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FAQ

Need to find out more about doing your divemaster internship in the Gilis? Our FAQ has all the answers you need! Here, we cover everything you need to know about living and diving with us in the Gilis.

From your training and gear questions, to everything about living the island life in beautiful Indonesia… we’ve got you covered.

DIVEMASTER
INTERNSHIP FAQ

The Divemaster certification is the first scuba diving professional level and is obtained through a Divemaster Internship. During your internship you will acquire all the skills and leadership necessary to oversee scuba diving activities and assist scuba diving instructors with student divers.

Find out more here:
The Divemaster Internship: What The Hell Even Is It?
A Divemaster is the first professional diving ranking and their job is to supervise, organize and guide others certified divers. He can also assist diving instructors during their training with students.

Guiding Certified Divers
Share your love of the underwater world with other divers when you lead them on guided dives in which you are completely in control and in charge of keeping everyone safe and guiding them through the dive site.

Assisting Instructors
When you become a divemaster, you can assist Instructors in multiple training and supervisory situations with students demonstrating skills, guiding divers and assisting with Open Water Diver’s knowledge development.
You will need to be rescue certified before starting your Divemaster course. Let’s make sure you tick all the boxes!

  • 18+
  • Certified as an Advanced Open Water Diver and Stress and Rescue Diver.
  • Completed EFR Primary and Secondary Care training within 24 months (Qualifying certifications from other dive training organisation may also apply).
  • Logged 40 scuba dives.
  • Medically evaluated and cleared for diving by a physician in the past 12 months.

Go from Zero to Pro!

Do you dream of becoming a Divemaster, but haven’t actually dived yet? No worries, take your Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver and Stress and Rescue Diver with us before beginning your divemaster internship.

We offer packages from Open Water through to Divemaster, depending on what your current level is. Have a look at our course prices here.
To be able to start your divemaster course you need to have 40 logged open water dives, but the more the better! The more you dive, the more confident you become, as confidence is everything during your divemaster training.
  • Fins, mask and snorkel.
  • Wetsuit.
  • BCD: Buoyancy control device with a tank mount and low-pressure inflator.
  • Primary regulator and alternate air source.
  • Submersible pressure gauge.
  • Depth monitoring device.
  • BCD weight pocket or weight belt.
  • Two surface signalling devices: Audible (whistle, air horn, etc.) and visible (inflatable surface marker, flare, signal mirror, etc.)
  • Dive computer.
  • Compass.

If you don’t have a BCD and a regulator you can rent this equipment from us for 75 000 Rupiah per day – offer available only in low season and for a maximum period of 2 months.

Our Divemaster trainees are the centre of their own program. We don’t just latch our interns onto courses, leaving them to their own resources.

Practical:

  • 100m tow
  • 400m and 800m swim
  • 15-minute float
  • Scuba skill circuit
  • Equipment exchange
  • Rescue 7
  • Fun dive briefing
  • Dive site set up
  • Discover local dive
  • Lead a dive
  • Search and recovery
  • Scuba review
  • Discover scuba diving confine
  • Open water course confine
  • Skin Diver
  • Emergency plan
  • Dive site mapping

Don’t freak out! But yes, there is an Exam. It will cover:

  • The roles and characteristics of a Divemaster
  • Supervising general diving activities
  • Assisting with student divers in training
  • Dive theory introduction
  • Physics of diving
  • Dive equipment
  • Decompression theory and the RDP
During your divemaster training you will dive up to a depth of 30 meters. However, as soon as you get your Deep Diver Specialty course you can dive as deep as 40 meters.
Your day at the dive shop will include pool sessions, theory, and of course diving! You’ll assist with customers and equipment to ensure that you learn everything there is to know about what working in the diving industry entails. After chilling on a beanbag learning more about the underwater world, you can enjoy sunset, dinner and drinks with the tribe.

TLDR: Dive. Eat. Sleep. Repeat.

For more info, click here.
When speaking with any diver, they’ll always back their particular divemaster training. But what truly distinguishes PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) from SSI (Scuba Schools International)?

SSI and PADI are both internationally recognised scuba certifications, valid anywhere in the world. They both adhere to the World Recreational Scuba Diving Council guidelines, with no significant difference in skill requirements for your divemaster internship. Both are very similar in terms of scuba skills and knowledge.

