PADI Diving Instructor Development Course
Course Price: 41,900 THB
BOOK ONLINELearn to Teach Scuba Diving – Dive Instructor Course on Koh Tao
Diving Instructor Training Course Koh Tao
Located at Black Turtle Dive Centre, IDC Koh Tao provides Instructor candidates with a structured, effective, and highly successful PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) experience.
Our IDC program has been refined over more than 20 years into one of the most comprehensive and proven instructor training programs in the Asia Pacific region. Led by our award-winning PADI Course Director team, we combine experience, professionalism, and a passion for teaching to deliver consistent, high-quality results. Koh Tao is globally recognised as one of the best locations in the world to become a scuba instructor, and our custom-built training system has successfully developed thousands of dive professionals who now work across the globe.
We believe that exceptional instructors are not created through a one-size-fits-all system. That’s why our PADI IDC is built around personalised training, tailored to each individual candidate. Every diver arrives with different strengths, experiences, and learning styles, and our role is to develop those into a confident, professional instructor. By adapting our teaching approach to suit you, we ensure you don’t just meet PADI standards—you consistently exceed them.
Mentorship is at the core of everything we do. Throughout your IDC, you will work closely with experienced instructors and a PADI Platinum Course Director who is fully invested in your development. Through one-to-one coaching, in-water guidance, and detailed classroom debriefs, you will receive continuous, honest, and constructive feedback. This level of attention ensures that you are constantly improving, refining your teaching techniques, and building the confidence required to perform in real-world teaching environments.
Our focus goes far beyond certification. While many programs are designed simply to get you through the Instructor Examination, our goal is real instructor development. We challenge you to think critically, adapt your approach, and grow as both a diver and an educator. You will learn how to communicate effectively, manage students with confidence, and deliver high-quality training in a variety of conditions.
By the end of the program, you won’t just be a certified PADI Instructor—you will be a capable, adaptable, and highly employable dive professional. Due to the high standards of training and strong focus on real-world teaching experience, our candidates are consistently recognised for their professionalism and capability. As a result, IDC Koh Tao graduates are often sought after by dive centres on Koh Tao, with many securing opportunities and progressing into scuba diving jobs in Thailand shortly after completing the course.
What truly sets IDC Koh Tao apart is the environment we create. We pride ourselves on maintaining a supportive, professional, and close-knit community where every candidate is part of the team. This “family-style” atmosphere encourages collaboration, shared learning, and continuous improvement. Everyone—from instructors to Divemasters to fellow candidates—is actively engaged in helping each other succeed. This not only enhances your learning experience but also prepares you for working within a professional dive centre anywhere in the world.
Many of our candidates are actively sought after by dive centres on Koh Tao after certification, often leading directly to employment opportunities. This strong industry reputation, combined with your real-world teaching experience, gives you a clear advantage when applying for scuba diving jobs in Thailand and around the world. When you train with IDC Koh Tao, you’re not just gaining a certification—you’re positioning yourself for a successful career in the dive industry.
If you’re serious about becoming a professional scuba instructor, developing real teaching confidence, and securing work in the dive industry, there is no better place to start. Join IDC Koh Tao and take the first step toward building a career that offers travel, progression, and long-term opportunity.
Become a Highly Skilled PADI Dive Instructor
IDC Koh Tao Thailand is an Award Winning PADI Diving Instructor Development Course based on tropical Koh Tao.
Teaching people to scuba dive allows you to share your love of the aquatic world while doing what you enjoy – being in, around and under water.
IDC Koh Tao provides you with the best diving instructor course training available.
- 14-day program followed by 2-day Instructor Examination on Koh Tao
- Emergency First Response Instructor course
- 2 Day IDC Prep Course (theory and skill review)
- Pass Guaranteed! – In the highly unlikely event you are unsuccessful on the IE we will pay for your second IDC & IE.
- FREE AWARE Shark and Rays Conservation Instructor course
- Reef Ecology And Conservation Training
PADI Open Water Scuba Instructors are the most in demand dive professionals in the world. This is because they’ve completed the world’s most progressive and popular scuba diving instructor course, the PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC).
Our diving instructor course Koh Tao sets the standard for training dive professionals.
You earn a PADI Diving Instructor course rating through hard work, commitment and dedication.
You are rewarded with a job that lets you share incredible underwater adventures with others – transforming their lives for the better and enriching your own.
