Have you decided it's time to start a fun adventure and become a Dive Professional (Dive Guide, Divemaster, Assistant Instructor, or Instructor)? If so, you've picked the right place in Cozumel. No other scuba school can offer you the level of training Cozumel Scuba School can.

Simply put, there’s absolutely nothing in the world like being a dive professional. Dive Pros play an incredibly important role in the industry, working with new divers and guiding them to the most exciting and awe-inspiring dive locations in the world. Dive Pros are respected, admired, and looked up to be other divers.

We believe in an exchange in abundance. In other words, you’ll always get more from us than you possibly imagined. Our interns learn more than diving, they learn leadership, business, marketing, sales, customer service, and other skills they can take with them anywhere.

Simply put, Cozumel Scuba School's Divemaster Internship is the experience of a lifetime, and it's the right choice for you. During your work with Cozumel Scuba School, you'll shadow real PADI and SSI Dive Pros. You'll also be mentored by PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainers, PADI Staff Instructors, PADI Course Directors, and SSI professionals at the Instructor level all the way up to Instructor Trainer. You'll be mentored by professional, experienced, educated, and mature divers who share their knowledge and skills with you.

Having this working relationship with other professionals in the scuba industry will enable you to gain experience only found with us in Cozumel, Mexico. No other scuba school or training facility in the the Riviera Maya, Mexican Caribbean, or Central America comes close to offer you this level of comprehensive and affordable training.

We can take you from having NEVER dove before, all the way up to professional. And, we can do it quicker, cheaper, and in a more thorough way than any of our competitors. We offer way more, for far less.

Yes, we provide housing for free to any professional candidate during the duration of their course in our private, safe, and centrally located dorm/hostel style Dive House.

For more mature candidates, or those who would simply prefer the privacy of their own apartment, you are welcome to find your own place to stay at your own expense.

There are no prerequisites to become an Intern with Cozumel Scuba School per se. You can actually being the program without having ever dove before. During the program, you will complete a number of courses along the way to officially earning your Divemaster credential. Then, you'd move on to your Instructor if that's your goal. Here are the basic requirements:

• 18 years of age or older
• Open Water, AOW, Rescue Diver, and Primary & Secondary Care certifications
• 60 logged dives or more for Divemaster, 100 for Instructor
• Current dive physical signed by a licensed physician (within 12 months)
• Complete all of the requirement for Divemaster certification
• Complete all of the requirements for Instructor certification
• Great sense of humor and willingness to have fun
• A deep desire to share scuba diving with others
• A willingness to be mentored and to mentor others

We demand the highest levels of professionalism from not only our Dive Pro Candidates, but we fully expect our instructors (and the resorts we affiliate with) to personify excellence, dedication, and commitment. Our dive instructors are true professionals with well-rounded educations, real-world life and scuba diving experience, maturity, and leadership ability. This ensures that our programs consistently set the standard others will only seek to emulate in the dive industry.

The most important part of any successful program is ensuring you gain the knowledge, understanding, and experience required to not only become a certified Dive Pros, but to succeed as one. Simply “checking the boxes” is, in our view, simply insufficient. We believe we have a moral responsibility to you to help you obtain the highest levels possible and to thrive as a Dive Pros, so you’re the professional everyone respects and looks to. We don’t just create Dive Pros, we create fully equipped professional dive leaders.

Time Required to Become a Divemaster

Exceptional and experienced divers can earn their PADI or SSI Dive Pro Credential in as little as eight days, working full time, all day, every day. That’s without any shortcuts of any kind. However, we intimately understand how to manage time and ensure that our efforts are efficient and effective. Please keep in mind this is an incredibly rigorous program, reserved for the most talented and brightest candidates. Only those individuals who possess the drive, focus, dedication, and self-discipline will succeed.

If You're a Non-Diver

Non divers, or Open Water certified divers with minimal experience will require more time, even at a rigorous pace. Successful applicants at this level who become Divemaster Candidates can expect upwards of 8 full weeks (or more) to complete their Divemaster Internship. Our modular system and online delivery can accelerate the process by allowing us to focus on in-water training when you arrive at a dive center.

Rescue Diver to Divemaster

Rescue divers will probably require about 4 weeks to round off their education and training. Remember, there are countless variables that impact the duration of each Internship. While many candidates are able to finish their coursework quickly, it should be fairly obvious that you don’t want to rush through the program just to check boxes. Our goal is to create well-rounded, educated, and skilled Dive Pros.

Application

Once you submit an application, we review your background, experience, educational level, and goals. These and other factors are all considered during the evaluation process to decide if you should be awarded an Internship slot. If you’re accepted, an instructor will then sit down with you and work out a detailed, personalized, professional plan to ensure your success.

Crossing Over

For those who are coming to us from other organizations (PADI, NAUI, SSI, TDI, etc), we consider you a valuable part of the dive community and we can transfer your current certification level to a comparable diving level with no additional time or charges.

