom
  • Shared kitchen (8 rooms)
  • Compact, secure — cruise ship cabin style
  • Air conditioning: +$10/night
2-Bedroom Apartment
$10 / night
  • Shared kitchen & bathroom (2 people max)
  • Larger rooms with living area
  • Well-suited to couples or those who cook
  • Air conditioning: +$10/night
Facilities & location 5-minute walk to the dive centre and West End. WiFi, free drinking water, washing machine, swimming pool, charcoal grill. Minimum stay 1 month. Three friendly dogs on property.
Reservation deposit A $300 non-refundable advance payment is required to secure your room. Demand is consistently high.

Why Go Pro Caribbean

500+ PADI Instructors certified
17+ Years running monthly IDCs
10K+ YouTube subscribers
3M+ Training video views
  • All dives required to reach the 40-dive minimum for Divemaster are included — unlike many other centres
  • Exclusive custom study videos and materials available only to our students
  • IDC dates are tied to the PADI exam schedule for seamless progression
  • Free rental equipment during all training phases; personal dive computer, SMB, and finger reel required
  • Graduates regularly recruited by dive centres during peak season (January–August)
  • Free flight booking consultation to help find the best route to Roatan

Requirements

  • No prior diving experience required to begin the pathway
  • Open Water certification must be held for 6 months before starting the IDC (PADI rule, cannot be waived)
  • Medical clearance: WRSTC form signed by a physician within the past 12 months
  • CPR / First Aid current within 24 months — or complete our $135 course on arrival

Ready to discuss the complete beginner pathway to Instructor?

Will Welbourn — PADI Platinum Course Director, Go Pro Caribbean — email is usually fastest

WhatsApp Email Price Calculator

Pathway 2 of 5 — PADI Open Water Diver or equivalent

Open Water Certified to PADI Instructor

Build on your foundation certification through Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver, and Divemaster before completing the IDC.

Total investment: $5,362  —  all courses, materials & PADI fees included

Your journey

✓

Open Water

Your current level
1

Advanced OW

Deep & nav
2

Rescue Diver

Safety
3

Divemaster

Pro level 1
4

IDC / OWSI

Instructor

Cost breakdown

Advanced Open Water course $350 (incl. $50 bundle discount)
Rescue Diver course $350 (incl. $50 bundle discount)
Divemaster training $800
Divemaster materials $250
Instructor Development Course (IDC) & EFR Instructor $1,650
IDC materials $600
Training subtotal $4,000

PADI certification fees — paid directly to PADI

Divemaster application fee$162
Instructor Exam (IE)$1,060
EFR Instructor application$140
Total PADI fees $1,362
Open Water to PADI Instructor — Total $5,362

Bundle discounts of $50 per course ($100 total) apply when completing the full pathway through to Divemaster with us. All dives required to reach the 40-dive minimum for Divemaster are included. PADI fees are subject to change.

Advanced career options — Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT)

MSDT Preparation Programme — $600 3 PADI Specialty Instructor certifications including all PADI application fees. Positions you for immediate MSDT rating once 25 PADI certifications have been issued.
MSDT Mentorship Programme — $500 Supervised teaching of actual PADI courses under Course Director guidance, with no fixed duration. Build confidence and your certification portfolio before pursuing employment.
Recommended complete package — Open Water to MSDT-ready: $5,962 Includes all certifications from Advanced OW through IDC, plus MSDT Preparation and Mentorship.

