Instructor Development course (IDC)

We have been running IDC’s at our Mabul Beach Resort for over 10 years and have successfully delivered hundreds of PADI pro’s! We keep classes to a maximum of 8 people - with the average size a lot smaller - meaning each student gets the personal attention they need throughout the course. We have a fantastic team of experienced instructors, who will be more than happy to offer advice and guidance. The IDC is both rewarding, a lot of fun, and you will likely meet people who will become lifelong friends!

We'll guide you through the Instructor Development Course and not only give you the tools to pass your IE, but to also be an amazing instructor after the course is over. Past Scuba Junkie instructors have moved on to work in dive shops all over the world, to managing dive centres, and even started their own businesses! We can confidently say that both you and your future students will be happy you trained at Scuba Junkie!

By choosing Scuba Junkie, you will learn to become a PADI Instructor at a dive centre that is dedicated to responsible diving, and committed to the marine environment. The diving in this area is world-class. You will be fine-tuning your skills on dive sites where you can see a range of amazing creatures – from huge green turtles, schooling fish, flamboyant cuttlefish and blue-ringed octopus! Our Mabul Beach Resort is just minutes away from the dive sites, so you can spend less time travelling and more time learning.

PADI Instructors are the most sought after dive professionals in the industry. As a dive instructor, you’ll be able to share your passion for the ocean and transform other people’s lives for the better, all whilst doing what you love! Start a career that is unique, rewarding, lots of fun, and that allows you to work in exotic locations all over the world. Wherever you prefer to dive, whether it’s on tropical reefs, mountain lakes of fresh water rivers, the PADI instructor certification is your ticket to the world!

We start each IDC by making sure that you are fully up to date on your dive theory, rescue skills and the 24 basic skills. Every IDC includes a 2 day preparation period specifically designed to pick up on and remediate any gaps in your knowledge. We can also provide longer preparation periods if required. 

During the IDC you will split your time between our classroom and our dedicated confined & open water training areas. You’ll then take the Emergency First Response Instructor Course which is required for your career as a PADI Instructor as well as 2 additional free Specialty instructor (AWARE Sharks Conservation & Nitrox Specialty Instructor). Before declaring you ready for the IE, we conduct a full 2-day mock IE so that you know exactly what to expect from the real one!

Once you have successfully completed the IDC it is time for the PADI Instructor Examination (IE). The IE is spread over 2 days and is split into 4 components:

1. Written Exams
2. Classroom presentation
3. Confined water teaching
4. Open water teaching

After our comprehensive and thorough IDC, you should be fully prepared for the IE – in fact most students say the examination is a lot easier than the course itself.

Why not consider adding on an Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT) Prep package! The PADI MSDT rating sets you apart from other dive instructors as it shows you take continuing education seriously and are committed to teaching a variety of courses.

The MSDT Prep course is a package of 3 Specialty Instructor training courses that can be taught during your IDC. During this prep course, you will be taught the standards for each of the specialty courses you choose. The prep course helps you understand the various components and obtain hands-on experience of how to effectively teach the specialty; and get divers to come back for more! After you have received your Specialty Instructor teaching status, you will be able to teach your chosen specialties, in addition to the standard PADI courses.

Once you have certified at least 25 students in any PADI course (including these specialties), you will be able to submit your MSDT application. This rating is the next step up the professional ladder and is a prerequisite for IDC Staff Instructor.

If you would like the chance to build up your certifications and give yourself the best chance at employment possibilities, then our Instructor Internship is for you! We have both 1 month and 3 month internship options available.

After you successfully pass your IE you will have a period of shadowing our highly experienced PADI instructors and assisting on courses to give you hands on practical experience of what it is like to teach courses and the considerations you need to take to teach the next generation of divers!

Once you receive your instructor rating, subject to our instructors approval, you will be able to work towards certifying your very own 25 students, have hands on experience at an award-winning dive centre and increase your employability! At Scuba Junkie, we are always on the look out for enthusiastic, dedicated dive professionals to join our family- if you excel during the internship- don’t be surprised if you are approached by our dive managers to discuss potential career options with Scuba Junkie.

Please note that a maximum of 3 internship places are available for each IDC so contact us ASAP to secure your spot. 

