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Unforgettable aquatic adventures for kids – Go underwater and discover the wonder of Snorkel, Scuba, Mermaid, and Freediving Explorer programs
The SSI Classified Diving program has been created to enable persons with disabilities who might not be able to earn full certifications the ability to dive and get certified with different safety parameters. Learn to work with disabled divers.
Masai Mara National Reserve is one of the most famous safari destinations in the world. Located in southwestern Kenya, this vast reserve is a wildlife haven and offers stunning views of the African savannah.
The Mara boasts exceptional wildlife and forms part of the larger Mara-Serengeti ecosystem, home to the Big Five—lions, elephants, leopards, buffalo, and rhinos. The reserve is also the stage for the Great Migration, one of nature’s most awe-inspiring events. Every year, millions of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle migrate from the Serengeti in Tanzania to the Mara, crossing the Mara River in dramatic scenes watched by crocodiles and lions.
In addition to the Great Migration, The Mara offers year-round wildlife sightings. Visitors frequently spot cheetahs, giraffes, hyenas, and various bird species, including the vulture, eagle, and hornbill. The park’s open plains and diverse ecosystems, from the Mara River to the wooded hills, create a rich environment for animals to thrive.
For a truly immersive experience, you can enjoy a game drive through the reserve. Experienced guides guide these drives, helping you witness wildlife in their natural habitat while sharing valuable knowledge about the flora and fauna. In addition to game drives, hot air balloon safaris provide a breathtaking aerial view of the landscape, especially at dawn when the animals are most active.
Masai Mara is also home to the Maasai people, who have lived in the area for centuries. Visitors can learn about the Maasai culture and traditions through cultural visits to local villages. These experiences offer insight into the Maasai’s unique way of life, including their customs, music, and crafts.
Easily accessible from Nairobi and Mombasa, Masai Mara is a top choice for anyone seeking a memorable safari experience in Kenya. With its diverse wildlife, scenic landscapes, and rich cultural heritage, Masai Mara National Reserve guarantees an unforgettable adventure.
Amboseli National Park is one of Kenya’s most iconic safari destinations. Nestled at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, the park spans 392 square kilometers and offers stunning views of Africa’s highest peak.
Amboseli is famous for its large elephant herds, which roam freely across the vast plains. Visitors also spot lions, cheetahs, buffaloes, and over 600 bird species. The park’s diverse ecosystems, including wetlands, savannahs, and swamps, make it a unique wildlife sanctuary.
The Observation Hill provides panoramic views, making it a perfect spot for photography. Additionally, the park’s swamps attract an abundance of wildlife, especially during the dry season when animals gather for water.
For those seeking adventure, Amboseli offers excellent game drives and guided nature walks. As you drive through the park, you’ll have the chance to see animals up close in their natural environment. The park is also home to several Maasai villages, where visitors can experience the rich local culture and traditions of the Maasai people.
Amboseli is easily accessible from Nairobi and Mombasa, making it a popular choice for those looking to experience wildlife up close. Whether you’re here to see the elephants, enjoy breathtaking landscapes, or immerse yourself in Maasai culture, Amboseli delivers an unforgettable safari experience.
Tsavo West National Park is one of Kenya’s most captivating wildlife destinations. Covering over 9,000 square kilometers, the park is a diverse landscape of savannah, volcanic hills, and wetlands. It’s home to the Big Five and hundreds of other wildlife species.
As you explore, you’ll encounter elephants, lions, leopards, and rhinos, all roaming freely in their natural habitat. The park is also famous for the stunning Mzima Springs, where you can see hippos, crocodiles, and fish up close.
The Sheldrick Falls and Chyulu Hills offer breathtaking views and perfect spots for photography. Additionally, Taita Hills provides panoramic vistas of the surrounding savannah and Mount Kilimanjaro.
Tsavo West is easily accessible from Mombasa and Nairobi, making it a great addition to your dive and safari adventure. With fewer crowds and incredible wildlife sightings, Tsavo West guarantees an unforgettable experience.