Programme structure & timeline

Phase 1 — Advanced Open Water & Rescue Diver (approx. 1 week)

  • Advanced Open Water: 2 days, 5 adventure dives including deep and navigation
  • Rescue Diver: 3–4 days of emergency response skills and scenarios

Phase 2 — Divemaster Training (5–7 weeks)

  • Professional leadership, PADI standards, dive theory
  • Real-world experience assisting live student courses

Phase 3 — Instructor Development Course (12 days, 09:00–17:00)

  • Teaching methodology, PADI standards, business of diving
  • Dedicated multimedia classroom adjacent to accommodation
  • Followed by 2-day Instructor Exam (IE) in Roatan

Phase 4 — MSDT Preparation & Mentorship (optional, 2–6 weeks)

  • 3 Specialty Instructor courses — then supervised real-world teaching experience
Recommended total stay Minimum 8–10 weeks to reach OWSI. 10–12 weeks recommended for complete preparation. 12–16 weeks for those pursuing MSDT. Honduras grants a 90-day tourist visa on arrival; extensions are available. British passport holders must obtain a visa before travel.

On-site accommodation — exclusively for IDC candidates

Both options represent a $5/night discount on our standard rate, available only to candidates who complete their IDC with us.

Private Room
$5 / night
  • Private bathroom
  • Shared kitchen (8 rooms)
  • Compact, secure — cruise ship cabin style
  • Air conditioning: +$10/night
2-Bedroom Apartment
$10 / night
  • Shared kitchen & bathroom (2 people max)
  • Larger rooms with living area
  • Well-suited to couples or those who cook
  • Air conditioning: +$10/night
Facilities & location 5-minute walk to dive centre and West End. WiFi, free drinking water, washing machine, swimming pool, charcoal grill. Minimum stay 1 month. Three friendly dogs on property.
Reservation deposit A $300 non-refundable advance payment is required to secure your room.

Requirements

  • PADI Open Water Diver certification (or equivalent from another recognised agency)
  • Medical clearance: WRSTC form signed by a physician within the past 12 months
  • CPR / First Aid current within 24 months — or complete our $135 course on arrival
  • All dives required to reach the 40-dive minimum for Divemaster are included

Ready to discuss the Open Water to Instructor pathway?

Will Welbourn — PADI Platinum Course Director, Go Pro Caribbean — email is usually fastest

WhatsApp Email Price Calculator

Pathway 3 of 5 — PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent

Advanced Open Water to PADI Instructor

Your enhanced dive skills place you closer to the professional level. Complete Rescue Diver, Divemaster, and the IDC to reach Instructor.

Total investment: $5,012  —  all courses, materials & PADI fees included

Your journey

✓

Open Water

Completed
✓

Advanced OW

Your current level
1

Rescue Diver

Safety
2

Divemaster

Pro level 1
3

IDC / OWSI

Instructor

Cost breakdown

Rescue Diver course $350 (incl. $50 bundle discount)
Divemaster training $800
Divemaster materials $250
Instructor Development Course (IDC) & EFR Instructor $1,650
IDC materials $600
Training subtotal $3,650

PADI certification fees — paid directly to PADI

Divemaster application fee$162
Instructor Exam (IE)$1,060
EFR Instructor application$140
Total PADI fees $1,362
Advanced Open Water to PADI Instructor — Total $5,012

The $50 bundle discount applies when completing the full pathway through to Divemaster with us. All dives required to reach the 40-dive minimum for Divemaster are included. PADI fees are subject to change.

Advanced career options — Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT)

MSDT Preparation Programme — $600 3 PADI Specialty Instructor certifications including all PADI application fees. Positions you for immediate MSDT rating once 25 certifications have been issued.
MSDT Mentorship Programme — $500 Supervised teaching of actual PADI courses with no fixed duration. Build your certification portfolio and teaching confidence before pursuing employment.
Recommended complete package — Advanced OW to MSDT-ready: $5,612 Includes Rescue Diver, Divemaster, IDC, MSDT Preparation, and Mentorship Programme.