PADI Diving Instructor Course Structure
The PADI Diving Instructor Course Thailand (IDC) is made up of two parts – the PADI Assistant Instructor (AI) course and the PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI) program.
Most dive professionals complete the entire IDC and go on to attend an PADI Instructor Examination (IE), which is the final step to earn a PADI Instructor certification.
Dive professionals who hold an instructor rating with another diver training organisation are eligible to enrol directly onto the OWSI program.
This program recognises prior instructor training and provides a path to become a PADI Instructor.
Who Can Enrol on the PADI IDC?
A PADI Divemaster (or equivalent) who has been a certified diver for six months, may enrol in the PADI Diving Instructor Development Course.
You also need:
- At least 60 logged dives to start the IDC and 100 dives to attend an IE.
- Emergency First Response Primary and Secondary Care (CPR and First Aid) training within the past 24 months.
- A medical statement signed by a physician within the last 12 months.
- You will also need to become an Emergency First Response Instructor which is included on our PADI Diving Instructor Development Course.
As a 5 Star PADI Career Development Centre, candidates completing the PADI IDC with IDC Koh Tao are permitted to enter the IE with less than 100 logged dives. PADI will process teaching status once the 100th dive has been logged.
What does the Diving Instructor Course on Koh Tao teach you?
The PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) at IDC Koh Tao is designed to transform you from a certified diver into a confident, capable, and professional scuba instructor. Over the course of our structured 14-day program, you will learn how to teach and conduct all PADI core courses. Giving you the skills required to begin working as a dive instructor anywhere in the world.
Throughout the program, you will develop the ability to organise and present knowledge effectively, conduct skill development sessions in confined water, and lead open water training dives with confidence and control. A key focus is on communication—you will become a confident public speaker, capable of delivering clear, engaging, and structured presentations to a wide range of students.
In addition to classroom development, you will refine your in-water abilities to a professional level. This includes developing first class underwater demonstration skills, improving your positioning, and learning how to supervise student divers safely and effectively. You will develop the awareness required to manage groups underwater while maintaining high safety standards at all times.
A major part of the IDC is learning how to anticipate and solve common problems that arise during diver training. You will be trained to recognise potential issues early, respond effectively, and maintain a calm, professional approach in all situations. These real-world skills are essential for working as a dive instructor and are developed through structured practice and role-based learning.
The PADI IDC is divided into two key components: an online learning phase and an instructor-led training phase. The online section is completed through the IDC eLearning system, part of your digital IDC Crew Pack. This portion provides the theoretical foundation required before progressing into practical training.
We recommend completing the eLearning prior to arrival so you can focus fully on developing your practical teaching skills and your Dive Theory Knowledge.
IDC eLearning Topics Include:
- Getting Started
- Dive Theory for Dive Leaders
- PADI System Overview
- Learning, Instruction & the PADI System
- Discover Scuba Diving & Experience Programs
- The PADI Open Water Diver Course
- Risk Management & Legal Considerations
- Managing Risk
- PADI Quality Management & Licensing
- Introduction to Teaching Presentations
- Conducting & Evaluating Knowledge Development
- Confined Water Training
- Open Water Training
- Continuing Education & Leadership Courses
- The Business of Diving
These topics form the foundation of your development as a PADI Instructor, giving you a complete understanding of how to teach, manage, and deliver courses to a professional standard.
Course Director-Led Topics
The remainder of the IDC curriculum is delivered directly by our PADI Platinum Course Director and focuses on practical application, teaching development, and real-world instructor training. This hands-on portion of the course is where you refine your skills, build confidence, and develop your own professional teaching style.
The Course Director-led training includes:
- Orientation
- Dive Theory Workshop
- PADI System Workshop
- Learning and Teaching Workshop
- Discover Scuba Diving Workshop
- Open Water Diver Course Scheduling and Set Up Workshop
- Risk Management and Licensing Workshop
- Knowledge Development Presentation Workshop and Candidate Knowledge Development Presentations
- Skill Development Workshop
- Confined Water Training Workshop and Candidate Confined Water Teaching Presentations
- Open Water Training Workshop and Candidate Open Water Teaching Presentations
- Continuing Education Workshop
- Advanced Open Water Diver Course Workshop
- Rescue Diver Course Workshop
- Sales Techniques Workshop
- Course Close
This structured combination of theory, workshops, and real teaching presentations ensures that you are not only prepared for the Instructor Examination, but fully equipped to work as a professional PADI Instructor in a real dive centre environment. By the end of the IDC, you will have developed the confidence, knowledge, and practical experience needed to deliver high-quality dive training anywhere in the world.