Tsavo East National Park, one of Kenya’s largest and most iconic wildlife reserves, offers a raw and authentic safari experience. Spanning 13,700 square kilometers, this vast landscape is home to the famous red elephants of Tsavo, lions, leopards, buffalo, rhinos, and over 500 bird species.
As you embark on game drives across the park, you will discover endless savannahs, rugged rock formations, and winding rivers that sustain Kenya’s diverse wildlife. Furthermore, the Galana River, which cuts through the park, attracts herds of animals, while predators lurk nearby, creating thrilling safari moments.
Tsavo East National Park promises unforgettable wildlife encounters and breathtaking scenery, making it a must-visit for any safari enthusiast.
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
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Dates and schedule
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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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Training materials
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Agency comparison
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Compare SSI and PADI →
Final assessment
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Course fees
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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.
Kenya’s scuba diving is one of its best kept secrets. Over the years we have been mystified why more divers don’t come from around the world to experience the wonders of Kenya’s coral reefs and other dive sites. So we have put together 10 reasons to scuba dive Kenya to assist divers in making their decision to travel to Kenya to dive and also to alert some of you Kenyan’s out there, the wonders that are right here on your doorstep.
[two_third]1. Coral reefs in pristine condition
In comparison to some of the more famous diving locations around the world and the well publicised problems of reef damage from over fishing, boat anchors, and bleaching, Kenya’s reefs are remarkably untouched. From the fringing reefs of the South Coast to the islands around Lamu, Kenya has a fantastic array of coral reefs supporting thousands of species of reef fish.[/two_third] [one_third]
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[two_third]2. Wide range of scuba diving sites suitable for all levels of diver
While Kenya has many fabulous coral reef dive sites, it is not limited to these alone. Both the North and South Coasts offer purpose-sunk shipwrecks for divers to explore with the MV Fungao off Diani, the MV Dania off Bamburi and MV Fish Eagle off Kilifi. There are also the Vuma caverns near Kilifi with a wide array of rock formations in addition to the coral reef there. There is shore diving at several locations in Kenya and opportunities to dive in the mangroves to explore the life there. At all locations in Kenya there are dive sites suitable for all levels of diver from beginner Try Scuba Divers, right up to advanced levels of deep diver.[/two_third] [one_third]
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[two_third]3. Range of Marine Life
The coral reefs and waters of Kenya make a home to a wide range of marine life ranging from the giants of the ocean right down to a great range of macro creatures. It is possible to encounter sharks, turtles, rays, whales, dolphins and more in the waters around Kenya. Lovers of smaller critters will delight in the reef life with nudibranchs, frogfish, blennies, lionfish and more to see and of course most of the cast of the Disney animation Finding Nemo. [/two_third] [one_third]
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[two_third]4. Chance to encounter giants
At certain times of the year in Kenyan waters it is possible to dive with the giants of the ocean, manta rays and the biggest fish in the ocean whale sharks. The ‘Papa Shillingi’ can be seen from November through to March making it a thrilling experience for both divers and snorkelers as these 6m long fish glide past them.[/two_third] [one_third]
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[two_third]5. Dive site location
One of the big problems with diving for some participants is the amount of time it can take out of a holiday or short break. Often in many parts of the world it can take several hours to reach a dive site by boat. Multiple dives coupled with surface intervals can mean that a dive trip takes up the whole day. Not so in Kenya where most of the dive sites sit 15 minutes or less from the dive boat launch sites. With the exception of specialist dive trips you can do a morning 2 tank dive day and be back in time for lunch at your beach resort followed by an afternoon of relaxation and other activities.[/two_third] [one_third]
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[two_third]6. Safari opportunities on land
No visit to Kenya would be complete without seeing some its world famous wildlife on a Kenyan safari. Encounter the big five, see the amazing Kenyan national parks and treasures such as the great Rift Valley, the peak of Mt Kenya, the forests of the Aberdares and there is too much already to write about. Where else in the world could you conceivably encounter a whale shark in the morning and lion and an elephant in the wild in the afternoon? An experience not to be missed. [/two_third] [one_third]
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[two_third]7. Underwater Photography Opportunities
