BAREFOOT COZUMEL · PADI 5-STAR IDC
Become a PADI Instructor
The final step to teaching diving worldwide. Train at a real IDC center in Cozumel with an experienced PADI Course Director.
A PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI) is a certified dive professional who can independently teach and certify divers, guiding students from their very first underwater breaths through advanced recreational training and professional-level courses up to Divemaster.
Unlike Divemasters, who primarily assist with training and supervise certified divers, instructors have the privilege and responsibility of creating new divers. They introduce people to an entirely new world beneath the surface, helping students build confidence, develop new skills, and discover a lifelong passion for exploration and adventure.
Being a PADI Instructor is about far more than teaching scuba skills. Instructors inspire curiosity, encourage personal growth, and help people overcome challenges they never thought possible. They witness transformative moments every day, from a student’s first successful dive to life-changing encounters with marine life. Through their guidance, countless individuals gain a deeper appreciation for the ocean and become advocates for its protection.
For many, becoming a PADI Instructor is an opportunity to turn a passion into a profession. It offers the chance to share unforgettable experiences, connect with people from around the world, and build a career centered on adventure, education, and a love for the underwater world. Every certification represents a new diver whose life has been enriched by the experience, making teaching scuba one of the most rewarding careers in the world.
14 days
course + 2-day IE
Max 4
candidates per group
Course Director
on staff
Worldwide
teach anywhere
Everything you need to know: what you learn, how the IE works, and what it costs. Tap through the tabs.
The Instructor Development Course (IDC) at Barefoot Cozumel is led by a friendly, multilingual, and experienced team that will assist and support you throughout your professional training journey. As a 5-Star Instructor Development Center, Barefoot Cozumel is committed to the highest professional standards for leaders in the diving industry. The program is designed for divers who want to become confident and successful PADI Instructors. The course includes hands-on teaching practice, mentorship from an experienced Course Director, and full preparation for the PADI Instructor Examination. With small groups, personalized attention, and a long-standing 100% pass rate, the program focuses on developing strong teaching skills, dive knowledge, and real-world experience in one of the world’s best diving destinations.
- Course Director on staff
- Small groups, never more than four candidates
- Train inside a real working dive center
IDC program overview
Program Basics
The IDC is conducted over 14 days and combines classroom development sessions, confined-water workshops, open-water training, teaching presentations, and realistic instructor simulations to prepare candidates for both the PADI Instructor Examination and real teaching situations.
The program focuses on building confidence, professionalism, and strong instructional abilities through continuous practice, coaching, and feedback. Candidates work on:
- Dive theory development
- PADI standards and teaching philosophy
- Academic presentation workshops
- Confined water teaching workshops
- Open water teaching scenarios
- Rescue skills and diver safety workshops
- Skill demonstrations and demonstration-quality diving techniques
- Risk management and instructor-level supervision skills
- Student control, communication, and organization techniques
- Practical workshops focused on real instructor situations and problem management
The IDC also places strong emphasis on developing comfort in front of students, effective communication, adaptability, and professional-level diving demonstrations.
- Knowledge development and dive theory at exam standard
- Confined water, all 24 skills at instructor quality
- Open water teaching scenarios
- Rescue and risk management workshops
IE Prep & IE
After successfully completing the IDC program, we will take a 2-day preparation break before the Instructor Examination (IE). One day will be dedicated to completing the EFR Instructor course, which is a mandatory prerequisite for attending the IE. The second day will be reserved for self-practice or an optional IE Preparation course to refine your teaching skills, demonstrations, and exam procedures.
The following three days will be devoted to the PADI Instructor Examination (IE), conducted by an independent PADI Examiner. During the examination, your knowledge, teaching ability, and in-water skills will be evaluated to ensure you meet PADI’s professional standards and are fully prepared to begin your career as a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor.
- Mock IE, a full timed simulation
- Video review of your teaching
- Individual coaching on your weak areas
Everything you need for the IDC, with a clear daily structure from morning theory to afternoon water work.
