PADI Master Scuba DiversTM are an elite group of respected divers with a wide range of training and experience, but your path to Master Scuba Diver, the ultimate recreational scuba achievement, can be customized according to your interests.
Enter the Master Scuba Diver Challenge To Win a Trip to the Maldives!
Interested in participating? Here’s how to get started:
- Visit the MSD Challenge Entry Page.
- Tell us why you want to be a Master Scuba Diver.
- Earn additional entries by completing qualifying PADI courses.
For more information about the challenge, click here.
Here are a few custom Master Scuba Diver program ideas to inspire you.
Eco-Master Scuba Diver
Whether you’re an aspiring marine biologist, fish geek, or passionate environmentalist, an Eco-Master Scuba Diver program can greatly enhance your knowledge of underwater ecosystems. You only need five specialties for the Master Scuba Diver rating, but there are several courses to consider including: Peak Performance Buoyancy, Underwater Naturalist, Fish ID, Digital Underwater Photographer, AWARE Shark Conservation, Coral Reef Conservation, and/or Dive Against Debris.
Photo/Video-Focused Master Scuba Diver
Shooting underwater photos and video has never been easier. That said, obtaining professional-quality images requires both training and experience.
A Master Scuba Diver program that includes the Digital Underwater Photography (which also includes a section on video), Peak Performance Buoyancy, and Underwater Naturalist specialties will give an aspiring photographer or videographer the basic skills required to capture underwater images. The Enriched Air Diver specialty allows for dives with better no-decompression limits and shorter surface intervals.
Another course to consider would be Rebreather Diver. By eliminating the noise and bubbles of an open-circuit scuba system, divers can experience closer, more natural interactions with underwater life.
Cold Water Master Scuba Diver
Some of the world’s coldest climates have some of the most spectacular diving – and fewer crowds. Whether you’re preparing for an epic trip to Antarctica or a winter diving hotspot, the Dry Suit Diver, Ice Diver, and Full Face Mask specialities will help you go places other divers can’t.
Add Altitude Diver, Enriched Air Diver, or Wreck Diver, depending on your diving destination.
Wreck Master Scuba Diver
From Egypt’s iconic SS Thistlegorm to Australia’s world-renowned SS Yongala, the best wreck diving offers some of the most unforgettable underwater adventures. But how can you ensure you get the most of these experiences? One answer is by integrating these PADI Specialities into your PADI Master Scuba Diver program.
Unsurprisingly, the PADI Wreck Diver course is a must for wreck diving enthusiasts. However, by combining it with the Deep Diver, Enriched Air Diver, Sidemount Rec Diver, Dry Suit Diver and/or Peak Performance Buoyancy, you’ll be ready to take on any of the world’s top wreck dives.
The Explorer’s Master Scuba Diver
Ever wondered how to pilot an underwater vehicle, recover lost treasures or even dive solo? This custom set of PADI Specialties should be calling to you. Each course equips divers with a truly unique set of skills, and by the end of this program, you’ll dive better than James Bond himself.
In the Search and Recovery Diver Specialty course, you’ll learn how to recover lost items (with the help of a lift bag). The Diver Propulsion Vehicle (DPV) Specialty course will put you behind the wheel (*two handles) of a self-propelled underwater vehicle, and PADI’s Self-Reliant Diver Specialty course provides you with the best practices for solo diving. Underwater Navigator hones your ability to find your way underwater, and Emergency Oxygen Provider puts others first, ensuring you’re ready to offer specialized help in an emergency situation.
Use the ideas above as a starting place for your Master Scuba Diver journey. Talk to your instructor about what specialties they would recommend, and ask about any distinctive specialties your PADI Dive Center or Resort may offer.