Programme structure & timeline

Phase 1 — Rescue Diver (3–4 days)

  • Emergency response skills and rescue scenarios
  • Leadership mindset and critical thinking under pressure

Phase 2 — Divemaster Training (5–7 weeks)

  • Professional leadership, PADI standards, dive theory
  • Real-world experience assisting live student courses

Phase 3 — Instructor Development Course (12 days, 09:00–17:00)

  • Teaching methodology, PADI standards, business of diving
  • Dedicated multimedia classroom adjacent to accommodation
  • Followed by 2-day Instructor Exam (IE) in Roatan

Phase 4 — MSDT Preparation & Mentorship (optional, 2–6 weeks)

  • 3 Specialty Instructor courses — then supervised real-world teaching
Recommended total stay Minimum 7–9 weeks to reach OWSI. 9–11 weeks recommended for complete preparation. 11–15 weeks for those pursuing MSDT. Honduras grants a 90-day tourist visa on arrival; extensions are available. British passport holders must obtain a visa before travel.

On-site accommodation — exclusively for IDC candidates

Both options represent a $5/night discount on our standard rate, available only to candidates who complete their IDC with us.

Private Room
$5 / night
  • Private bathroom
  • Shared kitchen (8 rooms)
  • Compact, secure — cruise ship cabin style
  • Air conditioning: +$10/night
2-Bedroom Apartment
$10 / night
  • Shared kitchen & bathroom (2 people max)
  • Larger rooms with living area
  • Well-suited to couples or those who cook
  • Air conditioning: +$10/night
Facilities & location 5-minute walk to dive centre and West End. WiFi, free drinking water, washing machine, swimming pool, charcoal grill. Minimum stay 1 month. Three friendly dogs on property.
Reservation deposit A $300 non-refundable advance payment is required to secure your room.

Requirements

  • PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certification (or equivalent from another recognised agency)
  • Medical clearance: WRSTC form signed by a physician within the past 12 months
  • CPR / First Aid current within 24 months — or complete our $135 course on arrival
  • All dives required to reach the 40-dive minimum for Divemaster are included

Ready to discuss the Advanced Open Water to Instructor pathway?

Will Welbourn — PADI Platinum Course Director, Go Pro Caribbean — email is usually fastest

WhatsApp Email Price Calculator

Pathway 4 of 5 — PADI Rescue Diver or equivalent

Rescue Diver to PADI Instructor

Your safety skills and leadership mindset are the ideal foundation for instructor training. Choose the Divemaster pathway that suits your schedule before the IDC.

Internship: $4,662   |   Intensive: $5,262  —  all materials & PADI fees included

Step 1 — Choose your Divemaster pathway

Recommended
Internship Divemaster
$3,300 training cost
All materials & PADI fees included in total below
Divemaster training$800
Divemaster materials$250
IDC & EFR Instructor$1,650
IDC materials$600
Training subtotal$3,300
  • 6 weeks minimum, no maximum time limit
  • 5–6 days per week, 08:00–17:00
  • Real-world experience assisting live student courses
  • No fixed start dates
  • Maximum learning depth and authentic professional experience
 
Intensive Divemaster
$3,900 training cost
All materials & PADI fees included in total below
Divemaster training$800
Divemaster materials$250
IDC & EFR Instructor (intensive premium)$2,250
IDC materials$600
Training subtotal$3,900
  • 3–4 weeks minimum for Divemaster, 8–10 days for IDC
  • 6 days per week, intensive daily schedule
  • Mix of live courses and focused simulations
  • Minimum group of 3 students required to run
  • Suited to experienced divers with limited time
Prerequisite Minimum 50 logged dives and significant diving experience required.

PADI certification fees — paid directly to PADI (same for both pathways)

Divemaster application fee$162
Instructor Exam (IE)$1,060
EFR Instructor application$140
Total PADI fees$1,362
Internship pathway total
$4,662
Intensive pathway total
$5,262

All dives required to reach the 40-dive Divemaster minimum are included. PADI fees are subject to change.

