PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC)

The PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) is the professional training program that qualifies you to teach scuba diving and certify new divers. Upon passing the PADI Instructor Examination (IE), you become a certified PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor — one of the most recognised diving credentials in the world.

Silent Divers’ IDC is led by Course Directors Peter Wise and Alex Arnold, with decades of combined teaching and examining experience across some of the world’s premier dive destinations. Their pass rate consistently exceeds the global PADI average.

Why Do Your PADI IDC in Koh Samui?

• Year-round warm water — 28–30°C, excellent visibility, no drysuit required
• World-class training environment — real-world experience diving Sail Rock, Chumphon Pinnacle, and Koh Tao
• Affordable cost of living — Koh Samui is significantly cheaper than European or Australian IDC destinations
• Vibrant dive tourism industry — strong employment prospects in Thailand and across Southeast Asia after qualifying
• Hybrid format — start your online workshops from home, then travel to Koh Samui for the in-water phase

Course Format

The IDC is structured as a hybrid program:

Total: 16 days (plus 2 days IE)

Prerequisites

• PADI Divemaster certification (or professional equivalent from another agency)
• Certified diver for a minimum of 6 months
• Minimum age: 18 years
• Minimum 100 logged dives (10 must be completed during the IDC itself)
• Emergency First Response Primary & Secondary Care within the last 24 months
• Medical clearance signed by a doctor within the last 12 months

What You’ll Learn

The IDC comprehensively prepares you to teach every aspect of the PADI system:

Theory & Standards

• Dive theory to instructor level: physics, physiology, decompression, equipment, and the underwater environment
• PADI standards, policies, and risk management
• PADI program administration, record-keeping, and business fundamentals

Teaching Skills

• Confined water and open water teaching presentations (evaluated by Course Director and examiners)
• Watermanship assessment and skill demonstrations to instructor quality
• Student evaluation, problem-solving, and deficiency correction
• Building effective briefings and managing dive groups

Included Specialty Instructor Ratings

Three specialty instructor ratings are included in your IDC package at no extra cost:

• Emergency First Response Instructor — teach CPR and first aid
• PADI Emergency Oxygen Provider Specialty Instructor
• PADI Enriched Air Nitrox Specialty Instructor — teach Nitrox certification from Day 1

After the IDC

Many IDC graduates immediately progress to the PADI MSDT program, adding 5 additional specialty instructor ratings and 25 certified diver certifications. Ask us about combined IDC + MSDT pricing.