While a Divemaster Internship may save you upfront costs, they often come with significant downsides:
- Exploitation in Disguise
Many internships demand unpaid labor under the guise of “gaining experience.” This often includes unappealing, last-minute tasks like lugging tanks, scrubbing boats, or sorting gear—none of which build the leadership skills or dive expertise you’re aiming to develop. - Misplaced Priorities
Your primary goal as a Divemaster candidate should be to learn and grow as a dive professional. Instead, many interns spend their days doing menial chores with little focus on actual training. The result? You become a glorified boat boy, not a skilled Divemaster. - Free Labor Trap
By working for free, you’re essentially subsidizing the dive center’s operations. Leading divers without pay might sound like valuable experience, but it’s often an excuse for dive shops to avoid hiring properly trained, paid professionals. - Atmosphere Matters
Internships can feel less like an educational journey and more like a job you didn’t sign up for. Being told what to do by employees rather than learning from passionate mentors can lead to frustration and hinder your development as a confident dive leader.
The Better Alternative: Paying for Your Training
Investing in a Divemaster course upfront offers a structured, enjoyable, and respectful path to professional diving. Here’s why:
- Focused Learning
When you pay for your course, the emphasis is on you. You’ll learn valuable skills like dive guiding, navigation, rescue techniques, and professional-level dive theory in an environment tailored to your growth. - Mentorship, Not Management
Your instructors are there to teach, not to manage labor. When you train with professionals who have earned your respect, you gain insights from their experience and expertise in a positive, supportive atmosphere. - Certified in Just Two Months
Most Divemaster courses take 4–8 weeks to complete, allowing you to fast-track your professional certification. You’ll leave fully prepared to guide dives and manage dive operations—ready to be paid for your skills. - Return on Investment
Once certified, you can work as a Divemaster, earning money while doing what you love. Within a few months, you’ll not only recoup the cost of your training but also save for your Instructor Training Course (ITC)—the next step in your dive career. - All that & More
Train with a Dive Center that offers additional bang for your buck. Big Blue Diving & Big Blue Tech & Big Blue Conservation can help you there.
Why Settle When You Can Succeed?
Choosing to pay for your Divemaster training means putting yourself first. It’s an investment in your future, allowing you to:
- Gain confidence in your abilities.
- Enjoy your training in a professional and supportive environment.
- Avoid burnout and frustration from being overworked and undervalued.
Instead of being stuck doing “unsavoury jobs,” you’ll focus on developing the skills that truly matter as a dive professional. And within a few short months, you’ll be out there leading dives, earning money, and building a fulfilling career.
Take the Leap
Dive centers that value your time and training will help you grow, not use you for free labor. If you’re ready to start your journey as a dive professional, choose a dive center that offers structured courses, experienced instructors, and a supportive learning environment. The world of diving is waiting for you—make sure you start your career the right way.
Are you ready to take the plunge? Contact us today to learn more about becoming a certified Divemaster in just a few months!
