Dive Instructor Internship Packages (From Any Level)

Train from any level to a fully certified SSI Open Water Instructor on the warm Indian Ocean coast of Kenya. Our dive instructor internship bundles every course, every certification fee, unlimited diving, and a brand-new personal scuba kit you keep at the end.

Why Ocean Tribe for your dive instructor internship?

Ocean Tribe has trained dive professionals on Diani Beach for over a decade. We're a multi-award-winning SSI dive centre, an SSI Instructor Training Centre, and an SSI Classified Diving Centre — meaning your dive instructor internship is taught by active SSI Instructor Trainers, on real working dive boats, in the protected reefs of Mombasa Marine Park.

Three things make our internship different:

Real work, not just training. Every intern teaches alongside our staff. You'll log 100+ dives, run real briefings, kit guests, and assist on courses long before your evaluation week. By the time you sit your Instructor Evaluation you've already done the job.

Kit you keep. Every package includes a full set of brand-new personal scuba equipment to take home — not a rental package and not a discount voucher. Your own BC, regulator, computer, mask, fins, compass, SMB, reel, cutting tool, wetsuit and bag.

Teach beyond diving. Your React Right Instructor rating lets you teach first aid, CPR and AED courses anywhere in the world. That's a second teaching credential built into every package — and one of the easiest ways to earn between dive seasons.

Not sure which is right? Or already hold some rating already and would like us to make a bespoke package. Chat to us on WhatsApp — we'll match you to the right starting point in two minutes.

Every step is real, audited training — no shortcuts and no "complete the form" upgrades.

Build your perfect dive instructor internship

Add any of these to either package:

Long-stay dorm accommodation On-site shared dorm walking distance to the dive centre. Includes Wi-Fi and security. 7 months for Beginner package · +$1,750 4 months for OW package · +$999

SSI Ecology Specialty Courses Coral · Fish · Shark · Manta & Ray · Sea Turtle · Marine Mammal · Marine Invertebrates · Nudibranch · Blue Oceans Ecology. +$499

Three-day African safari 3 days / 2 nights in Tsavo East National Park. Game drives, lodge accommodation, all meals and park fees. +$400

Five extra SSI Specialty Instructor courses Teach the specialties you love — choose from Wreck, Sidemount, Deep Instructor, Night, Navigation and more. +$499

Built for…

Our dive instructor internship is built for people who want to turn diving into a career, or who want a structured year out that actually leads somewhere:

• Adventure seekers who want a real job that lets them travel
• GAP-year students wanting a year out with a professional qualification at the end
• Career-changers stepping away from a 9-to-5
• People on a career break looking for direction and new skills
• Military and emergency-services personnel transitioning to civilian life
• Anyone with a passion for the ocean and the patience to teach

You don't need to be a strong swimmer to start. You don't need any prior dive experience for Package A. You do need to be 18+ and pass the SSI dive medical (see below).

Practical details

▸ Medical fitness to dive All interns must complete and pass the SSI Diver Medical Participant Questionnaire. Some conditions and medications need a doctor's sign-off before diving. Please check the questionnaire before you book — if anything needs GP approval we'll send you the supplementary form. We can't accept you on the course without medical clearance, so do this first.

▸ Prerequisites

• Minimum age 18
• Able to swim 200 m unaided and float for 10 minutes (we'll test in the pool on day one)
• A working level of English (training materials are in English)
• A genuine interest in teaching — this is a teaching job, not just a diving holiday

▸ What's not included Flights and visas (Kenyan e-visa is straightforward), accommodation if you don't take the dorm bolt-on, breakfast and dinner, personal dive insurance (we recommend DAN or Diveassure), tips and personal spending.

Frequently asked questions

▸ Can I actually work as an instructor after this? Yes — that's the whole point. Once you've passed your SSI Instructor Evaluation you can apply for instructor jobs anywhere in the world. Many of our graduates stay on at Ocean Tribe for a season; others move to Egypt, the Maldives, Thailand or the Caribbean. We help with placement leads where we can.

▸ What if I fail the Instructor Evaluation? Our pre-IE training is structured to make sure you arrive at the IE genuinely ready. We have a near-100% pass rate over the past five years. If a candidate needs a re-sit, we re-prepare you at no additional course-fee cost — you only cover the SSI re-evaluation fee.

▸ How does the unlimited diving work? Unlimited boat dives at Ocean Tribe's standard Diani dive sites for the duration of your internship. Tank, weights, air fills, boat transfers and a guide are all included. Day trips to further-afield sites (e.g. Wasini / Kisite) are available at a small surcharge.

▸ Is the equipment really mine to keep? Yes. Full set: BCD, regulator with octopus and console, dive computer, mask, snorkel, fins, booties, wetsuit and equipment bag. Brand new from major brands. It ships out to Diani in time for the start of your internship.

▸ What about during the Kusi season (May–July)? Diving continues year-round in Diani — we just move to more sheltered sites and adjust the schedule around the wind. Many of our most experienced interns choose Kusi months specifically because the reefs are quieter and pelagic visitors are common.

▸ How do I book? Pick the package above and book in the sidebar, or send us a WhatsApp with your start date and starting level. We'll come back within 24 hours with a tailored booking link. A 30% deposit secures your spot; balance is due 30 days before arrival.