Here at 3wDive, we favor SSI because its created its course with a greater focus on methodology and mentality. SSI Instructors can train using the 80/20 rule. 80% of the course structure is set by SSI, and 20% can be flexible and based on local dive conditions, students ability, and any other circumstantial factors. Check out SSI’s official website for additional information.

Regardless of your agency of divemaster training, the most critical factors that will ensure you become the best divemaster you can be are; the experience and professionalism of your instructor, the standards set by your dive centre, the opportunities available for you to spent ample time in the water and finally the availability of real-life, hands-on dive experience. As well as a deep understanding of your responsibility to the underwater environment around you, these factors make up what we believe are the five pillars of divemaster training.

We talk about this in lot more detail in our blog PADI or SSI: Which Agency is Right for You?
One of the most common questions we get asked is whether you can mix and match agencies when doing your scuba diving training. The answer is almost always YES. You can do your open water course with agency X, advanced course with agency Y, and go on to do your rescue or divemaster with agency Z.

For more info on this, check out our blog: How Do I Choose Which Scuba Agency to Train With?
Depending on the dive center you choose, a divemaster internship usually takes 4 to 6 weeks to complete. However, at 3W DIVE we offer the full tribe treatment with up to 6 months of unlimited access to our shop with as much diving as you can manage. We recommend using this time to truly master your skills and immerse yourself in the awesome vibes of divemaster life. This way you gain real divemaster experience, and the longer you can stay, the better the divemaster you will become.

Find out more in our blog 4 Things to Consider When Choosing a Divemaster Internship
As a 3WDive divemaster trainee, you’ll be appointed a mentor for the duration of your divemaster internship. They are there to support and guide you through your training. You’ll assist on various courses and carry out certain required tasks. You’ll also need to pass a final dive theory exam.

For more details, check out our blog: The Divemaster Internship: What The Hell Even Is It?
The divemaster training can be challenging. Being fit physically and very confident in the water will help, but the mental aspect is everything. It is not just about finding the “hard-to-find” stuff underwater to show your divers while diving or being the coolest guy on the boat… A good intellect with an emotional maturity to make the right decision in life-saving situations are essential to being a great divemaster. Of course, experience as time goes by will help.
Yes, divemaster is a professional scuba ranking and allows you to work in the diving industry. Divemaster salaries are small, however, which can make it difficult to sustain a living while working purely as a divemaster.
You only do your divemaster internship once, so deciding where to do it is important.

Obviously there’s more than one place to do your divemaster internship. When looking for the best place to do your divemaster internship, there are a few things to consider, and it will depend on what you are looking for; such as the life experience, a particular country, the level of diving and conditions, and the course structure.

If you’re looking for a truly exotic island experience, then Gili Air Island in Indonesia is the best place to go. The Gili islands are famous for hosting some of the best divemaster internships in the world for so many reasons. Not the least of which is that doing your divemaster here on a paradisiac island gives you top class training while living that perfect island lifestyle. There are no cars on the islands, only horse carriage and bicycle to go around. The dive sites are very close by and the diving conditions are perfect for training.

There are a few factors to consider before you make your decision. Make sure that you gather all information about the places you’re considering, the dive school, the dive conditions, the local vibe, and the lifestyle to base your decision on.

For more info on how to choose where to do your divemaster internship, check out our blog: Divemaster Internship in Indonesia: Where and Why?
It is not easy to find a divemaster job that will allow you to sustain yourself on the divemaster salary alone. Usually other skills will be necessary for you to be able to make a proper living.

For more info, check out our blog: Is it Possible to Work as a Divemaster Full-Time?
Like any other industry, the internet is a great place to find work as a divemaster, especially if you know the industry and have some experience as you will be able to read between the lines of a job offer. However there are things that you need to know.

For more info, check out our blog: Is it Possible to Work as a Divemaster Full-Time?
If you pay for your divemaster internship, you’re essentially paying for an instructor to guide you through the course and this ensures the quality of the training that you will receive. Your course will be organized and structured, and the instructor will plan a schedule to properly frame your scuba training. This provides more time to practice skills, read theory, and build confidence before being expected to guide certified divers underwater. And when you do come to guide, you’ll have an instructor alongside you ensuring that everything runs smoothly.