Advanced career options — Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT)

MSDT Preparation Programme — $600 3 PADI Specialty Instructor certifications including all PADI application fees. Positions you for immediate MSDT once 25 certifications have been issued.
MSDT Mentorship Programme — $500 Supervised teaching of actual PADI courses with no fixed duration. Build your portfolio before seeking paid employment.
Recommended complete packages — Rescue Diver to MSDT-ready Internship pathway: $5,262   |   Intensive pathway: $5,862

Programme structure & timeline

Internship pathway

Divemaster Training (5–7 weeks)

  • Professional leadership, PADI standards, dive theory
  • Real-world experience with live student courses

IDC (12 days) + IE (2 days)

  • 09:00–17:00 in dedicated multimedia classroom
  • Teaching methodology and PADI standards
Total stay: 6–10 weeks Minimum 6–8 weeks to reach OWSI; 10–14 weeks with MSDT track.

Intensive pathway

Accelerated Divemaster (3–4 weeks)

  • Compressed leadership and PADI standards training
  • Mix of live courses and focused simulations

Intensive IDC (8–10 days) + IE (2 days)

  • 08:00–18:00 with evening study
  • Accelerated teaching methodology sessions
Total stay: 4–6 weeks Minimum 4–5 weeks to reach OWSI; 7–10 weeks with MSDT track.
Honduras grants a 90-day tourist visa on arrival; extensions are available for longer programmes. British passport holders must obtain a visa before travel — check with the Honduran consulate.

On-site accommodation — exclusively for IDC candidates

Both options represent a $5/night discount on our standard rate, available only to candidates who complete their IDC with us.

Private Room
$5 / night
  • Private bathroom
  • Shared kitchen (8 rooms)
  • Compact, secure — cruise ship cabin style
  • Air conditioning: +$10/night
2-Bedroom Apartment
$10 / night
  • Shared kitchen & bathroom (2 people max)
  • Larger rooms with living area
  • Well-suited to couples or those who cook
  • Air conditioning: +$10/night
Facilities & location 5-minute walk to dive centre and West End. WiFi, free drinking water, washing machine, swimming pool, charcoal grill. Minimum stay 1 month. Three friendly dogs on property.
Reservation deposit A $300 non-refundable advance payment is required to secure your room.

Requirements

  • PADI Rescue Diver certification (or equivalent from another recognised agency)
  • Medical clearance: WRSTC form signed by a physician within the past 12 months
  • CPR / First Aid current within 24 months — or complete our $135 course on arrival
  • Intensive pathway only: minimum 50 logged dives and significant diving experience

Ready to discuss the Rescue Diver to Instructor pathway?

Will Welbourn — PADI Platinum Course Director, Go Pro Caribbean — email is usually fastest

WhatsApp Email Price Calculator

Pathway 5 of 5 — Certified PADI Divemaster

Certified Divemaster to PADI Instructor

As a working diving professional, the IDC is the natural next step. The most direct and streamlined pathway to Instructor-level certification.

From $3,450  —  IDC, EFR Instructor, all materials & PADI fees included

IDC cost breakdown

Instructor Development Course (IDC) & EFR Instructor $1,650
IDC materials $600
Training subtotal $2,250

PADI certification fees — paid directly to PADI

Instructor Exam (IE)$1,060
EFR Instructor application$140
Total PADI fees$1,200
Divemaster to PADI Instructor — Total $3,450

Optional: Nitrox and Oxygen Provider specialties add approximately $190 in PADI fees. CPR/First Aid renewal ($135) and a physician medical clearance (~$30) are additional if required. PADI fees are subject to change.

Optional — Pre-IDC Skills Preparation Programme

$150 per week — the most significant differentiator we offer This programme transforms competent Divemasters into demonstration-quality instructors, covering skill refinement, site familiarisation, and individual coaching. Expect 8–12 dives per week during preparation. You will also need 100 logged dives to begin the IDC — this programme helps candidates reach that requirement.