We accept applications from anyone interested in becoming a contributing member of the dive community. No scuba diving certification is required, but generally, we find that most successful candidates already have earned Open Water certification.

Dive Pros Love the Water

You must love the water, love the environment, care about others, and it’s a good idea to be in shape or be committed to becoming physically fit. But the most important thing we look for is someone who is driven, willing to learn, humble themselves, and approach the Internship with enthusiasm, dedication, and commitment.

Dive Pros are Mature Professionals

Generally, candidates are 21 years or older when they start the Internship. However, if you're at least 18 years old we'd encourage you to apply. We will happily accept a younger applicant who display an exceptional attitude, aptitude, and promise.

Zero Tolerance Drug Policy

Please keep in mind, the Dive Pro programs with us are unsuitable for those individuals who are only interested in partying. Because of the serious nature of what we do, and the inherent danger involved, we take safety very seriously and reserve the right to drug test any candidate at anytime. We have a zero tolerance policy with drug use, and expect Interns to drink responsibility.

Our goal is to help you become the best SCUBA diver possible. It's important you get the most out of both your training and your investment of time and money. The more you learn, the better you’ll become and the more desirable you will be to shops looking for Dive Pros.

Additional Training Opportunities

During the Dive Pro training, time permitting, you may also be able to earn a number of diver specialities (at an additional cost) or ancillary training including, but not limited to:

Emergency O2 Provider
Enriched Air Diver (NITROX)
Deep Diver Specialist
Wreck Diver Specialist
Underwater Media Diver
AWARE Specialty
Tec 40, 45 and 50
Advanced Medical Responder
ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
Diver Medic

Dive Pros Learn to Be Valuable Members of the Team

But, it’s not just limited to “diving” based learning. Because we want to help you become the best, we also require our Interns and Candidates to learn about business, marketing, sales, and most importantly, leadership. Dive Pros are leaders, not just guides. They’re influencers, not just dive buddies. Dive Pros play an incredibly important role in the industry, and we take our role as your mentor very seriously.

Currently, we work with reputable dive centers and resorts around the world and are able to introduce you and your resume to owners in scores of countries for possible placement.

Resume and Job Placement Counseling

While nobody can guarantee employment in the industry, we’ll do everything we can to help prepare you for the workplace during your Dive Pro training. Our program includes training in resume creation, interview preparation, and self-marketing, which will almost certainly give you an edge over other applicants. If you really want to work as a dive professional, this is the place to start.

The biggest reason is this: you are more likely to get a job, and make an income from your investment with SSI certification, than with PADI, NAUI, or another agency.

PADI is the Largest Agency in the World

This is true. And PADI loves to brag about it. They have millions, and millions, and millions of divers. According to some statistics, perhaps as many as 51% of the industry over the last 50 years. SSI, who has been in business for 40 years, does have a smaller percentage of that market share. But, they're growing!

The Competition is Fierce for Work

Being a PADI pro isn't nearly as beneficial as it used to be. SSI is converting long time PADI shops and schools every day now, in some of the world's best diving spots. Because of that there is a significant need for SSI qualified Dive Guides, Divemasters, Assistant Instructors, and Instructors. Being SSI is now a significant advantage!

Think of it like this: if everyone out there is PADI, then you're competing with everyone else out there that is PADI. That's not good for your future job prospects.

Sure you can. We all did it, and you can too!

What's the Cost of Not Doing Your Internship?

Keep in mind, none of us are wealthy. We don't have parents or friends who are willing to pay for things for us, so we worked for it and earned our professional credentials. It doesn't matter what you do in life, you're probably going to have to spend money to get there. Earning a professional credential is an investment.

That is, it will earn you money once you have it. It's not like going to a movie, buying a car, or partying. None of those things directly will help you earn an income. Becoming a diving pro will. So what's the cost of not doing it? The status quo? More of the same life that made you want to become a scuba diver in the first place?

What if money wasn't an object?

Think of it like this: what if you had all the money to earn your pro cert? Wouldn't you jump at it right now? Sure you would! So the real question then is, what will earning your professional scuba diving credential do for you?

If you're like most of us, it will change your life; scuba diving will open up doors for travel, employment, and a new lifestyle that you'll truly enjoy. In that respect, it's not really about not having the money right now, it's about recognizing the incredible benefits you will get when you set your mind to becoming a pro.

All you have to do then is figure out a budget, develop a plan to earn income, and make it happen. Where there's a will, there's a way. If you're serious, you won't let anything stand in your way. If you're not, you will.

When's the Last Time You Bought on Price Alone?

