…and for the October program I have a surprise in store…. Think tiger sharks after the IDC. You need to contact me for more info kai@diveinstructor.net
After a number of years without a PADI Instructor Development Course being conducted on Grand Cayman, I was incredibly excited to bring professional-level dive training back to the island in partnership with Living the Dream Divers.
This recent PADI IDC was attended by a dive shop owner, a doctor, a university student and a Dm who did all of her training at Living the Dream Divers from openwater through to instructor. From the very first online session through to the final days of training in the Caymans, the atmosphere was energetic, supportive, and highly professional.
A great advantage of my program is the flexible course structure. We began with 8 x 3-hour live online Zoom sessions before anyone even boards a plane. This format allows candidates to complete the majority of the classroom-based curriculum from the comfort of home, making it far easier to balance work, family, and training commitments. Once the online phase is complete, everyone arrives on Grand Cayman for 10 intensive days of in-water training
The in-water phase is exactly what professional dive training should be. Here I teach you how to teach as well as skill development, workshops, rescue scenarios, confined water presentations, open water teaching evaluations, and of course plenty of incredible Cayman Island diving. With crystal-clear visibility and warm tropical water, Grand Cayman never disappoints and is why it is one of the best places in the world to train dive professionals.
During the IDC, candidates also completed five PADI Specialty Instructor ratings:
- Nitrox Instructor
- Deep Instructor
- Wreck Instructor
- Boat Instructor
- Oxygen Provider Instructor
These additional ratings get candidates on their way to the MSDT rating and helps new instructors graduate with a broader teaching portfolio and more employment opportunities within the dive industry.
One of the undeniable highlights of the program is completing the Wreck Specialty Instructor training on the legendary USS Kittiwake. The ex-USS Kittiwake is one of the Caribbean’s most famous wreck dives and sits in crystal-clear water just off Seven Mile Beach. Originally launched in 1945 as a submarine rescue vessel for the United States Navy, the ship was intentionally sunk in 2011 to create an artificial reef and world-class dive site. Today, the wreck is covered in vibrant marine life and offers huge swim-throughs, easy penetration points, and stunning visibility that often exceeds 30 meters. Diving the Kittiwake is an unforgettable experience and an incredible classroom for future wreck diving instructors.
A major advantage of conducting the IDC on Grand Cayman is just how easy the island is to reach. With direct flights from major cities across the United States, Canada, and Europe, candidates can arrive in paradise with minimal travel stress. Whether coming from the East Coast of the USA or overseas from Europe, Grand Cayman is one of the most accessible Caribbean.
I am already looking forward to our next PADI IDC program this October and as a little teaser and to find out more, think Tiger Sharks after your IDC. Contact me for more info. If you’ve ever dreamed about becoming a PADI Instructor while training in warm Caribbean water, diving world-class wrecks, and learning in a relaxed but highly professional environment, Grand Cayman is the perfect place to make it happen.
For more information about upcoming programs, visit Dive Instructor Academy Cayman Islands IDC.
Gary is a PADI Master Instructor and an RYA 200 ton Off Shore. Having worked all over the world as a dive instructor and boat captain. He has spent the last 20 year based in the Cayman Islands. Together with his wife Liz they have built the number one scuba diving operation in the Caribbean.