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SSI professional training · Diani Beach, Kenya
Join Ocean Tribe’s SSI Divemaster Internship and begin your career as a professional scuba diver. The programme is open to everyone—from complete beginners to certified Diver Stress & Rescue Divers ready to go pro. Whatever your current level, we’ll help you take the next step.
Begin your internship at any certification level and we’ll guide you all the way to SSI Divemaster. Starting from scratch typically takes up to three months; experienced divers may complete the programme in as little as four to six weeks.
Train at our Diani Beach dive centre and gain practical experience on coral reefs, in protected marine parks and in warm tropical waters. With most sites only 5–30 minutes away by boat, you’ll spend less time travelling and more time diving.
Our Go Pro internship is designed for people who want to turn their love of diving and travel into a new direction.
Adventure seekers turning their passion into a profession
Gap-year travellers looking for meaningful experiences
Professionals ready to escape the nine-to-five and live differently
Career breakers searching for a new direction
Military personnel transitioning to civilian life
Global travellers seeking a career that can take them around the world
Your current diving level determines the length of your training.
Before starting, all interns must meet the SSI Diver Medical Questionnaire standards. Certain medical conditions or medications may affect your ability to dive. We recommend reviewing the form in advance to ensure you’re ready for safe training.
“If today was the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?”
“All your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them.”
Throughout the program, you will complete a full list of SSI core and specialty certifications, including:
Along the way, you’ll progress through non-professional recognition levels, earning titles such as Specialty Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver, Master Diver and, eventually, Century Diver.
You can also add the SSI React Right Instructor course , allowing you to teach CPR and first aid globally—a valuable addition to your professional credentials.
Most interns finish their program with more than 100 logged dives. You’ll receive unlimited diving throughout your internship and a 1-year Ocean Tribe Dive Club membership, including ongoing dive discounts, equipment benefits and exclusive events.
As a dive professional, owning your own equipment is essential. Rental equipment is available for $700 for the duration of the internship, but is better suited as a backup. We offer two discounted equipment packages to set you up properly.
$1,239
Recommended retail price: $2,100
Professional-grade performance and durability.
$949
Recommended retail price: $1,299
A reliable and affordable professional starter kit.
$300
Recommended retail price: $385
Essential personal items every Divemaster should own.
Real-world Divemaster training
This isn’t just a certification—it’s an immersive professional experience. You’ll assist with real courses, lead dive trips and complete additional workshops that go beyond SSI’s minimum standards. From gear handling and customer service to professional dive logistics, you’ll build the practical skills that leading dive centres look for when hiring staff.
Beyond the training manual
Explore the practical, technical and guest-service skills included in your professional development. Open a category to see what you’ll learn.
Your professional journey starts here
Your Divemaster certification can take you to Kenya, Southeast Asia, the Caribbean and beyond. Ocean Tribe prepares you for the practical challenges of working in a professional dive centre—not merely passing the course.
OCEAN TRIBE DIVEMASTER INTERNSHIP
From your arrival on the Kenyan coast to Divemaster certification and real dive-centre experience, here is how your internship unfolds.
We’ll collect you from Mombasa or Ukunda airport and take you to Diani, where you can settle into the dive-intern accommodation.
You’ll also receive an orientation to the dive school and meet the team supporting your internship.
Spend Days 2 and 3 settling in and discovering the local area around Diani. If you are buying your own diving equipment in Kenya, your fitting will take place on Day 2.
Review your training schedule with the internship manager and begin your SSI Open Water Digital Learning. On Day 4, start the four-day SSI Open Water Diver course.
Develop your skills through specialist training and recreational diving as you build experience and increase your logged-dive count.
Complete one day of React Right CPR and First Aid training, followed by the three-day SSI Diver Stress & Rescue course.
There will also be time for recreational diving, recovery and relaxation.
Move into professional-level dive theory with the SSI Science of Diving and SSI Computer Diving courses.
