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Become an SSI Open Water Diving Instructor in Diani Beach, Kenya. Develop the knowledge, confidence and teaching skills to turn your passion for diving into a professional career.
Turn your passion for scuba diving into a career at Ocean Tribe on Diani Beach, Kenya.
The program is led by award-winning SSI Instructor Trainer Mark Slingo and supported by Ocean Tribe’s team of Assistant Instructor Trainers. It follows the current SSI curriculum and prepares candidates for the separate SSI Instructor Evaluation.
You complete much of the academic theory through SSI Digital Learning before arriving in Kenya. This allows the live training to concentrate on instructor workshops, teaching presentations, professional conduct and practical in-water demonstration skills.
The Ocean Tribe Instructor Training Course incorporates the SSI Assistant Instructor course and the complete Instructor Training Course. It is followed by a two-day Instructor Evaluation conducted by an incoming SSI Instructor Certifier.
Discover where SSI professional training can take you and begin preparing for a career that can open doors around the world.
A structured pathway from professional dive leader to confident SSI instructor candidate.
Complete the required SSI Instructor Training Course theory before the live training sessions begin.
Develop your teaching techniques through instructor-led classroom workshops and candidate presentations.
Complete the confined-water skills circuit and practise professional, demonstration-quality scuba skills.
Refine your rescue skills and learn to demonstrate rescue procedures clearly and confidently.
Deliver classroom, confined-water and open-water teaching presentations with structured feedback.
Prepare for the separate two-day SSI Instructor Evaluation conducted by an SSI Instructor Certifier.
The training pathway incorporates the SSI Assistant Instructor course as part of the complete program.
Practise teaching and evaluating Open Water Diver, Perfect Buoyancy, rescue and emergency skills.
Deliver open-water presentations and learn how to control, organise and evaluate student training dives.
Candidates must meet the professional certification, diving-experience and safety requirements before entering instructor training.
Hold an SSI Divemaster certification, or:
Have at least 100 logged dives with documented experience in night diving, deep diving and underwater navigation.
Be at least 18 years old before beginning the program.
Hold an Enriched Air Nitrox diver certification.
Hold CPR and First Aid provider certifications completed within the previous 24 months.
Provide medical clearance confirming fitness to dive, signed by a physician within the previous 12 months, with no subsequent changes to your medical condition.
Have been a certified diver for at least six months.
Provide documentation of any qualifying non-SSI certifications, including entry-level, advanced, rescue and leadership-level certifications where required.
Ocean Tribe provides additional preparation and practice resources to help you begin the ITC feeling confident and properly prepared.
Focused preparation to help you refresh your knowledge, organise your training and begin instructor development feeling ready.
Access Ocean Tribe’s online learning centre for additional videos, explanations, quizzes and professional dive theory.
Unlimited tank refills and pool access give you extra opportunities to practise and polish your demonstration-quality skills.
SSI Instructor Training Course Digital Learning through the MySSI app.
SSI Recreational Scuba Pro Wetnotes for your professional training.
An SSI Professional Mask Strap for your personal diving equipment.
A Dive Briefing and Dive Guide Evaluation Slate.
Your training package provides practical support before, during and after the course.
Free water, tea, coffee and lunch during each training day.
Help with your Kenya eVisa application where required.
One year of Ocean Tribe Dive Club membership, including free diving and other member benefits.
Following a successful ITC and IE, teach alongside an experienced professional as you ease into your new role.
Professional career guidance and assistance as you enter the industry.
Special discounts on in-store dive equipment, including eligible complete equipment packages.
An Ocean Tribe ITC polo shirt or T-shirt is included.
An Ocean Tribe branded mask strap cover.
You must meet the diver medical questionnaire requirements. Some medical conditions or medications may prevent you from diving or require clearance from a physician.
Take the RSTC Diver Medical Participant Questionnaire to a doctor and submit the completed medical clearance to SSI. Instructor candidates must provide clearance signed within the previous 12 months, with no subsequent changes to their medical condition.
Ocean Tribe schedules instructor training throughout the year. Additional courses may also be arranged when demand allows.
| Course | Nov/Dec 2026 | March 2027 | May 2027 | July 2027 | September 2027 | October 2027* | Nov/Dec 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assistant Instructor | 28–1 | 4–8 | 4–8 | 15–19 | 4–8 | 19–23 | 28–1 |
| Instructor Training Course | 28–7 | 4–13 | 4–13 | 15–24 | 4–13 | 24–29 | 28–7 |
| Instructor Evaluation | 8–9 | 14–15 | 14–15 | 25–26 | 14–15 | 30–31 | 8–9 |
| Specialty Instructor Training | 12–13 | 18–19 | 18–19 | 29–30 | 18–19 | 1–3 | 12–13 |
| Assistant Instructor Trainer | 28–7 | 4–13 | 4–13 | 15–24 | 4–13 | 19–29 | 28–7 |
ITC means Instructor Training Course. IE means Instructor Evaluation. October 2027 session details are subject to confirmation.
Choose from training-only packages or complete options that add the Divemaster Instructor Seminar, accommodation, essential dive equipment or elite professional equipment.
Available packages include the ITC, Instructor Evaluation, digital materials, instructor crew pack and Ocean Tribe professional-development extras. Visit the pricing page for the full twelve-package comparison and optional bolt-ons.
Explore every stage of the instructor pathway, from prerequisites and preparation to equipment, course costs and the final evaluation.
Course experience
See what to expect from workshops, presentations and practical in-water training.
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Dates and schedule
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View the course calendar →
Entry requirements
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Check the prerequisites →
Preparation
Review the knowledge and practical skills that will help you succeed.
Prepare for your ITC →
Dive equipment
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View the equipment list →
Training materials
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Agency comparison
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Compare SSI and PADI →
Final assessment
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Explore the evaluation →
Course fees
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View ITC costs →
Additional qualification
Add the ability to teach CPR, first aid and emergency-response programs.
Explore React Right Instructor →
Professional gear
Explore dependable equipment packages created for new professionals.
View equipment packages →Train with an experienced professional team, prepare thoroughly for your Instructor Evaluation and begin the next chapter of your diving career.
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Learn to Dive Earn your internationally recognised certification in paradise. 
Advanced Courses Build your confidence, sharpen your skills and dive deeper. 
Ocean Tribe Dive Team
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