- IDC eLearning Digital Crew-Pak
- PADI Instructor cue cards
- EFR Instructor course and crew-pak
- Tanks, weights and all training equipment
- Personal scuba gear if you need it
- Transport to every water session
- Light lunch on water-training days
- All marine park fees
- Pre-IE mock exams and personal feedback
- Post-IE debrief and career guidance
Make sure you are ready to begin the IDC.
- PADI Divemaster certification
- Minimum 100 logged dives
- 18+ and 6 months since Divemaster (recommended)
- EFR Instructor cert (before/during) + medical clearance
Total cost. Applications and the IE fee are paid directly to PADI.
- IDC and EFR Instructor training: $1,300
- IDC Crew-Pak, eLearning and instructor tools: $650
- EFR Instructor Crew-Pak, eLearning: $350
- PADI Instructor application fee: $235
- PADI EFR Instructor application fee: $152
- Instructor Examination fee: $825
Decades of combined experience in Cozumel’s waters. Small groups mean your Course Director knows your name.
- 20+ years industry experience
- 50+ professional certifications
- 1000+ divers certified
“The ocean doesn’t care about your excuses, and training shouldn’t either. Confidence is built above water and earned below it.”
- 400+ divers certified
- Calm, detail-focused coaching
“The fish are calling us to join them. When that moment arrives, grab it with both gills and feel the freedom of the water world.”
- 10+ professional certifications
- 500+ divers certified
“It’s never too late to change your life. When passion for the ocean takes over, take the plunge. No troubles, just bubbles.”
We don’t just teach you to pass, we prepare you to excel. Every graduate represents Barefoot’s reputation.
Small groups, real conditions, and support that doesn’t end at certification.
Intimate class sizes
Max 4 candidates, never the crowds of big programs. Your Course Director knows your name and your goals.
World-class environment
100+ ft visibility, warm water and predictable currents. Develop your teaching in ideal conditions.
Career-focused
Beyond the minimum: resume building, interview prep and industry networking from day one.
Post-IDC mentoring
Support does not end at certification. You get new-instructor guidance and mentoring as you begin your teaching career.
Tell us your background and goals.
We assess your preparation level.
Pick an IDC schedule that works for you.
A 50% deposit reserves your place.
Pre-IDC study materials and recommendations.
Start your transformation into an instructor.
Not ready yet? If you haven’t completed your Divemaster, start there first, our DM program sets you up perfectly for IDC success.
Ready to become an instructor?
Talk with our Course Director and map out your fastest path to teaching diving worldwide.
Our IDC runs 14 days of intensive training, followed by the 2-day Instructor Examination (IE). Total commitment is approximately 2-2.5 weeks including the IE.
The IE is an independent 2-day evaluation conducted by a PADI Examiner (not affiliated with any dive center). It assesses your knowledge, presentation skills, confined water teaching, open water teaching, and personal diving skills. Pass rates average 80% industry-wide; our candidates average higher due to intensive preparation.
PADI allows partial passes,you may pass some components and retake others at a future IE within 12 months. We provide additional coaching at no extra charge to prepare you for retakes. Most “failures” are just a single component that needs refinement.
Maximum 4 candidates. Our small class size ensures personalized attention from your Course Director, a significant advantage over programs running 12-20+ candidates.
You must hold PADI Divemaster certification, have 100+ logged dives, be at least 18 years old, and hold (or obtain) EFR Instructor certification. We recommend at least 6 months of active diving experience as a Divemaster.
Our IDCs align with regional IE dates, typically scheduled quarterly. Contact us for upcoming dates. We recommend booking 2-3 months in advance to secure your preferred dates.
Popular specialties include Deep, Enriched Air Nitrox, Drift, Wreck, Night, and Underwater Photography. Our Career Starter Package includes 3 specialty instructor ratings to boost your employability immediately after certification.
Earnings vary significantly by location and role. Resort instructors typically earn $2,000-4,000/month . Freelance instructors can earn $30-50 per student. Experienced instructors teaching specialty courses or working as course directors earn considerably more.
You need adequate swimming stamina (400m swim, 800m snorkel, 15-minute tread water), but you don’t need to be an Olympic swimmer. Focus on efficient, relaxed swimming rather than speed. We can help you prepare if you’re concerned about fitness requirements.