Check out our blog Should You Pay for a Divemaster Internship or not? for more info.
We offer various packages, from Open Water all the way through to Divemaster, depending on what your current level is.

Take a look at our course pricing here: Divemaster Internship Costing
During your divemaster internship, you’ll receive:
  • Unlimited diving for 6 months with the opportunity to accumulate up to 200 dives!
  • The opportunity to gain real divemaster experience guiding customers underwater! (Once we feel that you are ready.)
  • Coming out of this program work-ready, with the skills and the experience that will allow you to feel confident as a divemaster
  • Unlimited pool use to perfect your skills, practice drills and fine-tune your buoyancy
  • Free WiFi at the dive shop
  • Free water, coffee and tea at the dive shop
  • Two 3W Dive T-Shirts
  • 3W Dive 15L Dry Bag and rash guard
  • 10% discount on all Scuba Diving equipment for sale in our dive center
  • Loyalty card for discounts at local businesses
  • The necessary administrative paperwork for you to apply for your 6 month VISA
  • Visa cost
  • Accommodation
  • Food and drink
  • Personal Dive Equipment: You are required to have your own BCD, regulator, dive computer, compass, SMB, mask, snorkel, fins and wetsuit

If you don’t have a BCD and a regulator you can rent this equipment from us for 75 000 Rupiah per day – offer available only in low season and for a maximum period of 2 months.
A free divemaster internship is a trade – you work at the dive shop in exchange for your training. When it comes to finding a free divemaster internship, you need to understand what comes with such an offer.

While you can still gain plenty of experience in the dive industry by working for your certification, there are some draw-backs to this approach. The main issue with free internships is that no money gets paid to an instructor to mentor you, which leaves you to fumble through your duties without much real guidance. This can be great for some who love challenge and autonomy, but you can develop bad habits which go unchecked by those with real experience.

The divemaster program at 3W is a paid internship, primarily for this reason. We wrote about the pros and cons of doing a free divemaster internship in our blog: Should You Pay for a Divemaster Internship or not?
If you’re looking for a divemaster internship with free accommodation you should first consider how much of what you’re paying for your training is covering the cost of the accommodation. In many places, like the Gilis for example, accommodation is cheap and better than what you would usually get included for free.

Reach out and chat to people who have been to the places you’re considering, and who have had experience doing an internship with free accommodation. There are many stories of people ending up in uncomfortable conditions while doing their divemaster internship. As with many things on the internet, some offers can be deceptive. It’s important to do your research.

Take a look at our blog “The Gilis: What to Know Before You Go” to find out more about living in the Gilis.
During your divemaster training, you’ll need to sign off on some skills. Many of these skills are gone over in other certifications but during your internship, you’ll become a master! Here is a list of what you’ll cover during the course:

  • Swim tests (100m tow, 400m swim, 800m swim, 15 minute water tread)
  • Scuba skills circuit (demonstrate scuba skills as you would to new divers)
  • Equipment exchange
  • Rescue scenario 7
  • Dive site mapping
  • Dive site set up
  • Skin diver
  • Emergency plan
  • Search and recovery
  • Fun dive briefing
  • Lead a dive
  • Scuba review
You’ll have to complete these tasks with confidence and skill to pass. But with the support of your mentor and unlimited use of the shop, there’s no doubt you’ll glide through it all.

For more details, check out our blog: The Divemaster Internship: What The Hell Even Is It?
We’re obviously a little biased on this one. Gili Air Island in Indonesia is a small piece of tropical heaven, an ideal place to do a divemaster internship if you are looking for the island life. But there are many things to consider when deciding on where to do your divemaster internship.
  • Are there any marine conservation activities in the dive center?
  • What kind of lifestyle am I going to find outside the diving center?
  • How are the diving conditions?
  • Am I going to get any real divemaster experience?
  • How long is the program?
  • How does the dive center run its divemaster program?
These are just some of the questions you should ask yourself. You have to list your priorities to choose properly. Check out our blog Why Consider The Gilis for Your Divemaster Internship for more info on why we think you should choose the Gilis.
Here at 3W Dive, we recognize that everyone doing their divemaster training has a different motivation for being here. Whether yours is to take the first step towards a professional career in diving, or just take an extended break in paradise to advance your diving skills, you’ll become part of a close-knit family and open up countless opportunities for yourself.

