GO PRO — PADI DIVEMASTER INTERNSHIP IN SOUTH AFRICA

Turn your passion for diving into something bigger.

Ready to take your diving further?

Spend 6–16 weeks in Sodwana Bay, South Africa, working towards becoming a PADI Divemaster while gaining practical diving experience and taking part in marine conservation projects.

Delivered by our local partner, Deep Blue Conservation, this internship combines professional training with regular diving, marine research and life in one of South Africa's best known diving communities.

Whether you've never dived before or you're already a Rescue Diver, there's a pathway to suit your starting point.

AT A GLANCE

Location: Sodwana Bay, South Africa

Duration: 6–16 weeks

Age: 18+

Experience: Complete beginners through to experienced Rescue Divers, depending on the pathway

Programme starts: Fridays, subject to availability

Prices: From €5,220

All participants must be able to swim, be comfortable in the water and understand basic spoken English.

CHOOSE YOUR PATH

Deep Blue currently offers six routes to Divemaster. Your programme length depends on your qualifications and logged diving experience.

Open Water to Divemaster

16 weeks | €12,740

Starting point: Complete beginner

Never dived before? This is the full journey, taking you from your first underwater breaths through Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Rescue, EFR and ultimately Divemaster training.

Minimum requirement: Age 18+; no previous diving certification required.

Advanced Open Water to Divemaster

12 weeks | €9,870

Starting point: Open Water Diver

Already certified? Build your diving experience while progressing through Advanced Open Water, Rescue, EFR and Divemaster training.

Minimum requirement: Open Water certification or equivalent, age 18+.

Rescue to Divemaster — 10 Weeks

10 weeks | €8,350

Starting point: Advanced Open Water Diver with 10+ dives

A longer route for Advanced divers who need to build more experience while completing Rescue and EFR training before progressing to Divemaster.

Minimum requirement: Advanced Open Water or equivalent, at least 10 logged dives, age 18+.

Rescue to Divemaster — 8 Weeks

8 weeks | €6,990

Starting point: Advanced Open Water Diver with 20+ dives

Already have some diving experience behind you? This shorter route includes Rescue and EFR before moving into Divemaster training.

Minimum requirement: Advanced Open Water or equivalent, at least 20 logged dives, age 18+.

Divemaster — 8 Weeks

8 weeks | €6,580

Starting point: Rescue Diver with 20+ dives

Build the additional diving experience required before beginning your professional training.

Minimum requirement: Rescue Diver and EFR or equivalent, at least 20 logged dives, age 18+.

Divemaster Fast Track

6 weeks | €5,220

Starting point: Rescue Diver with 30+ dives

The shortest programme for experienced Rescue Divers ready to concentrate on their Divemaster training.

Minimum requirement: Rescue Diver and EFR or equivalent, at least 30 logged dives, age 18+.

Not sure which pathway is right for you? Ask Shaun. We'll help you work out where to start.

Prices, availability and final programme details are confirmed by Deep Blue Conservation.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Learn. Dive. Conserve. Go Pro.

You'll arrive on a Friday, with time over the weekend to settle in, meet the crew and get familiar with Sodwana.

From there, your training depends on where you're starting.

A typical week combines conservation project dives, course dives, practical skills, Divemaster workshops and theory sessions. The programme generally includes five project dives per week, alongside the training needed for your chosen pathway.

You'll spend time on Sodwana's reefs, learning from experienced dive professionals and getting involved in ongoing marine research.

Projects may include reef surveys, species identification, fish and invertebrate counts, underwater photography and Nudibranch monitoring. You'll also attend marine lectures led by a local zoologist.

Actual diving schedules depend on training requirements, weather and sea conditions.

LEARNING TO BECOME A DIVE PROFESSIONAL

There's more to being a Divemaster than getting another certification card.

You'll develop practical skills in dive planning, navigation, assisting with diver training, group supervision, problem-solving and working as part of a dive operation.

You'll also learn to pay more attention to what's happening around you underwater, from the behaviour of other divers to changing environmental conditions.

The conservation work adds another dimension, giving you hands-on experience with marine research and a better understanding of the reefs you're diving.

It's a chance to build the confidence, judgement and experience that matter when you're responsible for other divers.

LIFE IN SODWANA BAY

Welcome to the dive life.

This isn't a luxury resort experience, and that's part of the appeal.

You'll share accommodation at the Deep Blue house with other interns and divers. There's a communal kitchen, weekly groceries and plenty of opportunity to get to know everyone.

Days revolve around diving, training and conservation. Evenings are more relaxed, whether that means cooking together, heading out for something to eat or enjoying a braai with the crew.

The dive launch is about a ten-minute drive away, with transport arranged for diving days.

There's time to explore beyond the reefs, too. Weekly excursions can take you to local beaches, Lake Sibaya and other spots around Sodwana.

You'll probably arrive thinking mostly about your Divemaster qualification.

There's a fair chance the people, the diving and the lifestyle will be what you remember just as much.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Your programme includes:

• Shared accommodation at the Deep Blue house

• Weekly groceries

• Transfers to and from Richards Bay Airport

• Five conservation project dives per week, subject to conditions and the training schedule

• BCD, regulator, cylinder and weight-belt rental for dives

• Transport to and from the dive launch

• Local transport around Sodwana

• iSimangaliso Wetland Park diving entry fees

• Weekly local excursions

• Marine lectures with a local zoologist

• On-site team support

• The dive courses required for your chosen pathway to PADI Divemaster

Depending on your starting qualifications, training can include PADI Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Deep Specialty, Enriched Air Nitrox, Rescue Diver, Emergency First Response and Divemaster.

ADDITIONAL COSTS TO PLAN FOR

The programme price doesn't cover everything.

You'll need to budget separately for flights to and from Richards Bay, travel and diving insurance, any applicable passport or visa expenses, personal spending, meals beyond the provided groceries and optional activities outside the included excursions.

Medical clearance is required for all interns. You'll need to complete the PADI medical questionnaire and obtain a doctor's confirmation that you're fit to dive. Any associated medical examination costs are additional.

Make sure your insurance covers your planned diving activities, medical treatment and emergency evacuation.

Final costs, requirements and inclusions should always be confirmed directly with Deep Blue before booking.

TRAVEL & ARRIVAL

Programmes begin and finish on Fridays.

Deep Blue arranges transfers between Richards Bay Airport and Sodwana Bay.

Friday arrival collection: 12:00

Final Friday airport drop-off: 11:00

Confirm your flight arrangements with Deep Blue before purchasing tickets to make sure they work with the scheduled transfers.

WHAT YOU'LL LEAVE WITH

The goal is to qualify as a PADI Divemaster, provided you successfully complete all course and certification requirements.

But you'll also have spent weeks gaining practical diving experience, developing your skills, learning about marine ecosystems and working alongside other divers.

And hopefully you'll leave with more confidence underwater, some lifelong dive buddies and a healthy collection of stories from South Africa.

READY TO GO PRO?

Not sure which programme suits your current qualification or logged dives?

Ask Shaun about Go Pro. We'll help you find the right pathway and put you in touch with the team at Deep Blue Conservation.

All training, programme bookings and payments are handled directly by Deep Blue Conservation.

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