Are you bored and looking for an adventure while getting paid for it? If you love the oceans, you might have thought about getting a job as a dive instructor. You will also get to explore the world’s best dive spots and get paid! Meanwhile, there are several other things that this career path involves.
Most people think it is easy and the best job ever, but there is more to it than meets the eye. Get inspired and be prepared for your dream career as we highlight the pros and cons of getting a job as a dive instructor and how to get hired as one.
What is a Dive Instructor?
A dive instructor teaches individuals how to safely and effectively dive underwater. These instructors work for dive centers, resorts, or independent diving schools, conducting diving courses and certifications. Their primary role is imparting students knowledge and skills, guiding them through theoretical instruction, practical training, and hands-on diving experiences to become proficient and confident divers.
In addition to teaching diving techniques and safety procedures, diving instructors often share their passion for marine life and ecosystems, promoting conservation efforts and environmental stewardship among their students. They also promote a love for the underwater world while guaranteeing that divers develop the necessary skills and knowledge to explore it responsibly and safely.
How to Get Hired as a Dive Instructor
Getting a job as a dive instructor may be hard at first, but it is a competitive field in many places. First, diving with a company as a customer is an excellent way to meet dive professionals in your desired area. After diving in with you, they will likely connect you with new job openings.
If you are away from the area, make a diving CV highlighting your experience and speciality courses. Some companies request pictures with applications. This should be a clear and presentable headshot, not a diving picture.
Once you have found a position, keep growing your diving, sales, and customer service skills. Sales skills are essential because many dive shops pay partially based on commission. Also, stay updated on changing industry standards and new specialty courses to remain competitive in the diving industry.
Pros of Working as a Dive Instructor
1. Spend time in the water every day
If you love being in the water, being a dive instructor is one of the best jobs in the world. You get to spend hours in the world’s oceans, rivers, and lakes, exploring the many wonders of the underwater world. Even better, you get to share your dives and working days with people who are equally mesmerized by being in the water.
2. Live at some of the most beautiful places in the world
You can travel and work as a dive instructor anywhere in the world. Most people think that dive professionals work at sunshine-soaked beach resorts; well, many of them do! But if that is not your style, no problem.
You can work at crystal-clear lakes framed by mountains, on luxurious live aboard boats, and in the shadow of bustling cities. The choices are endless, and it is a far cry from working in your average office.
3. Contribute to marine conservation
Remember this saying: we conserve what we love. All divers love the oceans, and one of the most significant benefits of getting a job as a dive instructor is that you can help protect the oceans from daily harm.
In addition, you get to teach people about ocean conservation and explain how to be a responsible diver. You can share information about reef-safe sunscreens and sustainable dive gear, work on marine conservation projects, and lead clean-up dives.
4. Work with like-minded people
More often than not, people worldwide go to work, get their heads down, tick off their to-do lists and then go home to ‘start living’. But life does not have to be like that. When you become a dive instructor, you will be surrounded by people who share your passion and are as committed to diving as you are.
Your colleagues and customers will get the same kicks as you from being underwater and experiencing those epic marine life moments together. In short, your work will no longer be something you do to pay the bills. It will be a lifestyle choice that revolves around what matters most and the places you long to explore.
Cons of Working as a Dive Instructor
1. You need to be relatively fit and healthy
Diving is for everyone, and despite common misconceptions, you do not need to be a super-fit athlete to become a dive instructor. However, it would help to have a basic fitness level to be safe in the water and prevent injuries. You may need to lift heavy tanks, put on and remove a lot of dive gear, and dive a lot. All of which is tiring!
The more you do to prepare for that, the happier you will be at the end of your working days – rather than lying in bed injured and exhausted. Ensure that you are diving fit by stretching and strengthening your muscles. Also, include plenty of rest and recovery on your days off.
2. You can get freezing
One of the first things you will learn as a dive instructor is that you can get freezing in and out of the water all day. Knowing how to keep warm and well-fueled is vital to be safe in the water. You do not put your back out from shivering and do not dread the next dive.
Ensure you eat regularly, stay hydrated, and talk to your colleagues about the best exposure suit to invest in. Even in warm countries, some instructors dive in dry suits for the ease of always being dry and warm.
3. It is hard work
Any dive instructor will tell you that doing their job is hard work. Yes, it looks easy and fun, and so many instructors get told it must be ‘like being on holiday all the time’. However, it is not!
You work long hours, sometimes six days a week and often over weekends. You get last-minute course additions, unexpected staff shortages you need to cover, and clients who need to remember to follow you during their guided dives.
Conclusion
Getting a job as a dive instructor can be challenging initially, but following this guide will make it easy for you! You can also invest in diving courses, and once you’ve completed all of the courses with your agency of choice, you can find work with dive shops worldwide. Being a dive instructor can be very rewarding and will give you more opportunities to grow your diving skills and knowledge.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much does a dive instructor earn?
This is a tricky question as dive instructors work worldwide, and their salaries vary significantly. For instance, the (full-time) salary for dive instructors within the United States ranges from $45,000 to over $100,000 annually.
The lower end of that range is often more common, but if you land an excellent job in places like Hawaii, including tips, you can make good money. Instructor jobs in other parts of the world may not pay as much, but you’ll benefit from a much lower cost of living, so you’ll have to factor in the entire situation.
2. Can you make a career out of diving?
Absolutely! There are many different diving jobs and career paths in the diving industry. Some people are pleased with being a dive instructor for most of their lives. However, there are many other paths you can move towards once you’re a dive instructor.
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