by Joe Taylor
So, you want to be a divemaster? Awesome! But unfortunately, making that decision is the easy part. Now you have to decide where you want to become a divemaster. You’re here because you’ve cleverly chosen (or at least shortlisted) to do your divemaster internship in Indonesia. And it’s the perfect destination. Well done! You’re two for two so far.
But, Indonesia is huge (over 16,000 islands), so how the hell do you pick? Well, we’ve selected a few iconic spots and listed their pros and cons to help you out. No need to thank us, we have this kind of debate on a daily basis. It was just a case of putting it on paper… or screen.
So here are our thoughts.
Test your skills in Komodo
When considering a divemaster internship in Indonesia, Komodo should be high on the list. Best known for dragons, but also for some seriously wicked diving. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Komodo offers a ton of awesome marine life and pristine coral reefs. Sharks, mantas, dolphins and plenty of reef fish frequent these waters so there shouldn’t be a dull moment.
But don’t book your tickets yet. Because, there’s a third thing Komodo is famous for, at least within the diving community… currents. Strong currents. Completing a divemaster course here will be tough, and is not recommended for timid divers. Even if you feel comfortable in such conditions, at some point, you’re going to have to guide other divers. When guiding, you’ll also be responsible for their safety and enjoyment as well as your own.
But don’t book your tickets yet. Because, there’s a third thing Komodo is famous for, at least within the diving community… currents. Strong currents. Completing a divemaster course here will be tough, and is not recommended for timid divers. Even if you feel comfortable in such conditions, at some point, you’re going to have to guide other divers. When guiding, you’ll also be responsible for their safety and enjoyment as well as your own.
As difficult as it sounds, the conditions could also be a blessing. They will push you harder and further out of your comfort zone and challenge you to become a better diver. If you can divemaster in Komodo, you can probably divemaster anywhere… probably.
Stay close to the action in Bali
Bali is possibly the best-known island in Indonesia, drawing many tourists every year. A variety of attractions, such as wellness retreats and heavy surf breaks, come together on this island. It is also a great central location, providing the ideal base for a visit to Indonesia. Due to steep drop-offs and currents, the south east coast provides good conditions for mola mola, reef sharks and manta rays. Further north, you’ll find some nice macro diving, whilst the western tip is best known for muck dives.
The highlights mentioned aren’t exclusive to these geographical locations, but it you will have to make some sort of choice. Dive centers are unlikely to offer trips all around the island, or if they do, will need lengthy boat journeys.
Life in Bali can also be loud and frantic at times. You might find built-up areas, roads packed with heavy traffic or strips of nightclubs playing music well into the night.
Life in Bali can also be loud and frantic at times. You might find built-up areas, roads packed with heavy traffic or strips of nightclubs playing music well into the night.
Live the true divemaster life in the Gili Islands
The Gili islands (Gili Air, Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan) have become an Instagram sensation, and are considered a must by many visitors to Indonesia. But there is more to these islands than beach swings and sunsets. They are renowned for relaxed living and even more relaxed diving. A divemaster in the Gilis can expect to see turtles… lots of turtles, cool macro life, reef sharks and, if you’re lucky, an occasional manta or two.
We all love easy diving, we’d be crazy not to. But, for a divemaster in training, the near-perfect conditions in the Gilis may be a little too easy. If Komodo is at one end of the scale, the Gilis may well be at the other. This begs the question; will the divemaster training provide the necessary skills and confidence to work anywhere?
We all love easy diving, we’d be crazy not to. But, for a divemaster in training, the near-perfect conditions in the Gilis may be a little too easy. If Komodo is at one end of the scale, the Gilis may well be at the other. This begs the question; will the divemaster training provide the necessary skills and confidence to work anywhere?
Eat, sleep and breathe diving in Raja Ampat
Raja Ampat is arguably one of the most revered diving locations within Indonesia, if not the world. These islands boast a wide range of awesome diving spots, rich in both sea life and history. Large schools of fish, mantas, macro critters and WWII wrecks are all on the list for a wannabe divemaster who chooses these pristine islands.
A downside to this amazing location is, well, it’s location. There’s no point denying it, Raja Ampat is damn hard to get to. Depending on where you start in Indonesia, traveling there may take you a couple of days and require 4, 5 or even 6 flights. In fact, this spot is often described as ‘frontier diving’ due, at least in part, to the remoteness of the islands.
A downside to this amazing location is, well, it’s location. There’s no point denying it, Raja Ampat is damn hard to get to. Depending on where you start in Indonesia, traveling there may take you a couple of days and require 4, 5 or even 6 flights. In fact, this spot is often described as ‘frontier diving’ due, at least in part, to the remoteness of the islands.
As many of the islands are uninhabited and the dive sites are spread over a large area, much of the diving here is done from expensive liveaboards. These can be pricey and also may not offer full divemaster training. People pay good money to stay on these boats and dive as often as possible. So remember, there may not be space for a DMT to come aboard and “learn the ropes”.
The 3W Divemaster Internship
Ok, so we chose Gili Air for the carefree island lifestyle more than anything else, we don’t deny it. But that’s not to say the diving isn’t dope! There’s tons to see like turtles, pygmy seahorses, blue-ringed octopuses and nudibranchs. And best of all, it’s all within 30 minutes from the dive center! In short, the diving here is chill af, and to be honest, that’s how we like it.
But don’t worry, we’d never let this make our divemasters soft! You’ll be assigned a dedicated mentor who will push you out of your comfort zone and ensure you’re constantly progressing. We hate bullshit and pride ourselves on authenticity. So releasing someone into the industry who we don’t believe is truly ready to be a divemaster is simply not an option. Knowing that diving here is often less challenging than elsewhere, encourages us to keep our standards that much higher. So if you’re looking to kick-back and tick some boxes, this might not be the place for you.
Being an SSI dive center gives us some flexibility in how we train our divemasters. It goes without saying that you’ll be taught the essential skills until they become second nature. But our talented instructors also have the freedom to use their initiative and experience throughout the training. Our instructors come from a range of backgrounds (CMAS, PADI and SSI) and have a deep pool of collective knowledge ready to be tapped into at all times. Our divemaster internship is on an interview only basis to ensure you have what it takes to go all the way and become a scuba pro we’ll be proud of. It also helps you to decide if this is where you want to become a divemaster. Get a feel for our vibe and decide if you want to join our tribe. With us, what you see is what you get, so after a quick chat, you should know for sure.
Being an SSI dive center gives us some flexibility in how we train our divemasters. It goes without saying that you’ll be taught the essential skills until they become second nature. But our talented instructors also have the freedom to use their initiative and experience throughout the training. Our instructors come from a range of backgrounds (CMAS, PADI and SSI) and have a deep pool of collective knowledge ready to be tapped into at all times. Our divemaster internship is on an interview only basis to ensure you have what it takes to go all the way and become a scuba pro we’ll be proud of. It also helps you to decide if this is where you want to become a divemaster. Get a feel for our vibe and decide if you want to join our tribe. With us, what you see is what you get, so after a quick chat, you should know for sure.
It’s pretty clear. Doing your divemaster internship in Indonesia is the right choice. So ask yourself, are you looking to become a badass dive professional, equipped with all the necessary knowledge and more? Do you want a taste of laid-back, barefoot, island living?
Have you been dreaming of stunning sunsets and warm, crystal clear water? If you’re currently on your knees, fists clenched and head back, screaming “Yes!” repeatedly to the skies, then we have what you need. Get in touch to arrange your interview and begin your divemaster internship now!
