Frequently asked questions
If your question isn’t here, email internships@thresherdivers.com. We reply within 24 hours.
About the programs
- How long is the Divemaster internship?
- 8 weeks if you arrive already a Rescue Diver with 40+ logged dives. 12-16 weeks if you arrive as a non-diver and want to build up through Open Water → Advanced → Rescue → Divemaster.
- How long is the Instructor internship?
- 4 weeks for the IDC itself, plus 2-4 weeks of teaching practice afterward (recommended). So 4-8 weeks total. Assumes you arrive already a Divemaster.
- What if I’m a non-diver and want to become an Instructor?
- Our Zero to Hero pathway. 20-24 weeks total: Open Water → Advanced → Rescue → Divemaster (12-16 weeks) → IDC → IE (4 weeks) → teaching practice (4 weeks). From USD 8,400 + PADI fees.
- How many dives will I do?
- Divemaster trainees average 60-80 dives during the 8-12 week program. Instructor trainees do 30-50 during IDC + teaching practice (you’ve already got dives banked from your DM days).
Cost and payment
- What does “all-in” actually include?
- PADI fees and materials, all training dives, equipment rental, accommodation, tank fills, marine park fees, boat transport, visa renewals, airport pickup. See full breakdown on the cost calculator page.
- What’s NOT included?
- Flights, food, personal insurance (required, ~USD 99/year for DAN World), the PADI Instructor Examination fee (USD 1,120, only for IDC), and any specialty courses you add (USD 200-400 each).
- Do you take deposits?
- Yes. 25% deposit to confirm your place, balance due 30 days before arrival. Refundable up to 60 days before. Partial refund 30-60 days before. Non-refundable inside 30 days but transferable to another cohort or another person.
- Can I pay in installments?
- Yes for the longer programs (Zero to Hero). Talk to us.
- Currency I can pay in?
- USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, PHP. Wire transfer or credit card (3% surcharge for cards over USD 1,000).
Prerequisites and qualifications
- What do I need to start the Divemaster program?
- PADI Rescue Diver (or equivalent), 40+ logged dives, current dive medical (under 12 months), CPR/first aid current (under 24 months), 18+ years old. Don’t have these? Our Zero to Hero pathway covers everything from scratch.
- What do I need for the Instructor program?
- PADI Divemaster (or equivalent — TDI, SSI, NAUI all accepted), 60+ logged dives (100+ for the IE), 6+ months as a certified diver, current medical and CPR certs.
- I’m 50+. Am I too old?
- No. We’ve had trainees in their 60s qualify as instructors. Diving is age-fair. Health matters more than age. Get a dive medical from a doctor and we’ll talk.
- I have asthma / heart condition / diabetes / pregnancy. Can I still do this?
- Possibly. PADI requires a “yes” on any condition to be cleared by a dive-trained doctor before training. Email us about your specific situation. Pregnancy is a hard no during diving.
Visas and travel
- What visa do I need?
- Most nationalities get 30 days visa-free on arrival in the Philippines. We handle 1-month and 2-month extensions for you (cost included in the all-in price). For stays over 6 months you’ll need a special visa we can advise on.
- How do I get to Malapascua?
- Fly to Cebu (Mactan-Cebu International, code CEB). We pick you up. 4-hour van transfer to Maya port, 30-minute outrigger boat to Malapascua. Total transfer day takes 6-7 hours from airport to your room.
- When should I book my flight?
- After we confirm your cohort start date. Arrive 1-2 days before the program starts so you can rest from jetlag.
- Do you arrange airport pickup?
- Yes, included. We’ll send you the driver’s contact 48 hours before.
Accommodation and life on the island
- Where will I live?
- Our dive house on Bounty Beach. Shared rooms (2-4 people, same gender). Private rooms available for a small upcharge. WiFi, fan, mosquito net, shared kitchen and lounge area.
- What’s the food situation?
- Filipino restaurants on the island, plus a few Western options. Estimate USD 12-25/day for food and drink. Much cheaper than home. The dive house has a kitchen if you want to self-cater.
- Is there nightlife?
- 4-5 beach bars, low-key. Most trainees have early starts so heavy nightlife isn’t a feature. The trainee cohort tends to be tight socially.
- Is the island safe?
- Yes. Tiny island, everyone knows everyone, very low crime. Standard precautions apply.
- What about typhoon season?
- Typhoon season is June-November. Most pass north of Cebu but occasional disruption. We follow Philippine Coast Guard guidance and pause diving if conditions are unsafe. We’ve operated through 23 typhoon seasons.
After the program
- Will you help me find a job?
- Yes. Our employment workshop runs at the end of every IDC. We have ongoing relationships with dive shops worldwide and pass candidates to them. About 60% of our IDC graduates have a job offer within 60 days of qualifying.
- Where do your past graduates work now?
- Egypt, Maldives, Indonesia, Thailand, Caribbean, Galapagos, Australia, Mexico, plus stay-on roles in the Philippines. See our graduate stories →
- Can I stay on at TSD after qualifying?
- Sometimes. We hire 1-3 of each IDC cohort if there’s a fit and capacity. Performance during the internship is the main factor.