Gap year diving in the Philippines
A gap year that ends with a PADI qualification you can use to fund the rest of your travels. 12-16 weeks on a small island in the Philippines diving with thresher sharks.
Why a diving gap year
- You finish with a real qualification. A PADI Divemaster certification is a global work permit for the dive industry. You can pay for the rest of your gap year by working as you go.
- You gain a skill, not just a stamp. Most gap year volunteer programs leave you with a t-shirt. This leaves you with a job-ready credential.
- The community is built-in. Cohort-style training means you arrive knowing 4-8 other people in your situation. Friendships often outlast the program.
- The location is unique. Daily thresher shark dives. Plus mantas, mola mola, mandarin fish, dozens of sites within 30 minutes of the island.
How parents fund this
Most gap year diving programs cost USD 12,000-25,000 in the major schools (UK and Australia). Our 16-week Zero to Hero is USD 5,200 all-in plus USD 800-1,400 flights. You’re getting more credential for less money.
Best gap year months to come
- October to May: dry season, calm seas, perfect diving conditions. Most popular.
- June to September: typhoon season, slightly less reliable but cheaper flights and fewer crowds. Diving still happens 90% of days.
Safety for under-20s
We’ve trained gap year students for 20+ years. Bounty Beach is small and safe. Our dive house has 24-hour staff. We handle visa runs and have emergency protocols (we’ve never had a serious dive incident in our internship program). We’ll communicate with parents on request.
Apply
Email internships@thresherdivers.com with your name, target start month, and any prior diving experience. Parent inquiries welcome.