To give your divemaster training that extra kick, we also offer some additional courses to add to your experience, such as Deep Dive, Sidemount, Nitrox, and Freediving, as well as our Marine Conservation Internship.
Yes, you can make a living scuba diving but the first steps are costly as you need to buy your gear, and finance the diving training all the way up to Divemaster and Instructor. Afterwards, depending on the individual and where you decide to work, opportunities can arise. A game changer is to have other skills to bring to the table.

Check out our blog: Is it Possible to Work as a Divemaster Full-Time?
We can’t give you an exact number for what a divemaster salary is, as that will vary depending on location. However, anywhere you are in the world, a divemaster salary will most likely not be enough to sustain average western standards of living, especially when we take into account visa and work permit expenses.

We break it all down for you in our blog: Is It Possible To Make A Living As A Divemaster?
Training, training, training! As in any industry, the more you develop your skills, knowledge and experience, the better you become. Exhibiting a professional attitude, maintaining good personal fitness, showing care and concern for your divers, and prioritizing safety are all key factors in becoming the best divemaster you can be.

GENERAL
ISLAND FAQ

Currently, in Indonesia, the law requires that any divemaster trainee in Indonesia must be holding a Social VISA sponsored by the company training them. The cost is about 1.900.000 IDR for the first two months and 700.000 IDR per month after that (This price can change so please get in touch and we’ll give you a direct quote). When carrying out your divemaster internship in Indonesia, you can extend your visa four times allowing you to remain in the country for up to 6 months.

Rest assured we will be here to help you every step of the way making the process of applying for your divemaster internship visa as smooth for you as possible.
No, the Gili islands are not expensive. The islands offer something for every budget. Whether you’re looking for a budget stay or a lavish island spoil, there is something to suit every need.

We’d recommend an average budget of approximately EUR200 per month for accommodation, and EUR250 per month for food.

Obviously this depends on your tastes!

Don’t worry, there are ATMs on the island. Just be aware of your bank’s international fees and make sure you’ve informed them that you’ll be using your card overseas.

Wondering how to get to the Gili islands? Well, you have two options.

You can either fly into Bali or into Lombok. From either location, you’re just a boat ride away to the Gilis.

The best way to go to the Gili islands if you are already in Bali is by fast boat. It only takes about 2.5 hours to cross from Bali to the Gili Islands.

For a more detailed breakdown of these two options, click here.
You can fly to Lombok to come to the Gili islands. There are flights almost every day from Gusti Ngurah Rai airport in Bali to Lombok. Once you land in Lombok Praya International Airport, it takes less than 2 hours by car or shuttle to reach the North of Lombok. Then, a 10-20 minute boat trip will bring you to the Gili island of your choice.
There are a host of options for long-term accommodation on the island. The best way to go about it is to book a homestay in advance for 3 or 4 nights. Once among our tribe, you will get help finding a monthly rental bungalow that suits you.

Check out the details here.
The best time to travel to the Gili islands depends what you are looking for. The busiest time of year is July, August and September. The rainy season runs from November to March but each year can be very different in terms of rain density. September to November offers the perfect combination of the best weather and less tourists. The diving is great all year round!
The Gili islands are definitely worth visiting! If you are looking for a place to recharge and let go, the Gili islands are the perfect place.

You won’t find the same beaches in Bali. On the Gili islands, the sand is white, the water is turquoise and there are no waves. The Gilis are a peaceful place as motor vehicles are not allowed there.

Each island offers something different for everyone. For those looking to party, Gili Trawangan is the place to be. Gili Meno offers peace and tranquility, with very few people. For those looking to simply chill, we’d recommend Gili Air and Gili Meno, which are far less crowded with young people just looking for parties like on Gili Trawangan.

Gili Air is a tiny tropical island where it feels like time has stopped, and is the perfect compromise between the other two Gili islands. Gili Air is the perfect choice for couples and families that are searching for balance between nature, comfort, and that laid back island vibe.
There is a host of activities on the island to get addicted to when you’re not diving. From Yoga, freediving, snorkeling, standup paddle boarding, horseback riding, spa and massages, cooking classes, and a host of weekly parties around the island. We also recommend taking a day trip to explore Lombok!
There is nothing quite like life on Gili Air. With easy diving and easy living, it’s the laidback lifestyle that everyone dreams of. For all the insider tips, check out “Our Island Gili Air” or any of our “Gili Islands blogs” for loads more insight into what it’s really like living on Gili Air.
Your best option is to get yourself a local SIM card; it’s the most reliable way to keep in touch. We have WIFI at the dive shop, and some accommodations offer decent WIFI connection. There are also cafes and restaurants around the island that offer a relatively stable connection.

