Go Pro.
Lead the Dive.
Turn your passion for scuba diving into professional-level leadership. Train on coral reefs, wrecks and tropical dive sites while developing the knowledge, confidence and real-world experience of an SSI Divemaster.
More Than a Course. A Complete Dive-Pro Experience.
The SSI Divemaster course is the first professional level in the SSI Diver System. It combines specialist training, dive theory, practical workshops, stamina tests, skill assessments and real dive-centre experience.
Why not complete your Divemaster course in Kenya? Ocean Tribe’s dive base is located on Diani Beach, where white sand, palm trees and warm Indian Ocean water meet fringing coral reefs just offshore.
Your course is structured progressively. You will build stronger diving skills, improve your leadership and learn how a professional dive operation works while enjoying coral reefs, a shipwreck and the marine life of Kenya’s coast.
Start Your Professional Diving Journey
Discover how Dive Guide and Divemaster training develops the skills needed to brief, supervise and confidently lead certified divers.
Course Requirements
Check that you meet the entry requirements and choose the training pace that best supports your professional goals.
Duration
Choose between an intensive 14-day program and our preferred one-month training option.
The express option meets the minimum course requirements. The longer program gives you more time to practise, gain experience and develop into a stronger Divemaster.
Who Is It For?
The course is open to certified Diver Stress & Rescue divers and above, or divers holding an equivalent certification from a recognised training agency.
- Minimum age of 18 years
- Rescue-level diver certification
- Current O2 Provider, First Aid and CPR training completed within the past two years
- Proof of Deep Diving experience
- Proof of Night Diving experience
- Proof of Navigation Diving experience
Medical Information
You must meet the diver medical questionnaire requirements. Certain medical conditions or medications may prevent you from diving or require clearance from a doctor.
Please take the RSTC Diver Medical Participant Questionnaire to a doctor and submit the completed medical clearance for your SSI training records.
Everything You Need to Go Pro
Your package combines professional training, digital learning, useful Divemaster resources and your initial SSI professional registration.
Go pro.
Build your business skills.
Dive Centre Operations & Management Professional
Your Ocean Tribe Divemaster course includes this Dive Business Manager course. Develop practical skills for the day-to-day running of a dive centre and prepare for more responsibility in your diving career.
- Dive centre operations
- Staff management
- Marketing & sales
- Finance
Business skills to complement your Divemaster training.
Professional Courses
Dive Guide Course, Science of Diving Course and Computer Diving Course.
Buddy Team & Briefing Slate
A Buddy Team and Briefing Slate for planning and delivering professional dive briefings.
SSI Professional Mask Strap
An SSI Professional Mask Strap for your professional diving equipment.
Blue Oceans Collection Bag
A Blue Oceans Collection Bag to support cleaner and healthier oceans.
Digital Learning
Divemaster Digital Learning including Dive Guide, Science of Diving, Computer Diving and Marine Ecology.
Professional Registration
SSI Professional Registration plus the initial year’s professional renewal.
Knowledge Development
Develop the theory, leadership knowledge and practical understanding you will use throughout your professional diving career.
Begin with the SSI Dive Guide Digital Learning, completing each chapter and knowledge review. Your SSI Instructor will review the material with you and fill any gaps in your knowledge.
You will also complete the SSI Science of Diving Specialty and SSI Computer Diving Specialty before completing your final exam.
This knowledge supports your Divemaster role and provides a foundation for future professional training, including the SSI Instructor Training Course. You can also use the Ocean Tribe Dive Theory Learning Centre for additional videos, quizzes and explanations.
Divemaster Course Schedule
This is the minimum timeline for a prepared and committed candidate. When possible, we recommend spreading the training over a longer period to gain more practice and real-world leadership experience.
Day 1 Welcome & Orientation Academic day +
8:00 AM: Meet, welcome and course introduction.
9:00 AM–12:00 PM: Academic Session 1 — What is a Divemaster? Lessons 1.1–1.4.
12:00–1:00 PM: Lunch.
1:00–5:00 PM: Continue Academic Session 1.
