PADI Assistant Instructor
PADI PRO COURSES
Take the next step toward becoming a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor with the PADI Assistant Instructor course. Gain valuable teaching experience, sharpen your instructional skills, and start guiding future divers on their underwater journeys.
And what better place than Bonaire — with its warm, crystal-clear, calm waters and vibrant reefs — to earn your first instructor certification?
PADI Assistant Instructor
The step before Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI)
The PADI Assistant Instructor (AI) course is your ideal step before the PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI) program. Gain valuable teaching experience, boost your skills, and open doors to more job opportunities.
Why Choose the AI Course?
Get Teaching Experience: Build confidence and skills before becoming a full instructor.
More Opportunities: Assist with courses, lead PADI Specialties like Peak Performance Buoyancy, and teach non-diving programs like PADI AWARE Coral Reef Conservation.
Be a Key Team Member: Play an active role in the dive shop and help shape new divers.
What does the Assistant Instructor course entail?
The PADI Assistant Instructor course bridges the gap between Divemaster and Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI), focusing on developing your teaching skills and dive knowledge. It’s the perfect stepping stone to prepare for the Instructor Development Course (IDC) while gaining real-world teaching experience.
What You’ll Learn:
Dive Theory & Teaching Techniques: Deepen your understanding of dive theory and refine your presentation skills.
Hands-On Training: Participate in confined water sessions, open water teaching scenarios, and classroom presentations.
Leadership Development: Enhance your leadership skills and learn how to effectively assist in PADI courses.
This course boosts your confidence as a future instructor!
“The PADI Assistant Instructor program is perfect if you want to gain valuable teaching experience, before joining the PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI) course. ”
When Can I Start the PADI Assistant Instructor Course?
You can start the PADI Assistant Instructor course as soon as you meet the following prerequisites:
✅ Certified PADI Divemaster
Or hold a leadership-level certification from another recognized recreational diver training organization. We will verify your eligibility with PADI Regional Headquarters. Documentation of entry-level, advanced, rescue, and leadership certifications is required.
✅ 18 years old
✅ Medically evaluated and cleared for diving by a physician within the last 12 months.
✅ Completed Emergency First Responder (EFR) Primary and Secondary Care training within the last 24 months
Or provide proof of equivalent training from another recognized organization, which we can verify with PADI
Why Choose Scuba Elite for Your PADI Assistant Instructor Journey on Bonaire?
At Scuba Elite, we go beyond the basics to ensure you’re fully prepared for your role as a PADI Assistant Instructor. Just like in our Divemaster training, we focus on the skills that matter most — with hands-on practice, real-life scenarios, and personal guidance to help you succeed.
What Sets Our AI Course Apart?
Focused Skill Development: We dedicate time to help you master knowledge development presentations. With our detailed hand-outs, you’ll quickly gain confidence in public speaking and delivering lessons. We also sharpen your briefing techniques and prepare you for real teaching challenges, including managing common student errors.
Hands-On Training: Our approach is practical and immersive, exposing you to real-life teaching scenarios for a deeper learning experience.
Flexible Scheduling: We offer flexible planning so you can tailor the course to your lifestyle. Whether you want to complete it over weekends or spread it out over a year, we work around your schedule.
Top-Notch Training Environment: Train in the crystal-clear waters of Bonaire and enjoy access to one of the largest "pools" for confined water sessions. Our facilities allow you to focus on what matters most — becoming a top-tier dive professional.
Comprehensive Resources: Our extensive hand-outs provide a simple, user-friendly system for conducting both knowledge development and in-water teaching sessions confidently.
Join the Scuba Elite Family: As a symbol of your journey with us, you’ll receive an official Scuba Elite polo — welcoming you into our close-knit community.
Daniel, June 2023
“I can’t thank Scuba Elite enough for their incredible hospitality, patience and professionalism within the diving world on the island. Scuba Elite and their team go far and beyond with the experience and mentorship that they offer, always willing to help in any situation.”
PADI Assistant Instructor Course Schedule
1. Knowledge Development
Start with the IDC eLearning, which you can complete at your own pace. This eLearning module is available exclusively through our dive shop and includes aquatic cue cards for courses like Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver, Rescue Diver, Divemaster, and Discover Scuba Diving. We recommend finishing your eLearning before beginning the practical part of your training.
2. IDC Curriculum Components
Participate in a range of workshops focused on the essential elements of becoming an instructor. These sessions cover:
The PADI System
Risk Management
Knowledge Development Presentations
Skill development workshops
Hands-on practice in confined and open water teaching presentations
3. Practical Skills and Exams
To become a certified PADI Assistant Instructor, you’ll need to:
Demonstrate diver rescue techniques
Master the 24 basic scuba skills
Deliver two Knowledge Development presentations
Conduct two Confined Water teaching presentations
Complete one Open Water teaching presentation
Pass the PADI theory exam, covering systems, standards, and procedures
Course details.
Course Duration:
3 days of focused in-water training
Price:
750 USD per person
What’s included:
All in-water training sessions during the course
What’s not included:
PADI IDC eLearning + Crew Pack (required for the course)
Dive equipment and tank rental
PADI Assistant Instructor Application Fee
$135 USD (2025 rate)Note: After certification, maintaining In-Teaching Status requires yearly renewal
(~$171 USD in 2025, with automatic renewal option)
Required Equipment:
As an Assistant Instructor, you’ll need personal dive equipment beyond the basics, including:
Compass
Dive knife/tool
Surface signaling devices (both audible and visual)
We also recommend:
Pocket mask
Slates and pencil
All required and recommended gear is available for purchase at our dive shop.
Signing up for your Assistant Instructor Course is easy!
To start the process, reach out to us. We'll arrange a call to assess our compatibility with your goals. During this conversation, we can evaluate if you meet all the prerequisites for the course, discuss scheduling flexibility, and provide comprehensive information about the program.
Should you opt to proceed with us, it's advisable to obtain a diver medical assessment from a certified dive physician first. Once you're medically cleared, we'll initiate the training by providing you access to the PADI eLearning program.