With visibility regularly being over 20m in Kenyan waters and the wide array of marine life, both giant and macro and different diving locations, this can be a great location for underwater photographers. You will have many opportunities to capture great shots.[/two_third] [one_third]
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[two_third]8. Muck diving
For divers who like to explore and really find macro marine life, there are also plenty of opportunities to muck dive in Kenya. Nearby to the main coral reefs, these sites offer real chances to find more small critters including many species of nudibranch and more. [/two_third] [one_third]
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[two_third]9. Protected marine parks
Kenya has in general a successful wildlife management policy and this extends to its waters. There are a number of marine parks in Kenya which play haven for marine life with fisherman unable to access them. Even in the areas outside of the marine parks, the coral is in good condition and the waters are not drastically overfished.[/two_third] [one_third]
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[two_third]10. Swahili sightseeing
After diving it can be a wonderful experience to take in the Swahili culture of the Kenyan coast. With a history dating back hundreds of years, there are many things to see and do on the Kenya coast. Take in the architecture of the Omani occupation in Lamu and Mombasa old town. Visit a Swahili market to barter for and purchase trinkets and souvenirs. Take part in other watersports such as the incredibly popular kite boarding. Visit snake parks and other wildlife attractions. There really is something for everyone.[/two_third] [one_third]
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The SSI Master Diver rating is awarded to divers who have taken big steps to gaining experience through dive courses and logging dives. As such here at Ocean Tribe we have put together a package to enable you to gain enough of the required certifications. Added to this specialty courses that increase your dive skills. All at a massive discount as opposed to buying the courses separately.
As mentioned above the SSI Advanced Adventurer is the equivalent rating to the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Course. The SSI rating is earned by completing 24 dives and 4 SSI Specialty Instructor courses. It is therefore a higher rating than its PADI namesake.
The SSI Advanced Adventurer card will be accepted as an “Advanced” Card the same as the PADI one in dive centers around the world (but make sure you complete the deep and navigation dives on the advanced adventurer course for this to be the same).
The Open Water and Advanced package includes 2 diver courses getting you the ideal start in your scuba certification journey. It includes the entry level SSI Open Water Diver Course. As well as the SSI Advanced Open Water Diver course. As well as training the courses include 10 dives. You will have log some dives and get your first certifications. You will also be introduced to the possibilities offered by specialty courses. If you do the deep dive on the Advanced Open Water Diver course. You will increase your depth limit to 30m rather than 18m.
The SSI Open Water Diver course is one of the most popular entry-level scuba diving courses in the world.
More people become scuba divers in this way than any other. Once you have the Open Water Certification you can use the diving license to go diving with a buddy anywhere in the world.
At the end of the course, you will be qualified to dive with a buddy to a depth of 18m. Your first scuba diving certification card.
And what better place to learn than Kenya? From the dive base in Diani, we have sheltered dive sites that are perfect for allowing beginners to get comfortable in the water and complete the skill training as well as a chance to take in the wonders of the thousands of different marine species on the coral reefs and exciting local dive sites such as wrecks.
We break the course down into three segments, knowledge development, confined water (in a swimming pool) training, and open water dives.
The SSI Advanced Open Water Diver course is where you can begin to take part in dives that interest you and increase your depth range as a diver.
On the course, you will do 5 introductory dives from the specialty dives of your choice (permitted by local diving conditions).
At the end of the course, you will be qualified to dive with a buddy to a depth of 30m. Your first advanced scuba diving certification card.
And what better place to learn than Kenya? From the dive base in Diani, we have a large range of dive sites which include wrecks, fantastic coral reefs, and flat areas for practicing search patterns. This is perfect for skill training as well as a chance to take in the wonders of the thousands of different marine species on the coral reefs and exciting local dive sites such as the popular Alpha Fungao wreck which sits at 30m.
The course is broken down into two segments, knowledge development, and open-water dives.
Special dive and stay offers now available from Ocean Tribe in Diani Beach at our base. Guests can stay in the luxury Swahili Beach Resort, one of Kenya’s top hotels. Discounted packages for accommodation and diving are available. Take advantage of these special dive and stay offers and book today! Contact Us for more information.
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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