Equipment rental is included in our IDC Package, however if you are planning on working in the dive industry we highly recommend you purchase your own full set of equipment with mask and snorkel, fins, wetsuit, BCD and regulator. Certain items are required to take part in the IDC/IE and you must bring your personal set of the following:

Dive computer, compass, timing device, white slate, SMB & reel (inflatable signalling device), whistle (audible signalling device), dive knife (or diver's tool), tank banger.

You can purchase these items at a discount in our retail shop, however we are based on a small island and stock might be limited. It's best to check with us to see what's available before arrival.

With a mere 2 min walk from the classroom to the dive sites, Mabul Island provides the perfect learning environment in which to conduct IDCs. Our recommended Best IDC Package includes 12 nights full board accommodation at our beautiful Mabul Beach Resort on Mabul Island. All your meals and day to day needs will be taken care of by our helpful resort staff, leaving you free to focus on your IDC.

If you prefer to arrange your own accommodation on Mabul Island you are welcome to do so, please email us for some suggestions to get you started.

Scuba Junkie also has a dive centre in Kota Kinabalu so please contact us if you are interested in taking the IDC with us in Kota Kinabalu.

Our IDC packages and internships offer incredible value for money, they include dorm style accommodation with full meals at our Mabul Beach Resort, and you will live literally just a couple of minutes walk from the training dive sites. Our next IDC is the 3rd- 15th May 2024. For more details, just email us - we look forward to helping you take the next step in your career as a PADI professional! A maximum of 3 internship places are available for each IDC so contact us asap to secure your spot.

• Prices include 6% SST on accommodation at Mabul Beach Resort
• Prices exclude Malaysian Tourism tax of RM10 per room per night (not applicable to dorm)
• Full board accommodation as stated at Mabul Beach Resort, 3 meals daily & afternoon snacks. Private rooms are available for upgrade at extra cost.
• PADI IDC Crew Pak including PADI guide to teaching, Lesson planning slates, Instructor cue cards (Confined & Open Water, Advanced Open Water & Rescue Diver), PADI Specialties Instructor Manual CD-Rom, Open Water, Rescue & Divemaster Exam booklets.
• EFR Instructor Manual (Primary & Secondary, care for children guides)
• 2 FREE Speciality Instructor rating
• Unlimited shore dives & FREE equipment rental during the IDC (for the internship you must have your own full set of equipment)
• A high season supplement of RM25 per person per night will be applicable for the following dates: 15th December 2023 - 5th January 2024, 5th - 15th February 2024, 28th March - 15th April 2024, 15th May- 15th September 2024, 1st- 7th October 2024 & 15th December 2024- 5th January 2025
• Prices do not include PADI fees

Trips to Sipadan can be booked as part of our great Mabul Beach Resort & Sipadan packages which include accommodation at Mabul Beach Resort, boat transfers to/from Mabul, 3 daily dives, full equipment rental, meals, water, tea & coffee. All packages include diving around either North Mabul, South Mabul, North Kapalai, South Kapalai as well as of course the world famous Sipadan National Park.

As you are considering becoming a PADI Instructor with us- we would love to offer you a special 25% DISCOUNT off our Sipadan add-on packages (as long as this is booked directly before or after your IDC). The below packages are inclusive of the discount.

This is a great way to get those last few dives logged before your IDC, or treat yourself to some spectacular dives after passing your IE!!

*Please be advised that Sipadan National Park may be closed for the month of November 2024

• Prices include 6% SST on accommodation at Mabul Beach Resort
• Prices exclude Sipadan permit & conservation fees (per person per Sipadan day):
  Non-Malaysian Diver: RM450
  Non-Malaysian Snorkeller: RM100
  Malaysian Diver: RM300
  Malaysian Snorkeller: RM50
• Prices exclude Malaysian Tourism tax of RM10 per room per night (not applicable to dorm)
• The above rates are based on twin or triple share, single supplements per night are for divers: Ensuite Fan: RM105, Deluxe AC: RM155, VIP AC: RM155
• A high season supplement of RM25 per person per night will be applicable for the following dates: 15th December 2023 - 5th January 2024, 5th - 15th February 2024, 28th March - 15th April 2024, 15th May- 15th September 2024, 1st- 7th October 2024 & 15th December 2024- 5th January 2025
• All trips are subject to weather conditions and permit availability at the time of booking
• Min required certification level Advanced Open Water & min age 10 years for Sipadan Dive packages
• A single supplement fee of RM200 per day is applicable if you are the only participant on your fun diving day