Day 2 Dive Skills & Fitness Pool and academics +
7:30 AM–12:00 PM: Candidate Water Fitness Evaluation and pool skills.
12:00–1:00 PM: Lunch.
1:00–5:00 PM: Academic Session 2 — Preparing for the Dive, Lessons 2.1–2.3.
Day 3 First Leadership Dives Boat diving and academics +
7:30 AM–12:30 PM: Assist and lead dives — first leadership dive day.
12:30–1:30 PM: Lunch.
1:30–5:00 PM: Continue Academic Session 2, Lessons 2.4–2.6.
Day 4 Dive Centre Operations Practical workshops +
9:00 AM–12:00 PM: Dive Centre Operations Module.
12:00–1:00 PM: Lunch.
1:00–5:00 PM: Retail skills, rental equipment and weighting workshops.
Day 5 Second Leadership Dives Boat diving and academics +
7:30 AM–12:30 PM: Assist and lead dives — second leadership dive day.
12:30–1:30 PM: Lunch.
1:30–5:00 PM: Academic Session 3 — Conducting the Dive, Lessons 3.1–3.3.
Day 6 Equipment Maintenance Workshop and academics +
9:00 AM–12:00 PM: Troubleshoot and repair equipment workshop.
12:00–1:00 PM: Lunch.
1:00–5:00 PM: Continue Academic Session 3, Lessons 3.4–3.5.
Day 7 Third Leadership Dives Boat diving and evaluation +
7:30 AM–12:30 PM: Assist and lead dives — third leadership dive day.
12:30–1:30 PM: Lunch.
1:30–5:00 PM: Dive briefing evaluation.
Day 8 Rest Day Recovery +
A full day off to rest, recover and recharge.
Day 9 Dive Emergencies Academics and rescue +
9:00 AM–12:00 PM: Academic Session 4 — Dive Emergencies, Lessons 4.1–4.3.
12:00–1:00 PM: Lunch.
1:00–5:00 PM: Rescue workshops including panicked-diver response and stress recognition.
Day 10 Fourth Leadership Dives Boat diving and deep planning +
7:30 AM–12:30 PM: Assist and lead dives — fourth leadership dive day.
12:30–1:30 PM: Lunch.
1:30–5:00 PM: Dive guiding evaluation preparation for a deep dive.
Day 11 Science of Diving I Professional theory +
9:00 AM–12:00 PM: Diving physics and diving physiology.
12:00–1:00 PM: Lunch.
1:00–5:00 PM: Decompression theory and dive-equipment systems.
Day 12 Science of Diving II Theory and examination +
9:00 AM–12:00 PM: The aquatic environment.
12:00–1:00 PM: Lunch.
1:00–5:00 PM: Science of Diving examination and review.
Day 13 Final Guiding Evaluations Open water and night diving +
7:30 AM–12:30 PM: Open-water dive guiding evaluation.
12:30–1:30 PM: Lunch.
1:30–5:00 PM: Night-dive planning and pre-briefing.
6:30–9:00 PM: Night-dive guiding evaluation.
Day 14 Computer Diving & Graduation Final course day +
9:00 AM–12:00 PM: Computer Diving Course academic sessions 1–3.
12:00–1:00 PM: Lunch.
1:00–3:00 PM: Computer Diving Course academic sessions 4–5.
3:00–5:00 PM: Dive-log finalisation and graduation ceremony.
Assisting in Diver Training
One of an SSI Divemaster’s main responsibilities is assisting an SSI Instructor during diver training. You will regularly assist Ocean Tribe Instructors during real courses. When a suitable course is not running, realistic training simulations may be used instead.
Control & Supervision
Help the Instructor supervise the dive group. When the Instructor works with one student on a mobile exercise, the Divemaster monitors and supports the rest of the group.
Demonstration Assistance
Skills such as air sharing are easier to demonstrate with a Divemaster assisting. Students receive a clear view, reducing repetition and making training more efficient.
Course Logistics
Prepare spare parts, help students gear up, organise ascent or descent lines and ensure cylinders are filled, ready and loaded onto the boat.