We put together a list of some local favorites in our blog: How to Stay Connected While Embracing Island Life on Gili Air
There are shops dotted all around the island where you can buy the basics. The biggest local shop is Siti shop, where you’ll find anything from toiletries and fruit and veg, to medicines and pots and pans. There are also various stalls and shops for clothes and jewellery.
There are a few things to consider when looking at accommodation in Gili Air.
  • Shower: Do you want freshwater or will slightly salty water do? Will you make do with cold water or is hot water an essential for you?
  • Keeping cool: It sure does get hot here but do you really need air con? Fan rooms are often quite a bit cheaper.
  • Location: Most things are located towards the south of the island, including the mosque. You’ll need to consider where you want to be in relation to these.
  • Cleaning: Does the accommodation get cleaned? How often? Or will you need to buy some cleaning stuff and do it yourself?
  • Kitchen: Eating local food is very inexpensive. However, if you’re on a really tight budget or have certain eating requirements a kitchen might be a necessity for you.
  • Cost: Most places tend to be between 2 – 3 million IDR depending on what you’re looking for and the season. Keep an eye out for better deals in the low season.
Being only 8 degrees south of the equator there are only small fluctuations in seasons. The islands only have dry and wet seasons; none of that spring, summer, autumn, and winter stuff. The wet and rainy season tends to be November to March, so the dry months are April to October. Which may influence when you decide to begin your divemaster internship. The islands usually have much less rainfall than Bali though, and the temperature tends to stay between 22-32°C year-round.
Gili Air may be quieter than it’s well known neighbour, Gili Trawangan, but don’t be fooled; here we can party hard too. There’s a few nights a week where the party goes on until late (Wednesdays at Legends and Fridays at Cheeky Monkeys or Lucky’s). But expect sunset drinks to be the regular, and make the most of those happy hour deals!
The Gilis are mostly home to the Bugis and Sasak people who originate from Sulawesi and Lombok. Sasaks are the largest ethnic group on Lombok, numbering around 2.5 million.
Many locals on Gili Air speak English, but you will also hear a selection of Sasak, Bahasa, and even Sulawesi spoken on the islands. The Sasak language is related to Bahasa Indonesia but is still a different language. Most locals can speak enough of two or three of these languages to make communication possible with each other.
Almost 90% of Indonesians follow Islam, making it the largest Muslim nation in the world. Sasaks once practiced a unique blend of Animism, Hinduism and Buddhism. It wasn’t until the 16th century when the religion of Islam began to take hold. This has created an interesting mix of Islamic and Hindu-Buddhist practices within the Sasak culture.

Wetu Telu (Three Times) and Waktu Lima (Five Times) are the two forms of Islam practiced within Lombok and the Gilis. The names refer to the number of times that followers pray per day. All three of the islands have mosques, so it is common to hear the adman (call to prayer) being called throughout the day. The first of these mosques was built in Gili Air around 80 years ago and sits more or less in the center of the island.
There are many things to take in consideration when deciding where to go to do your divemaster internship. The Gili Islands in Indonesia have the perfect set up for a Divemaster internship if you are looking to live the island life experience. Check out our blog for more: Why Consider The Gilis for Your Divemaster Internship?
Yes the Gili islands are very safe to travel to. Gili Air island in particular, with its far more chilled island vibes and party scene, is a favorite destination of couples and families and is therefore very safe.
No, the Gili islands are not in Bali. The Gili islands are 3 small islands which are part of Lombok. Gili Trawangan, Gili Air and Gili Meno are located just off the North West coast of Lombok, and are are easily accessible by plane through Lombok International airport, or by fast boat from Bali (2.5 hours).
Coming from Bali, it is not feasible to visit the Gilis for one day as you’d only be able to spend 1-2 hours on the islands with 6-7 hours of return travel time. You’d have to stay at least one night. It is possible to do a day trip to the Gilis from Lombok, but we recommend rather coming for a minimum of 3 nights to enjoy what the islands have to offer.