PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI)
Elevate and become a PADI OWSI on Bonaire.
Imagine having the freedom to share your passion, travel to exciting places, and profoundly impact your own life as well as the lives of others.
Is this right for me?
Being an PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor opens up a whole new world of opportunities. Traveling the world, sharing your passion with other divers and contribute to a lasting change in marine environment conservation.
It’s not only about the prestigious title of OWSI. It’s so much more: empowering others through your teachings, preserve our oceans for future generations, forming a community of like-minded individuals, being part of a global network of dive professionals and conservationists. We could go on and on from here…..
The PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) is a unique experience, one in which you'll embark upon only once in your diving career! Selecting the right dive shop to guide you through this journey can be a challenge. We encourage you to read the full page about our PADI OWSI course and decide whether we are the perfect match to guide you towards attaining your Instructor rating.
Excited? Join us for a pre-course call, to exchange thoughts and insights.
Our approaches to
Instructor Development
01. Skill building: Throughout both classroom and in-water sessions, our focus is on your mastery of PADI teaching principles. We are dedicated to equipping you with tips and proven techniques that empower you to lead and teach with confidence.
02. Personal attention: We believe in small group training and a tailor-made approach to professional courses. Every candidate is unique, with varying learning styles and pace. That’s why we adapt and fully support your personal goals and journey. Even after earning your OWSI certification.
03 Worry and stress-free: We offer convenient packages that include options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner right at our IDC location. Our aim is to ensure your IDC experience is not only fun, but also completely relaxed and devoid of worries.
04 Flexible: We recognize the demands of your busy life and your passion for diving. That’s why we offer options to complete some of the IDC workshops online or spread your instructor training throughout the year.
Our IDC Training Facility
For our PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor course, we partnered up with Boutique Hotel Wanapa. To ensure your peace of mind and a worry-free experience, we proudly present a range of Pro Packages tailored to your needs.
More details about the IDC
The Instructor Development Course (IDC) consists of two integral components:
Many dive professionals complete the entire IDC and go on to attend an Instructor Examination (IE), which is the final step to earn a PADI Instructor certification.
Successfully completing just the AI course results in a PADI Assistant Instructor qualification. When an AI is ready to progress, attending an OWSI program allows entry into an IE to earn a full PADI Instructor rating.
Dive professionals who hold an instructor rating with another diver training organization may be eligible to enroll directly in the OWSI program. This recognizes prior instructor training and provides a path to become a PADI Instructor.
Why should you attent the PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor course on Bonaire?
Year-Round Diving: With consistent warm water and excellent visibility year-round, you can complete your training in optimal diving conditions. After finishing your training, enjoy the island and spend some vacation days!
Real-Life Scenarios: Gain hands-on experience by teaching in Bonaire's actual underwater conditions, preparing you for real-world teaching situations.
Escape from the Crowd: Bonaire offers an escape from the daily grind, allowing you to immerse yourself in the world of diving without distractions.
Lifetime Memories and Personal Growth: Attending an IDC on Bonaire can create lasting memories of a unique and transformative experience, not just professionally but also personally.
When can I start the Open Water Scuba Instructor course?
Prior to enrolling the course, you need to make sure you have met all prerequisites:
Certified PADI Assistant Instructor or a leadership level diving certification from another recognized recreational diver training organization
Be a certified diver for at least 6 months
18 years old
Completed Emergency First Responder (EFR) Primary and Secondary Care training within 24 months, or hand over a certificate of completion from an equivalent training organization which we can verify with PADI.
Medically evaluated and cleared for diving by a physician within 12 months. Download the Dive Medical Form here.
The OWSI Course Schedule.
00. Join the Emergency First Responder Instructor Training
01. Complete all IDC eLearning components
02. Join the practical part of the professional training at our Scuba Elite Academy
During this part, you will learn for example how to conduct knowledge development presentations as well as, confined and open water teaching presentations.
03. Complete your Instructor Examination (IE)
After 8 full days of training, it is time to put all the hard work together. During a 2 day Instructor Examination (IE), you will complete several (dive) theory exams and show all the skills you learned to the PADI examiners.
04. Celebrate!
After successfully completing the full IDC and the 2-day IE it is time to celebrate your huge achievement!
Course details.
Duration:
3 full days (Assistant Instructor program)
5 full days (OWSI program)
Price per person:
750 usd (Assistant Instructor program)
695 usd (OWSI program)
1099 usd (discounted package for AI + OWSI program)
Price includes only in-water training. Price excludes PADI IDC eLearning + crew pack and fees. Prices vary, please get in touch to receive our latest offers.
Price also excludes your Instructor Development Course fee (220 usd in 2023) and your Instructor Examination fee (795 usd in 2023). Please know you are required to renew your PADI OWSI In-Teaching Status yearly after certification. This costs you about 303 usd (in 2023) if you choose the option for automatic renewal.
Price excludes aslo the rent of dive equipment and tanks. Instructors also need to have their own additional dive equipment materials, such as a compass, dive knife and surface signaling devices. We recommend a pocket mask, slates and a pencil too. All these items are not included in the price but for sale at our dive shop.
How to sign up for the PADI OWSI course?
Firstly, please reach out to us. We will arrange a call to and ensure that we are an ideal match for your needs. During this conversation, we can assess whether you meet all the prerequisites for enrolling in the course, explore flexible options, and provide comprehensive details about the program.
If you decide to collaborate with us, we strongly recommend having your diver medical evaluation approved by a qualified dive physician beforehand. Assuming you receive medical clearance, we will initiate the training process by furnishing you with the PADI IDC eLearning program and our course manual.