Go Pro

Become a PADI Divemaster.

Love your office whilst living your dream…

GO PRO: Whether you’re looking to gain professional-level understanding of all aspects of diving and divers or work as a PADI Pro diver, the PADI Divemaster course is your first step to becoming a PADI professional diver.

As a PADI Divemaster, you’ll be qualified to assist PADI Dive Instructors and lead certified divers at PADI dive centers around the world.

Whilst you probably won’t get rich as a PADI Dive Pro, you will get to dive amazing places, meet fabulous people, see incredible things and do REALLY cool, fun stuff that others only dream of…

The Dive Bus, Curacao PADI Divemaster course is where your adventures as a PADI Dive Pro begin…

About The Dive Bus PADI Divemaster course

This Pro level PADI dive course is very different from the recreational diving courses you’ve taken so far.

It’s intended to be tough and challenging, requiring a LOT of hard work, commitment and dedication from you, to become an excellent, professional PADI Divemaster.

A hugely rewarding and possibly life-changing experience. By the time you’ve completed your PADI Divemaster course, you’ll be happy and confident in your ability to lead and take care of recreational divers, safely and enjoyably.

Following the same learning system as PADI recreational dive courses, most of the knowledge development is in your own time at your own pace. You’ll discuss and review everything with your Dive Bus PADI Instructor so you’re comfortable with your knowledge level and understanding, and the whole Dive Bus Crew is here to help, guide, work and celebrate the wins with you.

Why choose The Dive Bus for your Divemaster Course?

Here's what our previous Divemaster Trainee's have to say...

PADI Divemaster Clare

“Just finished my DM here and it was the best decision I ever made. I know there are so many options out there to choose where to do your DM, but I highly recommend doing it at the Dive Bus.

Mark and the team worked with my work schedule so I didn’t have to take leave or rush through the course. Zoe and Whitney were amazing at curating the perfect schedule. All of the instructors and staff were amazing. The team dynamic is really what it’s all about. I loved that I wasn’t just in a classroom and with only one dive instructor. I got so much more from each instructor (Whitney, Collin, James, Sofi, Bill) teaching me a new skill everyday.

I cant wait to continue my diving career, and highly recommend if you want to start diving to come and do it with the Dive Bus!”

PADI Divemaster Curtis

PADI Divemaster GOPRO Curtis

“The Dive Bus is AMAZING. This past January, I had the absolute pleasure of earning my Dive Master at the Dive Bus. I had every instructor on the team. The instructors were spot-on and highly professional.

However, it goes far beyond that. Everyone who works at the Dive Bus treats each other and clients like a member of the family.

I was challenged to grow beyond the basics of instruction and was given many opportunities to put what I had learned into practice. The owners are warm, welcoming, and exceptional at multicultural awareness. I encourage anyone interested in learning scuba diving to go to the Dive Bus, whether at a discovery level or instructional. You will not be disappointed!

HIGHLY RECOMMEND DIVE BUS over any other vendor on Curaçao. GREAT TEAM AWESOME FUNNY FAMILY. I look forward and cannot wait to get back.”

PADI Divemaster Lyndsay

PADI Divemaster GOPRO Lyndsay

“I arrived an inexperienced diver with only 14 dives but thanks to this wonderful team, I soon worked my way up and went on to complete my rescue, divemaster and also nitrox and deep specialities. Having just left the island recently again, I have just logged my 100th dive!

What really made my overall experience was the fantastic team that work here. From the minute that I arrived, everyone made me feel very welcome and comfortable. As you dive in small groups, they really take the time and effort to get to know you here and nothing is ever too much trouble for them.

Everything was also so well organised and the communication was excellent! You can tell how passionate everyone is about their job here and they will go above and beyond to give you the best diving experience possible!

Overall, I couldn’t have picked a better place to do my DM. Everyone here really does go above and beyond and I honestly cannot recommend this place enough. There are literally thousands of places where you can do your DM and after hearing some horror stories from other divers who have completed their DM course in other locations, I can safely say that you will NOT regret your choice to come here.”

At a glance:

For each Divemaster course:

  • Minimum age: 18 years.
  • Course duration: 15 days. We’ll provide you the eLearning to complete before you arrive in Curacao

Certifications needed to start the course:

You also need:

  • A minimum of 40 logged dives to begin the course; 60 logged dives to apply for your PADI Divemaster certification after successful completion of your course.
  • Have your PADI Medical Statement signed off by a physician within 12 months of starting your PADI Divemaster course
  • Understand and speak excellent English: teaching is in English; training materials are available in other languages on request, subject to availability.
  • Be positive, self-motivated, committed to and ready for this challenging but highly rewarding course.

More info

Should I take the PADI Dive Master course?

Love scuba diving? As a professional PADI Divemaster, you get to do what you love – as a career. This rating is the first rung on the ladder as a professional diver, enabling you to work as a professional diver just about anywhere in the world.

As a divemaster, you not only get to dive a lot, but also experience the joy of seeing others have as much fun diving as you do. Scuba divers look up to divemasters as leaders who mentor and motivate others.

What will I be qualified to do?

PADI Divemasters are respected dive professionals who are aligned with the largest and most respected dive organization in the world – PADI.

