By Arthur, PADI Divemaster trainee at Dune Penida · Updated July 2026
The PADI Divemaster is the first professional level in scuba diving — the step from certified diver to dive guide. Here’s what the course really involves at the Dune Penida dive centre in Nusa Penida, Bali (opened in 2017 as Warnakali, now Dune Penida) — prerequisites, duration and price — followed by the first-hand story of Arthur, who did his Divemaster with us.
The course at a glance
- Prerequisites: PADI Advanced Open Water + Rescue Diver + EFR (primary & secondary care), 40+ logged dives and 18 years old. Not there yet? Dune Penida can take you from a lower level and build you up (as Arthur did).
- Duration: around one month, with a minimum of 30 training dives.
- Price: 24 million IDR (about €1,250) for the complete Divemaster programme.
- Level reached: your first professional diving certification — you can guide certified divers and assist instructors.
That’s it — you’ve chosen to embark on the adventure of becoming a professional diver and taking a PADI Divemaster course! My name is Arthur, and I want to tell you the story of my Divemaster training. I’ll start by briefly explaining my situation and my motivations.
What led me to follow a Divemaster course?
An interesting first question! I’m in a rather special case, because I needed an internship abroad as part of my engineering studies in France. The internship’s goals were to discover a foreign culture, different ways of working abroad and to improve my English — and I had total freedom over the location and the field. Having passed a Level 1 in France (equivalent to the PADI Open Water Diver) five years earlier, I realized I’d loved it and wanted to do it again. So I looked for an internship in a diving centre in Bali. After a few exchanges with Yann (the manager and instructor) and Blaise (his partner), they offered to let me do my Divemaster course alongside my internship at their centre — Dune Penida, called Warnakali at the time.
I accepted straight away and got ready for this amazing experience.
First day at the Dune Penida dive centre
As soon as I arrived in Nusa Penida, I went to the Dune Penida dive centre to meet Yann, who would be my mentor, and to see the place. I discovered someone passionate about diving and eager to teach it. It’s very simple: during the first few hours, we only talked about the Divemaster training — not at all about my internship or the work I’d have to do! I quickly explored the premises, with the infinity pool and the amazing view.
At that exact moment, I knew I couldn’t have made a better choice for an internship.
Before the PADI Divemaster course
With only a few dives of experience and very limited underwater skills, I had to go diving every day! Yann is demanding, but I progressed. I chose my favourite dive specialties and quickly passed my PADI Advanced Open Water certification. My air consumption started to drop thanks to the good advice of Yann and Célia (the second instructor). I practised daily buoyancy exercises and the results showed! Once I was ready, Yann had me take the Emergency First Response (EFR) course, which he teaches himself.
Then came my PADI Rescue Diver course! These two courses were extremely important, because they teach you how to react in an emergency. I really enjoyed them: although they deal with serious subjects, they’re taught in a fun way. So I dived and learned for a month with Dune Penida to reach 40 dives and finally start my Divemaster training! Even though Yann kept telling me I was on “fun dives”, I held myself to a certain rigour by applying my mentor’s practices — which I recommend you do from the very start!
How do you become a certified Divemaster?
The PADI Divemaster course isn’t only about scuba diving — far from it! You’ll learn that exemplary behaviour is expected from a Divemaster: an impeccable attitude, a customer-focused approach, and so on. A striking example: I used to stay shirtless at the centre, and Yann quickly explained that this wasn’t appropriate towards the centre’s customers.
When you do a Divemaster training, you also have to show real commitment! Why would your mentor sign you off as a “Divemaster” (it’s his final decision to certify your skills) if you’re not fully invested? Show interest, dig into the topics that need clarifying with your mentor — he’ll be delighted to see your involvement.
The PADI Divemaster theory
To reach Divemaster level, a certain amount of theoretical knowledge about diving is required. The PADI Divemaster manual will be your best friend for completing the knowledge reviews. After those, you take part in two days of classroom theory where everything is revisited, explained and deepened. This indoor session helped me understand a lot. Beyond being in a “classroom”, it’s a very friendly time with your mentor — an exchange, not a long monologue like some university lectures! At the end you sit the theory exam, and then you’re done with theory. Some people find this part less interesting because there’s no diving; for me these were the moments I preferred, because they significantly enrich your knowledge of scuba diving.
Divemaster training skills
During your training you learn to demonstrate the 20 skills an Open Water Diver must perform, plus the 4 skin-diving skills. You can watch videos summarizing them, and the equipment and pool are available whenever you want to practise, on top of the sessions with the instructors. So you work these skills independently or with your buddy. One trick that really helps is to rehearse them “dry”, on land in front of a window — it’s repetition that lets you master them to demonstration standard. Your mentor then tests your ability to perform them.
The different exercises you’ll practise
During your PADI Divemaster training, you complete several exercises.
First, you build an emergency plan for a given dive site — a way to check your ability to manage an emergency.
A second exercise is the mapping of a dive site: you draw the contours, identify the key features and so on, for a site you don’t yet know — and a certain accuracy is expected.
The management of a full day with guests is another one! From welcoming clients on the beach, to the pre-dive briefing, guiding guests underwater and the post-dive debrief — all of it is assessed by your instructor. A chance to show your professionalism and your readiness to answer divers’ questions!
Another exercise is a search and recovery scenario. For my training, we went to recover a fishing net tangled in the coral. It was a great experience, and it revealed an entirely different side of diving: it’s not just about watching the fauna and flora!
