Zero to Hero: from non-diver to PADI Pro
Never put on a dive mask before? Want to come out the other side as a working dive professional? This program takes you all the way, in one go.
Two outcomes available
| Pathway | Duration | Price (all-in USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Non-diver to Divemaster | 12-16 weeks | From 5,200 |
| Non-diver to Instructor (OWSI) | 20-24 weeks | From 8,400 + USD 1,679 PADI fees |
What’s included
- PADI Open Water Diver course
- PADI Advanced Open Water course (5 specialty dives)
- EFR Primary and Secondary Care (CPR/first aid)
- PADI Rescue Diver course
- Dive experience build to 40+ logged dives
- PADI Divemaster Internship (8 weeks intensive)
- If continuing to Instructor: full IDC, IE, and 4-week teaching practice
- Accommodation, equipment rental, all dives, materials, visa renewals throughout
Typical week-by-week (16-week DM version)
| Weeks 1-2 | Open Water course. Confined water sessions. First open water dives. Get comfortable underwater. |
| Weeks 3-4 | Advanced Open Water (deep, navigation, peak performance buoyancy, plus 2 electives like wreck, nitrox, photography). |
| Weeks 5-6 | EFR + Rescue Diver. Practical scenarios. Build dive count. |
| Weeks 7-16 | 10 weeks of intensive Divemaster internship (see DM page for week-by-week). |
Best for
- Career-changers who’ve decided diving is the new direction
- Gap year or sabbatical students with 4-6 months available
- Couples doing it together (we offer a small couples discount)
- Anyone who’s been on a try-dive holiday and decided to commit
Best value pathway
If you’re committed to becoming an Instructor eventually, doing it all in one continuous program saves about USD 1,200 vs splitting across two trips. You also avoid the awkward “back home in between” phase where many people lose momentum.