PADI IDC in the Caribbean: The Bonaire Advantage

Considerations When Choosing Where To Complete Your IDC

Once you’ve decided to become a scuba instructor, the next big step is deciding where to do your Instructor Development Course (IDC). We have a detailed blog post about how to choose the best IDC, but here are a few important considerations.

#1 Staff Experience and Languages Spoken

There’s a lot of information to digest in the IDC, and it’s much easier to learn when the training staff speak your preferred language.

Also, look for programs run by an experienced PADI Course Director. If you see a special designation, such as “PADI Platinum Course Director,” that means the person has a lot of experience training PADI Professionals. Platinum is the most elite level, followed by Gold and Silver.

#2 The Training Facility

During the IDC, you’ll switch between classroom sessions and in-water activities. The more time you spend traveling between the place you’re staying, the dive shop, the classroom and in-water training sites, the less time you have to study for tests, practice presentations and get a good night’s rest.

When evaluating an IDC, it’s worth asking:

Is there lodging near the IDC Center?
What is the travel time between the IDC Center and the confined and open water training locations?

#3 Skill Building and Job Placement

After investing time and money in your instructor training, can the IDC Center help you find a job? Also, do they offer additional training that can give you an advantage over other new instructors? For example:

Opportunities to learn valuable skills, such as working on a boat, learning how to fill tanks, fit rental gear, etc.
A Master Scuba Diver Trainer prep program — Master Scuba Diver Trainers can teach at least five PADI Specialties and are more valuable to employers. Some IDC programs allow you to add on five specialty instructor certifications, a package commonly known as “MSDT prep.”

#4 Reviews

What do other candidates have to say about their experience? Look for online reviews or ask the IDC Center if they can connect you with students who have completed their program.

PADI IDCs in the Caribbean: The Bonaire Advantage

Bonaire is a Caribbean island outside the hurricane belt. Diving conditions are consistent year-round so you can complete your IDC at any time of year. Bonaire repeatedly wins awards for the best diving and best marine life in the Caribbean. The words “Diver’s Paradise” are literally on Bonaire’s license plate.

The island has a little bit of everything: shore diving, artificial reefs, fluorescent night diving, great restaurants and a laid-back culture, Should the worst-case scenario occur, there’s also a hyperbaric chamber on-island.

Two divers going for a shore dive from the beach in Bonaire

More Prep Time, Less Stress: The Buddy Dive Advantage

If you want to minimize stress and maximize the amount of time you have to study and sleep, Buddy Dive Academy at Buddy Dive Resort is an excellent choice. The entire IDC takes place at the resort. You won’t have to waste time driving to and from a confined or open water training site. Everything is on the property, including:

An air-conditioned classroom
A pool for shallow water exercises
A safe and secure confined water site for deeper skills
A house reef for open water sessions
Apartments for IDC candidates

In fact, Buddy Dive offers special room and board packages for instructor candidates. Whenever there’s a break, you can head back to your apartment to relax for a bit or make a bite to eat. Not into cooking? There’s an optional meal package that includes a daily breakfast buffet and a la carte lunches and dinners.

Divers on a budget (or anyone who enjoys camaraderie) also has the option to share a three-bedroom apartment with other candidates. Together, you can practice presentations, prepare meals and celebrate your success in a dorm-style environment.

IDCs Offered Year-Round

Buddy Dive Academy at Buddy Dive Resort runs IDCs every other month. They can even run a PADI IDC on-demand if there are at least six candidates.

Programs are offered in English, but Buddy Dive’s Course Director, Lars Bosman, is fluent in both Dutch and German. The IDC training team also includes French-speaking and Spanish-speaking IDC Staff Instructors.

Course Director Lars has received the PADI Platinum Course Director award three years in a row, and Buddy Dive Academy has issued more than 1200 instructor ratings in the past 15 years — including specialty and tec instructor certifications. The experienced staff can answer any questions you have, ensure you’re well-prepared for the PADI Instructor Exam (IE) and help you become a confident and skilled PADI Instructor.

MSDT Prep and Job Placement Assistance

Buddy Dive Academy will help successful IDC candidates find a job on Bonaire or the surrounding islands.
Internships are available for up to two IDC candidates at a time. Gain experience filling tanks, helping out guests with rental equipment and other essential skills.
The MSDT prep program includes PADI Enriched Air Specialty Instructor training at no charge. Candidates can choose any 4 additional specialty instructor ratings – even dry suit!

A boat of scuba divers heading out to the ocean from the dock

More Special Offers

IDC Staff Instructor candidates who bring two IDC candidates receive free tuition for the IDC Staff program.
Instructors who want to earn a specialty instructor rating receive free tuition if they bring at least two students.

Learn More About IDCs at Buddy Dive

Go Deeper

Note: This post is sponsored content by Buddy Dive Resort. For more information, contact the PADI Media Group at [email protected].

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are those of the sponsors and are not an endorsement nor do they reflect the opinions of PADI or any of its publications.

PADI IDC Training in the Caribbean: The Bonaire Advantage