As a divemaster, you’ll be certified to assist PADI Instructors with students, conduct certain courses and lead guided dives. You won’t get rich but you will get to dive in the most amazing places, meet fabulous people and do REALLY cool, fun things that others only dream of…

Travel the world or stay right at home, working as a professional Divemaster. You won’t get rich but you will get to travel to, and dive in, the most amazing places, meet fabulous people and do REALLY cool, fun things :o)

Or become a DSD Leader and help people discover scuba diving for the very first time…

Or go on to train as a PADI Open Water Instructor and learn how to teach your passion to others. The pay sure ain’t great but the rewards are unquantifiable…

What will I learn?

The PADI Divemaster course teaches you to be a leader and take charge of dive activities. Through knowledge development sessions, waterskills exercises and workshops, and hands-on practical assessment, you develop the skills to organize and direct a variety of scuba diving activities.

Working closely with a PADI Instructor, you’ll fine-tune your dive skills, like perfecting the effortless hover, and refine your rescue skills so you anticipate and easily solve common problems. You’ll gain dive knowledge, management and supervision abilities so you become a role model to divers everywhere.

You’ll also learn about all aspects of diving and develop leadership abilities you’ll need to supervise dive activities, assist instructors with student divers and earn respect as a responsible dive professional.

And you’ll complete water skills and stamina exercises in confined and open water and training exercises to improve your organizational and problem solving abilities.

Topics and practical workshops include:

  • The role and characteristics of the PADI Divemaster
  • Supervising dive activities and assisting with student divers
  • Diver safety and risk management
  • Divemaster conducted programs and specialized skills
  • Business of diving and your career
  • Awareness of the dive environment
  • Dive setup and management
  • Mapping an open water site
  • Conducting dive briefings
  • Organizing a search and recovery project and a deep dive
  • Conducting a PADI Deep Diver, PADI Skin Diver course
  • Assisting with Discover Scuba Diving and leading Discover Local
  • Diving programs

If you’re not already PADI Deep Diver, PADI Enriched Air Nitrox and Search and Recovery Diver Specialty diver, it’s a good time to take these along with your PADI Divemaster training, to help you meet all requirements and to broaden your experience and abilities.

When can I start my PADI Divemaster course?

Right now if you like!

Purchase your PADI Divemaster eLearning direct from us to get started.

You can work through the knowledge development sections using a web-based system that lets you learn at your own pace.

Divemaster Digital Crewpaks include PADI Divemaster eLearning DSD® Instructor Cue Card (digital), Divemaster Slates (digital), Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving (digital), ReActivate® eLearning, eRDPML™ with Instructions for Use and application. When you’re on island you will also receive a physical Divemaster Slate pak.

What scuba gear do I need?

You’ll need to have your own full set of scuba equipment to start your PADI Divemaster course. If not, or you’re not sure what works best for you yet, rent The Dive Bus equipment for a couple of fun dives before starting your Divemaster course, to check it out and see what’s right for you. Like it? Buy it, brand new from The Dive Bus retail shop or ex-rental.

Here’s the equipment you’lI need and use during your PADI Divemaster course at The Dive Bus:

  • BCD
  • Regulator set
  • Open heel fins
  • Dive boots
  • Wetsuit (3mm or 5mm full if you really feel the cold)
  • Dive mask and snorkel
  • Dive computer
  • Compass (can be integrated with your dive computer)
  • Dive reel & SMB
  • Dive knife
  • Audible Signal Device (for example, a whistle – often included on your BCD)
  • Dive slates (provided in the PADI Divemaster Crew Pack)
  • Dive flashlight (recommended)

Besides the obvious benefits of diving with equipment with which you’re familiar and comfortable, owning your own dive equipment is a requirement for most dive centers (including The Dive Bus), if you go on to become a professional Divemaster.

Just like your scuba equipment, all the dive accessories you’ll need for the PADI Divemaster course (dive computer; knife; reel; SMB etc etc) are available at discounted prices for PADI Divemaster trainees, from The Dive Bus retail shop.

The non-sales-commissioned Dive Bus crew will give you as much advice, and as many tips as you want, about choosing equipment that’s right for you.

Can you recommend a place to stay?

As a PADI Divemaster trainee, you’re responsible for making your accommodation arrangements, as everyone’s requirements and budgets are different. There’s a huge choice of accommodations available – here are some of our recommendations:

Pier Beach

Bed & Bike Hostel

  • Budget hostel, private or shared rooms / facilities
  • Bus, bike or walk from Pietermaai (downtown Willemstad)
  • info@bedandbikecuracao.com

When do I pay?

Like all activities at The Dive Bus, the PADI Divemaster course is payable in full whenever you’re ready to confirm your reservation. Additional expenditure, such as dive equipment, accessories, drinks etc, are payable weekly.

Click here for Booking Info.

Ready..? Here are your next steps on your PADI Pro Diver adventure:

  1. Medical Questionnaire
    Download and check out the Medical Statement and Questionnaire (pdf). You’ll need to have this signed off in full by your doctor, no more than 12 months before starting your PADI Divemaster course, to ensure that you’re medically cleared for becoming a PADI professional diver.
  2. Message us!
    Once all’s good with your Med form, click here to shoot us a message with your dates on island, current certification level, no of dives and if you hold a current CPR/1st Aid / Secondary care certification and we’ll get planning!
  3. Get started whenever you like…
    Once we’ve sorted all the details of your Divemaster Course, we’ll send you the eLearning so you can get started whenever you’re ready from the comfort of your sofa.
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