Yes, we all comparison shop. We all look at Craigslist, Amazon, eBay, etc. But, we seldom buy purely on cost alone. If that were the case, Starbucks wouldn't even exist. They sell average, over priced coffee that you used to be able to get for a 1/4 of what Starbucks charges. Or what about the phone you're carrying right now? Is it an iPhone or an Android? Bet it's not a 15 year old Nokia!

Let's get real about this. Iphone's are crazy expensive. Quite honestly they're stupid expensive. And you may have one or an android that wasn't cheap either. The fact is, you will find a way to get whatever it is you want the most. If being a dive professional is it, you'll push forward until you find a solution. Just like you may have done for a $500-$1000 phone. And do you own a laptop? Television? Do you pay rent? None of that is for free. It all cost something, and you managed to make it work. You can do this too. It'll just take some effort. And we can help you.

Do You Really Need to Say No to Our Price Right Now?

Probably not. You probably just need to take some time, look into things, really figure out what you're going to get with the prices you find, and then make a decision. Don't rush into anything even if it seems cheap or a better deal at first glance. Really look at it and ask a lot of questions so you make the best decision for you. We'll still be here.

Let's Figure It Out Together

At the end of the day, we know it's possible, because we've done it ourselves. We have experience working with students and professional candidates who didn't have the cash flow, and we developed a plan for them to succeed. Don't give up. There's a way to do this, you just have to believe in yourself and work with people who care.

That may be true, if you were looking at apples to apples or oranges to oranges. But you're not. The fact is, not all Divemaster Internships are created equal. This is about value, not just being cheap. In most cases, you get what you pay for.

We know that if you dig deep enough, try hard enough, and talk to enough schools or shops (especially those in developing countries where they're willing to break the rules), you'll probably find a lower quality program with inferior service. At first blush, it will look really attractive. If you only goal is to save money.

The real question is can the cheaper program provide you with everything you need to actually get a job, earn and income, and become successful?

In our experience, it is exceedingly rare. We've looked, and so have the candidates we've helped become professionals. Unfortunately, most of the lower-cost programs cut corners and you're the one that suffers the consequences.

Keep in mind, this isn't just about money to us. We are a non profit, so the funds we take in are used to run the program and improve the offerings we have. We are not in business to line our pockets or fund someone's lifestyle. We want to help you succeed, and we want to see our industry populated with discerning, professional, and competent dive leaders. We all win when that happens.

We can help you become just that.

That's not true.

​​There isn't a single divemaster internship program in the world that truly offers candidates a free-ride. None. There are plenty who claim to, but they have a ton of hidden charges. Ask them to talk to individuals who've completed their programs; ask for references. Do your research. We have.

What you will quickly find is those who've been in the programs often leave after 4-6 months without their credentials, and have to start over somewhere else. It is VERY common. What ended up happening is they fell for the "free" ads, and worked their butts off only to be delayed over and over and over again.

How do we know? Because we get people all the time who are absolutely disgusted with what they went through, and they ask us to help them complete their professional course. It's really sad actually.

There's No Such Thing As Free 

A perfect example of this happened only two weeks prior to writing this FAQ. A young woman had spent 5 months at a dive shop who told her the training would be free. She did hard work, every single day, for months and months and months and she had only reached her Rescue Diver certification.

During the program with this other shop, she still ended up paying $1600 USD out of her own pocket for materials and other charges. Does that sound free to you? Isn't your time worth something too?

Out of utter frustration, she approached us and asked for our help. We realize how horrible that experience is. It's not new to us. As noted, we hear it all the time. The previous school kept her PADI hologram sticker (required by PADI to certify her application), the money she spent, and refused to send us any of her work material. This is actually against PADI regulations because you can only withhold these things for people who don't pay their bills. She had.

We immediately began working with her and were able to go through all of the tasks she needed in two weeks. Today, she took her final exam and earned an overall score of 95%. She only needs to complete a few more things, and she'll be a Divemaster. She's had so much fun with us, she's decided to become an Instructor next!

Well, it's nice to meet you!

That's how all relationships begin. You didn't hear of Apple, until you heard of Apple. And you didn't hear of Levis, McDonalds, PADI, or SSI until you first heard of them. 

Feel free to ask us any questions you like. We're transparent, an approved SSI dive center with instructors who hold the highest levels of instructor credentials, we're registered with the government, and recognized by the IRS as a public charity.

Come dive with us, and you'll not be disappointed!

Cozumel Scuba School has a very straight forward application process, and encourage anyone interested in becoming a professional to apply—especially women, minorities, and veterans who are generally underrepresented in the industry.

The first step is to choose whichever program (package) fits within your budget and personal goals, and then click on the apply button. Once we receive your application, it will be reviewed and you'll be notified within 72 hours of our decision.

If you're accepted, you will need to pay your deposit by paypal or credit card, and we will then provide you access to your online course material. If you intend on accepting our housing, we will reserve your spot and you will then be scheduled for your arrival in Cozumel—and that's when the real fun begins.