Enrolling in the Career Development Program is super easy. You can contact us in the following methods : Website Enquiry Email us at info@intotheblue.co.za Meet us at 88b Main Road, Sea Point in person to check course dates and availability Once you’ve chosen your preferred start date, secure your place with payment, complete your PADI E- Learning and then start your journey to becoming an Instructor level professional with us.

CDC Course: Beginner To PADI Instructor

Cape Town Scuba Dive Centre

Scuba Courses

CDC Course

From zero to hero. Our comprehensive Career Development Programme takes you from absolute beginner up to qualified instructor.

Duration

6 Months

Max Depth

30 Meters

Min Age

18 Years Old

Dives

100+

Pool Sessions

Multiple

Price

R110,000

Course Overview

Start Your Lifetime Diving Journey

A 6-month program, which takes you from a beginner diver, all the way to PADI Open Water Scuba Diving Instructor.

The Adventure Awaits. Let’s Turn Your Passion for the Ocean into a Professional Diving Career.

Ready to go from complete beginner to professional dive instructor? Our Career Development Course (CDC) is a fully immersive 6-month scuba diving program designed to take you from your first breath underwater to becoming a certified PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor.

This program starts with your PADI Open Water Diver course and progresses step-by-step through to your PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC).

Over these 6 months, you will:

Train 5 days a week in a structured, professional environment. Learning from our amazing team of Instructors that wish you the best of success throughout your training.
Complete all required certifications from beginner to instructor level.
Log a minimum of 100 dives in real-world conditions.
Gain hands-on experience across all areas of a working dive centre.

This is More Than Just a Course!

Our Career Development Course in South Africa is designed to give you real industry experience, not just certifications. Join our dive centre family and most importantly have fun.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

What’s in our Career Development Course (CDC) is a fully immersive 6-month scuba diving internship.

Throughout the program, you will complete the full PADI professional pathway:

PADI Open Water Diver
PADI Advanced Open Water Diver
PADI Rescue Diver
EFR (Emergency First Response – CPR & First Aid)
Enriched Air ( Nitrox ) Diver
PADI Divemaster
EFR Instructor (EFRI)
PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC)

DIVING EXPERIENCE:

Train 5 days a week in a structured, supportive environment
Log a minimum of 100 dives in real-world conditions
Gain experience in both boat and shore diving
Build confidence in a variety of diving environments
Night diving and Deep Diving Experience

What sets our scuba diving internship apart is the practical, behind-the-scenes training.

You’ll gain experience in:

Equipment knowledge and upkeep
Boat knowledge & dive logistics
Dive centre logistics
Customer service & sales of scuba gear
Organising daily dive trips and managing groups in and out of the water.

These are the skills that make you stand out to employers worldwide.

Scuba diver hovering over a reef with bubbles rising

Why Choose Us

We have a PADI Course Director that overseas your training

Both PADI & TripAdvisor certificates of excellence won

Best dive instructors & dive masters

Good quality well maintained scuba equipment

Strong emphasis on safety & quality

Pricing

OUR TRAINING PHILOSOPHY: Don’t train until you get it right, train until you can’t get it wrong.

What’s Not Included: PADI registration & certification fees (Approx. £912 GBP, excl. VAT, paid directly to PADI) Fit to Dive Medical sign off

R110,000

Possible Upgrades

MSDT Prep we can do this as a add on to the Instructor course to train you to be a Specialty Instructor in 5 Areas of Diving.

Prerequisites

You do not need any prior diving experience to start this program. Be at least 18 years old. Be able to swim comfortably. Be in good general health. Pass a short entrance interview. Have a positive attitude and willingness to learn.

Cirriculum

What You'll Learn

Phase 1 – Foundation Diver

PADI Open Water Diver - Your introduction to the underwater world. Learn the fundamentals of scuba diving and become certified to dive up to 18 meters. PADI Advanced Open Water Diver - Build on your skills, improve your confidence, and expand your diving capabilities including deep and navigation dives up to 30 meters. Log 30 dives focused on buoyancy control, air consumption improvement and environmental awareness. We do a dive against debris with you to give back to our oceans as well as washing workshops and gear handling. You will receive a Traniee Shirt + Enriched Air (Nitrox) Diver specialty certification.

Phase 2 – Safety & Awareness

PADI Rescue Diver - Learn how to prevent problems, manage stress, and respond to emergencies. This is where you become a more aware and responsible diver. Log 10 dives focused on dive site risk assessments, assisting with student divers and leadership scenario dives. Sales Workshop, learning to sell all types of equipment and extend knowledge on different brands and diving systems. This phase prepares you for the transition into professional-level training. At the end you will have a Divemaster Orientation (Introduction to Divemaster standards and professional conduct).