Dive Guiding
Lead the tour section of an SSI course while the Instructor observes students and assesses performance. Guiding certified divers is also a key role for qualified SSI Divemasters.
Equipment Troubleshooting
Learn to resolve minor equipment problems and adjustments using suitable spares. Good preparation reassures students and helps training run safely.
An Approachable Role Model
Students may ask you for advice, hints and reassurance. A good Divemaster listens, supports the student and reinforces the Instructor’s teaching without contradicting or replacing it.
Earn Your SSI Divemaster Recognition
Complete your training, assessments, professional theory and minimum logged-dive requirements to take the first major step into the professional dive industry.
The course prepares you to deliver briefings, guide certified divers, assist instructors and support the day-to-day operation of a professional dive centre.
Choose Your Professional Diving Pathway
Start from beginner level or build on your current certifications. Train in Diani Beach, gain experience inside a working dive centre and follow a structured route toward the professional level that matches your goals.
Divemaster Internship
Develop the knowledge, confidence and real-world experience needed to guide certified divers and work as an SSI dive professional.
Your pathway can include:
- Training from your current certification level through SSI Divemaster
- Unlimited diving throughout the internship
- Experience assisting courses and leading real dive trips
- Workshops in dive logistics, equipment and guest care
- One-year Ocean Tribe Dive Club membership
Explore Divemaster Internships
Dive Instructor Internship
Progress from your current level to SSI Open Water Instructor and prepare to teach, lead and work in dive centres around the world.
Your pathway can include:
- Core diver courses, rescue training and the complete Divemaster pathway
- SSI Instructor Training Course and Instructor Evaluation preparation
- Hands-on teaching practice alongside Ocean Tribe professionals
- Unlimited diving, learning materials and certification fees
- Package options with a new personal scuba equipment set to keep
Explore Instructor Internships
Divemaster Course FAQs
Find answers about training time, certification requirements and what is included in your Ocean Tribe Divemaster course.
How long does the Divemaster course take?
Ocean Tribe offers an intensive 14-day course and a preferred one-month training option. The longer option provides more time to practise, assist courses and gain experience in a working dive centre. Additional time may be needed to meet the logged-dive requirements.
What qualifications do I need to join?
You must be at least 18 and hold SSI Diver Stress & Rescue certification or an equivalent qualification from a recognised training agency. You also need current First Aid, CPR and Oxygen Provider training completed within the past two years, plus proof of deep, night and navigation diving experience.
How many logged dives do I need to qualify?
You must have at least 60 logged dives before certification and successfully complete the required training and assessments. If you need more dives, allow additional diving days or consider an Ocean Tribe Divemaster internship.
How much does the Divemaster course cost?
The Ocean Tribe Divemaster course costs US$950. This includes the course digital learning and materials, the SSI Professional Application Fee and the initial year’s professional renewal.
Is the Dive Business Manager course included?
Yes. Your Ocean Tribe Divemaster course includes the Dive Business Manager Dive Centre Operations & Management Professional course. It covers practical business subjects including dive centre operations, staff management, marketing, sales and finance.
Do I need to complete Science of Diving?
Yes. You must complete Science of Diving in addition to Dive Guide to become an SSI Divemaster. Science of Diving is included in Ocean Tribe’s Divemaster course and develops your understanding of diving physics, physiology, decompression theory, equipment and the aquatic environment.
Where does the Divemaster training take place?
Training takes place with Ocean Tribe in Diani Beach, Kenya. You gain experience in a working dive centre and develop your practical skills on local coral reefs, wrecks and other Indian Ocean dive sites.
Can I start a Divemaster internship as a beginner?
Yes. Ocean Tribe offers Divemaster internship pathways from any starting level, including beginner. Your programme includes the diver training needed to progress towards Divemaster. The duration depends on your existing qualifications and experience.
Start Your Divemaster Adventure in Kenya
Train in a working dive centre, gain practical leadership experience and take your first major step into the professional diving world.
Includes all digital learning and materials, plus the SSI Professional Application Fee and initial year’s professional renewal.