Additional IDC Training Workshops
At IDC Koh Tao, we go beyond the standard PADI Instructor Development Course curriculum. Our focus is on developing confident, capable, and highly professional dive instructors who are prepared for real-world teaching—not just passing the Instructor Examination.
As part of this commitment, we include a range of additional IDC training workshops designed to refine your in-water ability, improve your teaching techniques, and build confidence in your role as a dive professional.
Our additional IDC training workshops include:
- CESA Workshop – Learn how to confidently conduct and demonstrate the Controlled Emergency Swimming Ascent in both confined and open water, ensuring safe and effective instruction for your students
- Ascents & Descents (Open Water) – Focus on teaching and controlling the different descent techniques from the PADI Open Water Diver course, while refining your positioning, awareness, and ability to supervise students safely during key phases of the dive
- Ascent & Descent Line Setup – Learn how to correctly use and manage descent lines at real dive sites, including how to assess student skills while maintaining control, safety, and clear communication
- Adventures in Diving Workshop – Covering key Advanced Open Water Diver skills including deep dive techniques, compass navigation teaching workshops, and knot tying, helping you expand your teaching versatility across core adventure dives
- Rescue Diver Workshop – A focused skill demonstration workshop covering exercises 1–8 in confined water, with emphasis on positioning, control, and effective setup to ensure you can teach rescue skills clearly and professionally
- Fluid Mechanics & Buoyancy Clinic – Develop advanced buoyancy control and teaching techniques, including demonstrating skills in a neutrally buoyant position, back finning, side finning, and fine-tuning buoyancy. This workshop also explores how different equipment configurations can support or hinder performance, and includes a finless diving component to improve control and awareness
- Reef Ecology & Conservation Presentation – Delivered by our team of marine biologists, providing you with in-depth knowledge of reef ecosystems and the ability to confidently educate your students on marine conservation
- Shark Survey with Real Data – Gain insight into marine research, data collection, and how to incorporate this knowledge into your teaching and environmental awareness
- AWARE Shark and Rays Conservation Instructor Specialty Course – Enhance your professional profile with an additional specialty certification while actively contributing to marine conservation initiatives
In addition to these workshops, we provide individual support throughout your IDC, ensuring your personal progression is continuously monitored and developed. Every candidate is different, and our team works closely with you to refine your strengths, improve weaker areas, and build confidence in both your teaching and diving ability.
We also offer employment guidance and career support after certification, helping you transition into the dive industry. With our strong reputation on Koh Tao, many of our candidates are recognised for their professionalism and go on to secure employment shortly after completing the course.
These additional workshops are a key part of what makes IDC Koh Tao different. They ensure that when you complete your training, you are not only prepared for the Instructor Examination, but fully equipped to work confidently, safely, and professionally in a real dive centre environment anywhere in the world.
What does the Diving Instructor Course in Thailand include?
- PADI Instructor Development course
- Pass Guaranteed! – In the highly unlikely event you are unsuccessful on the IE we will pay for your second IDC & IE.
- Emergency First Response Instructor Course
- AWARE Shark and Rays Conservation Instructor course
- Free Prep Course – 2 days duration
- Lunch during the IDC
- Free T-Shirt
- Dive equipment – It’s highly recommended that as a PADI Pro you own your own full set of equipment. If you would like to purchase equipment when you are here we can offer you attractive discounts on all major brands.
If you do not own a full set of scuba, or for travel reasons do not want to bring your equipment with you, we can provide a Regulator, BCD, Mask, Snorkel Fins, Dive computer and a wetsuit for you.
You will need to provide the following for the IDC, the IE and any teaching work you are involved in once you become a certified PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor as we do not provide these items, which are all required by PADI standards.
- Timepiece
- Compass
- Knife or diving tool
- Rescue Breathing mask
- Surface Market Buoy (SMB)
- Whistle
PADI Materials for the IDC
For your own set of PADI Instructor Manuals & Materials, you can purchase our IDC “Digital Crew Pack”.
This comprises of both the ‘digital crew pack’ and the physical crew pack with PADI Backpack
What do you get?