Recommended duration based on your certification history:

1 week

Certified within the last 18 months with 10+ dives in the past 6 months

2 weeks

Certified 2–3 years ago with 10+ dives in the past 6 months

3 weeks

Certified 2–5 years ago, or limited recent diving activity

4 weeks

Certified 5+ years ago or significant time away from regular diving

Advanced career options — Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT)

MSDT Preparation Programme — $600 3 PADI Specialty Instructor certifications of your choice, including all PADI application fees. Popular choices: Night Diver, Navigation, Fish Identification, Search & Recovery. Positions you for immediate MSDT rating once 25 PADI certifications have been issued.
MSDT Mentorship Programme — $500 Supervised real-world teaching of actual PADI courses. No fixed timeline — stay as long as needed. Note: obtaining paid employment immediately after the IE is a realistic possibility in Roatan, making this optional for many graduates.
Recommended complete MSDT package — $5,040 IDC + EFR Instructor + 2 weeks Pre-IDC Prep + MSDT Preparation + MSDT Mentorship, including all PADI fees and materials.

Programme structure & timeline

Phase 1 — Pre-IDC Skills Preparation (1–4 weeks, optional but recommended)

  • Skills refinement to demonstration quality
  • Dive site familiarisation — 8–12 dives per week
  • Individual coaching and performance feedback
  • Build dive count toward the 100-dive IDC requirement

Phase 2 — Instructor Development Course (12 days, 09:00–17:00)

  • Teaching methodology and presentation skills
  • PADI standards, procedures, and business of diving
  • Dedicated multimedia classroom adjacent to accommodation
  • 1–2 scheduled rest days built into the programme

Phase 3 — Instructor Exam (2 days)

  • 2-day PADI Instructor Examination held in Roatan

Phase 4 — MSDT Preparation & Mentorship (optional, 2–6 weeks)

  • 3 Specialty Instructor courses, then supervised real-world teaching
  • Build toward the 25-certification threshold for MSDT rating
Recommended total stay Minimum 2–3 weeks (IDC only, no prep). 3–6 weeks with Pre-IDC preparation. 6–12 weeks for those pursuing the MSDT track. Honduras grants a 90-day tourist visa on arrival; extensions are available. British passport holders must obtain a visa before travel.

On-site accommodation — exclusively for IDC candidates

Both options represent a $5/night discount on our standard rate, available only to candidates who complete their IDC with us.

Private Room
$5 / night
  • Private bathroom
  • Shared kitchen (8 rooms)
  • Compact, secure — cruise ship cabin style
  • Air conditioning: +$10/night
2-Bedroom Apartment
$10 / night
  • Shared kitchen & bathroom (2 people max)
  • Larger rooms with living area
  • Well-suited to couples or those who cook
  • Air conditioning: +$10/night
Facilities & location 5-minute walk to dive centre and West End. WiFi, free drinking water, washing machine, swimming pool, charcoal grill. Minimum stay 1 month. Three friendly dogs on property.
Reservation deposit A $300 non-refundable advance payment is required to secure your room.

Why Go Pro Caribbean

500+ PADI Instructors certified
17+ Years running monthly IDCs
10K+ YouTube subscribers
3M+ Training video views
  • Most experienced Course Director in the Bay Islands — teaching monthly IDCs since 2008
  • Exclusive custom study videos and materials available only to our students
  • IDC dates are tied to the PADI exam schedule for seamless progression
  • Free rental equipment during all training phases; personal dive computer, SMB, and finger reel required
  • Graduates regularly recruited by dive centres during peak season (January–August)
  • Free flight booking consultation to help find the best route to Roatan

Requirements

  • Current PADI Divemaster certification in good standing
  • 100 logged dives (or plan to reach this during the Pre-IDC Preparation Programme)
  • Medical clearance: WRSTC form signed by a physician within the past 12 months
  • CPR / First Aid current within 24 months — or complete our $135 course on arrival

Ready to take the step from Divemaster to Instructor?

Will Welbourn — PADI Platinum Course Director, Go Pro Caribbean — email is usually fastest

WhatsApp Email Price Calculator