Are you ready to dip below the sunkissed waters of Bocas del Toro, Panama? Because this program is about to get deep. We’re talking PADI Divemaster level! As a participant in our Eco Divemaster, you’ll get the unique opportunity to explore the wonders that lie beneath the surface of this coastal paradise, protecting its marine species while gaining essential diving skills to take your passion to an expert level.
Enter the vibrant world within the waters of Bocas del Toro. No PADI diving qualifications? No problem! This program is beginner-friendly. Our skilled diving instructors will take you all the way from an Open Water qualification to a Divemaster in a matter of weeks.
You’ll enhance your diving skills, deepen your understanding of safety protocols and dive theory, while contributing to daily operations and conservation efforts. A perfect combination for those who want to get a head start on the conservationist track.
Each dive brings with it the exciting opportunity to encounter incredible marine life. Keep an eye out for rays, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, a variety of tropical fish and over 120 species of sea sponge sprinkled between the vibrant coral!
Week 1 – PADI Open Water & PADI Advanced Open Water: Learn how to scuba dive or, if you already have your PADI Open Water, brush up on your skills. You’ll start with theory work before practising basic diving skills in confined dive waters. Finally, you will undertake open water dives at sites suited for beginners. For your Advanced Open Water, you’ll strengthen your diving skills with five different diving adventures.
Week 2 – Coral Conservation & Emergency First Response: During your program, you will specialise in substrate and coral monitoring, receiving theoretical training to grasp the fundamentals of coral reef ecosystems, monitoring techniques, data collection methods, data entry and more. You will conduct surveys to assess substrate diversity and coral colony health at individual dive sites across different depths. During this week, you’ll also participate in an emergency first response course on land, learning what to do in case of an emergency, whether it’s related to diving or not.
Week 3 – PADI Rescue Diver: In week three, you’ll learn what to do and how to react in the rare case of a dive-related emergency, this includes taking care of an unconscious diver, providing CPR and more.
Week 4 – 8: PADI Divemaster & fun dives: Take your first step into the world of professional diving. During this time, you’ll learn how to prepare and lead a variety of diving activities, assist instructors in PADI training courses and lead conservation dives. You will also get the chance to participate in leisure dives to observe marine biodiversity, contributing to a deeper understanding of the complexity of reef ecosystems. The Divemaster course is split into 4 parts. The first is your academics, which involves 2 exams, and 9 knowledge reviews all completed online before you arrive. On arrival you will complete a quick review with your instructors before scheduling the in-water sections. You will have to complete in-water stamina tests, including swims and snorkels, as well as a mapping project and various workshops. This will be scheduled throughout your time and develop your skills as a professional. You will be involved in teaching workshops for Discover Scuba Diving, ReActivates, skin diving courses and snorkel tours too. You will shadow both instructors and Divemasters, learning how to prepare dive trips, lead dives, and brief clients.
As an ECO divemaster program you will have a focus on marine conservation than the standard Divemaster program. During your training you can participate in monitoring surveys. You will also be completing our coral conservation certification. This certification is unique and will train you to look at reef ecology and structure.
Enquire for different cases.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner offered Monday through Saturday.
We can cater to most allergies (please give us notice about any serious allergies prior to arrival). There is a vegetarian menu option. For any more complex dietary regimens, we can offer that you cook for yourself in our kitchen.
Sunday is an off-day for our staff and for yourself where you can prepare your own food in our kitchen or go into town for lunch and or dinner.
Breakfast
We begin our day with a self-served continental breakfast consisting of cereal and milk, bread, cheese, butter, jam, fresh fruits and of course tea and coffee.
Lunch
A typical lunch will have a protein (fish, chicken or a vegetarian option) , rice, beans and salad. We have lunch after we come back from diving.
Dive Snack
We offer granola bars (or similar) and water for the dive surface interval.
Dinner
Dinner is served around 7pm and everyone eats together. Participation isn’t mandatory, and if you wish to go out and try something else for a change you’re welcome to do so. Our cook prepares and serves a variety of local specialties.