PADI Divemaster Course
Take the first step in your professional scuba diving career with the PADI Divemaster Course at Dive Tutukaka. Designed to deepen your dive knowledge and build real-world experience, this hands-on internship trains you to guide certified divers, assist instructors, and help operate dive boats at the world-class Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve.
By completing your PADI Divemaster training in New Zealand’s premier diving location, you'll gain the leadership skills, marine confidence, and practical experience needed to work anywhere in the global scuba industry.
What You'll Learn in the Divemaster Program
Through a combination of PADI eLearning theory, practical workshops, and real customer interactions, you will master key professional dive skills:
- Professional Leadership: Develop your dive supervision skills, lead customer briefings, organise group dives, and learn how to manage divers safely and confidently.
- Instructional Support: Assist our highly experienced instructors with student divers across entry-level and advanced courses while gaining valuable experience in a teaching environment.
- Boat Operations & Seamanship: Learn deck management, line handling, anchoring, and crew duties across our fleet of four dive vessels.
- Emergency & Problem Solving: Refresh your rescue skills, complete underwater mapping exercises, develop your dive planning abilities, and undertake stamina assessments.
Course Structure & Daily Schedule
- Duration: Flexible options ranging from a few weeks to several months depending on your schedule. The longer your internship, the more dives you log and experience you gain!
- Daily Schedule: Start times begin at 7:00 AM at our Tutukaka dive shop, finishing between 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM.
- Hands-on Training: On your first day, you will have a shore orientation and swim assessment before heading out for daily ocean operations at the Poor Knights.
- At Your Own Pace: Schedules are flexible, allowing downtime for fun dives, exploring Northland, or working part-time.
Course Prerequisites
Before beginning your PADI Divemaster training, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Certification: PADI Rescue Diver qualification (or qualifying equivalent from another agency) - we can also arrange a Rescue Course with us if you haven’t completed one.
- Logged Dives: Minimum of 40 logged scuba dives to start.
- First Aid: Current EFR or First Aid/CPR certification completed within the last 24 months. It is possible to complete an EFR course with us, let us know if you need one.
- Medical Clearance: Physician-signed dive medical clearance within the last 12 months.
- eLearning: Completion of PADI Divemaster eLearning prior to practical training.
Required Dive Gear & Equipment
To participate in the divemaster internship, we recommend the following:
- Personal Gear: Mask, snorkel, fins, and wetsuit.
- Pro Accessories: Dive computer, compass, Surface Marker Buoy (SMB), slate, and dive knife.
PADI Divemaster Pricing
- Course Fee: $3,500 NZD
- Equipment Rental: $100 NZD/week flat rate for full rental gear hire
We also run Instructor Development Course - the logical next step to your diving career.
Ready to turn your passion into a career? Contact our dedicated training team: training@diving.co.nz
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FAQs
Why do your PADI Divemaster course with us
Doing your Divemaster course with Dive! Tutukaka means gaining real-world experience and hands-on with real customers, while training in one of the world’s best subtropical dive destinations. You’ll learn what it takes to become a professional dive leader, from guiding and assisting courses, to crewing boats and managing the many responsibilities that come with working in the dive industry. Your training takes place in our beautiful coastal setting, based from our three dive boats, on-site pool, and world-class dive sites. With hands-on experience and plenty of time in the water, you’ll develop the skills, confidence, and knowledge needed to take the next step in your diving career.