Why Do Your IDC Here?

PADI 5-Star CDC · Platinum Course Director · Malapascua

Why do your IDC on Malapascua with TSD?

Not all instructor development is equal. Here’s what sets training with Thresher Shark Divers and a Platinum Course Director apart.

Photo: Simon Rogerson

The difference

Four reasons candidates choose us

A single Platinum CD mentor

You train one-on-one with Toni Plaza Baños — one of fewer than 10% of Course Directors worldwide to hold Platinum status. No staff rotations, no being passed between instructors.

A 5-Star CDC, not a basic IDC centre

Thresher Shark Divers is a PADI 5 Star Career Development Centre — the highest PADI rating — with 1,000+ professionals trained since 2004. That depth of experience is rare.

Daily threshers + serious diving

Sunrise thresher shark dives at Kimud Shoal, the tunnels of Gato Island, mandarinfish at Lighthouse Reef. You learn to teach in genuinely world-class conditions.

Small groups, 100% first-time IE record

Classes are deliberately small. Every candidate Toni has prepared has passed the PADI Instructor Examination first time — she is the only sole instructor in the Philippines with this record.

How we compare

Malapascua vs Koh Tao, Bali & Utila

An honest look at where you train and who teaches you.

 Malapascua with TSDTypical Koh Tao / Bali / Utila
Training environment5★ CDC, world-class wall & shark divingOften high-volume, basic IDC centres
MentorOne Platinum Course Director, start to finishStaff rotations; varying experience
Group sizeSmall, high-attention cohortsFrequently large IDC groups
Diving varietyThreshers, tunnels, reefs, mandarinfishVariable; often single-site
Cost of livingAffordable Philippine island livingBali/Koh Tao busier & pricier in season
IE track record100% first-time pass rateRarely published

Comparing PADI and SSI? Read our honest breakdown → PADI vs SSI Instructor

Ready to plan your IDC?

Tell us your level, goal and start date. We’ll send a clear plan with dates, costs and the best package for you.

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