Phase 3 – Professional Divemaster

Your first professional level certification! PADI Divemaster - Learn to guide certified divers, assist instructors with courses, develop leadership and supervision skills and Conduct briefings. By the end of this phase you will have a minimum 60 logged dives to qualify and become a certified PADI Divemaster

Phase 4 – Experience & Leadership Development

This is where you truly become a dive professional. Lead dives under supervision, build confidence working with certified divers, receive mentorship and feedback from instructors, increase your dive experience to 100+ logged dives and receive a Divemaster Shirt.This is one of the most valuable phases, turning knowledge into real confidence and employability.

Phase 5 – Instructor Training

Now it’s time to bring everything together. EFR Instructor Course (CPR & First Aid)PADI Instructor Development Course(IDC)PADI Instructor Examination (IE).Over 12/15 days (depending on group size), you will learn how to teach scuba diving courses, refine your skills to demonstration level and build confidence in classroom, confined, and open water teaching.

6 - Month Program

The Course Structure

Month 1

Phase 1 – Foundation Diver

Month 2

Phase 2 – Safety & Awareness

PADI Rescue Diver - Learn how to prevent problems, manage stress, and respond to emergencies. This is where you become a more aware and responsible diver. Log 10 dives focused on dive site risk assessments, assisting with student divers and leadership scenario dives. Sales Workshop, learning to sell all types of equipment and extend knowledge on different brands and diving systems. This phase prepares you for the transition into professional-level training. At the end you will have a Divemaster Orientation – Introduction to Divemaster standards and professional conduct.

Month 3

Phase 3 – Professional Divemaster. (Your first professional level certification)

PADI Divemaster - Learn to guide certified divers, assist instructors with courses, develop leadership and supervision skills and Conduct briefings. By the end of this phase you will have a minimum 60 logged dives to qualify and become a certified PADI Divemaster

Month 4 Part 1

Phase 4 – Experience & Leadership Development. (This is where you truly become a dive professional)

Lead dives under supervision, build confidence working with certified divers, receive mentorship and feedback from instructors, increase your dive experience to 100+ logged dives and receive a Divemaster Shirt.This is one of the most valuable phases, turning knowledge into real confidence and employability.

Month 5 Part 2

Phase 4 – Experience & Leadership Development. (This is where you truly become a dive professional)

Month 6

Phase 5 – Instructor Training. (Now it’s time to bring everything together)

EFR Instructor Course (CPR & First Aid)PADI Instructor Development Course(IDC)PADI Instructor Examination (IE).Over 12/15 days (depending on group size), you will learn how to teach scuba diving courses, refine your skills to demonstration level and build confidence in classroom, confined, and open water teaching.

Why Choose CT Dive School

Unmatched Quality & Safety

PADI 5-STAR IDC CENTRE

Top tier certification standard recognizing highest standards of diver training, safety and customer service.

DIVERSE MARINE LIFE

Cape Town's unique temperate reefs feature ancient kelp forests, historic wrecks, playful seals and spectacular biodiversity.

ALL EQUIPMENT INCLUDED

No hidden costs. Premium wetsuits, regulators, masks, fins, and cylinders are fully included in the price.

EXPERT INSTRUCTORS

Learn from highly experienced, certified ocean professionals who live and breathe Cape Town diving.

IN-HOUSE PADI COURSE DIRECTOR

Learn directly from an in-house Course Director, giving you expert guidance, personalised support and a clear pathway to becoming a confident dive professional.

QUICK OVERVIEW

Key Highlights

Minimum duration 6 months

Preparing for the course via e-learning homework

Bring swimsuit/sunscreen/towel and snacks

Minimum age: PADI Career Development Course 18 years

Our Course Director is always available to answer any questions you may have

Join the Into the Blue Family!

Log over 100 dives

Be confident teaching and leading divers

Be ready to work in dive centres all around the world

Be a fully qualified PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor

Requirements

Course Prerequisites

Before diving, ensure you meet PADI’s basic health and swimming requirements. No prior diving experience is required!

Be at least 18 years old

Be able to swim comfortably

Be in good general health

Pass a short entrance interview

Have a positive attitude and willingness to learn

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

ABBREVIATION EXPLAINER:

IE = Instructors Examination
IDC = Instructors Development Course
EFR = Emergency First Response
EFRI = Emergency First Response Instructor
OWSI = Open Water Scuba Instructor
PADI = Professional Association of Diving Instructors
GBP = Great British Pounds, or Pound Sterling
CDC = Career Development Course – when you do all course from beginner to Instructor in a 6 month program

HOW DO I ENROLL?

Enrolling in the Career Development Program is super easy.