PADI Divemaster swimming exercises
During your DMT you’re assessed on several swimming exercises, usually over a full afternoon with rest between events. You start with a 400 m swim, then an 800 m mask-fins-snorkel — considered the hardest, which is why they come first. You continue with 15 minutes of positive surface buoyancy and 100 m of towing a diver. Finally, a “stress test” puts you in a new context where you have to handle different situations. This was my favourite — it taught me to better manage an unknown situation.
Assisting with Discover Scuba Diving and leading Discover Local Diving
As a Divemaster, your role is to lead and assist diving programs. The first is the ReActivate, which refreshes the knowledge of already-certified divers: after assessing their theory, you help them run through practical skills. You may also lead snorkelling sessions and supervise snorkelling in natural or protected areas — staying vigilant about currents and reminding people of freediving techniques when needed.
You’ll assist an instructor during discovery dives in the sea. Being exemplary at all times is key to inspiring the students, and it’s important to anticipate the instructor’s needs to make their work easier. Finally, you’ll lead a Discover Local Diving program — in other words a “fun dive” with certified divers: welcoming them, running the boat and pre-dive briefings, and guiding them underwater. This is the essence of a qualified Divemaster’s work.
My personal feedback on the PADI Divemaster course
During your training, your motivation is everything. Your instructors help you move forward, but you have to earn your Divemaster certification — your desire has to be clearly visible! That wasn’t the case for me at first, and things weren’t perfect. After a few talks with my mentor, the situation improved and let us both get much more out of it. The sharing became obvious and the moments brilliant. The DMT taught me a lot: the relationships with divers are fascinating and push you to constantly question yourself and improve. Humility matters a lot underwater, so you’ll have to learn it if you haven’t already. For me it was hard, because I didn’t always realize my mistakes.
The Divemaster: the first professional level
I’d also remind you that the DMT can’t be bought — at least not at Dune Penida! You have to reach the required minimum to be certified. As the Divemaster is PADI’s first professional diving level, you need to reach a real standard and be able to take on responsibilities. You get there by working. Don’t see the DMT as a holiday, but as an apprenticeship — that was my initial mistake, and it held me back at first. Keep in mind you’ll make mistakes, but your mentor won’t hold them against you if you understand and correct them. Finally, future Divemaster trainee, I wish you lots of success and a bright future in the diving family!
Price of the PADI Divemaster in Nusa Penida
The PADI Divemaster training at Dune Penida in Nusa Penida costs 24 million IDR (about €1,250) for a complete programme of around one month, with a minimum of 30 training dives. The price includes:
- PADI Divemaster e-learning
- PADI Divemaster submersible slates
- mentoring by an experienced PADI instructor (French, English or Indonesian)
- at least one night dive during the training
- a minimum of 30 dives during the programme
- complete diving equipment (BCD, regulator, wetsuit, mask, fins), tanks and weights
- help with your Indonesian visa application via a local agent
- dive insurance (hyperbaric chamber only)
The final cost can vary depending on your starting level and any certifications you need before entering the Divemaster training — notably the Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver or EFR.
Dune runs the Divemaster as a 4–6 week internship across Bali and Nusa Penida — you graduate with a verified portfolio of 60+ logged dives and a Dune global-network reference. A 50:50 Bali / Nusa Penida program (from 42 million IDR) and a custom “nomadic” option are also available. See the full options on the Dune Pro Diving Divemaster programs page.
Book your Divemaster training
Thinking about becoming a dive pro? Message Roy at Dune Penida with your current level and dates — he’ll tell you exactly what you need before the Divemaster, how long it will take for your profile, and help you plan the programme (and your stay on the island).
Become a dive pro with Roy
Roy is a PADI dive instructor at Dune Penida. Tell him your certification level and how much time you have, and he’ll map out your path to becoming a professional diver in Nusa Penida.
What’s next after your Divemaster? Become a PADI instructor
Once you have your Divemaster, the logical next step is to become a dive instructor in Bali — moving from guide to trainer, with the ability to certify your own students. In the meantime, put your new level to use by exploring the best dive sites around Nusa Penida and building your guiding experience.
FAQ — PADI Divemaster in Nusa Penida
What are the prerequisites for the PADI Divemaster?
You need to be a PADI Advanced Open Water diver and Rescue Diver, hold a current EFR (first aid) certificate, have at least 40 logged dives and be 18 or older. If you’re not there yet, Dune Penida can build you up to that level first.
How long does the Divemaster course take?
Around one month, with a minimum of 30 training dives — longer if you also need the Advanced Open Water, Rescue or EFR beforehand.
How much does the Divemaster cost in Nusa Penida?
24 million IDR (about €1,250) for the complete programme, including e-learning, slates, instructor mentoring, 30+ dives, full equipment, help with your Indonesian visa and dive insurance.
Is the Divemaster an internship?
It’s an apprenticeship-style programme: you train and gain real experience assisting instructors and guiding certified divers. It can’t be “bought” — you earn the certification by reaching PADI’s professional standard.
What can you do with a Divemaster certification?
It’s PADI’s first professional level: you can guide certified divers, lead fun dives, assist instructors and supervise programs like ReActivate and snorkelling — and it’s the gateway to becoming a PADI instructor.
Is accommodation included?
Accommodation isn’t included, but Dune can help arrange housing near the centre in Nusa Penida or Bali. Budget roughly 3–6 million IDR per month depending on your preferences.
About this guide
This first-hand account was written by Arthur, who did his PADI Divemaster training at Dune Penida (the dive centre founded in 2017 as Warnakali) in Nusa Penida, mentored by the centre’s instructors. The centre was opened by Blaise Jaeger, a PADI Master Scuba Diver with more than 700 logged dives, who founded Nusa Penida’s first PADI dive centre. Our goal is to give you an honest, first-hand picture of what the Divemaster course really involves.