PADI Master Instructor Internship

PADI Master Instructor Course on Koh Tao in Thailand

Master Instructor Internship program

Our Master Instructor Internship is based on your individual needs and the program is tailored to meet the requirements for certification.

• Staffing 2 PADI IDC’s
• Lunches throughout 2 IDC
• Team teaching Internship – PADI certs to meet Master Instructor prerequisites

Our PADI Master Instructor Internship program is tailored to meet your individual needs, learning ability and timeframe. Our objective is to produce a knowledgeable & experienced Master Instructor and provide you with a solid foundation to build upon as you work towards becoming a PADI Course Director.

To become a PADI Master Instructor you must:

• Be a certified PADI IDC Staff Instructor (IDCS)
• Have issued at least 150 PADI certifications – at least 50 continuing education certs, 5 rescue certs, 5 Divemaster certs and 15 specialty certs
• Have staffed at least 2 Instructor Development Courses in full
• Have participated in 3 PADI seminars
• Be able to demonstrate support for PADI’s efforts within aquatic conservation

Who can enrol on the Master Instructor Internship?

A renewed PADI IDC Staff Instructor (IDCS)

What will you learn?

Staffing Instructor Development Courses:

You will staff 2 entire IDC’s where we will focus on further developing your skills and abilities as a Staff Instructor. These will include, organising and setting up IDC training, conducting knowledge development, confined water and open water training sessions, evaluating candidate performance as well as conducting candidate counselling sessions and mentoring future dive Instructors throughout the IDC.

You will also conduct sections of the IDC Prep course including dive theory reviews and skill circuits in the pool.

Fill the Diving Experience Gaps

We will review the number of PADI certifications you currently have, and more importantly those you don’t have and we will tailor a bespoke team teaching Internship to address these experience gaps.

This will enable you to gain valuable teaching experience and certifications in specific areas you may be weak in, under supervision of an experienced Instructor.

This team teaching Internship may include Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water & Rescue diver courses as well as a range of Specialty courses we conduct here on Koh Tao.

Koh Tao Divemaster Program

You must have 5 Divemaster certifications in order to become a PADI Master Instructor

Working alongside our dedicated Divemaster program coordinators here are some of the assignments we will give you.

• Scheduling Divemaster candidates (DMC’s)
• Conducting DMC Orientations
• Conducting and evaluating DMC skill circuits
• Supervising waterskills exercises
• Conducting Deep & Search & Recovery scenarios
• Set up DMC Rescue Assessments
• Oversee mapping project
• Briefing workshops
• Conduct Divemaster conducted programs workshops

Marine Conservation

Integrated within all our Internships programs is our unique Marine conservation module, the only one of its kind offered within a professional level scuba diving Internship in Thailand.

All our Interns get the opportunity to participate in a range of conservation activities, limited only by your own enthusiasm! Some of the projects and activities you can participate in include Drupella snail and crown of thorns collection dives, ‘dive against debris’ reef clean ups, mooring buoy prep and installation dives, Coral Watch and Discover Reef Check.

These projects and activities will help you to demonstrate your support for PADI’s efforts within aquatic conservation, an important part of any dive professionals day to day activities and a pre-requisite to become a Master Instructor.

You can also get involved with Clam Nursery Research, Coral Nursery Build and contributing to our very own artificial reef ‘Junkyard Reef’ which we have built and developed over the past 15 or so years.

Why Choose IDC Koh Tao for Your PADI Master Instructor Development

Working toward your PADI Master Instructor rating is about more than meeting a set of requirements—it’s about demonstrating consistency, professionalism, and the ability to deliver high-quality diver education over time. At IDC Koh Tao, our approach is built around developing those qualities in a way that is structured, measurable, and tailored to you as an individual instructor.

Rather than following a generic pathway, we begin by assessing your current experience, certification history, and teaching style. From there, we map out a clear progression plan that focuses on strengthening weaker areas while building on your existing strengths. This ensures that every certification you issue and every course you teach contributes meaningfully toward your Master Instructor application, while also improving the overall quality of your instruction.

Focused Coaching for Consistent Improvement

A key part of reaching Master Instructor level is consistency—and that comes from ongoing feedback and refinement. Throughout your development, you’ll receive targeted coaching designed to improve not just what you teach, but how you teach it. This includes reviewing your course structure, student interactions, and in-water control, as well as how effectively you communicate key concepts.

This process helps you identify patterns, refine your delivery, and improve student outcomes over time. Instead of repeating the same approach, you evolve as an instructor, becoming more efficient, more adaptable, and more effective in a wide range of teaching situations.

Developing a Strong Teaching Portfolio

To qualify for the PADI Master Instructor rating, you need to demonstrate experience across a broad range of courses and student levels. At IDC Koh Tao, we support you in building a diverse and well-balanced teaching portfolio that reflects real capability—not just numbers.

You’ll have opportunities to expand into continuing education courses, refine your ability to teach specialty programs, and work with students of varying experience levels. This variety is essential in developing the confidence and flexibility expected of a Master Instructor, while also strengthening your professional profile within the dive industry.

Quality Over Quantity

While certification numbers are part of the Master Instructor criteria, the way those certifications are achieved matters just as much. Our focus is on maintaining high training standards, strong student performance, and positive learning experiences. By prioritising quality, you naturally build a reputation as an instructor who produces competent, confident divers—something that carries significant weight in your long-term career.

We guide you in improving student retention, managing courses more effectively, and creating a learning environment that encourages progression into advanced and continuing education programs. This not only supports your Master Instructor application but also strengthens your ability to grow within the industry.

Train in a Real-World Environment

Koh Tao offers a unique advantage for instructors working toward higher professional ratings. With a high volume of courses running year-round, you gain consistent teaching opportunities and exposure to a wide range of student needs and diving conditions. This allows you to build experience quickly while continuing to refine your approach in a practical, working environment.

At IDC Koh Tao, you are part of an active professional community where development is ongoing. You are not training in isolation—you are working within a system that continuously challenges and improves your abilities.

A Clear Pathway for Career Progression

Achieving the Master Instructor rating is an important step in advancing your diving career. Our program is designed to help you reach that goal while also preparing you for the next stages, including IDC Staff Instructor and beyond. By focusing on structured development, ongoing coaching, and real teaching experience, we ensure that you are ready for increased responsibility and leadership within the PADI system.

If you are committed to progressing as a dive professional, the way you develop matters. At IDC Koh Tao, we provide the guidance, environment, and expertise needed to help you reach Master Instructor level with confidence and a strong foundation for the future.

Please bring the following materials with you.

PADI Specialty Course Instructor Manual

• PADI Guide to Teaching
• Diving Knowledge Workbook
• PADI Quizzes & Exam Booklets [Open Water, Rescue Diver, Divemaster]
• Open Water, Advanced, Rescue Diver, Divemaster course Instructor Cue Cards
• PADI Course Director manual
• C/W & O/W evaluation slates
• Laptop

In addition you’ll also need a copy of the PADI Instructor Manual. The Instructor is available as a free download for all PADI Members that are renewed from https://www.padi.com/mypadi/

PADI Fees 2026

Master Instructor Application fee: A$270