Continue logging experience dives and practise your demonstration-quality, staged diving skills.
Broaden your experience with the SSI Night & Limited Visibility Specialty course while continuing to log dives in varied conditions.
Begin your SSI Dive Guide course and take your first formal step into professional diving.
Training now focuses on responsibility, leadership, diver supervision and the practical skills needed to guide certified divers.
Assist with leading certified divers, support daily dive operations and gain experience under the supervision of Ocean Tribe’s professional team.
Continue logging dives while developing judgement, confidence and leadership skills.
Complete the remaining Divemaster course requirements and work towards your SSI Divemaster certification.
Once certified, gain practical work experience alongside Ocean Tribe Instructors and apply your new professional skills in real dive-centre operations.
Please note: The exact order of courses and dive activities may change to suit weather, ocean conditions, course availability and individual training progress.
From turtles cruising the reef to tiny treasures hiding among the corals, every dive brings something different. Here are a few marine-life encounters to look out for around Diani.
Reef favourite
A highlight of Diani’s reefs. Watch for turtles gliding past or resting beneath coral ledges, especially at Galu.
Look in the crevices
Take a closer look at the reef’s nooks and crannies. You might spot a moray peeking out from its sheltered hiding place.
Reef resident
Striking stripes and fan-like fins make these reef fish a memorable sight. Enjoy watching them with plenty of space.
Tiny reef treasures
Slow down and look closely. These tiny sea slugs bring a splash of colour to the reef and reward a patient eye.
Seasonal · Oct–Mar
Keep an eye on the blue for a graceful passing manta. A seasonal possibility rather than an everyday reef encounter.
Seasonal · Oct–Mar
An unforgettable encounter if you’re lucky. These ocean giants may visit Diani’s waters during the seasonal window.
Wildlife, not a promise. Sightings vary with the dive site, season and ocean conditions and cannot be guaranteed. Give marine life space, never touch or chase animals, and keep clear of the coral.
No. You can start the internship as a complete beginner. We’ll take you through Open Water, Rescue, and all specialty courses before you begin Divemaster-level training. If you’re already certified, you can skip the earlier steps and focus on professional development.
It depends on your starting level. If you’re beginning from scratch, expect around 2 to 3 months. If you already hold advanced certifications, the full internship can take as little as 4 to 6 weeks.
You’ll log over 100 dives during your internship. These include training dives, assisting instructors, fun dives, and workshops. You’ll gain the kind of real-world experience that makes you confident and job-ready.
Accommodation is not included in the base internship fee, but we’re happy to assist you with affordable housing options in Diani Beach. We work with trusted local partners to make sure you have a safe, comfortable place to stay near the dive centre.
Yes. As a dive professional, owning your own equipment is essential. We offer two discounted gear packages—Gold and Silver—designed specifically for pro-level use. You can also rent gear for the full internship for $700, but owning your gear is highly recommended for long-term success.
You’ll graduate with the SSI Divemaster certification, plus a full suite of other ratings. These include Open Water Diver, Rescue Diver, React Right First Aid, multiple specialty courses, and recognition levels such as Master Diver and Century Diver. You can also become a React Right Instructor if you choose to add that option.
The internship is intensive and hands-on, so we recommend focusing fully on training and diving. However, you’ll be assisting with real courses and guiding dives as part of your learning, giving you a true feel for working in the dive industry.
Most of your dives will be right off Diani Beach, but we also visit other top dive sites along the Kenyan coast, including Kisite Marine Park. All locations are accessible by boat, usually within 30 minutes or less.
We can’t guarantee employment, but many of our interns go on to work in the dive industry—some with Ocean Tribe, others around the world. Your SSI Divemaster certification is globally recognised, and we provide job-seeking guidance, references, and networking support.
Choose Your Ocean Adventure
Daily Dive Trips Explore Diani's vibrant reefs and unforgettable marine life. 
Try Diving Take your first breath underwater with our expert team. 
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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