Buddy Dive AcademyPackages & Prices
PADI Instructor Development Course
Take the next step in your professional diving career with the PADI Instructor Development Course at Buddy Dive in Bonaire. Designed for experienced dive professionals who are ready to become PADI Open Water Scuba Instructors, our IDC focuses on developing the teaching skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to create safe, enjoyable, and successful learning experiences for future divers.
During the IDC, the focus shifts from being a skilled diver to becoming an effective educator. Through practical workshops and teaching sessions, you’ll develop the ability to plan and conduct engaging lessons, provide clear demonstrations, evaluate student performance, provide constructive feedback, and adapt your teaching approach to meet the needs of different types of learners.
Duration: 13 days including Instructor Examination
Price: $3,750
Includes:
- Instructor Development Course (IDC)
- IDC Materials
- Instructor Examination (IE)
- Emergency First Response Instructor Course
- EFR Instructor Application Fee
- Emergency Oxygen Provider Instructor Course
- Emergency Oxygen Provider Instructor Application
- Emergency Oxygen Provider Materials
Accommodation Options:
- IDC only: $3,750
- IDC + Shared Room: $4,310 total
- IDC + Single Room in Shared Accommodation: $4,800 total
Airport transfers and meals are not included but are available at regular resort rates.
PADI Divemaster
Take the first step toward a career in professional scuba diving with the PADI Divemaster Program at Buddy Dive. Designed for passionate divers who want to expand their knowledge, leadership skills, and confidence underwater, our comprehensive program prepares you to become a certified PADI Divemaster while gaining invaluable real-world experience at one of the Caribbean’s leading dive destinations.
As a PADI Divemaster, you’ll develop the skills to supervise dive activities, assist instructors with scuba training, guide certified divers, and promote safe, responsible diving practices. Throughout the program, you’ll work alongside our experienced dive professionals in a supportive, hands-on, and fun learning environment that fosters both personal growth and professional development.
To ensure every candidate receives the attention they deserve, we maintain a maximum 2:1 Divemaster-to-instructor ratio.
Duration: 14 days
Price: $1,400
Includes:
- Divemaster eLearning
- PADI Divemaster Application Fee
- Maximum 2:1 Divemaster-to-Instructor Ratio
- Optional 6-Week Divemaster Internship at No Additional Cost
Accommodation Options:
- Divemaster Course: $1,400
- Divemaster + Shared Room: $1,960 total
- Divemaster + Single Room: $2,450 total
Optional Dive Master Internship
Gain Real-World Experience!
Available only to graduates of our Buddy Dive Divemaster Program at no additional cost. After completing your Divemaster course, you’ll have the opportunity to become part of the Buddy Dive dive team and complete a 6-week internship in one of the world’s top diving destinations.
Designed for divers who want to go beyond certification and develop the skills needed to succeed as a dive professional, our Divemaster Internship provides hands-on experience in an established dive operation with decades of experience. You’ll gain insight into the daily responsibilities of a Divemaster while developing essential leadership, communication, problem-solving, and customer service skills. Working alongside our experienced dive team, you’ll build confidence in interacting with divers, managing dive activities, and creating positive experiences for guests.
Duration: 6 weeks after completing the Buddy Dive Divemaster Program
Price: No additional cost for Buddy Dive Divemaster graduates
For internship housing options, contact:
coursedirector@buddydive.com
Career Accelerator Internship
Build Your Skills. Expand Your Knowledge.
Price: $750
In addition to completing your Divemaster certification and internship, the Career Accelerator Internship includes five specialty certifications. The internship provides valuable experience in the day-to-day operations of a dive center while allowing you to put your new skills into practice. Lunch on internship days is included, so you can focus on building your skills and gaining valuable experience. With your Divemaster certification, five additional specialties, and practical industry experience, you can leave Bonaire as a PADI Divemaster with a stronger foundation for your future in diving.
Includes:
Emergency Oxygen Provider
As a Divemaster, you will be among the first people on the scene during a diving emergency. Learn to recognize possible signs of diving-related injuries and provide emergency oxygen while professional medical assistance is arranged. This course builds the knowledge and confidence to respond quickly, calmly, and appropriately when it matters most.
Reef Renewal
Get hands-on experience with coral restoration and reef conservation in Bonaire. Learn about coral biology, reef ecosystems, threats to coral health, and practical restoration techniques while participating directly in conservation efforts. You’ll also gain knowledge you can share with guests to encourage responsible and informed diving practices.
PLUS, CHOOSE 3 SPECIALTIES:
Adaptive Support
As a Divemaster, you may assist divers with different abilities and individual needs. This specialty provides practical knowledge of communication, adaptive techniques, equipment considerations, and dive planning. Having this knowledge, Divemasters create safer, more comfortable, and inclusive experiences while supporting divers with confidence, compassion and professionalism.
Bonaire Shore Diver
Develop practical skills and local knowledge for Bonaire’s unique shore-diving environment. Learn about safe entries and exits, navigation, dive planning, tank and vehicle logistics, yellow stones and site markers, local shore-diving practices, and environmentally responsible diving. Gain the confidence to support and guide divers in Bonaire’s self-guided shore-diving culture.
Equipment Specialist
Build practical knowledge of the equipment divers rely on every day. Learn how diving equipment works, identify common issues, perform basic care and maintenance, and recognize when professional servicing is needed. A valuable skill for assisting guests, troubleshooting gear, and working efficiently in a dive center.