The PADI Digital IDC Crew Pack includes: (these are all online)
- IDC e-learning
- PADI Guide to Teaching
- Diving Knowledge Workbook
- PADI Quizzes & Exam Booklets (Open Water, Rescue Diver, Divemaster)
- PADI AWARE Specialty Instructor Guide
- Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty Instructor Guide
- Coral Reef Conservation Specialty Instructor Guide
- Dive Against Debris Instructor Guide
- PADI Open Water Course Prescriptive Lesson Guides
- Primary & Secondary Care Instructor Manual
- Care for Children Instructor Manual
- CPR & AED Instructor Manual
The PADI Physical IDC Crew Pack includes:
- PADI Backpack
- Dive Lesson Planning Slates [Confined and Open Water)
- PADI Dive Planning & Skill Practice Slate
- Open Water, Advanced, Rescue Diver, Divemaster course Instructor Cue Cards
Price: 25,000 THB (Inc EFR materials)
Emergency First Response Instructor manual
You will also need an Emergency First Response Primary, Secondary and Care for Children Instructor Manual which is available either on CD-Rom (recommended) or Paper version.
Price: 4,000 THB
PADI Materials
Diving Instructor Course Koh Tao PADI Fees
There are a number of application and examination fees, all of which must be paid by the candidate directly to PADI.
- PADI Instructor Exam – $AUS 1,190
- PADI Instructor Application – $AUS 350
- EFR Instructor Application – $AUS 252
This is a total of $AUS 1,792. These are all fees.
Our Pass Guarantee – in the highly unlikely event you are unsuccessful on the IE we will pay for your second IDC & IE.
Course Price
41,900 THB
BOOK NOWFrequently Asked Questions
How much does the IDC cost?
The Instructor Development Course itself is 41,900 THBaht. You will also need to purchase educational materials required by PADI standards.
The materials include a digital Instructor crewpack, which we can give you access to before you start the course.
Once you arrive, we will also give you a set of aquatic cue cards that you will be using both, throughout your course and as a certified scuba diving Instructor.
The price of the IDC Crew Pack is 25,000 THBaht (Inc EFR materials). EFR Instructor materials on their own 4,000 THBaht.
There are also fees which you must pay directly to PADI. The fees are as follows:
- PADI Instructor Exam – $AUS 1,190
- PADI Instructor Application – $AUS 350
- EFR Instructor Application – $AUS 252
This is a total of $AUS 1,792. These are all fees.
We also offer a variety of internship and lifestyle packages if you are looking to further your training past Instructor Development.
Can I complete my PADI Instructor Course in one month?
By PADI standards, the IDC itself can be completed in 8 days. This would include, both the Assistant Instructor (AI) and Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI), components of the course.
From this point you would then need to complete a 2-day Instructor examination (IE) in order to become certified as a PADI OWSI.
At IDC Koh Tao we run a 2-week program, which includes:
- Two full days of Dive theory and Skill Prep
- Emergency First Responder Instructor Training
- Dive Against Debris Instructor Training
- A Mock Instructor Examination
We truly believe preparation is the key to a successful IE and a successful career within the dive industry. We prefer to take more time in order for our candidates to feel 100% confident in taking that next step and becoming a PADI Professional.
We run courses every month, so we can easily find the right dates for you. If you are able to arrive early, we can easily keep you busy.
We offer unlimited diving during your stay with us plus the option to participate in Divemaster Workshops in order to keep your skills fresh.
Do I have to take my PADI exams straight after the diving instructor training?
All of the PADI courses are performance based rather than time based. This means that you do not have to rush your training and can take your time to feel comfortable.
That being said there are a few things to take into consideration. Based off the PADI standards, PADI offers a 1-year referral period from the last training component that was completed.
This means that once you have completed your IDC, you will have one year to complete the IE.
Upon completion of your IDC, you will also be eligible to complete an IE anywhere in the world within the 1-year time period.
That being said we do highly recommend to take the IE when things are fresh in your mind. Therefore, in the case that you would prefer to wait, we suggest that you complete additional training with us, then enrol in the next available PADI examination.
What equipment do I need to take the PADI Instructor Course?
PADI Standards state all Instructors and Certified assistants must have all standard diving equipment plus:
- Time-monitoring device
- Compass
- Knife/diver’s tool
- Two surface signaling devices *one audible and one visible*
- Dive flag *where locally required*
- Instructions for use for your dive computer or the RDP/eRDPml
We can provide a full set of standard equipment during your training with us. When it comes to the additional pieces of equipment, you will need to provide these.
We also recommend having a Rescue Breathing Mask, as it is used quite often during your training.
We can offer support when it comes to obtaining any equipment necessary for your training.
