FAQ Diving Internships Thailand

Diving internships in Thailand typically cover all the required PADI Dive Courses to Master Diver, Divemaster (DM), or Dive Instructor Level (IDC), leading to qualifications such as PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI) MSDT certifications. Many programs also offer Specialty courses (e.g., Deep, Wreck, Nitrox) and professional IDEST technician training, which enhances job opportunities. You can also progress into Technical Diving Internships too.

No! Many internships cater to beginners and take them from Open Water Diver all the way to Dive Pro levels like Divemaster or Instructor. However, some courses do have prerequisites and advanced programs require a certain specialty Diver certifications and a minimum number of logged dives before enrollment.  These requirements are listed on the specific course pages if applicable.

Yes, there are several options.

1. As of late 2024, upon arriving in Thailand you will be issued a free 60 day tourist visa. This usually covers you until your Pro dive courses or internships up to 3 months as it can also be extended for a further 30 days, giving you 90 days in total. 
Alternatively, you can fly in and out to say Malaysia for a day or weekend break, see some more of south east Asia and get a new 60 day visa upon arrival.

2. Apply for a one-year Non-Immigrant ED visa allowing you to stay in Thailand reporting every 90 days. These visas are arranged by language school, should you wish to combine your diving with learning the Thai language. This visa will be issued digitally now for most from the Thai consulate before travelling.

Other than your travel expenses not much! Your main living expenses will be food and drinks, which are quite cheap in Thailand.

A decent meal costs between 40 – 350 baht depending on whether you want Thai or Western food. A beer costs 55 – 100 baht. As a rough guide you will average about 500 – 1000 baht a day. (£10 – £20.00)

If you are on a tight budget you can live for a lot less than this, but this amount is comfortable. It’s also advisable to keep a few hundred £ in reserve.

We try to be as flexible as possible however some pro level courses are based around events like the IDC and IE which have scheduled dates.  You can request a start date or check out IDC schedules

Very little – everything in Thailand is cheap, and you can get everything you need so keep it minimal. Clothes, camera, sunglasses, flip flops. Remember, at the end of the scuba diving internship you’ll have a bag full of your scuba diving equipment, books and diving manuals to take back.

Yes. Some diving internships show the discounted prices depending on which level you are starting from. Contact us and discuss what you’ve done so far and what credits towards your goals.

Either we can reduce the overall cost of your dive internship OR give you a great deal if you swap courses you’ve already completed for alternate dive courses.

The courses are set up to be completed in one to three months, except dive instructor trainees. Typically you must wait 6 months after open water certification to enter the IDC program. As a CDC centre we can enter you within this time but you will need to wait until afterwards to activating your teaching status.

If you wish to go at a slower pace, we can always extend the training by offering additional course bundles and dive packages. This would incur additional accommodation costs and some extra dive charges.

The best thing to do is contact us and we can discuss your individual needs.

Pattaya and Jomtien attract a whole range of people from lone travelers to couples and families. We have female instructors and have trained many female divemasters over the years, Like everywhere in the world – act safe and you will be safe.

The best thing to do is contact us and we can discuss your individual needs.

If you chose a diving internship with All the equipment included. You receive brand new pro-level reputable equipment e.g. Mares, Seac Sub, Scubapro, and once you finish your scuba diving internship it’s yours to keep. Our upgrade packages are excellent value and represent some of the best quality dive equipment around. If you are turning pro then this kit will see you through the first few years of diving and beyond.

Yes to be signed off as a PADI Professional ratings, you will need a signed dive medical form releasing you fit to dive. These can be obtained from Thailand or your home country in advance of starting your diver training.

You need to have basic general fitness to enjoy the internship, but don’t need to be an athlete. Obviously you can’t take part if you have any serious medical conditions e.g. lung disease, bronchitis,, pneumothorax, heart disease etc. If you’re not sure, check with your doctor.

There are lots of ATMs and banks plus money exchanges in Pattaya, so access to money isn’t a problem. Do check out what charges you’ll incur with your ATM as some banks can be expensive. Travelers cheques are also a good options.

For large payments [i.e. the internship fee] it’s probably most economical to make a direct transfer

We’ll work out the percentage of the internship that you’ve done and recalculate your bill based on that.

Everything is straightforward, plus we have experienced, competent instructors so we’re confident that you’ll have no problem proceeding through the diving courses.

Yes, you should have Dive insurance and we strongly advise you to get your travel insurance overall. Try to get one that covers normal scuba diving to 18 or 30 meters. (Most policies do)
These policies are inexpensive and can save you thousands should for some reason, you need it.

Yes! Many dive internships provide job placement assistance through their networks of dive centers in Thailand and worldwide. Many of our past students have gone off and opened dive centres of their own and some have taken luxury diving jobs around the world. Having real-world dive shop experience, specialty certifications, advanced instructor levels and additional skills (like IDEST technician training) makes you the most employable in the dive industry.