Enriched Air Nitrox
Develop a stronger understanding of enriched air, gas planning, oxygen exposure, and dive computers. Nitrox can provide greater flexibility for appropriate repetitive diving and is widely used by both dive professionals and recreational divers. Add a qualification that allows you to confidently support guests using enriched air.
Fish ID
Learn to recognize and identify common fish species while gaining insight into their behaviors and habitats. Use your knowledge to enhance dive briefings, point out interesting marine life, and confidently answer guests’ questions. Make every dive more engaging, educational, and memorable.
Night Diver
Build the skills and confidence needed to plan and conduct dives after dark. Learn techniques for navigation, communication, equipment use and managing entries and exits in low-light conditions while discovering the unique behaviors of nocturnal marine life. Add another valuable skill for supporting and leading memorable night-diving experiences.
Underwater Naturalist
Deepen your understanding of marine life and underwater ecosystems. Learn to recognize animals and plants, understand behaviors and interactions, and share fascinating marine-life knowledge with other divers. Become better equipped to deliver engaging, educational dive briefings while promoting responsible interactions with the environment.
Other Pro Packages
The Assistant Instructor Course at Buddy Dive is a PADI professional-level program designed for Divemasters who want to advance their knowledge, teaching abilities, and in-water skills.
The course focuses on developing effective teaching techniques, improving classroom and in-water presentation skills, learning how to evaluate and coach student divers, and gaining practical experience assisting with PADI training.
As an Assistant Instructor, participants can teach certain PADI courses alongside Open Water Scuba Instructors, allowing them to further develop their confidence and experience as dive educators. The course also provides a clear pathway for those who choose to continue their professional development toward becoming a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor.
Includes:
- PADI IDC Materials
- PADI Application Fee
Price: On request
Contact:
coursedirector@buddydive.com
Advance your professional diving career with the PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer Prep Program at Buddy Dive in Bonaire.
Designed for PADI Open Water Scuba Instructors looking to expand their teaching experience, this program helps you develop additional PADI Specialty Instructor ratings while building the confidence and skills needed to become a more versatile and experienced dive educator.
At Buddy Dive, we can personalize your MSDT Prep package based on your interests, experience, and professional goals. Whether you want to focus on popular specialties such as Deep Diver, Enriched Air Nitrox, Wreck Diver, or other specialty courses, we’ll help create a program that supports your growth as an instructor and aligns with your future career plans.
Duration: 7 days
Program includes:
- 6 Specialty Instructor Courses
- Nitrox included at no additional cost
- Specialty Courses
- PADI Specialty Instructor Applications
Price: $1,495
- MSDT + Shared Room: $1,815 total
- MSDT + Single Room: $2,095 total
Please contact our Course Director for the current list of available specialties:
Don’t have time to commit to the full MSDT Prep package? We also offer à la carte pricing for individual PADI Specialty Instructor courses, giving you the flexibility to choose the specialties that best match your interests, experience, and professional goals.
Perfect for instructors who want to expand their teaching portfolio without committing to a full MSDT package.
Specialty Instructor Packages:
- 1 Specialty: $300
- 2 Specialties: $575
- 3 Specialties: $825
- 4 Specialties: $1,075
PADI application fees are included.
Continue your professional growth and take the next step as a dive educator with the PADI Staff Instructor Course at Buddy Dive in Bonaire.
Designed for experienced PADI Open Water Scuba Instructors who want to mentor, develop, and inspire future dive professionals, this course focuses on building the leadership, coaching, and evaluation skills needed to become a role model within the PADI system. Learn how to assist with IDCs, mentor instructor candidates, evaluate teaching performance, provide meaningful feedback, and help shape the next generation of PADI professionals.
Throughout the program, you’ll receive personalized guidance and mentorship from our experienced instructional team and dedicated PADI Course Director, allowing you to further refine your teaching abilities and expand your role as a dive educator.
Duration: 15 days
Includes:
- IDC Staff Instructor Materials
- 2-Day Preparation and Assessment Sessions
- IDC Audit
Price: $1,275
- IDC Staff + Shared Room: $1,875 total
- IDC Staff + Single Room: $2,400 total
Prerequisite: Master Scuba Diver Trainer
An IDC Audit at Buddy Dive is an excellent opportunity for PADI Staff Instructors to refine their evaluation, mentoring, and feedback skills and expand their role within the PADI system.
Whether your goal is to become more confident supporting IDCs, work toward becoming a PADI Master Instructor, or eventually pursue the path toward becoming a PADI Course Director, this program helps you develop the skills needed to succeed as a dive educator and mentor. Designed to help you practice and refine your IDC skills, the program provides hands-on experience in evaluating teaching presentations, providing constructive feedback, and supporting the development of future PADI Instructors.
Through observation, practice sessions, and personalized coaching, you’ll gain valuable experience in instructor-level evaluation, mentoring, and developing effective teaching techniques.
Duration: 13 days
Price: $450
- IDC Audit + Shared Room: $1,010 total
- IDC Audit + Single Room: $1,500 total
ACCOMMODATION NOTE
Airport transfers and meals are no longer included in professional course accommodation packages but are available at regular resort rates.
For more information:
Are you a Bonaire Local? Contact us to request your local rates.