We also have our retail team, who can assist you in choosing the right equipment for your personal needs and budget. Contact us for more information.
Do you offer job placement after successfully passing the PADI Instructor exams?
When it comes to employment prospects, Koh Tao is number one on the planet in regards to pro level training.
Certifying around 80-100,000 divers annually, the island is the perfect place to gain the experience to help you succeed in the industry.
Our job as PADI Course Directors, is to support you before, during and after your IDC. This means that we will do our best to help you when it comes to job placement.
We will offer assistance when it comes to resume building and securing a potential job interview.
Additionally, IDC Koh Tao is one of Thailand’s most popular & successful dive operations.
We maximize the in-water student-instructor ratios to 6:1. As a result we require an above average number of staff members and almost exclusively hire from within our own Pro Level training programs.
We are always looking for hardworking candidates who possess the correct attitude and skill level.
I would most certainly consider looking at the MSDT Internship program as an immediate follow on from the IDC.
This will help prepare you to work as an instructor and open up more opportunities within the dive industry.
How do I become a Diving Instructor on Koh Tao?
To become a PADI Dive Instructor on Koh Tao you first need be a certified Divemaster and hold a recognized first aid and CPR certificate, valid within the past 24 months.
You also need to have at least 60 logged dives to enrol on a PADI Instructor Development Course on Koh Tao.
Although you can start and complete the course, you will need to show proof of 100 logged dives to gain your Instructor teaching status.
The minimum time from becoming a certified Open Water diver to a PADI instructor is 6 months.
With so much diving experience available on Koh Tao this is easily possible by completing one of our Diving Lifestyle Internships.
What does a Diving Instructor do?
A PADI dive instructor has many duties. These include teaching people to scuba dive, teaching certified divers continuing education courses such as Advanced, Rescue and Specialty courses and teaching Professional level divers such as a Divemaster.
Diving Instructors also supervise general diving activities for all scuba divers, including organizing the operations and logistics of dive trips.
Other duties a diving instructor may have, include being an equipment technician and sales person, general customer service duties and duties such as online marketing.
What courses can a PADI Dive Instructor teach?
Once you have completed a PADI Instructor Development Course, PADI will certify you as an Open Water Scuba Instructor or an OWSI.
As an OWSI you are certified to teach the following PADI courses up to Divemaster.
- Discover Scuba Diving
- Bubblemaker
- Seal Team
- Open Water Diver course
- Advanced Open Water course
- Rescue Diver course
- Peak Performance Buoyancy course
- Project AWARE specialties
If you complete further training with a PADI Course Director, you can become a Master Scuba Diver Trainer and teach at least 5 more PADI Specialty courses.
Additionally, if you complete the IDC Staff Instructor course you can start assisting a PADI Course Director teaching portions of the Instructor Development Course.
How much do Dive Instructors make a year on Koh Tao?
Working for a busy Koh Tao dive centre during high season can easily see an Instructor earn up to 80,000 baht per month.
Instructor pay is often all commission based so the amount you earn depends on the number of students you teach and ultimately how busy Koh Tao is.
However, there are also many other jobs around the dive centre that a Diving Instructor can do.
Other roles can be Management, equipment sales and maintenance, customer service duties, social media and online marketing, which means a combination of salaries and commissions can be paid.
Why is Koh Tao so popular to become a Diving Instructor?
Koh Tao is home to some of the most experienced PADI Course Directors in the world in addition to the most established and recognised Dive centres worldwide.
Accordingly, the training standards are extremely high and Koh Tao has produced some of the most recognized diving industry leaders throughout the world.
There are many recreational, technical diving instructor trainers located around the world that completed their initial training on Koh Tao.
Many still make Koh Tao their home and their expertise and training experience ensures the Dive Instructor courses are first class.
Koh Tao offers a complete change of lifestyle to a tropical island location with diving all year round. 30 amazing training dive sites and surrounded by over 8 kilometres of Coral Reef, ensures Koh Tao is the envy of the diving industry.
Aside from the diving, Koh Tao offers locals and expats a huge choice of non diving activities, superb food and drink, nightlife and some of the most stunning bays, beaches and viewpoints within Thailand.
If you are serious about a career change, have a passion for diving, want the best scuba diving training, Koh Tao is the perfect choice to achieve your ambitions and goals.
HOW TO FIND US
IDC KOH TAO
9/94 Moo 2,
Mae Haad,
Koh Tao, Surat Thani
84360 Thailand
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +66987044736
