The Philippines has over 7,000 islands, some of the best diving on earth, and a cost of living that lets you train without burning through your savings. That’s why thousands of people come here every year to become dive instructors.
But the path from “I love diving” to “I’m a PADI Instructor” isn’t always obvious. Here’s exactly how it works, what it costs, and how long it takes.
The Path: Step by Step
You can’t just sign up for an instructor course. PADI has a progression, and each level builds on the last:
Open Water Diver → Advanced Open Water → Rescue Diver → Divemaster → Instructor Development Course (IDC) → Instructor Exam (IE)
If you’re starting from scratch, the whole journey takes roughly 3 to 9 months depending on how fast you move. If you’re already a Divemaster, you can be a certified instructor in as little as 2 to 3 weeks.
What You Need Before the IDC
- PADI Divemaster certification (or equivalent from another agency)
- At least 60 logged dives to start the IDC, and 100 dives before the IE
- Emergency First Response Instructor certification (usually included in IDC packages)
- A medical clearance signed by a doctor within the last 12 months
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a certified diver for at least 6 months
How Long Does It Take?
- Already a Divemaster with 100+ dives: 2 to 3 weeks (IDC + IE)
- Divemaster but need more dives/experience: 1 to 2 months
- Starting from Open Water: 6 to 9 months via an internship programme
What Does It Cost?
IDC course fees in the Philippines vary by centre. At Thresher Shark Divers on Malapascua, the IDC package is PHP 109,500, which includes EFRI, eLearning materials, and IE prep. On top of that, budget AUD 1,826 in PADI fees and PHP 15,000-30,000/month in living costs.
The Philippines is one of the most affordable places in the world to do your IDC. Comparable courses in Australia or Thailand typically cost 30 to 50% more.
Where Should You Train?
What matters more than location is the quality of your Course Director and the diving environment you’ll train in. Look for a PADI 5 Star CDC, a Course Director with a strong IE pass rate, diverse dive sites, and small class sizes.
Malapascua stands out because you get world-class diving (thresher sharks, mantas, wrecks, macro) alongside your professional training.