Dive Instructor

About the PADI Instructor Development Course

Take Your IDC to the Next Level with Devocean Divers – When you join us for your Instructor Development Course (IDC), you’ll not only learn—you’ll dive into Malapascua’s most iconic underwater experiences! We believe hard study and training should be rewarded, and what better way to refresh your mind than with unforgettable dives? Of course, not to be missed the famous early-morning Thresher Shark dive, explore the dramatic terrain of Gato Island, or join a magical sunset dive to witness mandarin fish mating. With Devocean Divers, your IDC isn’t just a course—it’s making memories full of adventure.

Since 2018, we’ve been committed to developing professional-level training. In early 2019, we built a modern classroom at our dive shop, creating a dedicated space where candidates can focus, learn advanced theory, and prepare for a successful career in diving.

Why Malapascua Island?

Malapascua offers everything you need for an unforgettable diving experience. Dive sites are just minutes away, with options for every level—from vibrant reefs to encounters with fascinating marine life. You might even practice your skills surrounded by nudibranchs and seahorses!

The island itself is a true diver’s paradise, attracting enthusiasts from all walks of life. Locals and visitors blend seamlessly, sharing stories and enjoying each other’s company. Life here is simple and joyful—there’s always a karaoke party happening somewhere!

With no cars, only motorbikes, and a close-knit community where everyone knows each other, Malapascua has a laid-back vibe that’s hard to forget. One thing is certain: once you’ve experienced Malapascua, you’ll always want to come back.

What about Devocean Divers?

Devocean Divers is located at Hippocampus Beach Resort, where everything faces the sea. Enjoy delicious food and drinks at the beachfront restaurant and bar, with tables right on the sand. Twice a week, the Hippocampus bar comes alive with live music, making it the perfect spot for a drink, some dancing, or just a fun night out. Our well-kept facilities ensure every diver feels comfortable and relaxed. Just around the corner from the dive shop, slightly tucked away in an alley, you’ll find our specialty Devozen Café—with a barista serving great coffee, refreshing drinks, there are tasty breakfast and lunch options, plus free Wi-Fi. And …after a hard day of studying, when the nerves kick in, pop over to Devozen Spa and book a soothing massage to unwind!

We operate two spacious, well-maintained outrigger boats—locally known as pump-boats or Bankas—regularly refreshed and repainted to ensure your comfort and safety. For a more private experience, our fleet also includes three smaller boats, ideal for personalized training and accessing the best dive spots.

Our dedicated team has been with us for years, combining unmatched knowledge of Malapascua’s dive sites with a true passion for teaching. When you choose Devocean Divers, you’re choosing experience, quality, and the reliability of a PADI 5-Star Dive Center

Instructor Development Course

Becoming a PADI Diving Instructor is a life-changing step—it’s your chance to turn passion into profession. Imagine teaching diving and sharing the underwater world with others every day. Few things are more rewarding than seeing the sparkle in a diver’s eyes after their first dive, watching a student master a new skill, or hearing the excitement of someone proud of what they discovered beneath the surface.

During your Instructor Development Course (IDC), you’ll learn how to keep students safe, follow PADI standards, and guide them toward becoming confident, responsible divers. You’ll review the physics and physiology you mastered as a Divemaster and refine your skills to achieve instructor-level demonstrations. This is where your journey as a dive educator truly begins.**

The before and after your IDC

Be prepared to live a life changing time of your life. You will enter as a divemaster, certified to guide people and share the excitement of what you see underwater. You will leave as a PADI instructor, qualified to teach people their first diving experience. You will become the one who allows unexperienced divers to get the sparkles in their eyes because their managed to breath under water, to become neutrally buoyant or to find their way with a compass.

The IDC is one time in your life experience, it will be intense, and stressful and full of moments which you will never forget.

Some more key points to take note of

We are a PADI 5-star IDC dive center in Malapascua running regular IDCs.
Our new IDC facility includes an air-conditioned classroom with up-to-date materials, large visual aids, and interactive teaching aids. We also have all the materials you need to conduct successful teaching presentations such as descent lines, lift bags, first aid mannequins and oxygen kits.
Possible to rent all diving equipment.
Discounts on our diving retail.
Our confined water training site is in the ocean, preparing you to teach in saltwater environment. The open water training site is located minutes away from the dive center, no need to spend hours on the boat for a dive.
Emergency First Response Instructor is included.
The Course Director will be present at the Instructor Examination for support, you won’t be alone.
Free wireless internet access is available. Coffee, tea and water refills available for Free.
Travel and visa assistance provided.

Prerequisites

To join an IDC, you should:

Hold a PADI Divemaster or Assistant Instructor qualification with current membership of PADI, or an equivalent leadership level certification with another training organization.
Have proof of 60 logged dives.
Have medical clearance of fitness to dive, signed by a doctor within the past 12 months.
Hold proof of first aid/cardio-pulmonary resuscitation training within the last 24 months.
Have been a certified diver (Open Water Diver course or equivalent) for at least 6 months.
Be at least 18 years old.

To join an IE, in addition to the above you must have proof of a minimum of 100 logged dives, and have successfully completed the IDC.

How to prepare?

By preparing thoroughly in advance, you will benefit most from your IDC, and avoid feeling overloaded. Before starting the IDC, we recommend that you:

Familiarize yourself with the PADI Instructor Manual and the Guide to Teaching.
Revise the five theory topics (Physics, Physiology, Equipment, Dive Skills and the Environment, Recreational Dive Planner), using the Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving and Diving Knowledge Workbook, or enroll online for Dive Theory eLearning.
Make sure you have the latest version of the PADI Instructor Manual or update yours with the latest Training Bulletins.
Review the 24 skills you practiced during your PADI Divemaster course.
Practice the ‘Unconscious Diver at the Surface’ exercise from your PADI Rescue Diver course.

Required materials (Instructor Crew Pack, included in the price)

PADI Instructor Manual (paper or digital version)
Guide to Teaching with hologram
Specialty Instructor Manual CD-ROM
Open Water Diver cue cards (confined water)
Open Water Diver cue cards (open water)
Confined water lesson preparation slate
Open water lesson preparation slate
Adventures in Diving cue cards
Rescue Diver cue cards
Divemaster cue cards (included in your Divemaster Crew Pak)
Discover Scuba Diving cue cards (included in your Divemaster Crew Pak)
Instructor for Divemaster cue cards
Open Water Diver quizzes and exams
Rescue Diver final exams
Divemaster final exams
Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving (included in your Divemaster Crew Pak)
Diving Knowledge Workbook
eRDPml and RDP (table version) with instructions for use booklet
Manuals from Open Water to Divemaster
How to use and choose dive computers

Instructor Examination

Upon successful completion of your IDC, you will attend a PADI Instructor Examination (IE), a two-day evaluation program which will give you the opportunity to demonstrate what you have learnt.
During the IE, a PADI Instructor Examiner independently and objectively assesses your knowledge and skills, testing everything from dive theory to PADI training standards.
PADI is the only certification organization that requires an objective, independent examination to qualify as a professional instructor. This balanced and consistent evaluation process is one of the hallmarks that make PADI professionals the most demanded and respected instructors in the dive industry.
Provisions may be made during written examinations for instructor candidates with learning disabilities and for those who must take the exam in another language. If you have any special needs, please let us know.