You can contact us in the following methods :

Website Enquiry
Email us at info@intotheblue.co.za
Meet us at 88b Main Road, Sea Point in person to check course dates and availability

Once you’ve chosen your preferred start date, secure your place with payment, complete your PADI E- Learning and then start your journey to becoming an Instructor level professional with us.

WHAT WILL MY RATING BE AFTER COMPLETING THE IDC?

PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor.

CAN I START A DIVING CAREER WITH NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE?

Absolutely. Many of our candidates begin with no diving experience at all. Our career development packages are specifically designed to guide you step-by-step, combining certifications, real-world experience, and mentorship.

By the end of your training, you’ll have the skills, confidence, and qualifications to work in the dive industry worldwide.

HOW MANY DIVES WILL I COMPLETE DURING THE PROGRAM?

Depending on your starting point, you can expect to complete 100 – 200+ dives throughout your training.

This extensive in-water time is key to building confidence, improving skills, and becoming a competent leader underwater.

WHICH COURSES CAN I TEACH WITH THIS RATING?

You can teach the following courses as an OWSI:

PADI Discover Scuba Experience
PADI Scuba Diver
PADI Open Water
PADI Adventure Diver
PADI Advanced Diver
PADI Rescue Diver
PADI Divemaster
PADI Bubble Maker Experience
PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty
AWARE Coral Reef Conservation
Project AWARE Specialist
PADI Skin Diver
PADI Discover Snorkelling

Many of our candidates go on to travel and work internationally.

DO YOU OFFER JOB PLACEMENT OR CAREER SUPPORT?

We provide ongoing career guidance, including:

CV and interview preparation
Industry advice and networking
Recommendations for global job opportunities

While we cannot guarantee placement, we actively support you in launching your diving career.

CAN I COMBINE MY PROGRAM WITH OTHER SKILLS?

Yes and we highly recommend it. You can combine your Program with additional tracks such as:

Skipper / boat handling
Equipment servicing
Conservation programs

This makes you far more employable in the dive industry.

WHEN CAN I START MY TRAINING?

We offer year-round start dates, so you can begin your training whenever it suits you.

We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak seasons in Cape Town.

DO I NEED MY OWN EQUIPMENT?

You don’t need to own equipment to start. We provide all necessary gear during training.

However, many Divemaster candidates choose to invest in their own equipment as they progress, and we can guide you on the best options.

IS DIVING IN CAPE TOWN DIFFICULT?

Cape Town diving can be more challenging than tropical locations due to colder water and varying conditions, but that’s exactly what makes it valuable.

Training here ensures you become a confident, capable diver ready for any environment in the world.

All-inclusive training

What's Included in the fee

PADI Digital Learning Materials

Premium Scuba Gear Rental

PADI Certification Processing & Card

Experienced Instructor Developement Team and small groups

Safety Gear and Diver's Insurance

6 months of incredible training

Photo Gallery

Underwater Scenes & Diving Moments

Testimonials

What our divers say

My wife and I had a really great time diving with Into the Blue Cape Town in May. The gear you get is very good, including Scubapro Seawing Nova fins, 7mm wetsuits, gloves, boots, and even an extra vest to wear under the wetsuit. The water was quite cold at around 14°C, and since I normally only dive in tropical waters, I was a bit unsure at first. But with the gear provided, I was absolutely fine for the whole dive. My wife did shiver at the end of dives though. You could stop the dives at any time and one of the dive master would get you to the boat. We had an amazing time in the kelp forest and even saw a pyjama shark. On our first dive at North Paw, we were also lucky enough to see a seal right at the end of the dive, which was a really nice surprise. The whole day was very well organized and the service was excellent. Everyone was friendly, professional, and made us feel comfortable. Unfortunately, we had to leave for the Garden Route the next day, otherwise we would definitely have booked another dive with them. Overall, it was a really great experience, and next time I am in Cape Town, I will for sure dive with Into the Blue again. Highly recommended.

Into the Blue took our family group of 10 out snorkelling and scuba diving. They were great in accommodating both the snorkellers and divers needs at the same time and keeping everyone happy. They went out of there way to make it such a special day, taking us to different sites and providing snacks and hot drinks after the dive /snorkel. Thank you so much ‘Into the Blue’! What a fantastic day!

Thurl Abrahams

Great experience diving today - double tank dives in the kelp was an incredible experience...especially with the seals! It was cold...so be prepared! But the kit was great quality, the safety briefings were perfect and the diving with James as our dive guide was brilliant. Thank you to the full team...if you are in Cape Town...dive it!

Alex James

Ready to dive into Cape Town?

Book a PADI course, fun dive or dive holiday with Into The Blue today.